Green Action Week (GAW – 2021)

GAW 2021

OVERVIEW

Green Action Week (GAW) is a global campaign to promote sustainable consumption. It is an initiative by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) and is carried out in coordination with Consumers International (CI). This year (2021) Green Action Week will be celebrated from 4th October to 10th October. The theme of GAW 2021 is Sharing Community.

CAMPAIGN FOCUS

Efforts to tackle plastic pollution for clean and green environment through sharing community 

Purpose of GAW 2021

GAW 2021 aims at creating community efforts towards protecting the environment by fighting with plastic pollution.

What is plastic pollution?

Along with climate change, plastic pollution is one of the most important environmental problems that has hit the world the hardest. Though one cannot deny the convenience of single-use plastic, plastic accumulation harms the environment and creates severe problems for wildlife and humans as well. Since plastics are largely non-biodegradable they remain in the environment for several thousands of years. Most of the deaths in the animal world are caused by plastics. Plastics either find their way in the stomach of the animals or they get themselves entangled with it. Plastics are consumed both by marine and land-based animals. Plastic microfibers have also been found in municipal drinking water systems. Plastic pollution results because of improper waste disposal system in most parts of the world. As per UNEP, the global volume of plastic waste continues to grow, and some of the biggest producers don’t manage their waste effectively. If the current trend continues, once can witness more plastic than fins in our oceans by 2050.

Why is it important to tackle plastic pollution

Over 34 lakh tonnes of plastic waste was generated in the financial year 2019-20, an increase of more than 10 lakh tonnes compared to 2017-18. This was the response to the question raised on the need to phase out single use plastic and annual plastic waste generation in the upper house of Indian Parliament.

As per UNEP, today we produce 300 million tonnes of plastic waste every year .That’s nearly equivalent to the weight of entire human population.

According to a 2019-2020 report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which collates data from 60 major cities in India, the country generates around 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste a day out of which 60% of plastic produced is recycled. And rest 40% when not cleaned and segregated, plastic converts to be a waste which is either landfilled or ends up polluting streams or groundwater resources.

What are we planning to do :

  • To motivate, encourage and train youths to become warriors against plastic pollution and develop a network to run the movement.
  • To sensitise, educate and motivate youth, women and consumers towards reducing use of plastics, finding alternatives and responsible disposal of plastic through sharing community
  • To encourage citizens specially youngsters to come forward and take initiative towards sustainable practices through sharing community using online technology

Green Action Week – Sensitization Workshops and Webinars

On the occasion of Green Action Week 2021, Consumer VOICE organized workshops, webinars and clean-up drives to educate stakeholders including students, consumers and general public on plastic pollution and the harmful effects of plastic. Read More

Sensitization Workshop Videos

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WHAT IS COMMUNITY SHARING?

Sharing Community brings people from diverse backgrounds together despite various limitations to put action oriented efforts through empathy and collaboration.

People have also realised that adopting sustainable practices and reducing plastic consumption in their lives is the best gift that one can give themselves and to the environment. New ideas will lead to innovative ways to deal with plastic pollution even on virtual medium. Community sharing practices are helpful for people to come out of their comfort zone and shed their inhibitions and contribute to whole society.

STRATEGY

  • An online  platform for experts to exchange ideas, information and also to demonstrate methods of recycling and using alternatives for plastic goods and how to make adopt them in real life.
  • Youth representatives will be encouraged to sensitize and educate other youths and contribute in youth networking against plastic pollution.
  • Involve consumer groups and environmental activists working on tackling plastic pollution and give them a platform to share best practices on responsible  disposal of plastic and how consumers can avoid such practices.
  • We are going to involve women and young girls through workshops and webinars to share inputs on how to make a plastic free sustainable environment.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

  • Youth will act as young warriors against plastic pollution and will focus on sensitization, education and concrete actions.
  • Sensitized consumers will contribute towards environment through various groups.
  • Reduction of plastic from day-to-day lives, responsible disposal and recycling in a safe way thereby contributing to environment with help of stakeholders.
  • Forming youth network to take forward the activities.

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