You only have to look at our Front Page to see how successful this campaign has been. High profile and very visible, capturing the imagination and interest of the whole town. Candida and Company are very persuasive people, and have worked incredibly hard to bring this issue to public attention. I was never much of a plastic bag user, but as a result of the last few weeks, I'm sworn off them altogether now, and I hope that plastic bags are never seen again within the area of Lyme Regis. I'd also suggest that this first campaign isn't over until the last plastic bag leaves town.
If you want to keep up with developments, here is a good place to start: http://www.turnlymegreen.com/
The discussion at the Launch event was quite spirited, ranging from empty milk containers, where do they go? Why does milk come in a plastic bottle anyway? Phil Street asked about seagulls, and though I don't personally feed the gulls, not since one of them wilfully stole Mary's ice cream, I can't help the sneaky feeling that its maybe its us that are the problem, not the gulls! Black bin bags, someone reminds us that we are talking about doing away with plastic, rather than finding new ways to dispose of it. Plastic is a petro-chemical product we're reminded, Its time we followed the example of Ireland and ban plastic bags entirely, and why not I say! And after plastic bags, what next? Light bulbs! ?
Its a personal question. Change only occurs when individuals make personal decisions. Its no use asking this or that Council or Authority to do your thinking and acting for you. Voting was always something thats done with the feet. You add your vote by ceasing to accept plastic bags.
I can't even remember how long ago it is that it became acceptable to carry ones goods around in a plastic bag. I do remember that when I was a child, my Mother carried a great thick leather shopping bag up and down to the shops every day. The bag must have been heavier than the shopping. And there was no question of packaging, the grocer just weighed the spuds, and poured 'em straight into the bag. She didn't drive to the supermarket either, there were no supermarkets and a lot less cars way back then. (ok,I know I'm showing my age here) I suppose I must have been schoolteaching in late seventies London when I first became aware of picking up plastic at the supermarket. At that time, it was to some a welcome idea, after all, the environmental theme then, (now long since forgotten) was saving trees! So suddenly plastic was 'sold' to us as better and more convenient than the paper bags we had previously, the ones with the string handles that cut your fingers.
Plastic is only the tip of the environmental time bomb. Some would say that unless we start tackling the real issues surrounding Global Warming, we don't have time. The real problem, according to Prof. Hugh Torrens (Royal Lion interview with Nomad during Fossil Festival 4th May 07) is over-population. Too many people. There are now so many people on earth that we are creating a mass extinction of everything else.
Those of us who have been long term, or even lifetime campaigners for environmental change should feel very heartened to see this surge of public interest, but I wonder how much is about 'fashionable' causes, whether its a lasting continuous interest, or even if its attacking the right issues. If people cease using plastic bags, and put in their low-energy light bulbs, its no help if they then feel they've done enough, and continue increasing use of motor cars and aeroplanes. I wonder sometimes if we're not all going off to sleep in some kind of carbon monoxide haze........
The real issues? Comments?
