6 THINGS WE CAN & SHOULD DO: #2

REMINDER: WHY WE NEED TO HELP MEDIATE CLIMATE CHANGE

In the last post, looked at why we need to foster more CLIMATE LITERACY.

This time, we look at what to do with Earth's PLASTICS PROBLEM.

We don't need MORE of this! Or this

OR THIS

Plastics are GOOD FOR US in many ways: *We can carry our purchases from the store, stay dry in the rain, store things and preserve food.

*Plastics are used in furniture, construction materials, cars, appliances, electronics. Plastics play a large part in everyday living.

However, plastics have shown to have more negative effects on our health and our environment than most of us ever expected.

*Plastic pollution is

a hazard to public

health and the

human body.

As many as one million people die each year due to plastics. Frightening!

Microplastics are now known to cause damage to human cells. Some of these micro-petrochemicals, have led to increased risk of chromosomal and reproductive system abnormalities, impaired brain and neurological functions, cancer, cardiovascular system damage, adult-onset diabetes, early puberty, obesity and resistance to chemotherapy. ALL plastics are petroleum products:

*Plastics are made from fossil fuels. Drilling for oil and processing into plastic

releases harmful gas emissions into the environment including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide,ozone, benzene, and methane (a greenhouse gas).

So what can I do?

1. REDUCE: Do I really need that plastic straw?

2. REFUSE:

3. REUSE:

4. RECYCLE:

5. REMOVE:

SO, HOW MANY OF THESE HAVE YOU DONE ALREADY, OR PLAN TO DO?

Encourage others to join you. We all must do our part!