The Riptide Movement are on a mission.
The band are working with Clean Coasts, raising awareness about the dangers facing our seas and oceans, due to the amount of plastic making it's way into our waters.
So far the Riptide boys have delved into the dangers of micro plastics and have highlighted the heartbreaking effect plastic waste in our oceans has on our wildlife.
JP, lead guitarist and writer for The Riptide Movement, has been telling his story about his first experience with the Coast and has penned an inspirational letter about why we all need to be more aware of our own plastic consumption.
On open water swimming at Sandycove in Dublin JP said, 'Once you get your centre back from the disorientation, it's an amazing experience. Words don't really do justice to what is really personal, a nearly intimate conversation with the ocean that engages all your senses but at the same time your sharing it with all your new found neighbours that actually live down here. All the different crabs and fish and shellfish and molluscs and fronds and microorganisms , each weaving their way, going about their day.
The different ways they move and look and hide and use the shape of the floor to live on. And then you see the empty cans of coke and the plastic. These stupid, pointless, objects moving like the rest of the plants but never belonging there. Things are a lot more obvious when you're down there. Everything is so stark and real.
All I can say is if you want to know why we should save our seas, forests and rivers and environment from all threats and not just the current plastic one, go play with it, go engage with it, go talk to it, go interact with it, and you'll know what you're saving. Otherwise they're just words spinning.'
In the final episode of the Plastic Oceans webseries, The Riptide Movement visit St Clare’s Primary School in Dublin to hear about the actions they are taking to lessen their plastic use. The band head out to enjoy the ocean by sea swimming and then follow on to meet Minister Eoghan Murphy to hear what the Irish Government is doing to lessen the effects of plastic pollution on our environment.
