If you can’t reuse, refuse...

Mona 

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Only we humans make waste that nature cannot digest. - Charles Moore

...And, it’s only now that we see how detrimental we have been to our source of life. And, surely enough one cannot helps but take charge.

As India hosts World Environment Day with theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, celebs join in the mass movement taking along their millions of followers.

A self proclaimed ‘an earth-bound mermaid’...Pooja Bhatt’s twitter page is more about environmental concerns than films. And owing to who she is, she is taken seriously. On one of the occasions, she complained about illegal felling of trees pressing both Mumbai police and Mumbai North Central District Forum into action. And no she’s not just instructing folks to get things done but gets down and dirty for the cause close to her heart. At World Environment Day celebrations at Versova beach around end of May she pointed out how a hand-painted banner would later be turned into carry-all bags. “The change must start with ourselves,” she tweets.

With 17.3 million followers Alia Bhatt commands quite a presence and she makes a case for beating plastic pollution by switching to steel or glass bottles. “Plastic bottles take 450 years or more to decompose, harming us and our environment. I’m now one step closer towards purging plastic from my life. Hope you guys will make the switch too!’ is her appeal.

Such small practical steps make a big difference and this is how Juhi Chawla is getting a step closer to purging plastic from her life. Whether its bamboo straws, by now we all know plastic straws are super hazardous to marine life; or using eco-friendly totes, trust her to share and spread her concerns.

Joining the brigade of green girls is Dia Mirza. Trending in #BeatPlasticPollution, in a video message on her social media handle Dia confesses to have switched to biodegradable sanitary napkins. And there is Shahid Kapoor’s impassioned appeal, “If you can’t reuse it, refuse it” if only we could tread the path. What is your commitment to #BeatPlasticPollution this #WorldEnvironmentDay?

Amongst the stars who have walked the talk is Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio. A foundation by his name is working through partnerships in climate change, wildlife and indigenous rights. In fact as a tribute to mark the 20th anniversary of the Foundation, a new water beetle has been named after its Oscar winning actor.

An eco friendly makeup line called Flower Beauty is animal activist Drew Barrymore’s way to give back to nature. 

So what’s yours one step closer to purging plastic from life? 

mona@tribunemail.com