This is awful. These garbage patches (I looked at the info graphic) have been around for decades. I remember lessons on them when I was in little school.
WHY haven't we put some real money into just cleaning it up already? It has very kindly collected into areas that can be skimmed.
The money for that needs to come from the countries that contribute to the problem, which is everyone - but in proportion to how much they are contributing.
I know that not using plastic can be a sign of privilege. So in order to support those folks who cannot spend the time and money it takes to reduce consumption of those products - the governments need to get involved. They need to mandate less plastic in packaging, and support plastics use with the appropriate disposal systems, including education on how to handle the plastics.
It bothers me that no one is making this sort of thing a top priority. It's not even on the radar in most countries.
Sadly, it falls into the category of global commons. It's one of the oldest problems in economics. Who will pay to care for something that is "owned" by no-one? The problem has become worse, in my view, since we lost the social pressures of small communities.
Frankly, every one of the countries on that list of top 20 polluters could afford to address the problem, if they chose to. Same as they could address deficits in education, or health care, or whatever. It takes willpower and collective agreement to tax everyone fairly, then use the money as promised. Instead, they have inadequate tax collection (usually letting off the very wealthy, foreign investors, and the informal economy), and don't spend it wisely (putting the money instead to unnecessary military expenditures, vanity projects, or foreign bank accounts). Don't get me on a rant about the importance of good governance!
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2015-02-13 01:56 pm (UTC)WHY haven't we put some real money into just cleaning it up already? It has very kindly collected into areas that can be skimmed.
The money for that needs to come from the countries that contribute to the problem, which is everyone - but in proportion to how much they are contributing.
I know that not using plastic can be a sign of privilege. So in order to support those folks who cannot spend the time and money it takes to reduce consumption of those products - the governments need to get involved. They need to mandate less plastic in packaging, and support plastics use with the appropriate disposal systems, including education on how to handle the plastics.
It bothers me that no one is making this sort of thing a top priority. It's not even on the radar in most countries.
no subject
Date: 2015-02-13 10:25 pm (UTC)Frankly, every one of the countries on that list of top 20 polluters could afford to address the problem, if they chose to. Same as they could address deficits in education, or health care, or whatever. It takes willpower and collective agreement to tax everyone fairly, then use the money as promised. Instead, they have inadequate tax collection (usually letting off the very wealthy, foreign investors, and the informal economy), and don't spend it wisely (putting the money instead to unnecessary military expenditures, vanity projects, or foreign bank accounts). Don't get me on a rant about the importance of good governance!