THE MISSION

When was the last time you attended an event and didn't see plastic? Avoiding plastic is next to impossible. It's in our food and beverage packaging, it holds our soaps and disinfectants, micro-plastics have been found in our clothes and our bodies, and it is likely used in the device you're reading this on. 

Plastic comes from fossil fuels, an industry we know to be leading the charge in producing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the 2019 publication Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet, plastic emits heat-trapping gasses at each stage of its life. (Hamilton et al., 2019) Plastic pollution threatens human health, wildlife health, and the survival of ecosystems in rivers, lakes and oceans.

The latest Climate report published by the IPCC states, "We have options in all sectors to at least halve emissions by 2030." (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) 2030 has been deemed the deciding year for the fate of our planet. Can we make enough impactful change to reverse the effects of global warming, or will we pass the point of no return and face irreversible damage. This IPCC report invites climate action from every level - policy, infrastructure and technology, to individual behavioural changes. Additionally, the report included, "the evidence also shows that these lifestyle changes can improve our health and well-being." (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Who can argue with that?

We know that plastic pollution threatens our health. We also know that the IPCC has delivered scientific solutions to improve our health. We must seize the opportunity to trust their research and implement positive change.

If a panel of 195 climate experts is encouraging individual action, then it's time we as individuals get moving. I've worked in the Radio-Broadcast industry for over ten years. Throughout my professional career, I've had the privilege of seeing a live music event from every angle - and at every angle, there is almost always a plastic water bottle. 

The top tier of the Waste Hierarchy is prevention. This is the most crucial tier in transitioning to a circular and zero-waste economy because it halts the problem from existing in the first place. It's estimated that only 9% of the plastic we recycle in Canada is genuinely recycled - 86% ends up in a landfill. (Poissonnier et al.)

Now, imagine a concert where a plastic water bottle didn't exist. Instead, sustainable and reusable alternatives were embraced both on stage and backstage! This action aligns directly with the call to reduce plastic pollution by 2030 and is an organic way to keep our climate top of mind. 

As a genuine music fan who has attended hundreds of concerts, I've witnessed artists' positive influence on their audiences. Choosing a reusable water bottle tells the fan that the artist is in this with them - they believe in a sustainable future. They are ready to take individual action toward a liveable planet for everyone.

Will you choose to reuse?