During a recent Newport News City Council meeting, community members raised urgent environmental concerns, focusing on nuclear disarmament and plastic pollution.

A representative from Earthbound You highlighted the need for the city to sign the Mayors for Peace petition, advocating for a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons. The speaker emphasized that nuclear disarmament is a critical issue that often goes unaddressed in political debates, urging the council to consider their involvement in this global initiative.

The discussion then shifted to the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. The speaker noted the alarming presence of microplastics in the environment and human bodies, attributing this to widespread plastic waste. They reported that 11 million tons of municipal waste, primarily plastic, enter oceans annually, leading to significant harm to marine life and, consequently, human health. The speaker questioned whether the city monitors plastic levels in drinking water and called for more proactive measures to combat plastic waste.

Another member of Earthbound You, Kerry Epps, echoed these sentiments, detailing their organization's cleanup efforts along Warwick Boulevard. Despite their initiatives, Epps expressed frustration over the continuous accumulation of plastic waste in the area and proposed a city-organized cleanup day. Epps also suggested increasing the number of trash bins along cleanup routes and implementing educational campaigns to raise awareness about plastic pollution.

Councilwoman Vague responded positively, acknowledging the need for community involvement and youth engagement in environmental initiatives. She expressed a desire to collaborate with concerned citizens to develop effective strategies for addressing litter and pollution in the city.

In addition to environmental concerns, resident Robert Franks raised issues regarding pedestrian safety on Denby Boulevard, advocating for the installation of sidewalks and speed control measures to protect walkers in the area.

The meeting underscored a growing community commitment to addressing pressing environmental issues and enhancing public safety, with calls for city leadership to take more decisive action.