…But there is EVEN MORE DEVASTATING NEWS!

See this article from BBC Earth about our marine life choosing a plastic diet.

https://ourblueplanet.bbcearth.com/blog/?article=why-do-marine-animals-eat-plastic&fbclid=IwAR2GH88U1Qd6q9Re7OHFgCkBy1JsoZvUajjjTHgVKDRS3bP7hwv3QJm1yyo

These animals are choosing a plastic diet and then we eat them! We are consuming microplastics daily. 

“At least 180 species of marine animals have been documented consuming plastic, from tiny plankton to gigantic whales.” Read the article link above to see more information on this horrific reality of creatures making this choice.

There is probably no doubt that the whale my sister saw on the beach had plastic or chemical residue of plastic in him that was causing harm to his body. 

Why do I care so much? Well, I care because my husband Gunar and I brought four children into this World. If I am blessed enough to make it in life to my 100th birthday, simple math shows me that I could easily have 30+ great grandchildren inhabiting the Earth at that time. I use my 100th birthday as an example because my Great Aunt Maxine is currently living and 100 years old. She will be 101 in March 2020 and she still lives alone, completely has her wits about her, and is even on Facebook. To contribute to her health, she will tell you that she has made a point to stay active, eats a diet rich in fruits and veggies, and consumes almost no meat.

So, I look at the situation we are in here on planet Earth (as the Duran Duran song “Planet Earth” plays repeatedly in my mind) and I think about the change that is urgently needed. I then imagine the projected 10.7 billion people living here when I am 100 (which is in the year 2085, granted there isn’t mass war, famine or infertility in humans that keeps this number lower, which there quite certainly will be one or more of those) on Earth then and how different this place will look if we keep the pace. I become overwhelmingly HORRIFIED and almost feel guilty for subjecting my children to the expected strife, environmental disaster and worldwide chaos!

Remember, we only had 2.5 billion people living here in 1950. We have 7.7 billion today (October 2019 from UN) . And we are projected to be at 9.7 billion by 2050.

Recently, I was at the store thinking about all of the single use plastics in my grocery cart, and the complexity of this world problem with the differences in action (or lack thereof) from countries around the world and it led me to thinking about the 7.7 billion people on this earth. How can all 7.7 billion of us make a difference?

A start would be for all developed countries to immediately implement a system similar to what Germany did called the Pfandsystem. This system regulates the sale and return of plastic and glass bottles, as well as aluminium cans. It works, and has cut down greatly on plastic waste. Long before this particular system came into place, Germany already gave money back on returning crates of Mehrwegflaschen or multi-use bottles. I have been to Germany 20+ times in the past 15 years and seen how well this works with people all over the country. Many countries are trying to emulate this model around the world. California has implemented it (CA CRV–if you don’t know about this, check out your can or bottle next time you have one and see if this label is on there. It probably is and that means it is eligible for the payback of this amount you paid at the register at certain recycling centers). Here is a great article on Germany’s model with some critical thoughts on how to improve it: https://liveworkgermany.com/2017/05/how-does-the-german-pfand-system-work-and-is-it-effective/

According to an LA Times Article: “Plastic bags (both the banned and the legal variety) accounted for 3.1% of the litter collected from the state’s beaches during the 2017 Coastal Cleanup Day, down from to 7.4% in 2010.” https://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-plastic-bag-ban-anniversary-20171118-story.html

When California passed the law to ban single use “t-shirt” plastic bags, many grumbles were heard, but overall the change was accepted and has been used as an example for other states around our Nation. Although, this is only a small answer, it is a small step and an example on how we can work through our laws and government to help protect our planet. We need to come together and create ways in which we can rid our planet of its dependence on plastic. From the plastic lid that covers our coffee cup, to the plastic fork we eat from at our local tailgate. We must choose to live through the Boy Scout Motto: Leave No Trace. Our imprint on this planet has created a crisis left for future generations to solve and we have to begin the change, NOW. 

There are alternative products that can be produced and used in place of plastic. For instance, flüssigholz (liquid wood) produced mainly out of lingim which is a 100% organic bio-plastic material. This can be used to replace 50-60% of plastics used in the world. Here is an interesting video I saw about the product (it’s in German, if you can’t understand the video you can google and read more about this product in English): https://www.facebook.com/Galileo/videos/1399271670234740?sfns=mo

We also may have hope to find a lasting and safe chemical or enzyme to eat through plastic and bring it back to its original material to be used again. This could help the global plastic pollution problem drastically. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/16/scientists-accidentally-create-mutant-enzyme-that-eats-plastic-bottles

These types of solutions need to be implemented on a high level and quickly.

In conclusion, we should all stay on top of providing education on this very important topic to our children and grandchildren. For the safety of our planet and future generations. Things are not coming to a tipping point, they are AT A TIPPING POINT. Let’s start with electing local and state leaders that take our Environment seriously. Elect individuals who realize the decisions they make at the local level have lasting and worldwide impacts. Their vote determines the detriment and health of our world!

Let’s look at other countries and learn from each other. I’m not sure how much worse it has to get for many nations around the earth to take this seriously. Bravo to Germany for being a shining example to us all!  From manufacturers to civilians, Germany  is the world’s best recycler. There is so much to be done and many other actions and angles to take to tackle this issue. It takes time. But the rate of animal extinctions are proving that the Human Beings of this planet aren’t acting fast enough. We do not have individuals in office taking the right steps to at least mitigate the irreversible damage that has already happened. What is it going to take to get to this point? Think of the movie Wall-E. Do we ship our entire species off to Space on a “cruise-like” space ship and float around waiting to find another planet to destroy? 

After hearing John Wesley’s quote yesterday about doing good everywhere you go..