If you’re in and around City Walk for the next couple of weeks, chances are you’ll have a blue whale encounter. No, one hasn’t washed up in the middle of the city (hey, there’s no beach there). However, a colossal blue whale sculpture has been created using recycled plastic. Specifically, 8000 plastic bottles and 1000 plastic bags.
You’ll come across this fantastic plastic leviathan outside The Green Planet. The sculpture is a limited-time-only installation created by the indoor biodome to raise awareness about plastic pollution and its effect on marine life. Don’t miss the big unveiling happening today June 5!
Big blue whale sculpture, bigger message
Measuring 18 metres long, this blue whale sculpture is just a few metres short of the real deal. Average blue whales easily measure anywhere between 21 and 24 metres long. That said, this plastic sculpture is colossal enough to completely dwarf you in pictures and create a whale of an impact with just a striking visual. But we’ll still spout some facts for you. According to the WWF, whales ingest plastic found in the sea and the toxic chemicals can harm them. Also by 2050, the amount of plastic in the sea will outweigh the fish.
Meet the eco-warriors behind the art
It took ingenious students and teachers at Dubai’s GEMS Legacy School more than 800 hours to construct this blue whale. One man’s trash is resourceful school kids’ artwork. This eco-friendly project is the result of The Green Planet joining forces with the GEMS Global Ambassadors’ Programme. The idea is to teach young minds about climate literacy through creative activities.
Lesson learnt. Those kids, we’re sure, are going to think twice about buying a bottle of water. Who wouldn’t if you spent an equivalent of 33 days rummaging through garbage that has the potential to clog the ocean and harm gentle giants like the blue whale?
Making a sustainable splash
This isn’t The Green Planet’s first ride in the sustainability rodeo. The indoor rainforest has ditched single-use plastics at its cafe, gift shop and other facilities for a while. And the cherry on the (birthday) cake is their environment-friendly birthday party packages that switch balloons with bubbles to avoid plastic.
So, if you’re looking for a whale-watching experience that’s also a reminder to reduce, recycle, and reuse head out to The Green Planet. The sculpture will be around until June 30.