Parley and UN Environment host roundtable for solutions to end marine plastic pollution
Together with United Nations Environment, on June 7 we held a roundtable discussion titled ‘Turning the Tide on Marine Plastic Pollution’ as part of a week of events to honor World Oceans Day 2017. The event focused on the role of business and creative collaboration in the implementation of SDG 14, introduced new alliances, and presented the Parley AIR as a strategy for solutions through the CleanSeas Campaign.
"Design, technology, media reach. These three things mold reality. Let's see every problem as an opportunity. Let's be futurists, not just environmentalists."
Cyrill Gutsch, Founder, Parley
"The biggest luxury we have is the ability to breathe, the ability to interact, and the ability to live... and fashion needs to start seeing life through those eyes. We need to be more accountable."
Stella McCartney
Held at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations, the roundtable marked a starting point for a long-term partnership between UN Environment and Parley in our mutual mission to end the cycle of marine destruction caused by plastic waste. In a series of talks and panels, members of the Parley collaborator network, scientists, and leaders from coastal communities around the globe exchanged knowledge and expertise on the threats, and examined different approaches to solutions.
Behind every major environmental threat we face is a faulty economic system. Fixing the outdated thinking, processes, and materials that contribute to plastic pollution is an enormous challenge. It's also an unprecedented opportunity. We all have a role to play in the solution. In today's society, influential brands are the uniquely positioned to drive change.
Speakers & panelists included:
Cyrill Gutsch, Founder and CEO Parley for the Oceans
Erik Solheim, UN Environment Executive Director
Grete Faremo, UNOPS Executive Director
Sam Barratt, UN Environment Chief of Public Advocacy & Comms
Stella McCartney, fashion designer
Miguel Patricio, CMO, Corona, AB-InBev
Eric Liedtke, head of adidas Global Brands
Dr. Mohamed Shainee, Maldives Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture
Louie Psihoyos, filmmaker and winner of academy award for ‘The Cove’
Diego Luna, filmmaker, actor and Parley Ambassador
Dr. Scott Bolton, Principal Investigator NASA Juno/Jupiter Mission
Dr. Mark Anthony Browne, plastic expert, scientist
Dr. Iain Kerr, CEO of Ocean Alliance
Chris Jordan, filmmaker and artist
David de Rothschild, explorer and activist
