Plastic is one of the most useful things ever invented. It is everywhere. Without it, our modern society would not be possible. Take a look around your room, how much is made from plastic or has plastic components in it? Probably over 75%.

Yet, plastic is very bad for the environment, it uses non-renewable resources, energy and takes a very long time to degrade – often producing toxic chemicals in the process. Recycling is good, but complicated. Replacement is better. Canada just banned Bisphenol A in many consumer products and that is just the beginning. Traditional plastics will die.

There are emerging replacements such as corn based plastics and other bio-based items that are non-toxic and degrade quickly. But, corn is a very energy intensive crop and already over-cultivated. An interesting alternative has emerged in Germany where researchers say they can replace plastic with a form of liquid wood. This is very promising. 

This news probably does not come too soon to the forestry industry who has been reeling from reductions in newspaper print and home construction. Forests can be sustainably grown under programs such as the FSC and they provide jobs, a healthy environment and a green future. Let’s hope liquid wood lives up to its promises.

Note: An interesting documentary on Plastics was recently aired on CBC. It is available online.

Found via: Slaw

One of the biggest challenges is prioritizing ideas. This applies to both business and life. Personally, I never buy anything on impulse. If I see something that appeals to me, I will make a mental note of it. If I still want it in a couple months, then I’ll buy it. The vast majority of things, I forget. Eventually, you get fewer and fewer purchase desires.

The federal government invites Canadians to submit their comments on the upcoming January 23 budget. Common thinking says that in lean times, environmental concerns get short shrift. But does it need to be this way?

Pundits anticipate the government will announce serious infrastructure spending. Instead of focusing entirely on the usual beneficiaries (transportation, government buildings, public utilities, etc.), why not also set significant funding aside to invest in something that will benefit the country in the long term, reduce our GHG emissions, and make us more competitive economically?

Let’s invest in fossil-fuel independence and green technology. Many in the United States are clamoring for this very thing. In Canada, the chorus is growing. The Pembina Institute called for stimulus to focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy and public transit. Sustainable Prosperity, a group dedicated to “making markets work for the environment” will announce its plan soon.

The voices are there, but will this Conservative government listen? I’m inclined to think yes. The opposition parties will certainly make some noise about this (if they haven’t already), and Canadians can make their own priorities heard by commenting on the budget.

A good point was made below on the need for more humility — nuance even — in the debate on how to deal with the increase in greenhouse gases. What’s also needed is good reporting. There might be evidence of an increase in plant growth, but what does that really mean? Are they toxic algae, possibly responsible for depleting the sea of its oxygen and killing ocean life? The booming biosphere argument also fails to address other worrying threats, such as the acidification of the sea. There’s much about this complex ecosystem that we don’t understand, as the Economist argues in its comprehensive special report on the sea. We must learn much more about it. In the meantime our ignorance should not stop from taking preventative or corrective measures.

Below, John Grimond, the author of the report, discusses some of the threats to the sea :