You can SAVE THE WORLD!

Simple things you can do NOW 

to save the planet 

(and by planet I mean you, me, and all our friends)

My friend Diedra's daughter, A.R., was so excited to turn 12 last week.  She told us she has been waiting to reach that ripe old age, because now she can start her mission to "SAVE THE WORLD!" 


Why is it that children seem to understand the urgent need to make positive changes in our current lifestyle, but us grown-ups don’t? Are we just in denial?  Is it too big of a reality to face (peak oil, deforestation, overfishing, extinction, starvation, poverty, war, greed, corruption)?  AAAAAAHHHGH!

Well, before you close this page, or hang your head in despair: SMILE!  Here is the first in a series of things we can all do to start moving in the right direction.  WE CAN MAKE THINGS BETTER, AND SAVE THE WORLD!!! – if we start now with small steps… 

Part 1:  WHERE IS AWAY??

Do you ever stop to think about how much waste is generated in one day? In your house, in the city where you live, in the whole country?  Ever notice all the bins on the curb on garbage day, and how full they are?  It is mind-boggling to think about the volume of stuff that is ‘thrown away.’  In our modern, pre-packaged world, most everything generates some sort of trash:  that granola bar wrapper, your Starbucks cup, the packaging from your new iPhone; even a lot of fruits and veges come wrapped in something… 

When we throw these things away, where do they go?  The reality is, there is no away – just big “landfill” piles, out of sight of most neighborhoods, getting bigger and bigger.  Many states and countries are making money by taking our trash, so it ends up in a big pile in some faraway location instead.  Many of the things we trash do biodegrade, but many more don’t.  Some get incinerated and contribute to air pollution.  Some just sit there, and will sit there for hundreds of years.  One of the biggest things you can do is to become aware of the size of your waste-line.
   (actual action items are listed below... read on)

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

We’ve all been hearing this for years.  But really, the most important parts of this trio are the first two words.  

Let’s talk about plastic (sung to the tune of that old Salt ‘n Pepa song).  

We’ve all heard about the HUGE mass of garbage floating in the Pacific, and apparently there are others like it floating around the globe, too.  Mostly made up of bits of plastic and large plastic items,  it is growing steadily and the plastic bits eventually end up in the food chain (little fish mistakes plastic for food, bigger fish eats little fish, and so on).  “How does that affect me?” you ask?  If it keeps growing, it will eventually disrupt more marine life, and inevitably reach our beaches.  In more basic terms, if you eat affected animals, you are affected.  Chemicals from plastic (Bisphenol A, or BPA, phthalates, etc.) are linked to decreased fertility, diabetes, cancer, hormone disruption, and even neural and behavioral problems in children (can you say ADHD???). As the plastic bits float around the oceans, these harmful chemicals are leaching into the water and the air. Not to mention the effects on the animals who eat this crap. 

So be aware of what you buy, use and discard.  

YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE:  PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS 

I know you've seen everyone walking around with those ubiquitous green square bags... Do you have any?Considering recycling centers DO NOT accept plastic shopping bags (many supermarkets do), we should avoid them as much as possible by using a 'green' re-usable bag. Also consider that plastic bags are made from ethylene gas derived from nonrenewable natural gas or crude oil using water, energy, and refrigeration.  


Do you really need a bag for that one little item you bought?  Just hold it, put it in your purse or pocket, or better yet, bring your own bag if you really need a way to carry it to the car.  If you must have that flimsy little plastic sack, at least recycle it – don’t throw it in the garbage!!! (especially if you use plastic garbage bags!) This also goes for bags you put fruit or veges in, which end up inside the plastic shopping bag.  You really don't need to put your bananas, tomatoes or potatoes into ANOTHER bag that may be dug up by an archeologist 500 years from now, do you??  

Less than 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled every year.  The remaining millions end up in landfills, flying around streets and choking wildlife and marine life.  We’ve all seen bags flying in the wind, lying by the side of the road, and floating in a body of water somewhere.  

It takes HUNDREDS of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade.  It may break up into tiny plastic pieces, but it will not biodegrade. Since they are a petroleum-based product, using fewer plastic bags will have an impact on reducing oil dependence, too! 

But, you say, “I reuse them for picking up dog poop, cleaning out the litter box, as a garbage can liner…”  That may be, but try using paper bags (I know, they take energy to produce, too – but in the long run are less harmful), they are usually already made from recycled materials and they biodegrade.  Think of future generations of humans, and dogs. 

ACTION!

It drives me crazy when I tell the person behind the counter “I don’t need a bag” and they put my purchase in a bag anyway! And sometimes, when I give the bag back after reminding them, they throw it away!!!  And why do supermarket baggers need to double up the bags so much!   

What YOU can do:  

• Bring your own bag (don't be lazy!)

• Tell the manager (or send an email to corporate HQ) that it would be great for them to train their workers not to automatically shove stuff into a plastic bag – especially if it is just a box of crackers, tube of Preparation H, or bottled water (what?!?).  It could actually save them money, and you know that will get their attention!

• And, it would be great if they would provide incentives for those of us who bring our own.  Whole Foods, Target, some Walgreens, and other stores give you money back for bringing your own  

• Urge stores to offer plastic bag recycling. Last year, New York implemented a new law for in store recycling 

• Recycle!  While you're at it, why don't you recycle your bread bags, drycleaning bags (or go without), newspaper bags and all sorts of wrappings from household items  

• Search here to where to find a location that recycles plastic bags, wrap, etc.,  wherever you live!     

• Whole Foods, Target, and If you live in the SE United States, Publix, have bins at their stores  - JUST DO IT! 

• Note:  Don't forget to wash your 'green' bags regularly

Many countries either tax the use of plastic bags (giving people incentive to bring their own) or have banned them altogether.  California, and many U.S. municipalities are considering doing just that.  

In our land of convenience, we need to be aware of the effect our actions have on our environment and the planet. 

Now start SAVING THE WORLD!  One little step at a time....

More on the Pacific Garbage Patch  

Top bee-in-flower photo by me, other photos courtesy of the interwebs...