Join University of Portsmouth’s online event and launch a plastic waste revolution

On Thursday November 26, from 1pm to 2pm, join the University of Portsmouth’s online event to launch a revolution in our city.
Picture: Helen YatesPicture: Helen Yates
Picture: Helen Yates

Why Portsmouth?

An extensive survey of Portsmouth residents found most residents are acutely aware of plastic pollution, along with climate change and energy issues. Almost all respondents said they had made some effort already to modify their uses of plastics, such as using alternative shopping bags, refusing plastic straws and increasing their recycling.

The survey showed most people are keen to reduce plastic waste, but they require guidance, support and, critically, assurance they will not be the ones bearing the cost. For residents, what’s missing are clear, practical answers and evidence that manufacturers, food and transport industries and governments are taking a lead.

Picture: Helen YatesPicture: Helen Yates
Picture: Helen Yates

There’s also a rising level of environmental awareness through local organisations and groups advocating sustainability, conservation and plastic waste reduction. The University of Portsmouth intends to support the community foundation by drawing on its leading research and collaborations with global organisations, including the United Nations.

All of the technical, economic, societal and political hurdles that need to be cleared in most countries to enable changes to plastics life cycles and environmental management are present in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth has vulnerable coastal and marine environments, faces rising sea levels, and has the UK’s highest urban population density outside London.

Project leader Professor Steve Fletcher says if the Portsmouth community can revolutionise the use of plastics as part of a larger sustainability platform, then any community in the world can.

He said: ‘We see this as a pilot programme for the planet, an incubator for similar programmes in other cities, communities and countries.’

What can you do?

Join the Revolution Plastics online event on Thursday November 26 from 1pm to 2pm.

Find out how the global plastic crisis affects Portsmouth and you. What can you do that will make a difference in our city?

Professor Steve Fletcher, the University’s Director of the Sustainability and the Environment research theme, will introduce you to Revolution Plastics and our progress so far.

Discover how we’re tackling the problems associated with plastic - from engineering plastic-dissolving enzymes, making fashion more sustainable and studying how microplastics affect our oceans, economy and the air we breathe.

Hear from a panel of experienced guests who can answer your questions and explore how we can create a more sustainable future. These are:

- Councillor Dave Ashmore, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change at Portsmouth City Council

- Dr Cressida Bowyer, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Portsmouth. A scientist by training, having previously worked in the music business, Cressida works across disciplines and applies creative methodologies to the development of health and well-being innovations.

- Louis Capitanchik, Co-founder of Jetsam Tech, a Portsmouth-based environmental technology company, whose app allows anyone to contribute to mapping plastic pollution in Portsmouth.

- Dr Fay Couceiro, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Portsmouth. Fay’s research looks at pollutants in the environment, including microplastics, and develops ways to prevent or mitigate their impact.

- Hannah Harrison, Director of Sustainability at WPP, one of the world’s largest advertising and communications companies.

- Gemma Lacey, Director of Sustainability and Communications, Southern Co-op

- Edward Walls, Academic Representation Officer at the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union.

Join the revolution at: www.port.ac.uk/plastics-event. You can submit questions in advance of the online event which will take place via Zoom. To find out more, Search Revolution Plastics Portsmouth or email [email protected].