We are not eating plastics but we are exposed to plastics in every aspect of our life. I believe if people do not take action to ban single-use plastics, the whole ecosystem will suffer severely.
Thus, I envision that decision-makers, producers, and consumers all be responsible for their actions, not only considering the instantaneous moment we get in touch with plastic, but also considering how it comes from and after disposal where will it go.
It requires cooperation and responsibility from all levels of interventions. Even now, there is not a single case stating the residual effects are significant and thus stop the program, we all know this definitely is not the case. Government must remove the conflict of interest in EIA legislation to make the assessment function as it should. Single-use plastic bag production should be banned from the origin. Individuals should gradually reduce the frequency of using plastic bags and try to not use them only once for the plastic bags they already had.
While we certainly aren't directly eating plastic, it's incredibly concerning how many we do ingest because of the bioaccumulation of microplastics within the food chain leading up to us. Even though the accumulation starts at the very bottom of the food chain, the effects we see are because of humans all the way at the top so we need to make changes for the health of the entire food web/system.
I saw a public service campaign in Japan where a sushi truck was parked outside a shopping mall and told people to try it for free, but the sefood inside was actually replaced with (clean) plastic bags, a public service campaign to make people aware of the seriousness of our plastic pollution of the oceans. I also agree with you that banning plastic should be done through linkages and cooperation at all levels to ensure maximum benefits.
I agree that cooperations between all levels are needed to deal with the plastic issue. I think for the conflict of interests in EIA legislations, there should be ways to hold the government/legislators accountable so that there is enough will to make the legislation function properly. Without this, the conflict of interest will continue as corporations would seek to avoid assessments and increase profits.
Hey Bellie, I agree we need to cooperate to solve this problem - this issue must be resolved through the government, companies and ourselves limiting our own plastic usage!
Hi Bellie,
Every time I go grocery shopping I am saddened that there is plastic almost everywhere. Individual actions are very limited, so governments and authorities should get to action and decrease the amount of excessive single-use plastics! Great job!