Authors 4 Oceans: doing our bit for the planet.
Today sees the launch of Authors 4 Oceans, the brainchild of Lauren St John, author and an ambassador for the Born Free foundation. The starting point is a simple one: plastic is the bane of the oceans and its inhabitants. If we -- as authors, illustrators, readers and book-lovers -- can encourage bookstores not to use one-use plastic cups, lids or disposable plastic straws or cutlery, and to offer water in glasses or glass bottles rather than plastic bottles in their cafes, slowly we can help leave our mark in NOT leaving a mark in the oceans... and, of course, we can extend this to restaurants, shops and cafes everywhere.
With over 70% of our planet's surface covered in water, home to a myriad of species including the world's largest mammals, it's to both our and their benefit to keep the oceans as pollution-free as we humanly can... but fighting to change legislation and people's perceptions and buying-habits can seem daunting at the best of times. These small, simple, steps are a start. The https://www.authors4oceans.org website is full of information and includes a simple pledge which will help reduce plastic waste.There is also a competition for schools to create a sculpture of an endangered sea animal out of recycled plastic, though I can't for the life of me see what the prize is. More details here: https://www.authors4oceans.org/friends-supporters
The campaign is backed by a whole host of authors and illustrators -- 50 to start off with -- and not EVERYONE names at least one of their books in their biog. Please refer to me as ‘St Philip’ from here on in...once again, I’m so GIVING. Do join us!