21 hours Ago
Pune: Erik Ahlstrom , the Swedish environmental activist who founded the global plogging movement, has set his sights on India for his upcoming plogging initiative. Originating from Swedish phrase ‘plocka upp,' meaning ‘pick up,' plogging involves picking up litter while jogging or running. It's "a simple yet profoundly impactful act" that Ahlstrom believes can significantly alter our approach to personal wellbeing and environmental consciousness.
His initiative, ‘ PlogYatra ,' slated for January 2025, aims to take this movement to new heights, with plogathons organised in collaboration with local plogger groups and startups across 30 cities in India. "This endeavour seeks to mobilise citizens across the country, uniting them in the fight against litter and pollution. Plogging has a universal appeal; it has already united people worldwide.
It's not just about cleaning up—it's about changing our mindset towards littering and understanding our connection to nature and our bodies," said Ahlstrom, who recently participated in a plogging drive in Bhor in collaboration with Pune Ploggers and its founder Vivek Gurav, educating children on the importance of maintaining a clean environment. In an interview with TOI, Ahlstrom shared his vision for a cleaner, greener world. "Here, the enthusiasm and commitment of groups like Pune Ploggers and others are pivotal.
There's always trash, and there's always an opportunity for plogging. It's up to the people, and I'm here to plog with children, cooperatives, and everyone willing to make a difference," Ahlstrom said, adding that after his tour in various cities and towns across Maharashtra, he will head to Nepal to return early next year. He also emphasised the four critical reasons behind the importance of plogging—the increasing sedentary lifestyle, the alarming rate of plastic pollution in our oceans, the threat to wildlife and marine life due to microplastics, and the economic cost of littering.
"We need a combined effort from both the govt and citizens to create litter-free environment. It's about changing habits, improving waste management, and, crucially, changing our attitude towards littering. Support and collaboration for creating litter-free environments have to come from both the govt as well as citizens.
It has to be done consistently," he said. Ahlstrom believes that plogging can be a powerful tool for educating citizens on the impact of littering. "With knowing comes caring, and with caring comes change," he said, adding, "Plogging has proved that even just one person can actually make a change.
" Pune: Erik Ahlstrom, the Swedish environmental activist who founded the global plogging movement, has set his sights on India for his upcoming plogging initiative. Originating from Swedish phrase ‘plocka upp,' meaning ‘pick up,' plogging involves picking up litter while jogging or running. It's "a simple yet profoundly impactful act" that Ahlstrom believes can significantly alter our approach to personal wellbeing and environmental consciousness.
His initiative, ‘PlogYatra,' slated for January 2025, aims to take this movement to new heights, with plogathons organised in collaboration with local plogger groups and startups across 30 cities in India. "This endeavour seeks to mobilise citizens across the country, uniting them in the fight against litter and pollution. Plogging has a universal appeal; it has already united people worldwide.
It's not just about cleaning up—it's about changing our mindset towards littering and understanding our connection to nature and our bodies," said Ahlstrom, who recently participated in a plogging drive in Bhor in collaboration with Pune Ploggers and its founder Vivek Gurav, educating children on the importance of maintaining a clean environment. In an interview with TOI, Ahlstrom shared his vision for a cleaner, greener world. "Here, the enthusiasm and commitment of groups like Pune Ploggers and others are pivotal.
There's always trash, and there's always an opportunity for plogging. It's up to the people, and I'm here to plog with children, cooperatives, and everyone willing to make a difference," Ahlstrom said, adding that after his tour in various cities and towns across Maharashtra, he will head to Nepal to return early next year. He also emphasised the four critical reasons behind the importance of plogging—the increasing sedentary lifestyle, the alarming rate of plastic pollution in our oceans, the threat to wildlife and marine life due to microplastics, and the economic cost of littering.
"We need a combined effort from both the govt and citizens to create litter-free environment. It's about changing habits, improving waste management, and, crucially, changing our attitude towards littering. Support and collaboration for creating litter-free environments have to come from both the govt as well as citizens.
It has to be done consistently," he said. Ahlstrom believes that plogging can be a powerful tool for educating citizens on the impact of littering. "With knowing comes caring, and with caring comes change," he said, adding, "Plogging has proved that even just one person can actually make a change.
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