Nat Geo's new series 'Activate' to shed light on PHL's plastic pollution

In case you missed it, National Geographic has a new, groundbreaking series called "ACTIVATE: The Global Citizen Movement," and one of its episodes will feature the plastic pollution in the Philippines.

^{The trash that built up in the seaside along Baywalk in Manila. Jessica Bartolome}

The six-part docu-series by National Geographic and P&G, co-produced by Global Citizen and RadicalMedia, delves into the root causes of extreme poverty.

This includes sustainable sourcing, criminalization of poverty, disaster relief, girls' education, plastic waste, and global water crisis.

The fifth episode, "ACTIVATE: Ending Plastic Pollution," was shot in multiple locations in and around Metro Manila.

Fil-Am actor Darren Criss, who was recruited as an influencer, roamed Baseco, Malabon, Quezon City, and Cavite to understand the economic situation that fueled the plastic pollution in the country.

 

 

 

 

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So let’s talk about waste management. Yeah, I know, it’s not a very sexy topic- but that’s exactly why it’s such a massive issue in so many parts of the world. So I decided to take a trip to the Philippines, a country close to my heart, with my friends from @glblctzn to learn specifically about metro Manila’s waste and sustainability challenges. I met a lot of inspiring people who have made incredible strides towards creating a cleaner, greener future, but the obstacles they face are still overwhelming. I’m urging mayors in the Philippines to implement zero waste programs in their cities in partnership with their communities. A huge thanks to Mayor @lenlenoreta, who I met just last week, for committing already- now we need more Mayors to do the same. Join me and take action. (link in bio) Mabuhay!

A post shared by Darren Criss (@darrencriss) on

Apr 11, 2019 at 6:51am PDT

READ: Life in Plastic

The episode also puts focus on the plight of fishermen who now struggle to catch fish among the abundance of plastic in the sea.

Anna Legarda from P&G Philippines said that it was important to note that the episode placed emphasis on plastic waste, and not just plastic.

"Plastic is not bad. Plastic waste is the problem," she said.

"We should not demonize plastic," she added.

"ACTIVATE: Ending Plastic Pollution" will premiere in the Philippines on National Geographic on October 4, Friday at 9 p.m.

—JCB, GMA News