Saving the World one piece of Plastic at a Time - Peter Lowe visits Taiwan

  PETER LOWE VISITED TAIWAN AND CHANGES TOOK PLACE

There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic brought myriad changes to the lives of hundreds of people. For many, unfortunately, the pandemic brought death and sadness, for others it brought an opportunity to grow spiritually, and for some, it brought unexpected chances to help save and protect planet Earth.

In 2020 a retired Englishman named Peter Lowe visited Taiwan to spend time with his son. He enjoyed the beauty of the country and the friendliness of the people who live there. When it was time to end his vacation, however, he could not leave the country. Why? Covid-19 was raging!

Peter Lowe’s flight was cancelled. He had to extend his stay in Taiwan. So, he got a boat - he enjoys boating - and his plan was to explore the country and see the vegetation and wildlife “up close”. 

As he travelled down the Tamsui river, however, he was shocked and very distressed at what he saw. There was “an astonishing volume of garbage.” Discarded plastic was everywhere.

So “what was meant to be a fun way to get to see the region’s nature and wildlife up close has turned into a quest to clear the water, riverbanks and mangrove forests of plastic.” A BBC report said.

A report, by Stephany Yang in Formosa News said Lowe extended his stay and in doing so spearheaded a cleanup campaign for the Tamsui river. Local people quickly joined him.

Lowe explained to Yang that the worst aspect of the situation is that this kind of plastic, found along the banks of the river, breaks up into tiny microparticles that enter the food chain. The fish, shrimp and prawns eat the plastic particles and then humans eat the fish, shrimp, and the prawns. “It is terrible really!” he said.

The reporter had an opportunity to find out more about Mr. Lowe’s efforts. He mentioned that there is an “astonishing amount of plastic in the river and along the banks of the river.”

There was not only plastic water bottles but also “Styrofoam, fishermen’s nets, plastic crates, plastic bags and household waste.”

Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of Mr. Lowe’s project is that people in the vicinity have joined with him. They are helping to clear the river and the riverbanks of the masses of plastic garbage. 

Plastic trash is “a global problem” Mr. Lowe told the reporter. He is concerned about what will happen in the future ‘if we don’t stop it now.” Plastic in water affects fish and sea creatures, but there is also plastic waste in mangrove trees, for example, that affects birds and insects.

He also mentioned that there is a new danger for wildlife. Discarded facemasks (now used by many people because of the pandemic) have been found to entangle bird’s feet.

Mr. Lowe’s efforts have been very well received. “Even the authorities (in Taiwan) have taken notice (of his efforts) and are helping with the cleanup campaign” the BBC News Asia commented.

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PS. As if to confirm the existence of the “global problem” of plastic trash, a presenter on the RT program “Watching the Hawks” on January 7, 2021 said that “there are reports of newborn babies having microplastics in their bodies”.

“It’s now just a part of our lives. It ‘s a teraton sized problem!” the  presenter said.

#PETERLOWE #TAIWAN #plastic