08-05-2008, 07:31 AM
I think that anyone who is against banning plastic bags, thinks it's a silly idea or even someone who is lukewarm about the idea does not understand the implications of our use of plastic.
Sea turtles (and lots of other marine animals) eat them thinking they are food. Plastic can kill an animal outright or cause it to starve to death. Turtles and fish have died and found to have stomachs full of plastic. Turtles are not the only animals to be effected by plastic. The entire food chain is at risk.
There is an huge amount of plastic floating in the ocean. When it breaks down it is still intact plastic, just tiny pieces that cannot be separated from the sea water and minute animal and plant life like plankton.
The use of plastic bags and all plastic has a far-ranging impact on the survival of ... US.
It is not just litter. It is poison to the environment.
Anything, anything at all that we can do to stop its use is important, commendable and needed now.
The following article is about Hawaii & one woman's work to ban plastic bags:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/06/8745/
Growing Global Movement to Ban Plastic Bags
"There is a growing international movement to ban or discourage the use of plastic bags because of their environmental effects. Countries from Ireland to Australia are cracking down on the bags and action is beginning to stir in the United States."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0721-04.htm
Other good, informative articles on the subject:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/05/6856/
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1006-04.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1106-01.htm
On Midway Atoll, 40% of albatross chicks die, their bellies full of trash. Swirling masses of drifting debris pollute remote beaches and snare wildlife.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0802-06.htm
A ban on plastic bags IS the real solution. Then we need to seriously consider a ban on all or most plastic.
Even if you recycle plastic, you still do not know where it will end up. Any use of the bags contributes to the continued manufacture of them.
It hasn't been that long that plastic bags have been ubiquitous. How did we get along before?
Paper bags are a better choice because 1. they break down and 2. trees are a renewable resource. The best choice is to bring your own bags. Bugs? I'd sure rather have a healthy ocean full of fish than worry about a cockroach who might hitchhike home with me even now.
april
Sea turtles (and lots of other marine animals) eat them thinking they are food. Plastic can kill an animal outright or cause it to starve to death. Turtles and fish have died and found to have stomachs full of plastic. Turtles are not the only animals to be effected by plastic. The entire food chain is at risk.
There is an huge amount of plastic floating in the ocean. When it breaks down it is still intact plastic, just tiny pieces that cannot be separated from the sea water and minute animal and plant life like plankton.
The use of plastic bags and all plastic has a far-ranging impact on the survival of ... US.
It is not just litter. It is poison to the environment.
Anything, anything at all that we can do to stop its use is important, commendable and needed now.
The following article is about Hawaii & one woman's work to ban plastic bags:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/06/8745/
Growing Global Movement to Ban Plastic Bags
"There is a growing international movement to ban or discourage the use of plastic bags because of their environmental effects. Countries from Ireland to Australia are cracking down on the bags and action is beginning to stir in the United States."
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0721-04.htm
Other good, informative articles on the subject:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/05/6856/
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1006-04.htm
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1106-01.htm
On Midway Atoll, 40% of albatross chicks die, their bellies full of trash. Swirling masses of drifting debris pollute remote beaches and snare wildlife.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0802-06.htm
A ban on plastic bags IS the real solution. Then we need to seriously consider a ban on all or most plastic.
Even if you recycle plastic, you still do not know where it will end up. Any use of the bags contributes to the continued manufacture of them.
It hasn't been that long that plastic bags have been ubiquitous. How did we get along before?
Paper bags are a better choice because 1. they break down and 2. trees are a renewable resource. The best choice is to bring your own bags. Bugs? I'd sure rather have a healthy ocean full of fish than worry about a cockroach who might hitchhike home with me even now.
april
april