Powerful Representatives of Two Generations Speak Up for the Future of Our Planet
ATLANTA, Feb. 8, 2018 – Atlanta’s own environmental activist Hannah Testa, 15, partnered with Georgia state senators for the second consecutive year to proclaim Feb. 15 Plastic Pollution Awareness Day in Georgia. Hannah, founder of Hannah4Change (hannah4change.org), worked with Georgia State Senators and environmental advocates Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta), Michael Williams (R-Cumming) and Renee Unterman (R-Buford) to develop and co-sponsor this resolution (SR695), which educates Georgians about the growing plastic pollution crisis.
The resolution was read on the Senate floor on the morning of Feb. 15. In addition, Orrock and Testa spoke at the Georgia State Capitol Building and Hannah distributed biodegradable paper straws from Aardvark. Used by thousands of restaurants, Aardvark straws are a sustainable alternative to plastic straws.
“This day will make Georgians aware of the impact plastic pollution has on our environment,” said Testa. “The average American uses 500 plastic bags each year, and the U.S. uses 500 million plastic straws each day that end up polluting our oceans. By 2050, plastics in the ocean will outweigh the fish, and plastic pollution kills countless birds and sea animals, contributes to coral reef decline and shows up in our food chain.”
Testa’s goal is to educate Georgians that simple changes can greatly reduce the state’s plastic footprint. Her call to action is for Georgia residents and businesses to reduce consumption of single-use plastic products on this day and perhaps all year round. Other options include using reusable bags at the grocery store and using paper, glass or stainless-steel straws at restaurants.
Several organizations across the U.S. are supporting Hannah and her efforts, including Captain Planet Foundation and Plastic Pollution Coalition. “We are honored to support Hannah as she takes Plastic Pollution Awareness Day and turns it into a call to action”, states Dianna Cohen, CEO and Co-Founder of Plastic Pollution Coalition.
Orrock said, “As plastic pollution threatens to permeate the planet, caring citizens must take action. Our Plastic Pollution Awareness Day is an effort to step up the education of the public and show people how they can make a difference. I want to encourage and support young activists like Hannah who bring their talents and commitment to protect our planet for future generations.”