A Plastic Wave - A documentary film on plastic pollution

Summary

This documentary script follows Dave Muir, a surf school owner and father, on a journey to understand the escalating plastic pollution crisis. From witnessing the impact on local beaches to exploring the sources and consequences in India, Dave uncovers the scale of plastic waste and its journey into the oceans. Through interviews with experts and activists, the script highlights the urgent need for global action to address plastic emissions and the importance of community involvement in creating sustainable change.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The amount of plastic waste is increasing dramatically, with 1 million plastic bottles being used every minute globally.
• 🇮🇳 India produces around 5.6 million tons of plastic annually and contributes significantly to plastic pollution in oceans.
• 🏖️ Beach clean-ups are an important but insufficient solution, as they do not address the root cause of plastic pollution.
• 🔬 Microplastics, tiny fragments of plastic, are pervasive in the environment and can be found even in the digestive tracts of marine mammals.
• 👨‍🔬 Scientists and environmentalists emphasize the need to tackle plastic pollution at its source rather than trying to clean up after it has occurred.
• 🌐 Plastic pollution is a global issue that affects marine life and ecosystems worldwide, with long-lasting impacts on the environment.
• 👶 Children are growing up in an environment increasingly polluted with plastic, raising concerns about their future and the planet's health.
• 🚮 The script highlights the importance of community involvement and education in reducing littering and promoting sustainable practices.
• 🌳 Plastic is a non-biodegradable material that can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, causing long-term damage.
• 💡 There is a growing awareness and recognition of the need for alternatives to plastic and the importance of reducing plastic emissions.
• 🤝 The solution to plastic pollution requires a collective effort, with individuals, communities, and nations working together to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Q & A

What is the daily increase in plastic consumption mentioned in the script?

The script mentions a huge increase in the amount of plastic on a daily basis, with a specific example that 1 million of a certain type of bottle are used every minute.

What is the annual plastic production of India as stated in the script?

The script states that India produces almost 5.6 million tons of plastic annually.

Who is Dave Muir and what is his concern regarding the ocean?

Dave Muir is a surf school owner, surf shop owner, surfer, and a father of two. His concern is the increasing amount of plastic he finds in the ocean, especially since he has noticed plastic in the water, which worries him for the future.

What does the script suggest about the global production of plastic?

The script suggests that globally, around 330 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year, indicating a significant environmental issue due to its persistence.

Why are single-use plastics particularly problematic according to the script?

Single-use plastics are problematic because they are perceived as disposable, yet they are not designed to break down easily and can persist for hundreds of years.

What is the issue with plastic breaking down into smaller pieces?

The issue with plastic breaking down into smaller pieces, or microplastics, is that they become more bioavailable to a wider range of animals, potentially affecting the entire food chain.

What is the significance of the microplastic found in marine mammals' digestive tracts?

The microplastic found in marine mammals' digestive tracts signifies that these tiny pieces of plastic are entering the animals' bodies, the impact of which is not fully understood but is concerning.

Why is the situation in Mumbai described as critical in the script?

The situation in Mumbai is described as critical because of the massive amount of plastic waste entering the drains and rivers, which then flow into the sea, contributing significantly to ocean pollution.

What is the role of 'Beach Warriors' as mentioned in the script?

Beach Warriors is a team dedicated to cleaning beaches. They have been working for eight months and aim to raise awareness about littering and promote a cleaner environment.

What is the World Economic Forum's study mentioned in the script regarding India's contribution to ocean plastic?

The World Economic Forum's study mentioned in the script states that India contributes almost 60% of all the plastic that reaches the oceans, with over 500 tonnes of waste entering the seas every day.

What is the script's final message about the solution to the plastic problem?

The script's final message emphasizes the need for global cooperation and systemic change to address the plastic problem. It suggests that working together, raising awareness, and finding alternatives to plastic are essential steps towards a solution.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Rising Tide of Plastic Pollution

The first paragraph introduces the alarming increase in plastic waste, particularly highlighting the impact on beaches and oceans. Dave Muir, a surf school owner and father, expresses concern for his children's future and the necessity of beach cleanliness. The script discusses the global production of plastic, especially in India, and the international exhibit in Amsterdam that showcases the versatility of plastic. The paragraph emphasizes the journey of discovery to understand the source of plastic pollution, its environmental impact, and potential solutions.

05:01

🔬 Microplastics and Their Oceanic Impact

This paragraph delves into the scientific research on plastic pollution, featuring Dr. David Muir's collaboration with Greenpeace scientist Dr. Lisa Davidson. They discuss the properties of plastics, the issue of single-use plastics, and their persistence in the environment. The focus then shifts to the problem of microplastics, which are smaller, more bioavailable pieces that can affect the entire food chain. The narrative includes a visit to Mumbai, India, where the critical level of plastic pollution is evident, and the introduction of the Chamber family living alongside a plastic-filled drain.

10:02

🏖️ Beach Warriors: A Community's Fight Against Plastic

The third paragraph tells the story of the Beach Warriors, a team led by Tichina Arora that has been cleaning beaches in Mumbai for over eight months. The narrative describes the community's efforts to transform a garbage dumping ground into a tourist spot and the importance of raising awareness about littering. Dave Muir joins the Beach Warriors in their cleanup efforts, emphasizing the need for collective action and the potential of two hands to make a difference.

15:04

🌏 Global Awareness and the Path Forward

In this paragraph, Dave Muir reflects on his time in India and the global nature of the plastic pollution problem. He meets with Dr. Roshini, an expert on ocean plastics, who provides stark statistics on India's contribution to ocean waste. The discussion includes the need for global systems change, the importance of not outsourcing the problem, and the necessity of finding alternatives to plastic. The paragraph concludes with a community beach cleanup event, symbolizing hope and the power of collective action.

20:05

🚫 The Urgency of Addressing Plastic Emissions

The final paragraph underscores the urgency of the plastic pollution issue, likening it to climate change and the need for global cooperation. It stresses the importance of not exporting the problem to developing countries and the responsibility of working together to manage plastic waste. The narrative concludes with a poetic reflection on the need for change and the power of unity in addressing the plastic crisis.

Keywords

💡Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic objects and particles in the Earth's environment, adversely affecting wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. In the video, this concept is central as Dave Muir and other experts discuss the pervasive issue of plastic waste on beaches and in oceans, highlighting the significant environmental threat posed by plastic debris.

💡Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, which result from the breakdown of larger plastic waste. The video shows these particles being found in marine life, like in the digestive tracts of marine mammals, and discusses their potential impact on the food chain and overall marine ecosystem.

💡Single-use Plastics

Single-use plastics are disposable plastics intended for one-time use before they are thrown away or recycled. The video highlights the massive consumption of these plastics, such as plastic bottles, which are not designed to break down easily, leading to long-term environmental contamination.

💡Beach Cleanup

Beach cleanup refers to organized efforts to remove litter and plastic waste from beach environments. The video documents various cleanup activities, showing local communities and volunteers, like the 'Beach Warriors' in India, who regularly clean beaches to combat plastic pollution.

💡Marine Life

Marine life encompasses the plants, animals, and other organisms that live in the ocean. The video underscores how plastic pollution affects marine life, with examples of animals ingesting plastic debris, which can lead to injury or death, and discusses the broader ecological impacts.

💡Environmental Impact

Environmental impact refers to the effect that human activities have on the natural world. The video explores the extensive environmental impact of plastic pollution, from local beaches in Cornwall to the heavily polluted rivers in Mumbai, illustrating the global scale of the problem.

💡Community Action

Community action involves collective efforts by local groups to address environmental issues. In the video, community action is portrayed through various beach cleanups and educational initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste and raising awareness about its harmful effects.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability is the practice of maintaining processes in ways that do not deplete natural resources, ensuring long-term ecological balance. The video advocates for sustainable practices, such as reducing single-use plastics and finding alternative materials, to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic pollution.

💡Greenpeace

Greenpeace is a global environmental organization that works to combat various environmental issues, including plastic pollution. The video features Greenpeace scientists who discuss the properties of plastics and the urgent need to address plastic waste at its source to protect the oceans.

💡Environmental Education

Environmental education involves teaching people about the natural environment and how to protect it. The video highlights the importance of educating the younger generation about the dangers of plastic pollution, as exemplified by Dave Muir's efforts to involve his children in beach cleanups and environmental awareness.

Highlights

The daily increase in plastic waste is alarming, with 1 million plastic bottles used every minute globally.

India produces 5.6 million tons of plastic annually, contributing significantly to ocean pollution.

Plastic's longevity poses a serious environmental threat, with items persisting for hundreds of years.

Microplastics, tiny fragments of plastic, are found in marine life, indicating their pervasive presence in the food chain.

Single-use plastics are particularly problematic due to their non-biodegradable nature and widespread use.

Plastic pollution is not just a developed world issue; it's a global crisis affecting densely populated cities like Mumbai.

Families living near plastic waste sites face severe environmental and health challenges.

Community efforts like Beach Warriors are making a difference by organizing regular beach clean-ups.

The scale of plastic pollution in India is immense, with over 500 tonnes of waste entering the oceans daily.

Plastic emissions are a global issue that requires international cooperation and systemic change.

The film documents a personal journey of discovery to understand the sources and impacts of plastic pollution.

The importance of raising awareness and educating the public about the consequences of plastic use is emphasized.

Innovative solutions and alternatives to plastic are needed to mitigate the environmental impact.

The film calls for a sense of urgency and collective action to address the plastic crisis.

The documentary ends on a hopeful note, highlighting the power of community involvement in tackling plastic pollution.

The narrator organizes a beach clean in his hometown, inspired by his experiences in India, to make a local impact.

The film concludes with a message of hope and the belief that people can be the solution to the plastic problem.

Transcripts

I've seen a huge increase in the amount

of plastic on a daily basis and I really

want my kids to grow up having to beach

clean every day we now get through 1

million of this type of bottle every

minute in that circle is a micro plastic

today India produces almost 5.6 million

tons of plastic and you plastics take

the stage at an international exhibit in

Amsterdam the a genius alchemy of coal

and oil provides the material ingenious

machinery presses and stamps and moles

the material into a wide variety of

products articles for household use as

well as tools for industry

the horizons of plastic are lengthening

and strengthening to in the world of

tomorrow plastics will certainly call

the two

[Music]

[Music]

so my name is Dave Muir I'm a surf

school owner surf shop owner a surfer

and a father of two I'm here today at

seven Cove which is my home where I work

it's considered my garden my life

and everything I do basically around the

ocean here I get legs up so behind me is

my home on the cliffs of Gwen ver

unfortunately every day to go and surf

down there I teach on this beach and the

surfs go I've been wandering for 15

years here really really lucky to have

the opportunity to kind of live in

Cornwall and be passionate about where I

am I've got two girls else you're not

live the four and three I love that they

are involved in the ocean as much as I

am more recently but the kids have

started to ask questions about the

plastic on the beach and the litter

we're finding now what's this card for

Elsie we don't like the buoy

more recently I'm finding plastic in the

sea not just in the rocks and on the

beach but actually in the water and

that's what really worries me because

for 15 years I don't think I've seen a

single plastic bottle in the ocean now

if I've seen it now what's the future

going to be like so I'm on a journey of

discovery to find out where this bus is

coming from the impact on the

environment what can be done and really

is there a solution the but they cannot

see

[Music]

something really excited and one lordy

Davidson's hello senior research

scientist at Greenpeace is based at the

University of Exeter and I've brought

some plastics along to find out if you

can help me a bit about them tell me a

bit more about the properties of the

plastics and really more importantly the

issue of plastic in the ocean

worldwide we're now making somewhere in

the region of 330 million tonnes of

plastic every year and yet we still

somehow see it as a disposable material

and it's become a problem that we can

only solve by dealing with that issue at

source rather than trying to now clean

up the environment as the solution so I

think we use plastics the issue

single-use plastics are a particular

problem because we've assumed that

they're disposable whereas in fact

plastics aren't designed to break down

very easily they're going to be around

for hundreds of years if not longer so

this morning before we came to see you I

went down to my local beach and I

collected within literally five minutes

a handful of plastic I've got a

cigarette lighter I've got some some

rope I've got cotton bird okay so

cigarette lighters sadly that's going to

stick around for for hundreds of years

and these have been found in the

stomach's of of albatross chicks even

thousands of miles offshore I mean

almost wherever you go these days you'll

see plastic pollution and it's a sad

fact that whenever we're going to our

beaches plastic have become part of that

fabric so found a water bottle on the

side of the river here how much is it of

an issue is this yeah I mean again a big

symptom of the plastics problem globally

we now get through 1 million of this

type of bottle every minute 1 million

bottles a minute is a staggering figure

for what's more worrying is that these

plastics will break down into smaller

pieces I'm heading to meet Sarah Nelms a

specialist in ocean micro plastics to

learn more about her latest work I've

been looking through the digestive

tracts of marine mammals so they're got

basically this is the kind of plastic

that most people think of and this was

found in the in the stomach of a common

dolphin this was actually a one-off I

didn't find any other incidences like

this but most of the plastic I was

finding is not actually visible to the

naked eye so in that circle is a micro

plastic we're finding my classics in

seal poo so that kind of implies that it

is passing through that the digestive

tract but we don't know what kind of

impact it's having on the way through

the animal's body and

you can see that then you've got amazing

eyesight these tiny bits of plastic

weren't produced to be that size they

have been broken down over time and

they're fragmented into smaller and

smaller pieces until they're microscopic

we okay to have a look at this under

their microscope

maybe bit noisy

okay so what are we looking at here so

this is your micro plastic under a

microscope so you can actually see it

now and this is a particle that's called

low-density polyethylene and it's the

kind of plastic that we use widely in

making carrier bags so this is so what

was found in the steel P that we

described earlier on it's like should

have come from a carrier bag or so what

what concerns me more is bigger things

that I'll pick up on the beach are

things I'm able to remove and they're

probably not as in as dangerous is the

kind of things you're collecting here so

the smaller they are essentially the

more impact they can have so the smaller

they are the more bioavailable they are

to a wider range of animals right from

baleen whales right down to microscopic

view plankton which are the face of the

food chain so if they have an impact on

those animals then it affects the whole

food chain higher essentially the

smaller animal the smaller the piece the

more it affects into our food chain

language to the predator it's clear that

both fish and mammals are eating the

plastic that we are introducing I don't

yet know how much is entering our oceans

and why I want to find out the scale of

the issue so I'm heading to a country

where plastic pollution has reached a

critical level

welcome to Mumbai the Gateway of India

comes over 20 million people they do

this when the most densely populated

cities on the planet this is the first

leg of my journey and I'm off to meet my

first family the chamber family living

on a drain right next to plastic

the short drive through the bustling

city of Mumbai and I'd already seen an

incredible amount of plastic but nothing

could have prepared if I was about to

see

Jesus Russ

oh my god

goodness me

that is like in the back of my throat as

you see the plastic literally is coming

out of the drain the waters followed the

plastic they heat the spell oh my god

the smell is just like I've traveled

I've seen some bits but this is

mind-blowing

this is the reason why he's come to

India to see plastic from houses

straight into the river the river flows

south to the sea and it's plastic you

can see it making its way south

as plain as plain as day

thinking it's horrible but it's just so

heartbreaking little did I know I'm

about to meet a family living just a

stone's throw away from where I'm stood

so we've got grandchildren children I've

been smiled out from all angles over

here my beautiful little faces and this

to me where I live I have a notion that

I can go and swim in wouldn't this be

nice if this was a river that they could

play in and they could kind of you know

could swim in the water obviously that's

not the case so in the world of the

minute and in the UK where I live and

plastic is becoming the biggest issue of

our generation and we're trying our

hardest to actually do something about

it

the problem with plastic is it survives

for hundreds and hundreds of years do

you know much about plastics then your

plastic I Seneca Teddy said me discover

some of the very tops it's a little EDD

passing some living at the most about

everyone which they generally named the

plastic in the letter we can see here is

this this plastic this come from your

family it's really Annie has no place I

picked the debunking Youth ready to put

you through the plastic in the sea in

the river and it's dealt with by mother

nature exactly by ludwig oh there's a

vulgar grammar we do dyslexia there's so

much plastic entering our drains and

rivers it's no wonder we have such a big

problem on our hands so I am following

this plastic downstream and meeting a

local fisherman who remembers a simpler

time before plastic it just arrives

the fishing village smell is unreal with

dried fish everywhere

good morning it's just more of what

we've seen everywhere else just so much

plastic this is wonderful ladies busy

drying out prawns but within feet from

her is a mountain of plastic again and

it's it's it's everywhere it's um it's

almost kind of part of the of the floor

hello my name's Dave my name is Dave

what's your name what's your name oh

yeah for sure

pleased to meet you Portia so how long

have you been fishing will allow me will

tell you that with all this plastic is

it always been like this but you know

so when you were when you were a boy was

this beach beautiful could you swim in

the water with their children playing on

the beach oh boy do you design a but

it's awkward yeah I think I really

better than we did 11 Galatea

to Cueto Portia you seem to have seen so

much you're amazing I just I just I

wonder what you've envisage for the

future of your community whether it's

gonna get better

or what do you see getting any worse but

it is unload there I dare ya break up

with the load testing bundle double

signal abundance I let the best in one

another

lastly bundle Brazil

I've got as the Sun sets I'm really

starting to feel for this community I'm

just glad that there's a ray of hope out

there fighting for these people

Tichina you've brought me here to

data-page tell me a little bit about

beach warriors beach warriors is my team

which is walking for cleaning the other

end proper daily Beach since last eight

months so last Sunday we have completed

35 weeks of the other probably beach

cleanup no one is bothered to look at

this Beach because it was a garbage

dumping ground so we thought why not

make it as a tourist place we clean

speech last week was it clean when you

left yeah it was definitely clean and

last week around 500 volunteers came

here and cleaned the beach ten tons of

garbage was picked up but it is all it

is all given by acid itself we throw it

in DC and sea throws back so if today

you can see plastic the blame should be

on us I mean we're doing sounds amazing

but is it a solution is it making a

change

yes definitely we'll make a change I

always say to my people that two hands

can do wonders it is like two hands to

us in a week is enough for your society

so you have to come forward not only for

the beach cleanup but you can make aware

people about not littering because we

are doing it not for the beach cleanup

purpose we are doing it so that people

will be aware they will be having a fire

in them that we should stop littering

otherwise we will die some day because

of this thing well I'm here can I get

involved come because I'm plastered yes

yes definitely here the beach is all

yours

I mean this is so heartbreaking to see

this much plastic on a beach like this

is crazy and for you to be doing day-in

day-out

I mean you've obviously made this you

know a job we've created you've created

something here and I know you're doing

out of the goodness of your own heart

but it just seems like we're gonna be

doing this together now we're a

generation that that has to make a

difference are you prepared for 50 years

of cleaning the beach that is that is an

absolutely great question we are not

prepared but we are preparing the

younger generation to clean their own

beach to keep our own country or nation

or world clean that is the only message

we have to give each and every one we

have similar issues you know I see my

pension I see it seems clean but I'm

picking up plastic all the time here

it's an epidemic there is a plastic

issue which is far greater than anything

I've ever seen I mean when I came to

India I expected to see plastic I expect

to see litter I was not prepared for

this honestly it's it's hard man it's

really hard to see it like this and I've

got children and and this plastic here

is into entering this ocean and the

understanding that this plastic could

make it anywhere in the world you know

I'm picking up plastic from India in

England and you know we've got a whole

challenge ahead of us and and it is our

generation we have to prepare ourselves

our children so I suppose the changes

now we have to do it

my time in India is almost over dr.

Roshini is a leading expert in ocean

plastics and is concerned about India's

future the situation is grim today India

produces almost 5.6 million tons of

plastic annual World Economic Forum's

study mentioned that India contributes

almost 60% of all the plastic that

reaches our oceans over 500 tonnes of

waste reach our seas every single day I

think India needs to wake up take

responsibility and most certainly as an

economic giant start cleaning up its act

so if I see this problem I mean it seems

like an enormous issue it is and it

seems like it to someone looking at it

it's almost too big to deal with how how

can we how can we deal with it it's

smaller bite-sized chunks most of our

beaches in Mumbai are cleaned every

morning but if you have a look within

half a tide the ocean has just spewed

everything right back

because the volumes of waste and plastic

that are in our oceans is enormous we

need to just say no we need to say no to

plastic we need to look for better

alternatives life continued without

plastic I know my grandparents and

grandparents survived without plastic is

there any good news ah yes I think we

have to be hopeful why else would we be

environmentalist the good news is that

the world today is sitting up and

recognising plastic to be a major

contribution to climate change and

global warming studies have shown that

plastic does have irreversible impacts

on the environment I think the larger

question is are we doing too little too

late I can't think of a better way or

better place to finish my journey in

India look around there are thousands of

people all coming together the community

here is incredible and I set out to make

a film about plastic I didn't expect to

find happy smiling face

people live in side-by-sides with

plastic it's an epidemic and it's

something that they know about they

don't quite understand it yet and I

think that's an issue all I do know is

that people are the answer they are the

solution I was told that two hands can

do wonders look how many hands are here

today I'm sure there is hope in India

I've really loved my time in India and

I'm so sad to be leaving this place and

it's beautiful people if I have learned

anything it's working together is the

answer I've been inspired to make a

difference

and it starts at home I've organized a

beach clean at Senen with my friends and

local community for me today is about

community there are four our refuse

reuse we fill recycle

[Music]

see here thanks for joining us on the

beach today I'm coming to the end of a

bit of a journey I've been filming this

documentary I've done a bit of traveling

now and I've learnt a lot on my own on

my way my worry is what's next and

what's been done to kind of correct

everything I've been seeing it's a

problem that needs global systems to

change it's just like climate change

really on carbon emissions

we've got plastic emissions coming from

everywhere so we need to work together

and we mustn't outsource the problem

just as we're doing with carbon you know

we can't put our carbon emissions in

China and then blame China all of those

carbon emissions we can't export our

dirty plastics and recite plates to

other developing countries and say it's

their problem we've got to work on this

together we've got to help other

countries build the right systems to

control plastics with us and to trap

them as I say in the economy and not in

the environment this is an important

resource comes from oil we're pumping

out of the ground around the world in

pristine environment so we've got to

make sure we can serve it for the future

for our children and for our

grandchildren

so I've come to the end of my journey

and I've learned so much about plastic

today we've had two hundred people on

the beach picking up plastic and a huge

difference has been made the community

have come together and I'm so grateful

for the amount of work that everyone's

doing I will still be finding plastic on

the beach every single day and it's not

going to stop me and my plight to find

plastic with my children in my family

the truth floats up to the surface and

it runs deeper than we care to believe

we perfect

[Music]

so where the hell's a sense of urgency

diamonds sapphires dancing in shrill so

we can see that is easier

some pre him meds and match them we can

save miss Maelstrom

add some wanna live - in green is not

when there's still time to worse it is

[Music]

snots you late you turn the tides to

make it change before the waves collide

it becomes crystal clear where we bind

together

it's not a stone weak Jenna

John

easy

[Music]

but only we can't see this man

you

you