Paper or Plastic? Either Way, It'll Cost You $$$

Just last month, Judith Hizer from the SB Tribune asked the question, "Should we tax plastic bags?" As we continue to wrestle over the pros and cons of taxing plastic-bag consumption in South Bend, the folks in Seattle have already made their decision: If you want a plastic or paper bag, it'll cost .20 cents a bag.

Hmm...that's got me thinking: I wonder if those baggers will start to bag those groceries more efficiently? Maybe if people are paying for those plastic bags, baggers will finally chill-out with excessive bagging, lest they hear complaints from disgruntled shoppers.

Anyway, this "green fee" will be effective starting next year, which gives folks plenty of time to let go of their plastic (or paper) habit. Plus, some of these green taxes ($1 million) will be used to provide residents with free reusable bags.

In a perfect world, there would be no green taxes (and everyone would be eco-friendly). But in this imperfect world, how else can we motivate quick, sweeping changes that reduce our negative impact on the environment? Any suggestions?

You know you're getting old when...

I don't know how this happened. I remember in college rolling my eyes when a speaker lectured the audience on the importance of watching CSPAN. No way, I thought. Too boring. So I can't explain why in the world I'm hooked on CSPAN, other than taking this as a sign that I'm getting old!

At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed watching yesterday's hearing by the House Select Energy Committee. The top 5 oil companies (i.e., Exxon, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, BP) were invited to answer questions about increasing oil prices. Seeing those guys squirm under pressure strangely reminded me of the olden days when I witnessed poor graduate students defend their dissertation. Yeouch!

And I learned so much from watching this 2.5 hour hearing! Here's some highlights and quotes that were particulary memorable:

Two cute cliches from Chairman Markey: "American people shouldn't have to break the bank to fill the tank;" and, "Tax breaks for big oil, tough breaks for American families."

Exxon Mobile earned $40 billion in profit last year. Combined, the top 5 oil companies earned $123 billion in profit last year.

BP was the only company to admit they participated in a secret task force meeting with Dick Cheney in 2001. Now they have to submit documents regarding that clandestine meeting.

In response to reducing oil prices, all companies unanimously agreed they need open access to drilling oil in the US. In addition, BP wants to bridge stronger connections with Canada as they're the "Saudi Arabia of North America sitting there ready to provide us with energy."

Exxon has contributed less than one-half of 1% for renewable energy. Their singular contribution has been to donate $100 million to Stanford over 12 years for research purposes.

Meanwhile, the oil companies have received $18 billion in subsidies from tax payers, and they oppose legislation that would divert those monies for the Renewable Energy Package that was passed last month.

Clearly, there's a disconnect here - even Exxon admitted that. Why the disconnect? Three reasons: a weaker dollar, geopolitical risks, and speculation.

The bottom line from big oil: Give us access to American oil.

The bottom line from Congress: Quit nickel and diming Americans.

APA Monitor: Curbing Climate Change

In this month's APA Monitor, there's a special section on climate change. The question is whether psychology can help curb environmental problems (or phrased more provocatively, "Can psychology save the planet?"). It probably seems like a no-brainer (at least to me*), but that hasn't always been the case. Not too long ago, Susan Clayton** asked psychologists from several APA divisions their thoughts and attitudes on environmental practices. Here's some of the comments she received:

"This seems not to be a psychological issue, and thus not within our sphere."

"This is the silliest questionnaire I have filled out in a very long time. . . . It is virtually impossible to understate the importance of APA divisions [in regard to protecting the environment]."

Well, the good news is that these views are changing, and more people are indeed turning to psychology for ways to address environmental issues. So can psychology save the planet? If so, how?
________
*Although, thank goodness, other psychologists have gone "green."

**Clayton, S. (2000, August). Greening the branches: Environmental practices in APA divisions. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

SBT: Plastic No Longer Wave of Future

This morning, one of my colleagues warmly greeted me as the "Bag Lady." I've gladly accepted this moniker since hosting BagFest last year, so hearing this endearing term didn't serve my colleague's intended purpose. She asked if I had read today's SB Tribune. I hadn't; I had just finished teaching my 8:30am research-methods class when we spoke.

So I was pleasantly surprised when she told me about this story in today's SBT. Truth be told, I forgot I was interviewed for this story, which took place at least three weeks ago!

At any rate, I'm very encouraged to see Martin's promote their reusable bag program - so take note - we now get .05 cents off for each reusable bag we bring to Martin's. Woo hoo!!

(For future reference, I'll also post this article in the Media section of the blog.)

UPS: Changing Colors From Brown to Green

I enjoy online shopping. With a click of a button, I have access to stores that aren't located in South Bend, which means I don't have to drive to Chicago to go shopping. But here's the rub: Just because I save a trip, doesn't mean that gas was saved. It still takes fuel to transport my favorite sweater from Timbuktu to my doorstep using UPS. Bah humbug!

Well, my friend Dan pointed me to a recent article published in the NY Times. It looks like UPS is changing their colors from brown to green! I was surprised to learn about their new policy to reduce carbon emissions, mileage, and gas costs for their company.

The policy? Don't make left-hand turns.

It sounds too simple, right? Yet, this minor tweak has provided UPS and the planet with great savings. By reducing the number of left-hand turns, UPS trucks have driven 28.5 million fewer miles and saved 3 million gallons of gas. Wowza!

I'm encouraged to know that businesses are adopting sustainable practices - surely, UPS is reaping economic and environmental benefits from this new policy. That's fantastic news, which is just in time for the holiday (shopping) season!

Eco-Anxious?

Apparently, a new word is surfacing into our modern language dictionary. It's called "eco-anxiety," and it refers to a negative emotional feeling we get when we're not engaging in environmentally-benign activities. There's an article about this in Time Magazine* - it's a cute article, but it left me with a question: Are there any virtues to living a "green" lifestyle? Maybe if I considered the benefits of adopting these eco-friendly behaviors my eco-anxiety would be dramatically reduced.

*Thanks, Len, for sending me the link to this story! :0)

Are We Talking Past Each Other?

Mike Tidwell wrote another guest essay for Grist magazine, this time in response to a commentary written by social scientists who took issue with Tidwell's first essay on voluntary actions not being enough to fix the climate problem.

Tidwell writes:

[The social scientists] accused me -- wrongly -- of dismissing altogether the virtues of voluntary change. As I type this essay from my solar-powered house, with a Prius in the driveway and a vegetarian lunch in the oven, I assure you I view voluntary measures as very important. They just won't save us in time, that's all. The Arctic ice is melting way too fast.

So, are we talking past each other?

Voluntary actions AND legislative changes are needed if we are going to effectively solve the climate problem. (To be clear, this is not an either/or issue.) I think what Tidwell is saying that voluntary action, though necessary, is not sufficient. But in raising the collective consciousness for political action, I think he inadvertently downplayed the role of voluntary action.

The bottom line (I think) is that we're on the same page. But now I'm wondering if the disconnect between Tidwell and the social scientists is how we're communicating this point. I just hope that in communicating this message, we find a way to express our ideas in a cohesive manner.

Social Scientists Respond to Grist Letter

Mike Tidwell certainly ruffled some feathers when he argued that voluntary actions aren't enough to protect the environment and that political legislation is necessary to fix the climate problem.

I was quite discouraged by this report. But thankfully, several bloggers like Beth in the Plastic Fish Tank, Experimentaholic, and Merry Meghan, as well as social scientists from Conservation Psychology, provided me with moral support and encouragement.

I think Tidwell was right when he said political action is needed to make significant changes in reducing global warming. But as I said in a recent comment, political and personal actions should not be considered as mutually-exclusive endeavors. This isn't an either/or situation: Both actions are necessary for making significant changes in our environment.

Anyway, the good news is that several conservation psychologists recently pulled together to write a response to Mike Tidwell's report. The response letter was published in Grist this week. It's entitled "The power of voluntary actions," and I hope you take a moment to read it. If anything, the Tidwell report challenged and strengthened my beliefs concerning the environment. Honestly, I'm grateful for this experience; it's good to be challenged and reminded why we do the things we do to protect the environment.

Tomorrow is Bagonaut's Big Day!

Bagonaut's big day is tomorrow!! I really wish I could transport myself to San Angelo, TX to attend this event. In case you haven't heard, Egon "Bagonaut" Sanders has organized a Big Bag Event to raise public awareness on the consumption of plastic bags. As with any big event, there will be fun activities (e.g., live music, film festival) and insightful discussions about this issue for kids and adults. Bagonaut is also giving away free reusable bags for anyone who donates a canned food item for charity. Plus, the Mayor and State Representative will be in attendance to provide their support--good, we need this kind of political support. People need to know that these environmental issues is everybody's problem, and that everyone needs to pitch in to reduce the negative impact we're imposing on the environment.

And who wants to miss the greatest spectacle of all? Bagonaut will be lowered by crane into the world's largest reusable bag. He'll remain in this bag for 24-hours nonstop starting at 12pm tomorrow!

Good luck, Bagonaut!!! I am sending you positive thoughts and wishing you success for tomorrow's Big Bag Event! :0)

Voluntary Actions Aren't Good Enough

In today's Grist Magazine, I read a provocative article by Mike Tidwell who argues that voluntary actions aren't good enough to solve the climate problem.

I think he may be right.

And it's downright troubling for me to think that my personal attempts to reduce, reuse, and recycle may have no effect on reducing the so-called "ecological footprint" or resolving the current climate crisis we're facing.

So, if personal action is not enough to combat global warming, then what's the alternative solution? To find out about Mike Tidwell's suggestion, click here to read his report.

Cultural Differences in Handling Garbage

I've been curious as to how different cultures regard garbage, recycling, and other environmental issues in their country. A research article I read last night suggested that it doesn't matter whether you're from Russia, Czech Republic, India, New Zealand, Brazil, or Germany, people have the same set of beliefs and attitudes concerning the environment. That is, your concern about environmental issues may stem from one of three attitudes: 1) personal interests (i.e., my health), 2) caring for other people (i.e., children's health), and 3) caring for all living things (i.e., plants & animals). All people, no matter their country of origin, tend to fall in one of those attitudinal categories.

But what about examining people's behavior? Do these attitudes translate into pro-environmental actions? And if so, are there cultural differences in those practices?

In today's Wall Street Journal, there was a story that suggests rather dramatic cultural differences in handling waste. The article focused on a reporter's personal account of handling her garbage in Japan. Not knowing the cultural norms in her area, she inadvertantly placed her trash in her neighbor's garbage spot. Not a big deal, right? WRONG! This is what she found posted on a door one morning:
As she was soon to discover, Japan handles its garbage very seriously. For example, residents must sort their garbage into 34 categories. (Don't worry about remembering all those categories, there's a 48-page booklet that explains the garbage rules.) Residents must also place a blue net over their garbage so that crows don't eat the garbage. And garbage must be thrown away in clear plastic bags so that people know who's recycling and who isn't.

But what was most striking to me was the peer pressure that residents placed on each other. (Case in point: The public shame this reporter felt when she read the note posted on the door.) It appears as though folks in Japan have a shared belief that it takes teamwork to handle garbage properly. And they make sure everyone is doing their part to make this system work efficiently.

From a cultural standpoint, there seems to be significant differences between Japan and the U.S. when it comes to handling waste. I imagine we could learn a lesson or two from the Japanese. As one of the quotes in the booklet stated, "Resources when separated, but garbage when not separated. Think more!"

Confronting Bag Attitudes

Earlier this month, the New York Times filed a report on the consumption of plastic bags. While several legislative changes have been proposed and implemented across the country, and more grocery stores are promoting the sale of reusable bags, some consumers are resisting these bag changes.

I was particularly struck by this quote in the NY Times article:

“I would never be convinced to bring my own bags. Never,” Kathy Young of Dix Hills, N.Y., said recently as she pushed a shopping cart loaded with plastic bags of groceries and her young twins, Dylan and Sarah. “I can hardly remember what I need to get here, let alone bring my own bags.”

This response fascinates me for a number of reasons. First, I'm dismayed by this person's belief that they would be so impervious to change. Perhaps she may reconsider her stance if she had to pay for those plastic bags, or if a social stigma were associated with using plastic bags. Second, this negative attitude signals a missed opportunity for teaching her kids how to become environmentally responsible. It's an understatement to say that children are influenced by their parents (well, that is, until they become teenagers!). This parent could serve as a good role model to her kids by using reusable bags. And third, her comment reminded me of some current research in cognitive psychology, which focuses on people's remembering to perform an intended action (i.e., bringing reusable bags to the grocery store).

More details about prospective memory later, but in the meantime, here's two simple tricks to help folks remember to bring their bags to the grocery store. If you're the type of person who writes a shopping list, just write a note to yourself (like "bring bags!") on that list. And always keep a stash of bags in your car. That way, if you're forgetful like I am, at least the bags will be stored in the car for you to retrieve while you're at the grocery store.

The Plastic Bag is Not Our National Flower

Folks in South Africa used to regard plastic bags as their "national flower" because so many of those bags littered the streets. Well, not anymore. Just last month, legislation was passed to ban the distribution of plastic bags. If retailers are caught using plastic bags, they may be fined $13,800 or sent to jail for 10 years.

Geez, given those stiff penalties, I'm sure there's been a significant decline in using plastic bags!

Shoppers are now responsible for bringing their own reusable bags with them. Is it a big deal to ask folks to bring their own bags when they go shopping? Or put another way, would you like your national flower to be a plastic bag?

Elkhart Recycling Plant Explodes

I heard on the radio this morning that a recycling plant exploded late last night. The fire is so bad that firefighters are still working on the scene to control the blaze. Sadly, one man died while trying to escape from the fire. The captain of the fire department said this is one of the worst fires he's seen in a long time.

How will this explosion affect us? Folks who live near to the recycling plant have been asked to conserve water. Firefighters need all the water they can get to squelch those flames. I can't help but wonder what other repercussions will follow now that this recycling facility is gone.

For more details, click here to read the story published in today's South Bend Tribune.

Churchill the Polar Bear

While surfing the internet, I found this story about Churchill the Polar Bear, who lived at the St. Louis Zoo. Churchill apparently ingested a plastic bag and a bit of cloth. Sadly, the veterinarians couldn't save him on time; he died on the operating table. Gosh, I feel quite morbid as I blog about this polar bear. It just doesn't seem right for an animal to die because he inadvertently ate a plastic bag.

Quick Update: After conducting an online investigation, fellow blogger Kathy Schrenk discovered the date of Churchill's untimely death; he died on May 26, 2005. To read more about this story (and the death of another polar bear at the St. Louis Zoo), click here.

Dateline tonight

Channel 16 tonight on Dateline, paper or plastic.

Texans Protest Against Indiana Wastewater

What does VX nerve gas, Port Arthur, TX, and Indiana wastewater have in common? Puzzled?!? So am I.

I just read a disturbing article in today's South Bend Tribune.

Turns out, residents in Port Arthur, TX are protesting against receiving Indiana's wastewater, which contain a nerve gas called VX. Ok, before I divulge anymore details, here are some basic facts:

* Port Arthur, TX is 90 miles east of Houston, TX (so it's located along the gulf coast).

* According to the 2000 U.S. census, the Port Arthur population is 57,755 (it's a small town).

To get a better perspective on these stats, I googled the distance between South Bend, IN and Port Arthur, TX. It's about an 18-hour journey (1,154 miles away).

But as I just discovered, the chemical plant is located in Newport, IN, approximately 70 miles west of Indianapolis:

To get a better visual of this Port Arthur, TX, I googled the city's name and found this picture:

Here's a photo of one of the shipments:

Ok, now that you have a bit of background information, I encourage you to read the article (click here). And of course, please feel free to post your comment about this story on the blog.

Plastic Bags in the News

I was reading through the new issue of Time (April 16), and under the numbers section which is a list of interesting statistics there was a category about recyclables. It read,

"1,000 Estimated number of years a plastic grocery bag takes to decompose. About a 100 billion plastic bags are distributed annually worldwide. 95% Drop in Ikea plastic-bag use in Britain since the chain began charging for bags last spring. On March 15, Ikea introduced a 5 cent charge per bag in its U.S. stores."

The source was the Progressive Bag Alliance, their website www.progressivebagalliance.com was interesting to view.

Manitoba in Canada bans plastic bags

Check out this link http://news.channels.aol.ca/news/article.adp?id=20070403095909990006

On this site you can even vote whether or not you think plastic shopping bags should be banned.

San Francisco's Plastic Bag Ban

A follow up to an earlier post: Today San Francisco's City Council voted to ban plastic bags that are made from petroleum products. Here is the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-bags.html?_r=1&oref=slogin