I think that we can all agree that the weather is (and has been) doing weird and wacky things. Dry springs and summers leading to devastating wildfires, crazy storms, extreme temperatures. Sometimes it is scary and I wonder (and worry) about the future. Something is definitely going on with our environment.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 in the US. In the more than 50 years since then, there have been many positive changes. Vehicles have moved from leaded gas to unleaded and now a growing number run on electricity. Environmental legislations have been enacted in many parts of the world. Recycling is now standard in many places. And plastics are now under scrutiny.
This year’s theme for Earth Day is Planet vs. Plastics. Here in BC, stores can no longer provide single-use plastic bags – but there are still plenty to put your produce in! Plastic straws are no longer allowed. In many municipalities, take-out containers from restaurants cannot be plastic. But — think of the plastic take-out cups your favourite beverages come in. Think of the plastic lids on our salads from the school cafeteria. Think of the bags that many packaged candies, fruit snacks, etc. come in.
“Plastics extend beyond an imminent environmental issue; they present a grave threat to human health as alarming as climate change. As plastics break down into microplastics, they release toxic chemicals into our food and water sources and circulate through the air we breathe. Plastic production now has grown to more than 380 million tons per year. More plastic has been produced in the last ten years than in the entire 20th century, and the industry plans to grow explosively for the indefinite future.” (from https://www.earthday.org/planet-vs-plastics/)
To see just some of the plastic that makes its way into the library, then back out headed for landfill, check the display case in the hallway. We are adding to it every day.
And check out the books in the display. Maybe you can find a way (or several ways!) to decrease your plastic footprint.