It’s sobering to know that we humans inadvertently ingest about a credit card’s worth of plastic each week. So, it’s not a huge shock that plastic has been found in our bloodstreams.
Is this fact alone enough to make you feel uncomfortable? How many of us continue, despite what we now know about the literal tons of plastic waste that we generate annually, to reach for that unnecessary piece of single-use plastic?
What will it take?
Eight to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions come solely from plastic production, and 116 new plastic plants have cropped up in the United States in just a few years. The majority of these are in economically depressed areas, contributing to a huge rise in cancer.
What will it take?
One million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals die every year from plastic pollution. Don’t we want our children and grandchildren to witness the beautiful diversity of life that we’ve all enjoyed on this planet?
What will it take?
More than 1,000,000 plastic bags are used and immediately discarded every minute around the world. Let’s start small and make that effort to bring our washable grocery and produce bags while shopping.
One small effort a day will quickly become a good habit. Start by refusing single-use plastics. Then reduce. Reuse. Repair. Refill.
We have an obligation to leave the Earth a better place for future generations of all species ... and Keith Richards, who may outlive all of us!
Cristin Salaz
Durango
