Sharon Lavigne, Goldman Environmental Prize Winner and Founder of RISE St. James, speaks into a megaphone outside The White House. (Image Credit: Fossil Free Media)
Calling on U.S. President Biden to Declare an Emergency
#BreakFreeFromPlastic members and allies representing frontline communities across the United States gathered in Washington, DC, for a funeral march honoring those in St. James Parish, Louisiana who have lost their lives to cancer and other illnesses. St. James Parish is located in the heart of “Cancer Alley” – an 80-mile stretch along the Mississippi River with more than 200 fossil fuel refineries and petrochemical plants that pollute the air, water, and soil in these predominantly Black communities.
“We’re asking President Biden to declare ‘Cancer Alley’ an emergency,” said Sharon Lavigne, Goldman Environmental Prize Winner and Founder of RISE St. James. “If he will not declare this as an emergency we are going to die. We are already dying.”
Thailand's environment minister recently announced a total ban on all plastic waste imports within the next three years. This ban will be implemented in three phases. The government is also set on drafting a 2023-2027 plastic waste
management plan. Congratulations to our members in Thailand for their successful advocacy work!
Over 100 climate experts and civil society organisations are calling on European governments to stop their dash for gas in Africa. The letter comes in the face of Europe's intensifying scramble for African fossil fuels, exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As #BreakFreeFromPlastic’s report Winter is Coming revealed, fossil fuel production in
Africa will only perpetuate plastic pollution. Sign the letter to demand the EU stop its dash for gas and further build out of the petrochemical industry.
Episode 2 of People over Plastic is out! This week, Jacqueline Echols (@SouthRiverGA) shares her fight against the development of “Cop City” in Atlanta's South River Forest. She breaks down why a $90M police training facility doesn’t belong in green space – and its impact on the mental and physical health of the neighboring Black community. Have a listen to the episode here. You can stay up-to-date with @peoplexplastic on Instagram and Twitter.
