Tiny Plastic Is Everywhere

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Aug 21, 2018, 1:46 AM UTC

marcosdumay wrote: post #152

dcbadacd wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's one thing to consider, but it's ignoring a major aspect - biodegradability. Yes, a plastic bag is in some ways more efficient per ton than a cloth bag but doesn't decompose safely and fast, cloth usually does.

What's worse, adding some inert foreign molecules to the environment, or adding some CO2, excess nitrates, and excess phosphorous, taking down a bit of native vegetation, and revolving some more soil? I really don't know the answer, but I bet everybody on the anti-plastic crusade doesn't know either. I would really like if somebody cared to do some unbiased studies on this (not the ones full of flaws reinforcing the…

Post by stephengillie » Tue, Aug 21, 2018, 1:54 AM UTC

mistrial9 wrote: post #158

stephengillie wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just got back from a trip asking the Washington State coast, including Westport and Ocean Shores, and Birch Bay near Bellingham. The beaches were nearly pristine, for the number of people there. I only saw the occasional lost sandal on the various beaches, and a few beer cans near bonfire dugouts. I was surprised at the lack of plastic and debris, given reports like yours. Is there a state or federal agency that comb…

Pacific Northwest coast has ocean current flowing strongly from North to South.. all the way down to California..

Post by bwbw223 » Tue, Aug 21, 2018, 1:58 AM UTC

killerdhmo wrote: post #137

lwanga wrote: post #136

"Scientists call the tiny pieces "microplastics" and define them as objects smaller than 5 millimeters — about the size of one of the letters on a computer keyboard." I am not quite understanding this sentence. Size of the letters on a computer keyboard!? What?

the little characters that represent the letters on the keyboard. Look down.

Post by sophistication » Tue, Aug 21, 2018, 2:00 AM UTC

woogiewonka wrote: post #164

sophistication wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Generally, the highest impact of any individual is mostly minior (of course the collective actions matter, but you are mostly bound to be a tiny gear in massive cultural processes that are nearly out of our control). To increase impact, you need to increase ~net worth. The most effective way of doing that is to ascend existing hierarchies even though that is massively biased by nepotism, looks and imperfect evaluatio…

I don't believe this. I think humans are capable of rapid change if appealed to their emotions in a powerful way. I think kids are the key to this and I am willing to try it. Imagine if 1000 people wrote urgent messages that actually reached these people who have significant control over how things are produced - that has to make some impact!

Post by ams6110 » Tue, Aug 21, 2018, 2:06 AM UTC

CptFribble wrote: post #42

dmritard96 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. There should be a mitigation cost associated with all plastics. Nothing more frustrating than buying a container for some food that will last for millennia meanwhile the food was consumed in a couple minutes... More generally, I hope more will push for taxes on all things we want to discourage as means of weening off. Oil, coal, plastic, high impact animal products. All of them have huge external costs, none…

If we began taxing externalities to reflect actual total cost to society, consumer behavior would change real quick. My only concern is that we are too far down to rabbit hole with cheap, ubiquitous, damaging materials that if the true cost was reflected in the price no one could afford anything.