SPOTLIGHT: We’ll reach 55% of our goal if we take one path, but only 1% if we take another.
BIG PICTURE: Research published in Science in 2015 attempts to identify the source of plastic pollution in the ocean. Twenty countries are listed. The United States appears at the bottom, in spot #20, responsible for one percent (0.9%) of this problem.
It, therefore, doesn’t matter how many waitresses get thrown in jail in Santa Barbara, California for supplying plastic straws to the customers they’re serving.
It doesn’t matter how many convenience stores get fined in San Francisco for the dastardly crime of selling “straws, stirrers, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, or toothpicks made with plastic” to private individuals for use in their own homes. Ninety-nine percent of ocean-bound plastic will continue on its merry way.
So how about another plan? One that actually has a chance of making a difference. How about we focus our attention on the top five countries on that list.
China is thought to be responsible for 28% of overall ocean plastic. Indonesia’s share is estimated at 10%. The Philippines and Vietnam are thought to contribute 6% each, and Sri Lanka 5%.
If wealthy charitable foundations helped those five countries upgrade their trash disposal systems, a significant dent might be made in over half (55%) of the plastic currently ending up in the ocean.
The research published in Science is very clear about this. It declares: “Improving waste management infrastructure in developing countries is paramount.”
Allow me to repeat myself: Punitive, draconian laws in North America have no hope of fixing more than 1% of this global problem.
TOP TAKEAWAY: If we want to protect the ocean from plastic, we need to think strategically.
Read more at Big Pic News
So when is the Useless Nations going to go after China when will Greenpeace be sailing its Fossil Fueled Ships to China and block all their harbors?
We’ve been sending the dirty work to third world countries for decades. “Recycled” electronics were sent to China, where they were burned to retrieve the metals. Most chrome plating ( heavy metal) is done where the NIMBY’S sent it, off shore. There’s many more examples. Problems get relocated to countries that have low environmental standards, not an honest solution. We turn a blind eye and buy their products.
Cool.
But regardless how it started, they still continue to pollute the oceans. Knowingly, thats nor our fault.
The straw ban could be viewed as a racially discriminatory policy as it will needlessly force Boba Tea shops out of business in those cities where they cannot use plastic straws. Don’t even think of trying a paper straw with boba…
Do remember that for liberals actually doing something that solves a problem is not what they need. What they need is to feel good that they have done something. Therefore waitresses getting thrown in jail in Santa Barbara, California for supplying plastic straws to the customers they’re serving is all the liberals need because it makes them feel good.
If I have my facts straight and please correct me if I don’t, most of the plastic pollution going into the ocean in third world countries comes from developed nations. We are paying them to “recycle” the plastic. That means the problem starts in the US and other developed nations and as such we have the ability to end it here. I have been telling my friends it is better to put plastic in the trash headed for a landfill then to recycle it where it may end up in a river in Asia.
The best solution is to build a few power plants that use plastic as their fuel. Unlike a wood stove, when plastic is burned at a high enough temperature the toxics from burning are also consumed.
When recycling began, I hated the idea. The Liberals were telling me to sort garbage. Later, local news was full of stories about environmental hearings into new dump sites, and the NIMBY’S opposition to them. Diverting recyclables prolonged the lifespan of existing dumps and saved taxpayer money. So yes, David, they’ve won. We recycle.
It’s a shame that the garbage dump NIMBY’S won but the wind farm NIMBY’S got squashed. Neither wind turbines or recycling pay for themselves.