The planet is not a resource for
us to use, abuse and lose -
because once lost, there is
nothing to salvage.
The way we have
treated the planet is abominable
but it reflects our philosophy -
that we are separate and that
all of our actions have no
effect.
We are conditioned to believe:
"How can it make a difference if
I, one person, get in my car to
go to the shops instead of
walking?"
However, of course, when every
individual thinks on that level,
we have a huge problem. We are
evolving however and awareness
is growing of the dangers of the
way we are acting. More
importantly, however we are
beginning to realise that
we
are guests of this planet, not
owners. Thus we begin to see the
planet as a beautiful gem in the
galaxy that we are lucky enough
to be residents of.
Make a Difference
Click below to explore related issues within site
ABUSE
OF
RESOURCES
Earth
is rich with
minerals, plants,
forests, animals,
resources. However,
mankind has abused
what is available,
stripping the planet
to its core without
stopping to
recognise the
consequences.
Whatever is taken in
nature is always
returned in one form
or another - such is
the cycle of life.
However, by
over-using resources
for excessive wants
rather than needs,
leaves a planet in
disarray.
Defending Our Oceans
In-depth separate website by Greenpeace detailing how the
much-overlooked oceanic plateau is under ever-increasing pressure
from industrialisation
Protecting our Rainforests
In-depth and extremely informative and user-friendly guide by
Greenpeace into the problems faced by rainforests across the world
from the Amazon to European forests
Rainforest Action Network
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is made up of 36 staff members in San Francisco, CA and in Tokyo, Japan, plus thousands of volunteer scientists, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens around the world. We believe that a sustainable world can be created in our lifetime, and that aggressive action must be taken immediately to leave a safe and secure world for our children.
Waste & Pollution
Guardian In-depth into the effects of pollution on the environment as well as current policies on wastage.
PLASTIC
BAG
TAX
All Pervasive Plastic Bags
Thin plastic carry bag has become an intrinsic part of our lives and the urban landscapes. It is one of the most ignored environmental and health problems. Almost everyone including chemists, grocers, vegetable/fruit vendors, restaurants, fast food centers and super markets, put everything we buy in plastic carry bags, as they find it cheaper, easier and cleaner to get them. They cause more harm when they are strewn all over. But people, unmindful of their hazardous nature, are liberally accepting plastic bags and discarding them all around carelessly.
Hazardous Nature
Being non-biodegradable, they choke the earth for hundreds of years, making the soil unfertile, apart from polluting ground water through leaching of toxic substances. They choke open drains, sewer lines and even the stray cattle foraging them for food. The carcinogens - the agents which cause cancer-is likely to be generated during chemical reactions that take place in plastic materials, inter alia due to temperature variations. They are reported to enter human body, through food items like sambar, pickles, fatty or liquid items, packed in non-food grade and coloured plastic bags. The regular intake of such food items containing carcinogens, is very hazardous to health over a period of time. Though there may not be any immediate effect on health, it would be too late, once the effects of carcinogen start showing up, say after about 20 years.
Disposal of Plastic Waste
Basically there are three main routes for disposal/utilization of enormous quantity of domestic plastic waste being generated these days. One is incineration ie., burning under controlled conditions for reducing its volume and providing a stable landfill. The second is recycling of plastic waste, which may be difficult to recycle more times, hence the recyclability of the plastic bags reduces. Because of practical problems and the cost factor in segregation and collection, the domestic plastic waste is invariably disposed along with other domestic garbage, for dumping in open landfills, unmindful of its environmental consequences.
Seven misconceptions about plastic bags
Excellent list of seven misconceived facts about plastics that we have led ourselves to believe - from the "Report of the Berkeley Plastics Task Force"
Plastic Bag Consumption
Year that plastic grocery bags were introduced at supermarkets: 1977
Estimated number of all types of plastic bags used each year, world-wide: 4,000,000,000,000
Number of plastic shopping bags used each year, in the US alone: 14,000,000,000
Percentage of plastic bags returned for recycling: 1
Annual cost to US retailers for giving away "free" bags: $4,000,000,000
Barrels of oil required for US annual plastic bag consumption: 12,000,000
Number of marine animals killed each year due to plastic bags: 100,000
Average number of pieces of plastic in each square mile of ocean: 46,000
Paper Bag Consumption
Number of paper bags consumed each year, in the US alone: 10,000,000,000
Number of trees cut down for paper bag consumption, in the US: 14,000,000
Plastic Bags vs. Paper Bags
Plastic bag production creates less waste than paper. However, plastic bags remain with us for a long, long time.
Percentage energy savings in making plastics bags, rather than paper bags: 40
Percentage in air pollution reduction from making plastic bags: 50
Percentage of waste water reduced by making plastic bags: 94
Number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade as litter: 20
Number of months for a paper bag to biodegrade as litter: 1
Estimated number of years for a plastic bag to biodegrade in a landfill: 1,000
Number of years for a paper bag to biodegrade in a landfill: centuries
The Plastic Bag Environmental Levy is a charge on plastic shopping bags that will be introduced throughout Ireland on 4th March 2002. The charge will apply at the point of sale in shops, supermarkets, service stations and all sales outlets. Retailers must pass on the full amount of the levy as a charge to customers at the checkout. The charge for your plastic shopping bag will be itemised on all invoices, receipts or dockets issued to customers.
It is estimated that some 1.2 billion plastic shopping bags are provided free of charge to customers in retail outlets annually. This is excessive and largely unnecessary. Plastic bags are a very visible component of litter in Ireland throughout our towns, coastlines and in the countryside. They have a negative impact on our environment and on our wildlife and their habitats. The charge is being introduced to encourage the use of reusable bags and to change people's attitudes to litter and pollution in Ireland.
Revenue generated from the Plastic Bag Environmental Levy will go into the new Environmental Fund. This fund will be used to support waste management, litter and other environmental initiatives.
Write to your MP or Congressperson to get a plastic bag tax imposed in your area ( Click Here to see how other MPs in the UK are getting involved because of your persuasion!)
arate and that
all of our actions have no
effect.
Earth
is rich with
minerals, plants,
forests, animals,
resources. However,
mankind has abused
what is available,
stripping the planet
to its core without
stopping to
recognise the
consequences.
Whatever is taken in
nature is always
returned in one form
or another - such is
the cycle of life.
However, by
over-using resources
for excessive wants
rather than needs,
leaves a planet in
disarray.
