Plastic pollution is a global crisis, but its impacts are often invisible to those of us in the West.

In this episode of Conversations on Climate, host Chris Caldwell talks to Richmond Kennedy Quarco, a graduate of ocean science, merchant naval officer, and passionate activist for the ocean in Ghana.

Richmond shares his journey of how he set up an NGO called Plastic Punch in 2018 to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. He started locally by recruiting local communities to become cleanup teams, scientists, and political voices. Tune in to learn about the reality of plastic pollution in West Africa, the actions being taken by local people, and how we can all do better in the West than just recycling. This is a voice worth listening to.

Don't miss out on another inspiring conversation on climate - Fighting Plastic Pollution in Ghana with Richmond Kennedy Quarco

"It is very sad situation in Ghana because the plastic revolution just came less than 20 years ago. So 20 years ago, if you walked the beaches or coastlines of Ghana, it was as beautiful…but then the material came to us…all because of this convenience that the single use plastics comes with."

"…and  it is really, really, devastating seeing communities lose their livelihoods, seeing all this marine life wash ashore. and also the loss to tourism. Ghana's third biggest earner... so yes, we are really, really, really are at a tipping point over here in Ghana..."

"I believe and think we should really involve the community in these issues and the solution finding process…Without involving the communities, really, we can never create a solution…"

"Let the people understand the power that they have…We have the purchasing power. If you do not buy these products, they will stop manufacturing them….And I, I really believe the movement is growing."

REFERENCES:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richmond-kennedy-quarcoo/?originalSubdomain=gh

https://plasticpunchngo.org

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQbDfnEheeYUNbtGfllhqA

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