Natasha Tucker’s passion for fighting plastic pollution began with a shocking moment.
While working at the Vancouver Aquarium, Tucker met a rescued dolphin whose fins were partially cut off due to fishing equipment entanglement (缠绕). This heartbreaking experience made Tucker immediately search for a way to take action against the plastic pollution that caused these injuries.
“I saw immediately that this was because of us,” she says. “I knew I had to do something. Then, I found Mind Your Plastic.”
That aquarium encounter was not the only experience that inspired Tucker to action. Other experiences like working in retail management came with witnessing tons of plastic waste. “I saw how much got thrown out, and it didn’t sit well with me,” she says.
Plastic waste in business is among what Mind Your Plastic is seeking to end via its three key programs: the Circular Economy Ambassador Program(CEAP) for educators and youth, the Plastic-Free Events Policy Program for municipalities (市政当局) and the Plastic Awareness and Reduction Tool-kit s (PART) Program for businesses.
When people donate to Mind Your Plastic, their dollars directly support these programs and help them effect change. Through direct partnerships with local educators, municipalities and businesses, these programs connect Canadians with direct ways to take action. The CEAP program, for example, helps teachers educate youth about the circular economy, lead local cleanups, and track collected waste.
The blame game is another area in need of transition, according to Tucker, who says that big companies, not customers, should carry the responsibility to solve Canada’s plastic pollution problem.
“It’s felt for a long time like the responsibility is placed on the customers,” says Tucker. “That needs to stop.”
Tucker says this perspective (观点) can be shifted by individuals creating public pressures—for example, pushing for policy—and using their dollars to support more sustainable, circular alternatives until these policy changes happen.
“This makes policy a valuable tool. And big business may say there’s no interest, but we know there is,” she says. “Let’s use our dollars to prove that, and challenge policymakers to help make change happen.”
【小题1】What first inspired Natasha Tucker’s passion for fighting plastic pollution?| A．Working in retail management. | B．Witnessing tons of plastic waste. |
| C．Meeting an injured dolphin. | D．Finding Mind Your Plastic. |
| A．Tucker felt uneasy about the large quantity of the plastic. |
| B．Tucker was unconcerned about the amount of plastic waste she saw. |
| C．Tucker enjoyed managing so much plastic waste. |
| D．Tucker thought the amount of plastic waste was acceptable. |
| A．By blaming consumers for plastic waste. | B．By providing education and partnership. |
| C．By quarreling with big businesses. | D．By stop ping using plastic products. |
| A．The harmful effects of plastic pollution on life in the ocean. |
| B．Natasha Tucker’s personal experiences and her fight against plastic pollution. |
| C．The programs of Mind Your Plastic to reduce plastic waste. |
| D．The responsibility of big companies in solving Canada’s plastic pollution problem. |
