Will tomorrow be made of PLASTIC? We need to talk about eco-anxiety

Force of Nature

About the Episode

In the third episode of season two, We Need to Talk about Eco-Anxiety, Clover explores our world of plastic and its impact on people and the planet. First up, Clover meets Melati Wijsen, founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags. Melati explains why our oceans are drowning in plastic, and how that could gravely impact all life on this planet. We then hear from young people around the world experiencing eco-anxiety; our resident psychotherapist, Caroline Hickman, on how to harness our emotions in a rapidly changing world; and finally, VP of Dove, Allesandro Manfredi, on how global corporations are beginning to address the issue.

Top Quotes

"By 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish." - Melati Wijsen

"Plastic is cheap, its single use, and then we forget about it once it's served its purpose. It's actually a really good symbol for all that is wrong with us." - Melati Wijsen

About the Guests

Melati Wijsen is an Indonesian/Dutch activist and change maker. She founded Bye Bye Plastic Bags with her younger sister in 2013 and has successfully banned plastic bags, straws and Styrofoam from their home island, Bali, as of 2019. She has also started the people movement One Island One Voice and the social enterprise, Mountain Mama's; has spoken at TED and the United Nations, and has also been selected among Forbes top ten most inspiring women in the country.

Caroline Hickman is a psychotherapist and Climate Psychology Therapist in Education at the University of Bath. Her research specialises in children and young people's relationships with nature, and their feelings about the climate and ecological crisis.

About the Sponsor

Dove - a Unilever brand - is on a mission to eliminate virgin plastic from its products. By 2025, all Dove packaging will either be made from 100% recycled plastic, refillable or be reusable. This will reduce the manufacture of more than 20,500 tonnes of virgin plastic per year. Dove are also trialling new refillable deodorant, and will be making their iconic Beauty Bar packaging plastic-free globally.

You can learn more about their commitment at: https://www.dove.com/us/en/stories/about-dove/plastics-commitment.html

Resources

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Read our latest blog over on The Bloom, written by one of our young content creators inspired by this episode https://www.forceofnature.xyz/the-bloom