Cape Ann and North Shore audiences have two more opportunities to see a ground-breaking film that has sold out to local audiences over the past year.
The award-winning “Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics” will screen at 3:30 p.m. this Sunday, April 19, at Cape Ann Community Cinema in Rockport, and again at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at The Cabot in Beverly with a free Earth Day screening.
Following the Beverly screening, there will be short presentations and a time for questions.
Local organizations have been working to educate the public on protecting the environment, climate change, and the dangers of pesticides and rodenticides on both wildlife and humans.
April has been called “Earth month” by the National Environmental Education Foundation because the organization notes that one day in April is not enough to educate consumers.
Pervasive plastic, how to help
Plastic waste is pervasive and found everywhere in the environment, including rivers, salt marshes, soil and oceans. Plastic is a petroleum-based product infused with chemicals. And because plastic never breaks down entirely in landfills, it fragments and becomes the microplastics that are now circulating through human bodies — even babies as was discovered through placenta dissection.
Scientists have now shown that human brains also contain microplastics, which are commonly found in food and water.
But organizers want to share that every person can do a small part in reducing the use of plastics, such as not using a plastic bag in which to place one fruit at the grocery story. There are other ways to store such items. In Canada, this film is shown to students in school so the next generation can be mindful of how they use plastics. The common use of synthetic fibers in everything from sheets to clothings ultimately pollute the oceans with microplastics that result from washing in machines.
The film shows how Rwanda, a poor nation, is a global leader as one of the first countries in the world to ban single-use plastic bags and bottles. “The ban is not an isolated law. Upon arrival to Kigali, one can immediately see that it is anchored in deep commitment, as it entails citizen engagement to maintain cleanliness, reduce pollution and deliver plastic alternatives to make the vision a reality,” according to the United Nations Development Programme website.
Rockport’s Eileen Mueller attended the nearly sold-out showing last year at Shalin Liu Performance Center, leaving the event knowing there are small steps that everyone can do to reduce the use of plastics.
“The issue is so daunting but so many things are happening on Cape Ann to raise awareness. I went to see the film not knowing anything about it but I came out blown away and with the thought that everyone should see this film to raise more awareness. It also gives you ideas for actions that you can take to mitigate it in your own way,” she said. “The idea you can have some power to help is really important.”
She and many others left that screening with immediate ideas of what they can change in their households and life to reduce plastics use, such as moving away from synthetic fibers in clothing and bedding.
In a letter to the editor, Deborah Gardner wrote: Gloucester can be a leader in this fight to end the use of plastic! We need to educate ourselves to better understand how plastics are used and then disposed of … Our consumer power will speak.”
For tips on small ways each individual can make a difference, visit https://capeannclimatecoalition.org/interfaith-climate-justice-group.