IRES students and CoSphere colleagues have been busy. Under the guidance and encouragement of their advisor, Dr. Kai Chan, they kicked off the summer with a compelling op-ed in The Hill Times calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to legislate microfibre filter standards and invest boldly in biofibres.
Their message is clear: removing microfibres from our waters helps protect oceans and human health while creating economic opportunities for Canada.
We asked IRES student and Plastic Sunset leader Sam Blackwell to tell us more.
What activities have you been involved in recently?
It’s been a long time coming! Alongside colleagues from CoSphere and partner organizations, I’ve been helping to raise awareness about microfibre pollution and advocate for practical policy solutions. What began as a research report for a RES course last spring, has flourished into a national campaign. Most recently, we submitted a federal environmental petition as part of a coalition of 18 organizations, including the David Suzuki Foundation and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. The petition calls on the federal government to address microfibre pollution, a significant source of plastic contamination in waterways and oceans.
We also spent World Oceans Week engaging directly with communities. The False Creek Friends Society, Center for Ocean Literacy and Oceans Week Canada hosted a community event where the CoSphere team ran an information booth. It was a great opportunity to talk with people about CoSphere’s work, share what we’re learning about microfibre pollution, and launch our parliamentary petition. The response was incredibly encouraging…we’ve already gathered more than 60 signatures (even in the rain!), and are continuing to build momentum.
Photos by Chelsie Xavier-Blower of Clare Price and Sam Blackwell.
The highlight for many of us was getting to interact with the community and seeing how interested people were once they learned about the issue. Most people have heard of microplastic pollution, but fewer realized that tiny fibres shed from clothing are one of the largest sources of plastic entering aquatic environments, and subsequently the bodies of wildlife and humans.
What activities are coming up?
This summer, we’re shifting into the public engagement phase of the campaign. We’ll be working with school groups in B.C. and Ontario, supporting students to learn about microfibre pollution and share that knowledge with their peers. These students will also help gather signatures for the petition and encourage conversations in their communities about solutions.
We’re excited about this approach because it empowers young people to become environmental leaders while helping spread awareness about an issue that has been overlooked by the Government.
How can people get involved?
We’ve made it simple to learn more about microfibre pollution and figure out your microfiber footprint using our easy-to-use online guide! I’d also encourage everyone to start conversations with friends, family, colleagues, and government representatives. Public awareness and support is an important step in creating change.
In the fall, you can also support our parliamentary and provincial petitions and share it through your networks. Every signature helps demonstrate public support for stronger action.
Photo by Chelsie Xavier-Blower of CoSphere with other organizations at community event, including Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Ocean Wise, Water Rangers, Aloera, Georgia Strait Alliance, DFO, Dragon Boat BC, Langara College and the Vancouver Aquarium.