The 15th annual One Earth Film Festival screened the documentary \u201cPlastic People\u201d in Annenberg Hall Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The event was co-hosted by One Earth, Illinois Clinicians for Climate Action and Climate Action Evanston. The film featured science journalist Ziya Tong\u2019s journey to learn how microplastics affect humans around the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Josh Bynum, One Earth\u2019s digital communications and program support coordinator, said the organization has organized 22 film screenings around the Chicago area, each focusing on an aspect of environmental justice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe specific goal of the film festival is to create climate awareness through the arts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bynum said the festival\u2019s theme, \u201cGenWe: All Together Now,\u201d refers to a generation that\u2019s \u201call about fostering community in our planet.\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
After the film, a panel of local experts spoke to the audience about the impact of microplastics.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moderator and CAE Executive Director Jack Jordan said he chose the film because he noticed many people aren\u2019t familiar with the risks of microplastics \u2014\u00a0himself included.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I didn\u2019t know more about (microplastics), and I run a nonprofit organization that deals with climate for a living, then the average person who\u2019s concerned about climate also doesn\u2019t know about this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Jordan said he hoped viewers left with more knowledge about microplastics, including its harmful effects to human health and the \u201cculpability of large corporations and the government for creating that problem.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Panelist Susan Buchanan, a physician at University of Illinois Chicago and member of ICCA, \u00a0said that while humans have been exposed to microplastics against their will in today\u2019s society, people should not panic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no way you\u2019re going to get it all out of your system,\u201d Buchanan said, \u201cbut the human body is extremely resilient.\u201d<\/p>\n
CAE board member Ashvin Veligandla, another panelist, offered plastic reduction suggestions like bringing Tupperware to restaurants instead of relying on takeout containers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Triveni Institute Director and Founder Jordan Parker said investing in reusable versions of everyday items like water bottles, bags and coffee cups can also make a big difference in the long run.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need political action and we need individual responsibility,\u201d Parker said.<\/p>\n
Jordan said even though films are easy to access due to streaming platforms, it\u2019s not as accessible to watch and discuss them with others.<\/p>\n
Bynum said that film is a good medium for communicating climate issues because of its accessibility and aesthetic.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s literary, it\u2019s visual, it\u2019s artistic, it\u2019s beautiful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Email:<\/b> [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Related Stories:<\/b><\/p>\n \u2014 Northwestern screens climate change movie as part of One Earth Film Festival<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 10 Second Film Festival features student-produced videos about climate change<\/a><\/p>\n