Are you up to the Plastic Challenge?
Plastic is so ingrained in our lives that it has become almost viral and is pervasive in nearly all parts of our planet. It is almost impossible to travel, even to the remotest part of the world and not be confronted by either the use of plastic or the legacy of plastic waste.
It is in our homes and at work, it is present throughout the countryside and wilderness and most frighteningly of all, has now become a substantial part of the marine ecosystem and food chain causing untold deaths and mutations within the marine biosphere.
So, is there a problem? Well really it depends on your point of view. If you live in a little self sustaining micro-bubble, then the answer is no. If however you live in this world as a sentient, caring and rational being then yes, there is a problem and it can only be us that work to rectify it.
We could continue on the plastic waste path and in all probability most people would not even see or hear of the consequences. Plastic in our day to day lives has become so ingrained in the way we live that we don’t even notice it when it litters the pavements of our towns and cities as well as adorn the trees and hedges of our countryside. It has become a common sight on our beaches and coastlines.
So other than being an eyesore, is it really a problem, especially when it is so useful in our daily living. Well, among other issues, it is choking and killing our marine life at an alarming rate. If you take notice, then you will be aware that this plastic toll is exacting a heavy price on the seas each and every year. People used to say that they were worried about leaving an impoverished world for their children and grandchildren, but that thought needs to be updated because the impoverishment is now becoming so rapid that we are seeing the pollution and degradation ourselves each and every year.
So, is there a solution, is there something we can do? Yes, of course there is. Sadly many marine ecosystems are already near beyond saving as plastic has become ingrained in the food chain. But life has an admirable way of holding and coming back if given the chance. We do have the technology and ability to start making things better, we just need the will. For a start we should begin to think local and will soon find that this train of thought will become global. Stop using plastic unnecessarily, be sure to dispose of plastic waste sensibly. Join occasional litter picks in your area. There are so many web sites that tell you how to be conscientious with plastic use. Please have a look at a few and see if you can help make a difference.
Today I was Cc’d an email from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) telling me about one of their initiatives where they are “asking people to give up single-use plastic for a day, a week or the full month to increase awareness about how much we depend on the unnecessary plastics in our lives.” Great! Have a look at their web site. It really will only take a few moments.
To find out how you can get involved, visit www.mcsuk.org/plasticchallenge.
