Planet over Plastic
Happy Earth Day!
We all can make a difference by reducing our plastic footprint.
The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Planet VS Plastic. The hazards of plastic are great, and we all need to take steps to reduce the harmful effects of plastic pollution in our environment and bodies.
What will you do to help our warming planet?
Greenpeace has nothing to do with this post.
Things you should know about plastic:
- Plastic is made of fossil fuels and contains many toxic chemicals that are harmful to our health.
- These toxic chemicals leach into our food from plastic packaging.
- Plastics break down into microplastic. We each consume about a credit card of microplastic a week from our food and environment. These microfibers are found in our lungs, brains, blood and arteries.
- When plastic is recycled it becomes more toxic.
- 40% of plastic is single-use.
- The production of plastic continues to increase.
- If plastic were a country, it would be the 5th largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Much of plastic’s pollution affects minorities and people without power.
- Clothing with polyester and nylon contain plastic.
- The producers of plastic should be held responsible for the harm they create in the environment and our bodies.
By banning the worst forms of single-use plastic, holding plastic producers accountable for their waste, getting wasteful packaging off store shelves, and more — a future beyond plastic is possible.
1. Sandra Laville, “Single-use plastics a serious climate change hazard, study warns,” The Guardian, May 15, 2019.
2. “What do plastics have to do with climate change?” United Nations Development Programme, November 15, 2022.
3. Oliver Milman, “‘Deluge of plastic waste’: US is world’s biggest plastic polluter,” The Guardian, December 1, 2021.
4. “We know plastic pollution is bad — but how exactly is it linked to climate change?,” World Economic Forum, January 19, 2022.
5. “We know plastic pollution is bad — but how exactly is it linked to climate change?,” World Economic Forum, January 19, 2022.
6. “Reducing plastic waste in the states” U.S. PIRG, July 26, 2022.
7. Celeste Meiffren-Swango, Jenn Engstrom and Mark Morgenstein, “Statement: Amazon to phase out single-use plastic shipping bags,” Environment America, July 19, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Rya-ZOJ7g (microplastics)
Future generations deserve a safe and healthy future, free from the plastic waste crisis — and we can make it happen.
Donate to non-profits working to end plastic pollution:
Plastic Pollution Coalition
The Story of Stuff https://www.storyofstuff.org/
Ways to reduce your plastic use:
- Always carry a reusable glass or metal water bottle, and reusable shopping bags with you.
- Learn to refuse single-use plastics, such as plastic water bottles and coffee cups, straws, plastic bags and plastic utensils.
- Purchase fruit and produce in the bulk section, and don’t place items in plastic bags.
- Always search out products in glass jars instead of plastic containers.
- When you must buy plastic products, choose ones that you can recycle rather than ones you must put in the trash.
- Bring your own containers and shop the bulk section of your local food coop.
- Purchase clothing made from cotton and wool instead of polyester or poly fibers. https://www.npr.org/2023/07/19/1188343293/is-toxic-fashion-making-us-sick-a-look-at-the-chemicals-lurking-in-our-clothes
- Store food in glass containers instead of plastic.
- Ditch the baggies!
Plastics Treaty
We need the United States to support a strong plastic’s treaty. Use the link below to demand strong leadership from the USA for this treaty.
We need swift and urgent action. Plastic pollution is a global problem in need of global solutions. Plastic production, use, and disposal threaten Earth’s communities, air, water, biodiversity, and soils. With the UN’s Global Plastics Treaty negotiations now underway, the US government (USG) has the unique opportunity to play a key role in the change we need on a worldwide level: instead of leading the world in generating the plastic pollution crisis, it’s time for the USG to lead by forging ambitious solutions. Read full letter at this link: Letter to U.S. Government Officials involved in UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations
Can you join me and take action? Click here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/global-plastics-treaty-us?source=email&
Thanks!
Get Intimate
This morning on my walk it was raining. The rain was plopping on my hood and splashing my face, but I was loving every moment as a robin sang. I felt so close to the beauty and renewal of our earth. It was me and the melodic robin, having a conversation, and both happy that it was finally raining.
It is Earth month, Earth Day is days away, and April is a fabulous time to get intimate with the earth. Every day the tree buds get bigger, and the great migration begins, birds and butterflies moving to their summer homes. Every day a new flower pops up, and the sun gets higher in the sky.
Whether it’s a wild turkey on your yard, a fox running down the street, a rabbit eating your fresh plants, or the deep groves in the bark of a tree, pay attention and notice something new.
Many dragon flies were out yesterday!
It was cloudy where I live so we missed the eclipse, but there were people outside excited that it was happening behind the thick cloud cover. Celebrate that excitement every day with the intense beauty and April happenings of our
Amazing landscapes!
what a wonderful world!
Enjoy the intense beauty and happenings of our Earth, it’s Earth Day every day!
I saw my first butterfly a few weeks ago. It was a mourning cloak butterfly. since this writing I have seen many more. Get out and look.
Happy Earth Day!!
A Plastic Lawn?
SYNTHETIC TURF
Real plants for real habitats
I disagree with a bill in the Minnesota Legislature about synthetic turf (HF 3705/SF 3869).
Synthetic turf has been framed as a sustainable solution for dealing with the climate crisis, drought and drainage issues. Unfortunately, many want to believe in this easy but expensive solution and believe without evidence that it is a sustainable practice. This is greenwashing and a false solution for helping our climate crisis. Synthetic turf is made of plastic. It has all the terrible side effects of plastic pollution. It breaks down in the sun and breaks down with use. It leaches toxic chemicals into our water and breaks down into microfibers. Synthetic turf is not healthy for children, pets, wildlife or adults to recreate on. It is not a sensible solution for a green lawn.
If plastic were a country, it would be the fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. We shouldn’t be encouraging the use of more plastic. We should be reducing our plastic use, not increasing it.
Synthetic turf is terrible at managing stormwater runoff. Even if it is permeable, the water will run right under it and cause erosion as it finds a muddy path to the nearest waterway. Deep rooted plants are the master of absorbing runoff and holding the soil. They are a proven solution.
The state of Minnesota is putting lots of money into bee lawns. Let’s pivot to them in times of drought. Bee lawns help pollinators, improve water quality and work for the healthy communities the public wants. Bee lawns are real, not fake. They are a low-maintenance and sustainable solution, and bee lawns can be adjusted and planted for everyone’s needs.
Becky Wardell Gaertner, Minneapolis
I like violets in a bee lawn, they are hearty, can be mowed and bees like them.
Tips to fight food waste
Waste less food: Food Waste Prevention Week is April 1-7
One trillion dollars of food is wasted yearly. We can all do better!
People are starving in Gaza, Sudan, Syria and other places in the world, let’s not waste food.
**Why is reducing food waste so important?
It saves Money
Wasting food is expensive. Every year, Americans lose more than $218 billion on wasted food. In Florida, the average family of four throws out around $1,600 worth of food annually. Households are responsible for the most wasted food. If we begin to reduce and prevent food waste, we can save that money that is wasted on spoiled food.
It reduces hunger in our communities
In the US, approximately 40% of all food grown and produced is never eaten. That’s a lot of food wasted that could go to people that don’t have access to food. 1 in 5 people lack consistent access to nutritious food, while up to 3 million tons of wasted food goes to landfills annually. Recovered food provides an additional source of nutritious food.
It protects the environment
Reducing food waste is the #1 personal action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while safeguarding critical natural resources. When food is wasted, it goes into a landfill. Once in a landfill, food waste breaks down and emits greenhouse gasses, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Methane is 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide, making it more damaging to the environment. If we reduce food waste, we could save the environment from this damage.
What Can I Do?
At home
- Save leftovers and store/freeze food in portion-ready containers
- Cook only what is needed for that meal
- Make one night a weekly “leftover” night to empty the refrigerator before shopping again
- Audit what you throw away; it will influence your next shopping trip
- Keep kitchen essentials on hand (grains, spices, sauces) that bring new life to old meals
- Freeze ripe fruits and vegetables for baking, cooking and filling in gaps in recipes
- Compost
At the grocery store
- Plan menus for the week and prepare a shopping list
- Stick to your shopping list
- Match your shopping to the reality of your week
- Buy smaller quantities, if appropriate, to avoid spoilage and waste
- Don’t shop hungry
- Pay in cash so the amount your spending is tangible
- If you bought items that you won’t use, donate them before the expiration date
At work
- If you bring a lunch, bring only what you will eat
- In the case of leftovers, save for the next day, if you have a work refrigerator
- If you brought too much, share with others
- If ordering takeout/delivery, save leftovers or share an order
- Bring leftovers from dinner last night
Check out these resources to reduce food waste and spread the word with your community, https://stopfoodwaste.ecochallenge.org
- Hennepin County activity guide – Reducing Food Waste
- Create meals, not waste: tips to stop food waste (DOCX)
- Create meals, not waste: Planning ahead to reduce food waste, Hennepin County Climate Action article
- Eat the food you buy: Storing food to make it last, Hennepin County Climate Action article
- Refrigerator Insider food waste reduction tips flyer (PDF)
**This information is from the city of Minneapolis and Hennepin County
Water for Peace, Water for Life
Water is Life, we must do a better job of protecting our waters.
World Water Day March 22, 2024 is the United Nations observance day dedicated to highlighting the importance of freshwater. It serves as a reminder of the critical role water plays in our lives and ecosystems.
“Water for Peace” is this year’s theme. fostering peace, prosperity, and conflict prevention in the role water plays in the world.
It is shameful the poor job we do to take care of our fresh water. Our fresh waterways are teaming with microplastics, nitrates and forever chemicals. None of these safe for human exposure. In some places invasiive speciaes have been introduced that also change the entire ecosystem of our water ways.
73 percent of Minnesota nitrate pollution comes from cropland, primarily through agricultural drainage systems below cropped fields and by nitrate pollution leaching into groundwater, and then moving underground until it reaches streams. 78% of nitrate pollution to the Mississippi River in our state is fr…See more on fmr.org
At least 70 million Americans get their water from a system where toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” were found at levels that require reporting to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s according to new data the EPA released in its ongoing 5-year review of water systems across the nation. The number will almost certainly grow as new reports are released every three months. USA Today, March 21.2024
Careless humans have transported invasive plants and animals with their boats and equipment. Invasive species disrupt aquatic ecosystems, endanger native species, and have far-reaching consequences that harm the eco-system of waterways.
Things are out of balance as we have allowed industry and farmers and all of us the right to pollute our waterways. We can all do better!
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.14387
https://extension.psu.edu/nitrates-in-drinking-water
https://fmr.org/minnesota-nitrate-study-highlights-farm-runoff-pollution
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/22/1106863211/the-dangers-of-forever-chemicals
What are a few things you can do to protect our waterways?
1. Always clean your boats and equipment before entering lakes.
2. Pick up litter
3. Keep the storm drains near your home free of leaf debris and plastic waste.
4. Reduce the plastic you use, and always make sure your plastic waste is in the correct place, either recycling, landfill waste or hopefully to be reused again.
5. Plant deep rooted plants that absorb water runoff, like native grasses and native plants.
6. Create rain gardens or adjust your drain spouts to drain onto your lawn or gardens.
7. Never use artificial turf for landscaping!
Microplastics, a Problem!
Microplastic particles are found everywhere on the planet. They are in the air, water, and soil, and they are in us, in every organ of our bodies. This cannot be healthy and we need to decrease our exposure to plastic.
A new study on microplastics finds evidence that that micro plastics could be the cause of heart attacks and strokes. Scary stuff!
Scientists have long known that microplastics can infiltrate the human body. But they didn’t know what the presence of these tiny plastic particles might mean for human health. Until now. A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that people with microplastics in their heart are at higher risk for heart attack, stroke, and death.
Easy ways you can reduce your plastic footprint:
- Always carry a reusable glass or metal water bottle, and reusable shopping bags with you.
- Learn to refuse single-use plastics, such as plastic water bottles and coffee cups, straws, plastic bags and plastic utensils.
- Purchase fruit and produce in the bulk section, and don’t place items in plastic bags.
- Always search out products in glass jars instead of plastic containers.
- When you must buy plastic products, choose ones that you can recycle rather than ones you must put in the trash.
- Bring your own containers and shop the bulk section of your local food coop.
- Purchase clothing made from cotton and wool instead of polyester or poly fibers. https://www.npr.org/2023/07/19/1188343293/is-toxic-fashion-making-us-sick-a-look-at-the-chemicals-lurking-in-our-clothes
- Store food in glass containers instead of plastic.
- Ditch the baggies!
Invest in Women
https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day
From the United Nations:
Here are five key areas needing joint action:
- Investing in women, a human rights issue: Time is running out. Gender equality is the greatest human rights challenge, benefiting everyone.
- Ending poverty: Due to the COVID pandemic and conflicts, 75 million more people have fallen into severe poverty since 2020. Immediate action is crucial to prevent over 342 million women and girls living in poverty by 2030.
- Implementing gender-responsive financing: Conflicts and rising prices may lead 75% of countries to cut public spending by 2025, negatively impacting women and their essential services.
- Shifting to a green economy and care society: The current economic system disproportionately affects women. Advocates propose a shift to a green economy and care society to amplify women’s voices.
- Supporting feminist change-makers: Despite leading efforts, feminist organizations receive only 0.13% of official development assistance.
This International Women’s Day, let’s unite to transform challenges into opportunities and shape a better future for all!
Winter is a “no snow”
Superior Views for winter 2024
The grouse and crows seem happy, the pileated woodpeckers seem happy, and squirrels and white tailed deer are overjoyed. What happened to winter? The sun is shining and the snowstorms forgot to hit the south shore of Lake Superior. The biggest surprise is golden eyes on Lake Superior already migrating through.
But what made me the happiest was that I saw an eagle swimming on Lake Superior. It was amazing! It looked like she was doing a swimming crawl stroking with her enormous wings.
The warmest February and winter on record, but it is worrying for the future when there isn’t ice on the big lake. More evaporation, more algae and a challenge for the fish to find food.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/11/weather/midwest-non-winter-el-nino/index.html
Health4earth 