Not the best video, but you'll get the idea of what plogging is!!!! I'm not totally crazy...
Living in Singapore has so many pluses - one of which is its cleanliness. I often go barefoot down the park, or even in to a coffee shop because I know I’m unlikely to step on anything.
When plogging was recommended to me my selfish gene kicked in first and I thought how it would interefere with training.... One change of mindset later and I ran off with my bag in hand, thinking there wouldn't be much to collect, just some bits and pieces strewn about.
As I walked, the fact I was looking for rubbish kept me more present, if not how would I spot anything? I would see something glistening in the light and there would be a straw, or small piece of plastic there.
Part of me thought “why bother with that little bit”…
Then I stopped and remembered 'The Plastic Ocean' movie and how they pulled a straw from a turtle's ‘nose’.
I picked it up.
Bottle tops, straws, cartons, beer cans, cigarette packets, plastic curry bags all went into my bag.
Why bother at all you might wonder.
I love this Earth, it’s stunning and water is our life force (hence the Ocean thought).
Each time we destroy part of this planet, I believe we also destroy/hurt part of ourselves.
This talk really helped me understand the water cycle plus a possibility for the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX3M8Ka9vUA&feature=youtu.be
Yes it’s long, totally engrossing and he makes the most sense I’ve ever heard - the comments made about his talk were a mix bag - I felt he offered a solution for the future generations.
What about the now though - how do we do our part?
As I walked along the beach picking stuff up, there was a group of lads sitting about and in the water. As I neared, one of them got up and picked up 2 beer cans ( I assume they were theirs)…
YES!!!
If by doing what I do, however small it might seem to me - it influences someone and that influences another - then we start to create the change in mindset that is needed.
Someone said to me that they felt that if they don’t do anything as it doesn’t make a difference.
It does
IT ALL DOES.
Every piece of trash that doesn’t end up in our oceans, helps this planet. Maybe that trash will be incinerated rather than recycled? - is that the lesser of 2 evils? I would rather it be incinerated than kill innocent sea life and land animals, or cut open your child's foot because I couldn’t be bothered to throw it away properly. (Best option is of course not to use in the first place…)
Every time I don’t use a plastic bag, or a takeaway cup or straw, or leave rubbish about - I make a difference. I make a difference not only to the planet, but also to my sense of well being and how I connect with the world around me.
And it doesn’t take much effort at all. Carry a plastic bag around, it’s better than binning it - use it for shopping or a trash walk. Yes a cloth bag would be better, but make a start somewhere however small.
And please please please - share.
Liking posts is great, but it doesn’t get the message out there. I appreciate some people might not like sharing, but if you’re going to like - then why not share as well…thanks
We all have the power and opportunity to make a difference, and sometimes it’s hard to say what we think/feel and voice opinions - I know some things I blog I ‘worry’ about and do my best to say things in a way that invites people not pushes away (not so good at that in person when I’ve had a drink…..) - but I try. And if I don’t say what I’m thinking, I’m not being true to myself….
Anyway - join in plogging, get out the gym and on the streets and parks, our natural playground - post what you collect - be the change and let’s make a difference together…
thank you..
One last thing, if you walked your dog and he/she trod on a can and hurt his paw, or swallowed some plastic that made her sick - what would you think about the person who left the rubbish there?? Then next time you walk, if you saw rubbish would you pick it up??...
RSS Feed