Please click on the link to take you to my other blog to read this post about plastic pollution
Plastic Pollution – It is Serious
Published by Forestwood
A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community. View all posts by Forestwood
I wish there was a button that indicates what I feel about this topic. I like what you posted but am dismayed at the topic 😦
LikeLike
I know. It is sad that I have to post it at all….. the breadth of the problem is staggering. Have you heard about the plastic island floating out in the pacific?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes and it equates to which one!!!! Australia is sending soft plastics to Indonesia and they have no ability to recycle our shit. Guess which ocean it will end up in?
LikeLiked by 1 person
He who shats in his own nest, Brian……
LikeLiked by 1 person
Should keep it in their own nest Amanda
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. We should. How dare we pollute the third world too? It is a bit of contemporary imperialism.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true
LikeLiked by 1 person
This just makes me so angry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We will have to keep up with educating, spreading the message and being a good role model until they get the message.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I try to take it seriously. What is horrifying is just how hard it is. The unnecessary packaging of fruit in shops. The fact that retailers on the whole still try to drop your purchases into single-use bags. The fact that you have to check before ordering a cold drink in a cafe. Will it be a plastic bottle? A year ago, I was on a sparklingly clean beach in Sitges, Spain. Only it turned out not t be sparklingly clean. Just a few minutes trawling revealed small fragments of decaying packaging, plastic straws, tiny bits of broken beach toys … This was almost worse than finding larger objects, because these are the bits destroying ocean life and getting into our food chain. I’m part of a group working to promote more sustainable practices in our home town, but despite the change in public attitudes, it’s all up hill. And our litter-picks reveal horrifying amounts of thoughtlessly discarded waste. We could do them daily and still find plenty. Still, Donald Trump says we’re doom-mongers so I’m sure we’re wrong …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Margaret – you are inspiring in your enthusiasm for the environment. I don’t ask before ordering a drink although I di choose if the receotacles are in show. I also carry a stainless steel straw with me, but sometimes forget and lose them!! I will now ask before I order a smoothie or hot drink – I do not like being served coffee in a takeaway receptacle. I must edit my suggestion list to include your practice.
LikeLike
I met someone recently from Geneva.. His sole job is to try diminish worldwide plastics.. I’ll have to get more info from him.. I will keep you updated.. -)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Please let me know who he is. Sounds like a dedicated individual.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anything that interferes with the ‘economy’ is taboo and many governments feel that our addiction to this ‘economy’ will ensure their stay in power . There is hope in some countries, especially the Scandinavian countries, and I am heartened by the young and strident. We need strong action and a kind of revolution to get rid of the old fogies that are in power.
Did I hear that the EU is now trying to get the Reserve Bank of Australia to buy up coal mines and make them redundant? The mining industry employs 80 000 but tourism 1.000.000 !
LikeLiked by 1 person
The priorities are all wrong, aren’t they Gerard? I haven’t heard that one about the coal mines.
LikeLike
Great job in bringing awareness to a critical part of what is causing many of our issues related to the oceans and land. Plastic bags are being banned throughout America. My state will have them eliminated within two years. People must stand up against products that are over packaged, and must turn to reusable bags for shopping.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sally. Awesome news about banning plastics but a shame they don’t get banned sooner. I am so surprised at tree uptake by Australians of reuseable eco bags. Australians are generally considered lazy so if we can do it and manage to remember to take our bags with us when we go shopping I’m sure Americans will adopt it wholeheartedly too. What is the feeling towards this on the street?
LikeLike
Of course, you are talking to the converted. I live in a small town that has a public-private state university, people are aware and generally do the right thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We need to keep talking to those who have not yet seen the light!
LikeLike
I agree that we need to be more conscious of/reduce our use of plastics, but will admit that I’m not sure how that’s going to happen. Every stinking thing nowadays comes wrapped in plastic or is contained within plastic. I’m old enough to remember back to when shampoo came in glass bottles, and how happy we were to finally get it in a plastic bottle because it was unbreakable. Less dangerous, or so we thought…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some things are better in plastic but why not refilleable plastic? Saves on landfill and cheaper to produce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And keep on working on letting your local suppliers know yo don’t like all the excess packaging. Public pressure can help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen. I live by the ocean and I’m simultaneously awed by its natural beauty and dismayed by our impact on it. I hate seeing litter and no one should have to pick-up other people’s shit, literal and metaphorical. Littering is rude, asocial behaviour. Worse though is that improperly discarded plastic breaks down into micro-plastics which invade our wildlife and food chain. Micro-plastics are now being found in non-marine animals and Humans! To change this, we all have to change our habits in using plastic and excess packaging, governments need to regulate waste disposal and industry needs to improve on packaging strategies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The micro plastics are a big concern. Everyone knows it, but do little is being done to stop it. I am considering writing to all the bait shops to ask then to stop using plastic bait bags. A small gesture but it could start to change the mindset and throw away culture of fisherman at least.
LikeLike
40 Ways to Reduce Plastic Use
https://namastelife1.wordpress.com/2020/03/12/40-ways-to-reduce-plastic-use/
LikeLike