Event Itinerary

08:45 gathering in the downtown location
09:00 shuttle bus departure
09:45 arrive onsite
10:00 class starts
11:45 class summary
12:00 picnic in the park
13:45 shuttle bus departure
14:30 Arrive back in downtown

This inspiring field trip teaches in an enjoyable way about the impact of plastic in our environment, how it affects our and the life of future generations. You will understand the scope and scale of plastic pollution and give your children early exposure to one of the most urgent environmental issues of the 21st century. And believe it or not, you will forge new friendships and become part of a community of purpose. We can turn this ship around if we work together!

70% of all waste in our oceans is produced by only six countries with China being responsible for the lion share. More than 90% of all plastic waste which we have discarded into our water bodies since WWII has already sunk to the bottom of oceans and rivers, where it decomposes into ever smaller particles. Plastic is though forever and only breaks down mechanically into smaller units like stone or shell breaks down into the sand. It never really changes its chemical composition. As such it enters the food chain and consequently our own bodies. The life cycle of plastic shows that how we treat the environment is a reflection of how we treat ourselves.

Shanghai’s Wusong park is of tremendous geostrategic importance to understand China’s impact on the world as a consumer nation. It sits at the confluence of China’s longest river, the Yangtze, and Shanghai’s mightiest river, the Huangpu. Standing here and gazing far out into the Yellow Sea where huge ocean vessels are busy shipping their freight, you will wonder how much waste both these rivers, one being the largest of the world’s most populous nation, the other being the largest of this nation’s most populous city, carry every day, every minute, every second out into the open ocean. And you will ask yourself: what do I have to do to stop this insanity? What can I do to keep this planet inhabitable for my children and their children?
You will join us again. Promised.