Posted on by marlj

Plastic is for eternity, and we use it mostly only once. The features that have made crude oil plastic so attractive are the same ones that make it pollutant: resistance to degradation. This near-eternal litter is omnipresent in the oceans, landfills and freshwater and on land and the numbers are quite likely to increase. Why use this eternal material once? The existence of single-use plastic is such an annoyance for most consumers. For me as well. I do my best (reusable cups & cutlery, cotton package bags, bulk shopping etc.) but still can’t get rid of plastic entirely. I am happy with the ban in the EU on single-use plastic in 2021, but single-use plastic meal boxes, sandwich boxes or food containers for fruits, vegetables, desserts or ice creams are not included. A stubborn zero waste practice will be still necessary until producers and governments are willing to protect the environment. Do you have tips for reducing single-use plastics?

#airtravel: Heat

Posted on by marlj

On my wish list good reads: Heat of George Monbiot. He argues in this book that there’s still time to save the world.

The Guardian writes:”Monbiot comes up with some ingenious solutions to cut carbon while preserving our lifestyles. There is, however, one carbon extravagance he insists the planet can no longer afford: air travel. A return flight to New York creates more greenhouse gases per passenger than the total amount Monbiot says we should be allowed to use as individuals in a year. “The growth in aviation and the need to address climate change cannot be reconciled.” A 90% cut in carbon emissions means that there can be no more shopping trips to New York or parties in Ibiza, “unless you believe that these activities are worth the sacrifice of the biosphere and the lives of the poor”.