A student of St Joseph’s Secondary School in Suva called on Government to declare April 22 (International Earth Day) a “plastic free day” in Fiji.
Speaking at the World Consumer Rights Day celebration at Suvavou House on Monday, AnnMary Raduva, 16, reminded Fijians not to forget their consumer responsibilities to the environment.
“We got to start somewhere,” AnnMary said.
“Let us empower ourselves to learn our environment, ocean, plastic, climate change Bills, legislations and our basic human rights.
“And while we celebrate our consumer rights, let us not forget our consumer responsibilities to our environment.
project liason offi cer Marine, Alisi Rabukawaqa-Nacewa
during the World Consumer Rights Day celebrations at
Suvavou House in Suva on Monday. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA
“Plastics are a looming catastrophe worth mentioning in the same breath as climate change, and I am delighted that the theme for this year’s celebration is an outright reminder of our consumer choices and habits.
“Researchers and scientists have forecasted that by the year 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans.
“We young people are the newest link in a decade long chain of awareness and advocacy work to eliminate plastic footprint in our country.
“Our role is to change our ‘throw away culture’ and the ‘culture of plastic dependency’.”