Leeson's film, A Plastic Ocean has won more than 15 film festival awards and has been screened in more than 70 countries. The film premiered at the UN General Assembly and talked about vanishing humanity's single-use plastic addiction within a generation.
In an interview to an eminent media house, Craig Leeson shared his experience about how he was attracted to the environment when he was a journalist. He said he grew up in the city of Bernie and his youth has passed through the Tasmania sea island. While pursuing journalism, Leeson said, "Pulp Paper Mill" and "Paint Pigment Plant" in Burney, the city's coastline was immensely polluted by the K waste.
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The pollutants were like wound on the body's of people swimming in the water and eventually, they started to dwell on skin problems. However, the highest number of cases were reported in Australia. Being a journalist, Craig Leeson said he started to make news on those polluting industries and his news in national newspaper highlighted itself. As a consequence of it many industries were removed from the city. However, with the shut down of industries many people lost their jobs, new employment opportunities were created in the city due to which new economy took birth which is more durable and stronger.
When asked about his idea of filming plastic waste in the sea, Leeson said for his work, he used to travel to beaches and water bodies. Once a friend of his asked him to keenly observe pollution problems during sea voyages. On paying heed to it, he pointed out plastic everywhere. He said that plastic is the most durable material that we have ever made. Already, it has entered our bodies with chemicals through food. Everything made with plastic is either thrown into the sea or piled on land. If you want to get rid of it, ban plastic completely.
Stating the ban of plastic, Leeson said Rwanda was one of the first countries to ban plastic bags. On using plastic bags a severe punishment was also introduced. Many other countries in Europe and Asia can follow the track of United States as several states has already banned usage of plastic. Maharashtra has also banned single-use plastics, but mere legislation will not work, enforcement should be strict. Economic activities are affected by the ban on plastics, but if it would continue to do so a new economy and opportunities for sustainable development will come up.
Craig expressed his view on the notion of new economy and said that enterpreneurship comes with finding new solutions, developing new businesses and new technology. He also stated there are many problems with fossil fuels or single plastic use. Leeson added, he is having an optimistic thoughts on it and when the new generation will face problems they will come up with solutions. This step of them will lead to establish new businesses and new economies. Financial institutions like BNP Paribas, Governments, Technology companies will come forward and laws will be enacted and implemented as they explore new economy opportunities.
Environmental lover and a former journalist, Craig Leeson possessed his believe on the role of social groups and the younger generation. Leeson asserted that every protest and movement begins with the idea of an individual. He realised it after showing his documentary on plastic in schools, feedback was huge and positive. Leeson said he met the CEO of an oil company at a conference and CEO told him that after watching his documentary film, CEO's son questioned him why he works in an oil company.
Greta Thunberg is the best example of how young generation is making a right move with noise, emphasized Craig Leeson. After all, it is this generation which will inherit the earth and face the consequences of our actions today. This generation is smart, educated and informed. The future lies with them added Craig Leeson.