REVIEW ON MOVIE – A PLASTIC WAVE

Submitted by
KARAN SINGH(1-A)

(ENROLL NO. 02517703823)

Under the guidance of

MS. KOKILA KHANNA
(SOCIOLOGY)
A Plastic Wave" is a documentary film that examines the impact of
plastic pollution on the environment, the ocean, and communities
around the world. The film features experts discussing the properties of
plastic and how it impacts marine life, fishing communities, and local
families. It highlights the issue of plastic pollution in India and the
urgent need for action, with emphasis on communities working
together to refuse, reuse, and recycle. The documentary also
emphasizes the need for a global effort to address plastic pollution and
preserve oil for future generations. The film concludes with the speaker
and a community picking up plastic on the beach, reminding viewers of
the urgent need to make changes before it's too late.

Dave Muir, a surf school owner, father, and ocean enthusiast, expresses
his concern about the amount of plastic he is seeing on his local beach
in Cornwall. He shares that he is now finding plastic not just on the
rocks and sand but in the water too, making him worry about the
future. He meets with a senior research scientist at Greenpeace to
discuss the properties of plastic and the issues of plastic in the ocean,
which have become a problem that can only be solved by dealing with
the issue at the source. Muir shares that he collected different types of
plastic from his local beach in just a few minutes, including a water
bottle, which highlights the staggering statistic that we get through one
million of these bottles every minute globally.

a specialist in ocean microplastics discusses her work on the impact of

plastic on marine mammals. The plastic found in dolphins' stomachs is
visible, but most of the plastic she found is not visible to the naked eye,
indicating that it has been broken down into microplastics. These
microplastics were found in seal poo, which suggests that they are
passing through the digestive tract, but the impact is unclear.
Microplastics become more bioavailable and have a greater impact on
smaller animals, like plankton, which are at the base of the food chain.
The video then shows the journalist in Mumbai, where plastic waste
pollutes the water, encroaching on the living space of local families.

the documentary explores the devastating impact of plastic pollution

on local fishing communities. The film crew meets with a fisherman
who remembers a time before plastic and shows them how plastic
waste has taken over the local beach. They also meet with members of
the organization Beach Warriors, who have been cleaning up the beach
for the past eight months. While the task of cleaning up such a large
amount of plastic waste may seem daunting, the activists remain
hopeful that their efforts will create awareness that will help prevent
future littering.
the documentary highlights the issue of plastic pollution in India, where
almost 5.6 million tons of plastic are produced annually, with 60% of it
contributing to the plastic that reaches the world's oceans. The expert
featured in the film, Dr. Roshini, discusses the urgency for India to wake
up and take responsibility for the plastic issue, and as an economic
giant, start cleaning up its act. The film also emphasizes that the
solution to the plastic issue lies in communities working together and
taking action by refusing, reusing, and recycling. While the problem
seems enormous, the documentary proposes taking smaller bite-sized
chunks to tackle the plastic issue. There is hope as the world is
recognizing plastic as a contributor to climate change and global
warming, but the challenge is whether we are doing too little too late.
the speaker emphasizes the need for a global effort to address plastic
pollution, just as it is needed for climate change. Plastic emissions are
coming from everywhere, and we cannot outsource the problem to
other countries. Instead, we must work together to help other countries
build systems to control plastic waste, trapping it in the economy and
not in the environment. We must remember that plastic comes from oil
taken from the ground, and we must preserve it for future generations.
The film ends with the speaker and the community picking up plastic on
the beach and emphasizes the urgent need to make changes before it's
too late.

From a sociological perspective, "A Plastic Wave" illuminates the

intricate interplay between human behavior, societal structures, and
the environment. The documentary delves into the consequences of
plastic pollution, emphasizing its impact on local communities and
ecosystems.

The initial segment with Dave Muir in Cornwall reflects the localized
impact of plastic pollution on individuals. Muir's concern highlights how
environmental issues intersect with people's daily lives, prompting a
reevaluation of their relationship with the environment. The collection
of plastic serves as a tangible manifestation of the global scale of plastic
consumption, illustrating the magnitude of the problem.

The exploration of ocean microplastics and their effects on marine life

introduces a dimension of invisible yet pervasive harm. This part not
only underscores the unintended consequences of human activities but
also emphasizes the interconnectedness of different species within the
ecological system. The Mumbai scenes further emphasize the
sociological aspect, revealing how environmental challenges
disproportionately affect marginalized communities, intertwining issues
of poverty and pollution.

The documentary's focus on local fishing communities underscores the

social dimensions of environmental problems. It brings attention to how
communities reliant on natural resources are disproportionately
impacted by pollution, disrupting their traditional ways of life. The
introduction of Beach Warriors demonstrates a sociological response,
showcasing grassroots activism and community-driven efforts to
address environmental issues.
As the narrative shifts to India, the documentary adopts a sociological
lens to examine the systemic challenges contributing to plastic
pollution. Dr. Roshini's perspective introduces economic considerations,
emphasizing the responsibility of a nation in addressing environmental
issues. The call for communities to work together reflects a sociological
understanding that solutions require collective action and societal
change.

The global perspective on plastic pollution reinforces the

interconnectedness of societies worldwide. The film's conclusion, with a
plea for a global effort akin to addressing climate change, underscores
the sociological principle that environmental issues transcend national
boundaries. The emphasis on preserving oil for future generations adds
an intergenerational perspective, framing environmental challenges as
sociological issues that require consideration of long-term
consequences.

In summary, "A Plastic Wave" portrays plastic pollution through a

sociological lens by examining its impact on individuals, communities,
and nations. It underscores the need for collective action, societal
change, and global cooperation to address the intricate web of social
and environmental challenges presented by plastic pollution