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(6 Nov) End Plastic Soup Project Presentation at Regular Meeting of the Club (+GAL)
On the 6th of November we had our regular Rotary Club Sofia International club meeting in Hilton with possibility of online participation of our friends that could not attend in person. Our Past President and Chair of International Service Committee of our District 2482 for 2022-2025 Hristina Malchevska presented an interesting Rotary organization – End Plastic soup that are working for solving the plastic problem worldwide.
More and more clubs and districts, now in 48 countries, have joined the Rotary EndPlasticSoup initiative, started 6 years ago in Amsterdam. This bottom-up club initiative is all run voluntarily by and for Rotarians and Rotaractors. The Goal is to stop the plastic pollution problem by 2050.
Today over 100 Ambassador Clubs represent Rotary EndPlasticSoup in their district and Supporter Clubs are being asked to join, get into action, and pay a small donation (200 euro/year or 500 for 3 years) to support this worldwide initiative and the many international projects. In return they get all (online) materials for free, that include pictures, videos and information. They get support for their actions and projects, exchange experiences, and get access to the worldwide network of alliances and solutions.
Plastic is fantastic
Plastic is a fantastic product: many different products and applications, light weight, long live and cheap. Plastic also causes huge problems as many countries cannot process the waste. Plastic never disappears and just becomes smaller. Microplastics (0.1-5 mm) and nanoplastics (smaller than 0.1 mm) cause real issues for our climate, all life on our planet and our health. In the past couple of years, more and more data and knowledge has been gained from research regarding the impact of nanoplastics and the poisonous additives on them. PFAS is just one of the examples.
Plastic is in the water, in our soil and in the air
The nanoplastics are one of the major causes for the reduced CO2 absorption of our planet: only 25% comes from all trees and green vegetation, while 50-60% absorption is been done by plankton in the oceans and 20% by the soil itself and the fungi in it. The capacity of these natural CO2 sinks have been reduced by 40%, mainly due to microplastics. Energy transition is important for the short term (5-10 years), but a stop to the growth of nanoplastics is essential to let our planet restore the balance with CO2 absorption.
Research has now also proven the loss of fertility of all life on our planet due to nanoplastics. This not only causes a threat for biodiversity, it also kills the nature, wildlife and plants, we love so much. Plastic is in our water, the air we breathe, and the food we eat. According to the research of Wageningen University there is not a single chicken egg of which the shell does not contain microplastics. Beside others, microplastics are a threat for fungi, destroying the capabilities of these 700 million year old life source, and their ability to let plants produce vitamins and minerals in our vegetables and fruits.
Latest research shows that the fertility of boys and girls of 18 years of age has decreased by 30% in the past 20 years. Also the hormone system has been changed, a.o. causing earlier puberty. Full proof has not yet been given, but the initial results are clear: nanoplastics have an impact on cancer and the disease of Parkinson.
Younger generation
Plastic pollution is not only a problem, it is also a tool to cooperate. All people on this planet, all generations, all countries and cultures want the same: stop the plastic pollution.
This offers an opportunity to communicate, prevent polarization and conflict, and solve other issues. It also offers perspective to the younger generation and for community building.
