In a message shared on Earth Day, which is to be observed today, António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, said; “We must act decisively to protect our planet from both the coronavirus and the existential threat of climate disruption.”
Nature is suffering and various natural calamities are a proof of it. The Australian fires, heat records, the worst locust invasion in Kenya, as well as the ongoing worldwide health pandemic Covid-19 are linked to the health of our ecosystem.
Climate change, man-made changes to nature as well as crimes that disrupt biodiversity, such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production or the growing illegal wildlife trade, can increase contact and the transmission of infectious diseases from animals to humans (zoonotic diseases) like Covid-19. From one new infection disease that emerges in humans every 4 months, 75% of these emerging diseases come from animals, according to UN Environment. This shows the close relationships between human, animal and environmental health. 
As this year’s Earth Day goes digital, the single most important event is telecasting of a documentary The Story of Plastic by Discovery Channel and by climate volunteers through different digital platforms. In Qatar, the Arab Youth Climate Movement (AYCM-Qatar) is all set to launch the documentary during Earth Day watch party.
Neeshad Shafi, AYCM executive director, said: “With Covid-19 affecting all in-person gatherings, we have planned to host a virtual community screening of The Story Of Plastic. This model ensures the safety of our communities while providing shared viewing experiences to watch, discuss, and take action to end the plastic crisis.
“To access the documentary, the enthusiasts need to get registered with AYCM via its Facebook page or e-mail. People have already been registering and we urge more people to get registered. All the registered people will receive a one-time link of the film that is one and a half hour long. Once the documentary is finished the link will not be used again. The online screening will start at 4pm and will end at 5:30pm.  Viewers can use the documentary link one time during the three hours period starting from 4pm.
“Following the watch party, there will be an online question and answer session that will provide viewers a chance to discuss their experience and take action to end the plastic crisis. We will also have discussion of our Instagram account.”
An official selection of Mill Valley Film Festival (Audience Award winner) and 2019 DOC NYC, The Story of Plastic looks at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people that inhabit it.
Spanning three continents, the film illustrates the ongoing catastrophe: fields full of garbage, veritable mountains of trash; rivers and seas clogged with waste; and skies choked with the poisonous emissions from plastic production and processing. The film features interviews with experts and activists on the frontlines of the fight, revealing the disastrous consequences of the flood of plastic smothering ecosystems and poisoning communities around the world –and the global movement rising up in response. With original animation, archival industry footage starting in the 1930s and first-person accounts, the film distills a complex problem that is increasingly affecting the planet’s and its residents’ well-being.
Neeshaed said: “The issues highlighted in The Story of Plastic illuminate how the decisions made locally can affect us globally. We are eager to highlight the solutions laid out in the film that will help make our world a cleaner and healthier place to live.”
He added: “The film reveals how the plastics industry is simultaneously blaming wasteful consumers for plastic pollution and aggressively investing to produce more single-use plastic than ever before. Reclaiming the narrative, the film highlights that while cleanup is important to understanding the situation, the real solution lies in stopping the mass production of plastic in the first place.” 

For registration [email protected] For post film discussion Instagram @AYCMQA