Column: Symonds On Single-Use Plastics & More
[Opinion column written by OBA candidate Malachi Symonds]
We live in a world where, at times, convenience comes with a high cost.
Single-use plastics have emerged as a major contributor to both environmental degradation and public health crises.
A recent study revealed that plastics were responsible for producing 5.3% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 and 12% of the world’s oil demand.
With plastic production forecast to likely double — and possibly triple — by 2050, plastic production is undermining the world’s effort to control the climate crisis.
The One Bermuda Alliance understands the importance of reducing single-use plastics in Bermuda. In 2021, the OBA took the bipartisan step of presenting the current government with legislation we prepared so that it could be considered as part of the PLP’s announced consultation on this important initiative.
Bermuda has yet to see any tangible results.
At the heart of the OBA Bill is a recognition that the reduction — and eventual elimination — of single use plastics on our Island will best succeed by adopting a gradual process. We also recognize that progress will not happen unless and until our Island has the collective courage to take the very first step.
To us, a gradual process means a collaborative approach – seeking buy-in from as many as possible along the way.
We don’t want to negatively impact businesses that currently depend on some of these items to make an income. And we appreciate that in certain circumstances – for example medicine and fishing — replacement of certain products will take some time.
Yet we also know the impacts single use plastics are having on the community and the global environment.
What we believe is needed is a legislative road map, starting first with gradual and targeted reduction of certain non-essential single use plastic items. And then eventually arriving at elimination of identified items — not by heavy-handed mandate, but by consensus and collaboration.
The OBA proposed legislation starts with a few items for removal over the short term period and, importantly, it then provides a mechanism for other items of single use plastic to be gradually considered for removal over time, and by initiative and discretion.
The approach we propose will allow transition time for the development of non-plastic alternatives – as well as the sourcing of existing alternatives, recognizing that price of alternatives is also an important factor here.
The OBA is committed to improving Bermuda for all its stake holders.
And our proposed reduction of single use plastics is not merely driven by environmental concerns.
The chemicals found in plastic are also likely to be one of the causes of our health crisis. This is because the chemicals associated with plastics are linked to a wide range of diseases.
Some of the chemicals found in plastic are endocrine disrupters which are linked to a steady decline in human fertility.
Shockingly, studies have shown that global fertility rates have plummeted by 50% from 1973 to 2011, a trend attributed to exposure to environmental chemicals such as those in plastics and lifestyle factors.
Our exposure to micro and nano plastics is also causing alarm. According to a recent study, the impact of chemicals used in plastic materials added $745 a year per person to US healthcare expenses. The consequences of our reliance on plastics extend far beyond environmental concerns, penetrating deep into the fabric of our well-being. The potential benefits of embracing a plastic-free future are not just environmental; they are economic, social, and health-related.
Amidst these daunting challenges, a beacon of hope shines on the horizon. Sustainable solutions that reduce our dependance on single-use plastics in Bermuda are coming into our market. The transition towards using alternative materials like fiber, aluminum, and glass, coupled with a robust recycling infrastructure, holds the promise creating a more sustainable Bermuda and revolutionizing our economy.
One of our eventual goals should be for all potable water to be sold in bottles that aren’t plastic. Water is a necessity for life and should be as healthy as possible. This should help to reduce healthcare costs as well. By embracing these and other environmental changes, Bermuda can unlock opportunities to create new industries, generate employment, enhance public health, stimulate tourism and lower healthcare costs.
While change may require adjustments and will doubtless take some time to implement, collective action and support are paramount in fostering a sustainable future for Bermuda.
Let us rally behind environmental initiatives, embrace conscious consumption, and pave the way towards a greener, healthier Bermuda for generations to come. Using wholistic solutions that address the problems and not the causes, we need to make a step towards changing policies that will benefit all.
By standing together, empowering one another, and championing sustainable practices, we have the power to transform our island into a beacon of environmental stewardship and well-being.
The time to start this change is now. Let’s take that first step together.
- Malachi Symonds, OBA Constituency 15 candidate
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Category: All, Environment, News
Please, Malachi, add single-use water bottles to the first tranche of single-use plastics that will be banned in the overdue legislation. Water can come in aluminum cans so that we can at least recycle the can which will be much more sustainable, especially once we have mandatory recycling put in place. Thank you.
That’s obvious. So is his strategy well thought out? Has he consulted?
IF ! Canada ,USA , Mexico , and South America ,all went 100 % green tomorrow it would no make one bit of difference.
Big problems need a big response with respect to global warming ti takes alot more than plastic
The powers that be have delayerd their responce to say 2050 this make you wonder why ?
Here are my though where. to squarely put the entire blame if tha eve wil solve part of the problem which i doubt.
Golbal Warming
All this started back during the industrial revolution when people and industry was burning coat fires !
How can i not I admire you vanient attenpt to save to planet.
Question ? Who is responsible for global warming, it is the wealthy man ?
It is certainly not the poor man who can not afford all the toys.
Its the guy with the big bucks.
He is part of the very large foot print on his comfort zone list
Six high V8 cars
4 suv wagons.
private jet.
three boats two small an one very large one.
four fully airconditioned homes in Europe .
A cottage by the lake .
4 to 8 trip on the jet to Europe return .
Who do you think depbates all this , he an his buddies in blue suits on global warming problem and get no us where .
Now who do you think they put blame for all this on. it is YOU and I !
May be all the damage is done and we can not do a thing about it.
we and all the kings men can not reverse Mother Nature.
May i ask why are the winters so cold may be it is not man being responsible for the problemas death vealley wil alway be hot .
Our universe so big and beyond all humane contemplation there are billion of planets an sub stars similay to ours
more tha every graineof sand on all the beaches of this world.
did you know that over planet colide with one another i mars coming this way .in a billion years from now
ALSO
Could all the be related to several active Volcanoes on the go for centuries
Masive forest fires all over the planet on the go also for centuries
India’s industrial revolution same for China as they have to feed the giant populations
Past nuke testing.
Over population 8 billion persons
People throwing their rubish in the sea.
Waste goes in our rivers.
NUKE power stations.
Plouted oceans from past wars .
Wars going on as wrtitr this ,.
Planes there are 4000 at any one time over the USA
Massive ships.
Let me see if i can get through these thoughts without the spell check, mal functioning ,causing me a degree of embarasement ,and frustrasion on your part.
I am watching my computer dying before my very eyes that is so sad .
My comments above I mentioned that planets collide with one another and smash into little bits that tell me that they do not folow their elliptical orbits around their Suns exactly the same as say in their previous years , so I can only presume that goes the same for planet Earth.
Many summers ago our planet went through an ice age, it could happen again.
The universe is constantly expanding which effects planet Earth also as does many other planets ,it’s the shifting sands of time, then again our Sun also change in its intensity they call it” sun spots” which occur ever eleven years that situation effects radio comunication over our entire planet.
We hear on Earth are looking at constant changes partly caused by our elliptical orbit, just like a bunch of guys playing foot ball runnin all over the place. We live under constant change, as i no longer walk to work or any where for that matter.
We can blame our life style and at the same time praise the rain that cleans up this earth’s polution in certain places.
Our 8 + billion people concerned me when it comes to feeding our selves ,the problen there is food production cause polution, so it is somewhat difficult to get people to change their life styles or mating habits from one country to the next.
May be we here can only make some minor adjustments to our own life styles because we are imploding in on our own selves, with our rush hour traffic.
We have a problem here evey one wants to tell the other what to do and when to do it with this, do as i say, not what do, controling attitude .
Here no body will corporate with a NEW BERMUDA it is call Flexi Time we don’t want to change our annual seasonal tourist vacation dates to spread the load as not ever one in the USA goes on holiday at the same time.
Hey guys you got to wear a hat these days and use the Sun to our advantage .
Save money ,water and save Bermuda from its own self .
Pac men for Parliament. A much better response to this problem.