Countries across Asia Pacific are struggling to deal with the challenges caused by plastic throughout its life cycle. But citizens and governments in the region are also taking action to combat plastic pollution and debunk false solutions.
That’s why we partnered with Break Free From Plastic to support journalists and advocates who are shining light on the links between plastic pollution and climate change, and the solutions to these two crises.
Get to know these amazing storytellers:

Annie Fe Perez-Gallardo, 29
Annie is a multi-platform correspondent for the Philippines’ biggest broadcasting network ABS-CBN, covering Cebu and other areas in Central Visayas. She also runs a column in The Freeman, a local newspaper.
Annie also teaches broadcast and journalism courses at the University of the Philippines Cebu. She is a TV series junkie and listens to a variety of music genres.

Jaydeep Dasgupta, 43
Jaydeep has been working as a journalist for nearly 20 years. He is currently an editor with News Sense, India’s digital first solutions journalism initiative focused on solutions stories and fact check.
Jaydeep started his journalism career in 2003 as a producer and later as a correspondent in Sahara TV in New Delhi and Kolkata. He received awards from the Thomson Reuters Foundation, and from organizations supported by UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund.

Delgerzaya Delgerjargal, 26
Zaya is a climate and data journalist at TenGer TV in Mongolia. She was a former biodiversity and climate researcher.
Zaya has been running an environmental podcast since 2017. She is also a latin and ballroom dancer.

Gerardo Reyes, 42
Geri is an environmentalist, community development worker, journalist, and vlogger. He has been in the field of journalism for over a decade.
He’s been also engaged in activities and projects related to agroforestry, disaster risk reduction and management, solid waste management, and community organizing.

Trang Hong Vu, 32
Trang describes herself as “a daydreamer and an opportunity hunter.” Her articles have appeared in Asian Democracy Chronicles, The Diplomat, Sixth Tone, and Rappler.

Mayank Makhija, 27
Mayank is a freelance photojournalist based in New Delhi, India representing NUR Photo Agency (Italy).
His editorial work has been published in New York Times, TIME, The Guardian, BBC News, Le Monde, NPR, CNN, Deutsche Welle, Getty Images, and Caravan Magazine among others. He also contributes to various agencies including Associated Press, Agence-France Presse, and Zuma.
Mayank’s work has also been exhibited in galleries in Dhaka, London, Tehran, and New Delhi.

Chryselle D’Silva Dias, 49
Chryselle is a freelance journalist with over 17 years of writing for international and national publications.
She is based in Goa, where the party never ends and the tourists never go away.

Dirwan Kalam Sahirsan, 26
Dirwan is currently leading an NGO focused on tackling climate change in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, called Lakamali (Social and Environmental Concern Institute).
He graduated with a degree in political science from Hasanuddin University in 2018, which allows him to see climate change from social and political perspectives.

Younis Dar, 34
Younis is from Kashmir, a beautiful valley located in the lap of the Himalayas. He loves nature, science, and astronomy.
Younis has over six years of experience in the media industry. He believes that the issue of the environment is the most pressing problem of our time, and that compelled him to take up independent environment journalism.

Ariel Adimahavira, 28
Ariel is a development worker with an interest in plastic pollution and climate change. He was a researcher for Climate Tracker and Break Free From Plastic’s study on the media coverage of single-use plastic in Southeast Asia.
Ariel is currently residing in Sweden to pursue MSc in Environmental Management and Policy.

Aatreyee Dhar, 29
Aatreyee is an award-winning independent journalist from northeast India who is passionate about anything related to the environment, health, and conservation. In 2022, she received Red Ink Awards under the health category and Laadli Media Awards for covering gender.
When she is not reporting, Aatreyee enjoys hiking up nature trails and birding.

Pratch Rujivanarom, 33
After graduating with a master’s degree in International Journalism from Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, Pratch worked as a reporter at The Nation newspaper for four years.
Then, from September 2019 until January 2021, he was the editor-in-chief of GreenNews Agency. He is currently an assistant editor of Bangkok Post.