Summary
« When looking at a list of components, whether for toothpaste or shampoo, you are soon facing unpro- nounceable and obscure words. We have to make a default choice. »
As Julien has found, not only do we lack information but it is also not easy to change behavior.
« It’s quite annoying because the culprit is well identified [us humans], even though very few people are purposefully wicked. Nobody wants to release their plastic waste in the natural envi- ronment. Very often people do not want to do bad things, but they are not well informed and will consume in a certain way that causes negative impacts at the end of the chain. »
Giving people information, raising awareness, learning to make a choice as a consumer, decision- maker or industrialist, to become a driver for change: this is what motivated Julien to contact Surfrider Foundation Europe. The NGO put him in contact with other people and advised them to set up a local branch together.
Against all odds, their first beach cleanup in Finistère brought together nearly 80 participants!
Julien Guerrero, old Surfrider volunteer Non-profit worker in agroecology Brest, France
For additional information
Date: 2015-2019
ResponSEAble is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program and has 15 partners from around the European Union.
Crédits: Louise Ras and Johanna Ballé-Béganton, Portrait
series: Julien Guerrero – Surfrider volunte