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Twenty-two top aquariums across the United States – including the Tennessee Aquarium – have already eliminated five million straws in their coordinated campaign to reduce sources of plastic pollution. Now, this unprecedented coalition, the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), is upping its game by encouraging individuals, businesses and cities around the country to cut back on single-use plastic — starting with plastic straws — by Earth Day 2019 on April 22.
Banding together in a joint #FirstStep to plastic-free waters, the ACP is seeking commitments from 500 more businesses, pledges from individuals, and policy action by municipalities to reduce this growing source of single-use plastic waste, which harms freshwater and ocean wildlife around the world.
The campaign will kick off during #NoStrawNovember, a nationwide movement asking people who don’t need them to refuse plastic straws for 30 days.
In early October, German chemistry professor Dr. Andreas Fath, visited the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute to announce the findings of a comprehensive analysis of the Tennessee River’s water quality. Dubbed “TenneSwim – a Swim for Science,” Fath swam the entire 652-mile length of the Tennessee River during the summer of 2017. Along the way, he and his team collected water samples, which they spent the last year analyzing. Despite finding the river in generally good health, Fath revealed that his analyses found staggering levels of microplastics.
“The concentration of microplastics Dr. Fath recorded was alarming, especially considering that his team was only sampling the water closest to the surface,” said Dr. Anna George, the Tennessee Aquarium’s Vice President of Conservation Science and Education. “Based on this information, we believe there are even more particles along the riverbed where the heavier plastics would end up.”
“Dr. Fath and his team identified a plastic problem in our river, but it will take additional research to fully understand how that impacts aquatic life and human health. But we don’t need to wait on that research to know that right now, everyone can contribute to improving the health of our rivers by reducing single-use plastic. Cutting back on plastic straws won’t solve the problem, but it’s an important first step. It helps people become more mindful of the single-use plastic that passes through our hands for a short period, but lasts a lifetime in the environment.”
The #FirstStep campaign includes:
- Recruiting 500 new businesses to partner with aquariums across the country by committing to offer straws only on request, for a total of 1,000 businesses committed by Earth Day 2019
- An online pledge site (pledge.ourhands.org/) where individuals can commit to make the last straw their first step to plastic-free waters
- Initiatives by partner aquariums to inspire cities in their regions to pass straws-on-request ordinances and other local measures to reduce single-use plastic
- An opportunity for individuals to get tips via text message on ways to cut back on single-use plastic in their daily lives, by texting InOurHands to 49767
Since the 2017 launch of the ACP, 22 partner aquariums in 17 states – located on the coasts and in the heartland – have eliminated more than 5 million straws a year, stopped using plastic shopping bags, and have committed to significantly reduce or eliminate plastic beverage bottles by 2020. Nearly 500 businesses, including United Airlines, the Chicago White Sox, Dignity Health hospitals and Farmer Brothers Coffee, have made plastic-reduction commitments in collaboration with ACP aquariums.
Municipalities in aquarium communities, and California on a statewide basis, have enacted laws either banning single-use plastic from many foodservice operations or requiring businesses to offer plastic straws only when customers request them. ACP partner aquariums are supporting these efforts in a variety of ways.
“There’s new scientific evidence, almost on a weekly basis, about the ways that plastic pollution is harming marine and aquatic wildlife,” said Monterey Bay Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard. “I find it so encouraging that people are responding quickly to the threat—by changing their habits, and asking businesses and governments to step up and take action.”
“The health of our lakes and rivers is important not only to the wildlife that live there – they are a recreation and economic resource for us all,” said Bridget Coughlin, president and CEO of Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. “Beyond inspiring the public to take action, it’s our duty to empower businesses and community leaders to raise the issue of plastic pollution taking place in both freshwater and marine habitats, lead by example and make long-lasting, impactful change.”
“A sea change is underway, and people want to do their part to ensure the future of our ocean planet,” said National Aquarium President and Chief Executive Officer John Racanelli. “All 22 of the aquariums that make up the ACP are committed to reducing single-use plastics, and it is now our hope to inspire and serve as a model for other organizations and companies as well as individuals. The reality is that if everyone does their part, we can make a meaningful impact.”
ACP’s initiative has already expanded globally. Its work sparked the European Commission and United Nations Environment Program – with support from five international partners, including ACP – to announce a commitment by European Union Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella at the 5th international “Our Ocean” conference October 29-30 in Bali, Indonesia to coordinate a global coalition of 200 aquariums by 2019 to raise public awareness about plastic pollution.
For more information about the #FirstStep campaign or to take the pledge, please visit pledge.ourhands.org/.
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