Blog post #1: Environmental impacts of the plastic bag

    In today's day and age, it is widely acknowledged that we are facing a global environmental crisis. One of the specifics of this crisis is our population's overconsumption of non sustainable products that inevitably harm our environment. One of these products is the plastic bag. Throughout viewing the Youtube video, "Battle of the Bag" I learned more thoroughly about local impacts of plastic bag waste on the environment. Prior to watching this informative video, I did not know of the mountains of garbage and plastic waste in Delhi, India. Similarly, I was unaware that cattle are free to roam throughout India and are attracted to these dumps, looking for something to eat. In turn, cattle eat the plastic and can die from this through their digestive tract being blocked. This is particularly disheartening as cattle are worshiped in India. One way the people of India are attempting to manage this problem is by volunteer veterinarians performing surgery on these cattle in an attempt to save them. 

    Dealing with plastic bag waste is a difficult issue, as peoples reliance on them has grown incredibly high since they were created. One way I think we could combat plastic bag use on an individual level is educating people on the harm their plastic bag use is causing to the environment. In order to educate people I believe programs should be developed and implemented into public education systems at a national level. If young people learn the impact of their decisions with consumption of plastics before developing negative habits, this could be substantial in limiting the use of plastic bags. An article from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water suggests ways people can limit their use of plastic daily. Reduce Plastic Waste In "Battle of the bag" when interviewing Americans on why they use plastic bags, most people answered that it was out of convenience and habit. This could be negated if the habit is never formed at a young age. At a global scale, I believe legislative action of plastic bag bans must take place. If the government can regulate and limit the production of plastic bags, the root problem can be addressed. Below I provided an image of the United States and which states have implemented a plastic bag ban or a preemptive ban. I don't believe plastic bags are misunderstood because at this point in society most people should have the knowledge and understand how plastic bags are hurting the environment. The problem of plastic bags destruction on wildlife health, contaminated bodies of water and soil must be addressed. 

Works Cited

“How You Can Reduce Plastic Waste.” DCCEEW, 20 Apr. 2023, www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/publications/how-you-can-reduce-plastic-waste-fs.