The world is on fire, and it’s not because of single-use plastics.
Since the early ’90s, let’s call it the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, we’ve known that the real ecological catastrophe we’re facing is from climate change: humans burning more fossil fuels than the atmosphere can absorb without catastrophic change to our weather.
I believe the ban on plastic straws and plastic bags is eco-theatre, with oil companies cheering on the performance at every turn. I believe the same about recycling plastics. I disagree this ban should’ve been done years ago, unless you mean in the 1980s, when plastic companies were actively changing the rules and getting rid of glass.
Back to today. Using the example of a 4,000-pound-plus V8 truck driving from Spruce Grove to Nesters for an iced cappuccino: governments at all levels have joined forces to prevent the plastic straw in the cappuccino. While the world is literally on fire!
If you are going to write about plastics, could you please make sure your readers know that the leading cause of microplastics is car tires and brake pads. The leading cause of plastics inside marine life is fishing gear. This should be included in every article that discusses plastics. Unfortunately, private automobiles are the leading cause of air pollution and microplastic pollution.
So what problem are we looking to solve? When we start to explore solutions, the target is obvious! But instead we are busy talking about bags and straws. Car and oil company boardrooms couldn’t be happier!
As for the argument that governments of all levels are working on both banning single-use plastics AND reducing emissions, I ask the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) specifically: since the announcement of the Big Moves more than 2.5 years ago, what policies have been implemented here in Whistler that reduce vehicle emissions (which would have the added benefit of reducing microplastics)? What policies do you see in the RMOW budgets that you expect will substantially reduce vehicle emissions?
I’ve seen nothing, but perhaps you know something about this that I don’t. Is the RMOW working on something meaningful? Now that would be news I would like to read.
