By Paula Fernandez
Plastic Ocean International, Üñü and Viña Montes are joining forces in Chile to promote environmental protecton of forests and oceans, starting with a massive reforestation project of more than 20,000 native trees on the island of Chiloé.
Between August 2 and 8, various activities aimed at environmental conservation will be carried out in the Chiloé archipelago, including beach clean-ups, panel discussions, educational activities, art, music and culture.
"I am very happy that we decided to do it in the first week of August, thinking that we would be in a more favorable moment related to the pandemic but still within the ideal months for planting. And apparently we chose well because Chiloé advanced to phase three, which allows us to carry out face-to-face activities with the community of the island and other volunteers from all over Chile," commented Mark Minneboo, executive director of Plastic Oceans Chile, in an official press release about the event, which the non-profit has been organizing for more than a year.
Javier García, founder and partner of Úñü, a social enterprise based in Chiloe, said the event was especially needed in Chiloe. "Chiloé is a wonderful place, but it has suffered the onslaught of climate change. In addition, it is experiencing a permanent loss of its forests and the ocean has been tremendously affected by plastic pollution."
During the week of the festival, you can participate by visiting their website at www.treesandseas.cl, where you can find the event calendar and details on how to sign up for the diverse activities, volunteer, or watch different panels. There will be live broadcasts of many of the festival events on the Instagram and Facebook social media accounts of Plastic Oceans Chile.