WOW! Can we really do it? I remember the very first “Earth Day” probably more than 50 years ago when Bette Midler was the host for the televised program. Everyone was so behind saving the planet! My own household started taking a real interest in what we were throwing away and what we could recycle. Throughout the years since, many companies have changed their packaging by using less plastic wrapping or recycled paper for their boxes. Where has that gone? There seems to be more packaging on products. I recently picked up a prescription from the pharmacy. It was an allergy skin cream. The bottle was about four inches tall and when I opened it, there was about 1” of cream in it. I turned the bottle over and there was a false insert about three inches in it. What a waste of plastic! They could have put the cream in a small ziplock bag….(Very small). The garbage that I see along the highway is scary. Plastic bags, old tires, grocery buggies, diapers. Discarded housing products like old windows and doors seem to multiply each day. Many fast food restaurants still use styrofoam containers for take out. So……my original question was….”Can we do it?” With some countries wanting to return to coal mining and ignoring “ solar and wind as an alternative, it seems a losing battle. As much as I am fascinated with the new interest in going into space…..what about the oceans? We know there is life there and the likelihood of resources are probably endless. Yes, the world has been around for millions of years, but can it take much more abuse by man?
I understand your feelings about the seemingly endless stream of plastics and environmental impacts of politics. It feels daunting to say the least. We can individually make some impact. I learned something important the past week when I attempted to reduce the carbon footprint of an order for art supplies. I tried to find the company that had the most items I needed so the items could be shipped together. I chose Michaels What I discovered was that all of the items were shipped by second sellers and my order came from 5 businesses all shipped separately. UGH! disheartening! In hindsight I’d prefer to support the small businesses’ that had the supplies I needed so in the future I’ll go directly to the small business knowing that there is perhaps a greater benefit to the business so that is a positive, We need to support them so the lesson learned here for me was to pay greater attention to where a big seller is actually getting the art supplies I buy regularly. Many small businesses pack and ship items with greater care to the environment.
So very true, Al – we do think and wonder as the days go by. We can really do it!
Yes Al, I think we can contribute a little bit to these big problems. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, is a saying in the Netherlands.