Last week we unloaded the Styrofoam in the park. It was extremely successful because there were 1,000 people (I went around to schools in Vancouver and told students about the event I was planning) at the protest around the Styrofoam heap, chanting various slogans and holding up signs. People who passed by were very upset by the huge pile of white garbage in their park. At the end of the day, everyone cleaned up the Styrofoam together although, of course, it all had to go to the landfill because it was all used cups and dirty takeout containers that were now scrunched. This affected people because it showed them that it was used and now it all had to get thrown away. They knew exactly how much Styrofoam was going into the landfill because they had been able to see it and know that this was only the smallest fraction of the Styrofoam that has gone and will go to the landfill, where it will sit forever. Forever is a long time - I think this is the message that we got across to many people because people make such small decision in seconds every day that end up having a permanent impact on the Earth. The event received lots of media attention so everyone who wasn't there has seen it on the various news clips during the week.
Although there has been no mention of laws regarding Styrofoam changing yet, I am hopeful that they will in the near future because we have begun the change. If people refuse to use Styrofoam and continue to protest it, the government will be forced to listen. The government does, after all, represent the people. The reason that I am not writing to you from jail is that the police (as I am sure you have seen on the news) decided not to arrest us for littering and being a disturbance in the park. Everyone was shocked but it was very encouraging because I know that this was something many people were worried about. Many people refused to join the actual protest (although they helped collect Styrofoam) because they were afraid that they would get in trouble.
Initiating the creation of the Styrofoam pile and anti-Styrofoam protest has really changed the person that I am. It improved my leadership skills because I did something that I never thought I could do. It also brought me closer to a lot of people and it was amazing because we all came together and worked towards a common goal. Taking on the challenge of making people more aware of the Styrofoam issue has definitely improved my awareness of other issues around the world and made me want to learn more about them. I am very glad that I did it.
As a result, my life has changed. Now that I know what I know, it is too late to go back. I cannot take any Styrofoam products. Instead, I bring my Tupperware container and stainless steel mug everywhere that I go so that I am always ready and #6 cannot catch me off guard. I like to think that I am setting an example for other people when I do these things because everyone needs to start thinking about their waste a little bit more. In Starbucks, for example, 1/10 people get their drink in a paper or plastic cup, despite the fact that Starbucks constantly sells a variety of mugs and gives discounts to people who bring their own. This shows that we still have a long way to go and it will take a very long time to change our ways. It is why I challenge you to pick up an environmentally friendly habit.
The following video was made by grade 10 students and it shows that it is not too late to change. It is ironic that the song playing says "just forget the world" when this is exactly what we have been doing but what we can no longer do. (Watching is optional):
The following video was made by grade 10 students and it shows that it is not too late to change. It is ironic that the song playing says "just forget the world" when this is exactly what we have been doing but what we can no longer do. (Watching is optional):
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