2018 Year of Our Island is delighted to be supporting Charlotte Crichton, a Year 10 student at Ballakermeen who is committed to educating younger residents about the dangers of single-use plastics. Charlotte tells us about what inspired her to become more environmentally conscious.

’When plastic became commonplace in the 1960’s it was mostly used as a single-use material,’ said Charlotte, 15.

’Even though scientists knew the substance wouldn’t biodegrade, at the time they didn’t think of the environmental impact it could have on future generations.

’Because of this, we are now fighting to protect our planet from the dangers of plastic, but are we doing enough?

’I enjoy going to beaches, climbing over the rocks, watching the waves roll gently onto the sand and seeing the seabirds fly gracefully over the sea.

’The only thing that spoils the fantastic view is plastic; there are seemingly mountains of it!

’Over recent years I have noticed that each time I have gone back to a beach, there seems to be more plastic.

’It was during this time that I first saw the environmental film ’A Plastic Ocean’. It showed me that it wasn’t just the beaches in the Isle of Man, it was everywhere.

’So I decided to join the battle! I wrote a letter to my headteacher talking about the plastic that we used in our canteen and gave suggestions on how we could reduce the amount that we consumed. Since then, there have been some small but significant changes.

’We have switched to cardboard boxes in the canteen and we are now trying to find an alternative to using disposable, single-use plastic cutlery.

’With the help from Year of Our Island, we are planning to show ’A Plastic Ocean’ in all schools across the Isle of Man.

’The upcoming generation of children are the ones who will inherit this world and they need the knowledge and tools to take on the responsibility of caring for it.

’But many are perpetuating the attitude of previous generations. All around over my school I see plastic bottles, wrappers and snapped cutlery.

’It breaks my heart to see this. But they do it because they don’t know what is happening to the natural world.

Many creatures are dying simply because of people’s ignorance when it comes to properly disposing of waste.

’While humans are always going to have an impact on the natural world, I look to a future where everyone does their best to live sustainably.’

Charlotte will be joining the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture for ’A Night Celebrating Action Against Plastic Pollution’ in Ballakermeen’s Studio Theatre on September 24, at 6:30 PM.

The evening will feature a showing of ’A Plastic Ocean’ with the Film’s Producer Jo Ruxton as a special guest alongside representatives from island-based organisations committed to reducing plastic waste.

The event is free and open to all.

For more information follow Biosphere Isle of Man on Facebook and Twitter.

by The Year of Our Island project Team

www.ourisland.im