Beccy Rogers
Plymouth and South Hams - South West Rep
I am a teacher and was lucky enough to grow up on a rugged cliff-top farm in Devon, surrounded by water on three sides. I’m like a fish out of water inland. The salt is in my blood and I need the sea air to feel alive.
At nearly 50, I have witnessed the dramatic increase in plastic rubbish around the world’s coasts. I feel very lucky that in the 80s, I saw places like Indonesia and Thailand before plastic rubbish featured on beaches. As kids in the 70’s the only rubbish on the beach was ‘treasure’. Interesting broken crockery or pretty smooth glass that we made romantic stories about.
Now we share our waters with floating plastic bags, bottles, and small smooth plastics that look like seaweed, fooling the wildlife into slow death. There’s no romance in that. I find it tragic. I feel the pain of the entire Ocean ecosystem that we are part of. I am moved to tears by the rapid destruction we are causing.
So, the hour is late, and since joining SAS I have quickly committed to raising awareness in my local communities with talks, running my stand, talking to businesses to develop Plastic Free Initiatives and creating easy to use packs to support the SAS info for schools. Let me know if you need my help, I am passionate about engaging people wherever I go for our shared quest. I feel so relieved and honoured to be part of SAS.