The Pacific Garbage Patch can be found floating about 1,000 miles off the Californian coast -- this swirling mass of plastic bags and garbage has grown to be twice the size of Texas.
When it comes to the environment, California is a trendsetter. The Pacific Garbage Patch is the responsibility of us all, but we need California to put the country on the right track towards eliminating plastic waste.
Although California prides itself on its environmental initiatives, there's no way The Golden State can deserve its title as the greenest state until it addresses its plastic bag problem.
At 19 billion plastic bags a year, California is currently the biggest consumer of single-use plastic bags.
Despite this, California is poised to become the first state to ban plastic bags. The California State Assembly passed a bill (AB 1998) to ban single-use plastic shopping bags on June 2, and the bill will go to the Senate mid August. Urge Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California State Senate to support a ban on single-use grocery bags.
Plastic does not go away - it just accumulates
What can you do? Remember to take reusable cloth bags when you go to the store – decline the plastic bag that is offered to you and take a few minutes to let the manager of the store know why you do not wish to continue using plastic.
All these wasted bags end up in landfills -- at best. Often the bags find their way into communities and natural areas, including the ocean.
A bitter reminder - 100,000 marine mammals die trash-related deaths each year and humans are to blame for ocean debris.
What more evidence do we need to understand that the use of plastic bags and bottles, etc., is harmful to humans, wildlife, and the environment?
I urge you to reduce your use of these items.
It is just a small action on your part.
"Together we can make a difference."
peacesojourner
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