Megan McCubbin, the zoologist and BBC Springwatch presenter, has issued a stark warning about the plastic pollution crisis, describing it as 'fatal' and 'scary'. The 31-year-old conservationist, step-daughter of naturalist Chris Packham, said she cannot stop picking up litter during walks, often filling her pockets with rubbish. 'It is quite addictive,' she admitted. 'Last week I put on a pair of trousers that I haven't worn for a while and found a KitKat wrapper I'd picked up.'
McCubbin highlighted that only 9% of plastic ever created has been effectively recycled, with most still existing in oceans, underfoot, and in the air. 'The plastic pollution crisis is killing our wildlife at a time when we know we need a healthy planet, but there is a real disconnect,' she said. Despite her frustrations, she opposes fines for littering, advocating instead for education and an end to 'greenwashing' by companies that falsely label products as biodegradable.
McCubbin is supporting the Keep Britain Tidy charity and the Daily Mirror's Great British Spring Clean campaign, which runs from March 13 to 29. The initiative has seen millions pledge to collect over 4.5 million bags of rubbish in the past decade. Last year alone, more than 342,000 people, including 265,000 school pupils, took part. McCubbin encouraged participation, saying: 'It is such a simple way of helping wildlife and a great way to feel connected to nature.'
McCubbin's love for nature began early, and she has travelled to remote places like Antarctica. She rose to fame during the 2020 lockdown when she and Chris Packham created The Self-Isolating Bird Club, attracting eight million viewers worldwide. This led to her role as a presenter on Springwatch, which returns in May. Despite filming in pristine locations, she noted that litter is everywhere, even on Bass Rock, the world's largest northern gannet colony.
