You and Me, and Everyone We Know

“Some people deny climate change, but there are no ocean plastic deniers. The problem’s in plain sight.” ~ Susan Goldberg

“Where could it be coming from? ... It must be third-world countries dumping trash into the ocean.” ~ a co-worker, answering his own question regarding the Texas-sized floating bed of plastic in the Pacific Ocean

I tried to explain to my co-worker friend that every time he obtains a plastic bag, buys food in a plastic container, buys water or soda in a plastic bottle, or uses a plastic straw, there is some chance that the resulting trash will wind up someplace other than a recycle bin for proper disposal. This chance exists regardless of how much or how little we first-worlders try to do the right thing. But of course it’s then a matter of degree; we still need to at least try to recycle. Using less is still far better, no matter what. That straw may find itself on a street, in a sewer, down a stream, in a river, and eventually in the ocean.

Unfortunately, he was not listening. He was too intent on placing the blame elsewhere.

Is any of the blame attributable to the third world? Sure. How much? Who knows. But there are two things to keep in mind: a) they (the third world) learned it from us, and b) they (the third world) largely pollute and waste because of us.

Ultimately, it’s on us to do the right thing: use less, and recycle. And vote for people who will do the right thing as well. 

You and me and everyone we know.

Check out this National Geographic article on the subject.