Written by The Leap on 17 / 05 / 2018
Gap Year Advice
Well, let’s start with the facts – currently we produce 300 million tonnes of plastic per year, this is equal to the weight of the entire adult population. Half of this plastic produced is single use, often used for only a few seconds before being discarded.
This doesn’t make for happy reading, we have to act now to save our oceans.
But...it’s not all doom and gloom... there are lots of things we can do to help, from beach cleans to stopping plastic getting into the ocean in the first place. Projects like Plastic Oceans and the recent Blue Planet II have got the public and government enthused and starting to make a difference.
We are working with NGOs around the world to contribute to the plastic ocean fight. So far in 2018 we have had 68 fantastic Leapers
join our programs below and do their bit in the plastic ocean fight.
Where will you head to?
Conservation – Education – Adventure
Let’s start with Madagascar. By joining our 10-week volunteer program in Madagascar you will be joining the plastic ocean fight on the front line. Everything from beach, forest and reef cleans to educating the local communities on the importance of protecting the ocean and disposing of rubbish in the best way possible.
You will also work directly with Plastic Oceans and NGO MRCI to show the 'A Plastic Ocean' film (translated into Malagasy) to remote communities during the Island Outreach Program, helping them to understand why the ocean needs protecting.
In addition to the plastic fight you’ll be living and volunteering in one of the most beautiful places in the world…. win-win.
Conservation – Spanish – Adventure
“The other day I found a mid-sized turtle on the beach, alive but with no front fins, they had been cut off by a discarded piece of nylon or net that it must have got caught up in. (...) One of the most important projects we have down here is cleaning up the beaches and educating the youth about the huge problem that we have on this planet due to plastic waste. We are using documentaries like Oceans of Plastic, to teach and enforce the message and give meaning to what we are trying to do here. We have lost of ideas for campaigns to try to reduce the use of plastic bags in the super markets and to stop the beach bars giving out plastic drinking straws.” The words of Chris, the host of our Costa Rica program.
As a volunteer in Costa Rica you will be doing beach cleans with the community and educating young and old about the importance of reducing plastic waste. This is all part of a package that includes Spanish lessons, surfing, turtle conservation and an adventure into Monteverde cloud forest.
The amazing work of our in-country programs can only continue with your help. It’s your turn to get involved and keep the plastic fight going.
