The ubiquitous filmy plastic bags we use to carry our groceries are convenient, free and - no surprise - popular. But unless they're properly recycled, they'll exist on earth for 1,000 years before decomposing. And they will not go quietly. In the USA, we use 100 billion bags a year.So, what's the answer? Canvas. Go here, buy some and take them with you to the grocery store. Empty the contents and take them back the next time you go. One person can make a difference, if there are enough of us.
Then...
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court rebuked the Bush administration Monday for its inaction on global warming in a decision that could lead to more fuel-efficient cars as early as next year. The court, in a 5-4 ruling in its first case on climate change, declared that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
We needed the Supreme Court to tell us that?
Whatever else comes of the decision, "this administration's legal strategy for doing nothing has been repudiated," said David Doniger, counsel for the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group involved in the case.
Other states that have adopted California's standards on emissions of greenhouse gases are: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
Cleaner cars and less plastic. That's a start. Did anyone see that 60 Minutes piece on Sunday? Scientists have taken core samples from ice in Antarctica that tells them that greenhouse gases have increased, starting at the time of the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It's been almost two days since the broadcast and I haven't heard any anti-warming nutjobs coming out against the science this time. I guess maybe they can't argue with a core sample as easily as they can argue with Al Gore.
The report is here, and if you missed Sunday's program, it is worth the time to watch.
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4 comments:
the grocery store I useta shop at [before it closed because super walmart came in] use to give you a discount for using their canvas bags. I loved that about the store and they never tore. Thanks walmart!
but, I cant use canvas bags for the cat litter scoopings.
Giant has a recycle bin for bags and I think they give you like a dollar discount for canvas bags.
Republican pass off 60 Minutes as that liberal show Dan Rather was on once.
Put the litter scoopings in a container and toss them in the yard. It's good for the grass.
That dollar discount will pay for the canvas bags in less than a year.
this won't make any sense because i'm tired and can't remember most of it, but i was watching a report about making more fuel-efficient cars and i think it was a spokesperson for an automaker, was saying that it will drive the cost of cars up another $3,000 or more to change them. so of course they will pass on the cost of making things more environmentally friendlier to the car buyer, but the car maker won't have to pay more (i can't quote because well i'm tired but was the jist of what he said, as usual WE have to pay for it, not 'them')
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