Plastic: Our Toxic Addiction

The old adage about the free lunch fits plastic perfectly – there there is no such thing. Yes, at first it was shiny, bright and inexpensive and seemed like it could be used for almost anything – until we got the price tag. And now it might be too late to fix it.

100 years down the road the world is discovering the myriad unintended consequences of plastic which far outweigh its cheap convenience. Almost daily, scientific research brings us fresh horrors about plastic; it is no longer just turtles or whales choking on the stuff, now it has invaded us. Microplastics are in our blood, human breastmilk and even our brains. Little did we know that when we put plastic into medical devices and food packaging, it would leach into those syringes and water bottles causing dangerous health consequences intrinsically and extrinsically.

Only 5% of plastic can be recycled so that means 95% is being dumped into our oceans, landfills and bodies at an unremitting pace. What can be done to break our toxic addiction to plastic, and to terminate its lethal global legacy?

To help us understand the scale of the problem and see what steps California and other countries are already taking with the Global Plastics Treaty – Cambridge Forum's Executive Director, Mary Stack, speaks to John Hocevar, Greenpeace’s Oceans Campaign Director, Veronique Greenwood, a science journalist and essayist who frequently contributes to the New York Times, the BBC, and National Geographic and Dr. Roberto Lucchini, professor of Occupational and Environmental Health at International University of Florida.

- Contents of the video -
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:00:32 - Welcome Remarks
0:02:30 - Discussion Start
1:04:08 - Closing Remarks

GBH Forum Network ~ Free online lectures: Explore a world of ideas

[Reason-n-Rhyme]

The only way to speed up good regulation and slow down multiplication of new toxic materials is to have political term limits. The congressmen/women would then break their addicted to big business contributions & pressure. Those who want a career in congress are heavily tempted to pander to big business lobbies. Then maybe government could become more independent, objective, and force rational reforms.

1. Congressional term limits.
2. Ban political contributions from big business.
3. Cap individual contributions ($10, 000 ?) for wealthy elite, so their money does not pull any strings.
4. Ban most political lobbyist. Business needs to provide advice at times but balance with pure science, green groups, etc.
5. No revolving door from congress and regulators to lucrative jobs in big business.
6. Require manufacturers to prove the safety of a new material before regulators who have teeth and public-good incentives.
7. Push plastic manufacturers to switch to green replacement products.

This all takes public education and wise voting. Change the culture.