One Earth (OE):Your film exposes the hidden presence of microplastics in our bodies and ecosystems. What surprised you most during the investigation?
Ziya: Seeing the lab results. The really strange thing to stomach in a way is the fact that you've got other people's garbage in your body. Seeing other people's garbage floating around in your system is really quite shocking.
OE: How does the issue of plastic pollution illustrate why environmental solutions must be collective and systemic, not just individual?
Ben: People were trained to use disposable items, trained to throw out their coffee cups. They were resistant to it at first. We can go back to using glass or tin. It's easier to start with something simple like single-use plastic, but it can make a big impact. 50% of all the plastic ever made has been made in the last 20 years. By not using single-use plastic, our consumption would be reduced considerably.
OE: What changes,policy, industry, or cultural, do you believe are most urgent right now?
Ben: While we were in the middle of making our film, a very important treaty, a global treaty with all the countries around the world meeting to agree on solutions. Called the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, it was organized by the UN Environmental Program and continues to meet. Cooperation and policies among all nations would help to address the environmental and health crisis.
