On May 6, the United Nations issued a summary report: It’s a dire warning – the world is put on notice. It states that life on our planet shows rapidly increasing stress due mainly to human behavior that is diminishing the amount of usable land and water, and polluting the environment. Unless societies make transformative change – urgently – life on Earth cannot be sustained.
Among its findings: “Plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980.”
We need to turn this around. We have learned about the huge, accelerating accumulation of plastic in oceans – about plastic micro-particles that may not deteriorate for hundreds of years, about the threat to ocean life.
A first step that we can agree on – and take without delay – is to no longer use plastic bags at the checkout counter. Instead, we bring or buy reusable bags (about 50 cents per bag) or use paper bags provided by stores (about 10 cents per bag). There’s no cost to grocers.
This is transformative – a change to a long-standing pattern of behavior. In Camden, Maine, a ban as above was mandated to its Hannaford store.
N.H. House Bill 560, an almost identical ban, was recently tabled. The reason: government overreach. But isn’t this simple, eco-friendly, cooperative decision doable – and preferable to mandating?
People, let your grocers know. Grocers, listen! And just do it – how about by July 4? It will add to the celebration.
NICHOLAS OURUSOFF
New London