Florida News Connection
By: Trimmel Gomes
Olympic swimmer turned environmental activist Merle Liivand has
seen a rise in plastic waste while navigating the Intracoastal canals of South
Florida over the years and has decided to take action.
Liivand actively participates in cleanup efforts alongside environmental groups
and has grown frustrated by the amount of plastic waste discarded by people. She is
encouraging people to do better and said it could be as simple as avoiding the
use of materials containing microbeads which are banned by federal law as
additives in toothpaste and facial cleansers -- yet allowed in other personal
care products -- even in makeup.
"I created my own skin care and instead of that, I use actually Icelandic
volcanic ash," Liivand explained. "When something frustrates me, I
also don't want to go and complain about it. I try to find solutions."
Liivand noted she is tired of seeing trash where she enjoys catching a swim and
hopes others will also become creative and fight against the plastic invasion
threatening our ecosystems.
Activists agreed you do not have to stray far from your passions to be part of
the solution.
Linda Cheung, founder and creative director of the nonprofit Before It's Too
Late, focuses on teaching environmental topics to children through art.
"A lot of times it's just giving kids the exposure to some of these
ideas," Cheung emphasized. "And also making them feel empowerment and
agency like they actually have a voice or they have some power. "
Others use science and art to demonstrate the interconnectedness of everything.
Ombretta Agro' Andruff, founder and executive director of ARTSail, organizes
events catering to underserved communities, sometimes drawing crowds of more
than 400 people.
"We bring artists together with climate activists, with scientists, with
marine experts, with responsible businesses to help them understand how climate
change and pollution are impacting our waterways," Andruff outlined.
"We assist them in creating artwork with advocacy value."
While there is no data to measure the impact of the programs, the goal is to
forge connections between segments of the community, engage with people who are
frequently marginalized, and inspire the next generation to care for and
protect the environment.
This story was produced
with original reporting from Ariel Rodriguez for NBC Miami.
E-mail
Doc at mail to: dr.gwebb@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook (E. Eugene Webb) Friend request.
Like or share on Facebook, follow me on TWITTER @DOC ON THE BAY.
See Doc's
Photo Gallery at Bay Post Photos.
Disclosures:
No comments:
Post a Comment