QUEZON CITY, Philippines (21 April 2023) — A series of captivating images generated through artificial intelligence (AI) was published for Earth Day during the “Plastic-Free Future Youth Forum,” visualizing the youth’s dreams and aspirations of a plastic-free future.
As part of the “Life in Plastic” art exhibit by Greenpeace Philippines, the images were based on the messages written by the youth during the exhibit tour, as well as visions submitted by the organization’s youth partners from different parts of the Philippines. Keywords, such as “clean water” and “air,” “thriving marine biodiversity,” “greener spaces,” “reuse and refill stores,” were transformed into images using emerging AI technology.
“These images capture the future that we dream of—a world where our environment is teeming with life, a world with a thriving biodiversity, a world free from plastics. We must not let future generations inherit a degraded planet, but rather, nurture a home where it’s safe for them to live and dream,” said BFFP Youth Ambassador Christian Derafera. “This year’s Earth Day theme is ‘Invest in our Planet.’ By investing in genuine zero-waste solutions, we’re also investing in a brighter future for the youth.”
Imagining a plastic-free future, the images show different variations of a healthy environment, including an underwater paradise with a flourishing marine ecosystem, a field of locally-grown produce and fresh water free from contaminants, a community with a vibrant economy for refill and reuse businesses, and a street in Metro Manila without the usual plastic wastes.
The images were released during the “Plastic-Free Future Youth Forum,” an Earth Day activity attended by environmental advocates, youth leaders, and government officials who are calling for a future with sustainability at its core. The event was organized by Greenpeace, the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the Quezon City Local Government, and the Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) Movement.
“Protecting the planet from plastic pollution also means protecting the future of the youth. They deserve to live in a world free from the harmful effects of single-use plastics,” said Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Marian Ledesma. “It’s inspiring to see these images come to life and how young people dream of a plastic-free future. It’s also a good reminder for everyone, especially nations and corporations, that the youth have the most to gain if we act on the plastics issue—and the most to lose if we don’t.”
The images are available for physical viewing at the “Life in Plastic” exhibit at Quezon City Hall on April 24 and 25, and on succeeding campus tours at the University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, and De La Salle University – Dasmarinas.
Brought to you by Greenpeace, together with CCC, Ecowaste Coalition, Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute, EARTH-UST, UP One Earth, UP Diliman University Student Council, and Ateneo FASH, the art exhibit provides guests a multi-sensory experience of the plastic crisis through interactive art pieces.
Follow Greenpeace Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information about the exhibit campus tour. You can also support the call for a plastic-free future by signing up at act.gp/reuserevolution
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AI images can be found here.
For more information, please contact:
Maverick Flores, Communication Campaigner
Greenpeace Philippines | [email protected] | +63 9176211552
Eunille Santos, Digital Campaigner
Greenpeace Philippines | [email protected] | +63 9175411248