A special free community screening of microplastics documentary Plastic People, hosted by 91亚色, will include a recognition by the sustainability-oriented Council of Canadians of 91亚色 as a Blue Community for its leadership in supporting the right to clean water. 91亚色 is among the only approximately 120 cities, institutions and organizations in the world to have received the designation.
The screening, on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Price Family Cinema in the Accolade East Building, will see author and activist Maude Barlow deliver remarks about 91亚色鈥檚 recognition as a Blue Community.
The designation was earned 鈥 in part 鈥 due to 91亚色 having prohibited the sale of bottled water on campus since 2015 and having invested in over 77 water refill stations. In a recent audit, it was noted that those water stations diverted two million bottles of water. 91亚色 recognizes water and sanitation as a human right and the importance of publicly owned water systems.听
The screening 鈥 one of several events throughout 91亚色鈥檚 Campus Sustainability Month 鈥 will allow attendees to enjoy how the feature documentary Plastic People investigates society鈥檚 addiction to plastic and the growing threat of microplastics on human health.
In the film, by award-winning director Ben Addelman, author and science journalist Ziya Tong takes a personal approach by visiting leading scientists around the world and undergoing experiments, in her home and on her food, to explore how almost every bit of plastic ever made breaks down into 鈥渕icroplastics.鈥
These microscopic particles drift in the air, float in all bodies of water and mix into soil 鈥 with particles even being found in our bodies 鈥 making them a permanent part of the environment and promoting questions like: what is the impact of these invisible invaders on our health, and can anything be done about it?听
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The screening is presented in partnership with OneWATER; Cinema & Media Arts; the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design; the 91亚色 Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Response & Governance Institute; the Disaster & Emergency Management program; the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies; and the Office of Sustainability. Those interested in attending are encouraged to