Creating Videos and Booklets to Educate

I’ve launched a project on a Japanese crowdfunding site called READYFOR, titled “海洋ごみ問題が学べる動画と冊子を制作して全国の学校へ無償で届けたい(Creating Videos and Booklets to Educate About Marine Debris and Distributing Them to Schools Nationwide for Free.)”

 

If you’ve ever visited a beach, you’ve probably seen plastic trash like discarded bottles washed ashore. Many of you may also be aware that these plastics break down into smaller pieces due to exposure to UV light, and among them, microplastics (tiny particles less than 5mm in size) have become a serious problem in oceans worldwide.

 

 

It is said that if we do nothing to address this issue, by 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. At the G20 Osaka Summit held in June 2019, Japan proposed the “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision,” aiming to reduce additional marine plastic pollution to zero by 2050.

 

 

This vision has since been shared with other countries and international organizations, and as of May 2021, 87 countries and regions have agreed to it. The issue of marine debris has traditionally focused on floating or beach-washed debris, but efforts are now expanding to address the sources of this pollution and achieve our goals. For instance, in 2021, the EU banned single-use plastic products like straws and bags and strengthened plastic recycling to shift toward a lifestyle that generates less plastic waste.

 

 

In Japan, for example, Osaka Prefecture has set a goal to halve the amount of plastic waste flowing into Osaka Bay by 2030 compared to 2020.

 

 

To achieve these goals globally, in addition to the traditional 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), society is moving forward with thermal recycling (burning plastic waste as fuel), carbon recycling (obtaining carbon dioxide and hydrogen for fuel), chemical recycling (returning dirty plastic waste that was difficult to recycle to plastic raw materials), and the invention of biodegradable plastics that decompose in nature by microorganisms.

 

 

However, even with these efforts, it is estimated that up to 24,000 tons of plastic waste flow from Japan’s rivers into the ocean annually. Especially during heavy rain, when rivers flood, large amounts of plastic waste become entangled in the trees along the riverbanks, presenting an unsightly scene.

 

Japan has over 30,000 rivers, and all prefectures, including the eight that do not have coastlines, are connected to the sea through rivers. Because of this, I have a strong desire to urgently educate children living not only in coastal areas but also in mountainous regions about the issue of marine debris.

 

 

 

 

As a photographer, my approach to environmental education begins by showing children images and videos of the beautiful oceans and vibrant marine life that should exist, and then making sure they understand that polluted oceans are not normal. From there, I encourage them to think about these challenges and take action.

 

 

With this in mind, I decided to seek support through crowdfunding to create educational videos and booklets on the issue of marine debris and distribute them to schools across the country for free, hoping that we can prevent our oceans from being further polluted with plastic waste as soon as possible.

Humankind has lived alongside the sea throughout history. The benefits we have gained from the sea, from abundant seafood and salt to maritime transport, are immeasurable. It is said that by 2050, there will be more plastic waste than fish in the world’s oceans. If we dive into the sea, we’ll find floating garbage, and ships may not be able to navigate safely. Fish and shellfish will have bodies full of plastic fragments, and since microplastics absorb harmful substances, there are concerns about not only the impact on ecosystems but also on human health.

Although much is still under research or investigation, and clear negative effects are not yet fully understood, I believe it will be too late by the time these adverse effects become visible. We cannot pass on a world to future generations where the only fish we can eat are those farmed in land-based facilities because they’ve become sick, and where swimming in the sea is no longer possible.

 

Solving this problem is not just the responsibility of politicians, scientists, or dedicated organizations and citizens. This is an urgent issue that every person living on this planet must address and take action on.

 

 

The goal of this crowdfunding campaign is not just to raise the funds necessary for production but also to involve as many people as possible in this project. I want everyone to be aware of this issue and take even the smallest actions. Even small steps can bring us closer to a solution.

Please join me in preserving our beautiful oceans, and I sincerely ask for your warm support.

Support is possible from overseas as well, and we can send rewards worldwide, so I kindly ask for your assistance.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

 

Yuki Ishii

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