Every year billions of liters of untreated sewage is dumped straight into the ocean, and for years politicians have chosen to ignore the problem. But for the first time, sewage pollution is being taken to a place where they can’t ignore it; their desks.
A deadly threat to the environment, animals and people.
Sewage pollution can cause low oxygen levels suffocating fish and sea plants, making the ecosystem of our ocean vulnerable to climate change. Sewage pollution can also contain bacteria, viruses & parasites that make people sick with gastro-intestinal symptoms, rashes, skin and eye infections, flu-like symptoms, and worse.
Printable ink made from sewage
The Dirty Protest is an online petition that you sign using your phone or touchpad. Your name is then printed using a specially designed ink that features 50% sewage from drain pipes. The petitions are then printed and delivered to the responsible politicians across the globe. The ink has been treated and cleared for any dangerous bacteria so it’s safe to deliver to politicians.
The chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Water Group is the first to sign
Pernille Weiss, Member of the European Parliament and Chairwoman of the Water Group was the first person to sign the petition. Weiss made it very clear why she chose to sign.
“I signed my name in shit to stop untreated sewage from being pumped into our ocean and I need all of you to sign, so we can show every politician that this problem is too big and too important to be ignored.” — Pernille Weiss, Chairwoman MEP Water Group
Take action, sign your name with shit
Sewage doesn’t care about borders. That’s why The Dirty Protest is the first international collaboration. By signing the petition, you’re not only supporting the fight in your local area — you’re also a part of global initiative to protect the oceans we share. You can sign it yourself at dirtyprotest.org and learn more about the initiative.
Facts About Sewage Pollution:
- Over 40% of the world’s population lacks access to safely managed sanitation services. (United Nations World Water Development Report)
- 80% of the world’s wastewater is discharged without treatment into surface waters. (United Nations World Water Development Report)
- 55% of coral reefs and 88% of seagrass are exposed to wastewater pollution, increasing their vulnerability to climate change. (Tuholske et al. 2021)
Behind the initiative
The Dirty Protest is a global initiative by Clean Ocean (Rent Hav), Ocean Sewage Alliance and Renays. The campaign is created by Uncommon Creative Studio. The film is directed and produced by Blenderday Studio. The website is created by Koaliton.
