Scary, factual, scientific and inspiring.

Here at Goodgym we do tasks in 60 localities week in week out, and across the country this adds up to the unquestionable fact that we make a huge difference. However, it is important to analyse, evaluate and reflect in order to grow and improve. Maybe this is true for society too?

Last night was a time to reflect about the very real issue of plastic pollution and watch a documentary film that highlighted the deep, long term and global problem that we face. It was not a world premier but it was a big night for Colchester and the wonderfully talented and driven film maker from Colchester, Eleanor Church. In her career she has highlighted many issues through the power of moving pictures and this time she embarked with an all female crew to reach the North Pacific garbage patch in the gyre, a place where currents and tides meet along with trillions of micro, macro and huge pieces of plastic. The observations, even in bad weather (that was too dangerous for the scientists to start collecting samples and data), was that the plastic was visible, obvious and numerous - even 800 miles from land. Then, when the weather cleared and the science began, as well as the stories of the scientists, teachers and designers, it showed a detailed picture of the problems of plastic and the toxins which they release into the environment, into wildlife and into humans. Is science enough to get the major, powerful stakeholders to act? Time will tell.

An overarching takeaway from this knowledge filled film is that plastic is not just litter, it produces cancerous toxins and it is in the food chain. Early studies mentioned showed that 100% of men had toxins in their testicles and women's reproductive organs and fertility are effected.

It has been a long time since plastic was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt trying to replace ivory billiards balls. And in the 1960's various publications raised a global and united consciousness about pollution and the environment. In my opinion, it takes a concerted, conscious, calculated and manipulative effort by plastic manufacturers, Supermarkets and politicians(and many, many more) to hide away from the truth of science in the name of profits. So now it is down to governments and CEO's to make big changes. Some of the public want to do more but we only can do so much. Choosing what we consume, whether we recycle, whether we eat fish (containing plastics and toxins and wrapped in it) is achievable, especially when we are informed about a subject. The public need to be informed, fully and honestly, of the science. We must know the impact on our health and the planets. Much like climate change, it is hard to see big changes in habits and brave decisions by industry, huge companies (like Tesco with it's £3 billion annual profits) and governments...quick, informed, decisive action is needed that annihilates any public misconceptions.

Smoking is dangerous, it was partially banned, alcohol has an age limit, leaded fuel went, plastic bags got a 5p charge, but for me, the greedy few who profit from addiction, pollution and planetary climate disasters are winning massively and probably on a yacht, eating sushi, drinking champagne and paying off government officials. Just a guess mind you...

With an election soon it is now a time to make sure what the public want is a priority - it has been a long time since that has been true.