Straws Suck and Other Frightening Stories
I've seen a lot in the media lately about changing the world 'one step at a time'...
Human beings feel good when we help others, and while it's great to think that on the whole, we care, we're also very good at not giving a crap when it really matters.
It's a lucky strike that we're here on this planet in the first place, had we been a few miles up, or down, left or right in our solar system, we would be nothing more than star dust and energy floating about in darkness, crashing into each other. It's literally magic.
And we're surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and nature in abundance, all of which, as if by magic, has the power to feed and nourish us, heal and soothe our sickness and pain and bring delight with it's beauty.
Planet Earth and all of the little life forms on it are miracles. Being conceived is a miracle, birth is, where we end up after we're born is sheer luck. Enter our ego.
Human's are adept at fabricating things that are totally geared at our own selfish needs.
We think cutting down forests for animal agriculture is our right. We think that pouring their polluted remains or discarded rubbish out into the ocean or atmosphere is justified because our convenience is key.
Here are a few facts, for anyone who isn't already aware:
A Garbage truck full of rubbish is dumped into our ocean EVERY SECOND
At least 8 tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year
There is more microplastic floating around our ocean than there are stars in the milky way
322 million tonnes of plastic were produced in 2015
60-90 percent of marine litter is plastic-based
More than 50 percent of sea turtles have consumed plastic
The average London adult buys more than three plastic water bottles every week - a startling 175 bottles every year per person. In total, some 7.7 billion plastic bottles are bought across the UK each year
The average U.S citizen consumes 167 plastic bottles each year
The amount of plastic in the world's ocean's could increase by 10x in the next decade
Cigarette butts, plastic bags, straws, fishing gear and food & drink containers are the most common forms of plastic pollution found in our oceans
2,200 balloons were picked up on the shores of Aquidneck Island in the last four years.
Plastic straws often never make it into recycling bins; the evidence of this failure is clearly visible on any beach. Their size makes them one of the most insidious polluters because they entangle marine animals and are consumed by fish
Sources:
https://www.ecowatch.com/plastic-oceans-facts-images-2436857254.html
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/04/plastic-straws-ocean-trash-environment/
The facts are all around us, most of us already know them.
One of the most terrifying problems humans can take full credit for is the sad state of our oceans, and more to the point, what is floating around in it, and the impact it is having on the life of it's eco system.
In order to assist in raising awareness, I will be supporting and promoting the Plastic Free July scheme which has been set up to highlight the growing threat to our oceans. You can pledge to take part and receive full support from the organisers. I have also created a dedicated page highlighting some great alternative, plastic-free products to help make your plastic reduction easier.
Visit 'Our Planet Needs You!' to find out more and take the Plastic Free July scheme to help you stay motivated!
Thanks for reading, don't forget to share to help spread the word and encourage friends and family members to take action against single use plastic!
