On Wednesday 17 November 2021, the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre marked the annual Student Law Clinic Global Day for Action for Climate Justice.
This year’s theme focused on plastics and the problem of plastic pollution. To commemorate this day, a group of Queen Mary Law students organised a litter pick across Queen Mary University Mile End campus, and Mile End Park.
In preparation for this day, the group of QMUL Law students worked in two groups; one group focused on designing the promotional poster and information leaflets, while the second group focused on researching the policies and laws in place surrounding single-use plastic. This research included the Environment Act 2021 (which received royal assent in November this year), and Queen Mary’s Environmental Sustainability Action plan. Along with upcoming bans and regulations for single use plastic items. Both groups worked collaboratively to combine their research into leaflets to distribute to members of the local community as they spoke to them about the issues.
To start the day, students and staff walked through the Mile End campus and along the Canalside before moving across to Mile End park to pick up litter. Students and staff distributed leaflets and held conversations with members of the community about what the laws are on plastic pollution, as well as what steps they can take to reduce how they use single use plastics.
In two hours, Queen Mary students and staff collected six bags of litter with a significant amount of plastic waste. For the second part of the day, the student group worked together using the litter collected, along with other creative tools to create a banner with the word ‘CHANGE’. Each letter incorporated facts, figures, tips to encourage individuals, organisations and officials to take action now to tackle plastic pollution. The group used their artistic and creative skills to get the important message visually seen and inspire others to take action too.
In 2019 the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre proudly signed the Law Clinics’ Pledge for Climate Change.
Find our more information on the global initiative.