I received this from Dan Jacobson and thought I would pass it on.
With Earth Day coming up next Friday, a lot of people are asking me what they can do for the environment.
Here’s one thing anyone can do: Pledge to bring along a reusable bag when you go shopping and say no to single-use plastic bags.
When you pledge, you can write a personal note explaining why you’re switching to reusable bags. Over the next week, we’ll post our favorite responses on our Facebook page (and hopefully get even more people inspired to make the switch).
Cutting plastic pollution is essential for the health of the Pacific and its creatures. As I’ve mentioned in emails to you before, plastic bags are especially troublesome, because millions of sea birds and marine animals choke on them after mistaking them for food in the water. [1]
Now, I know what a lot of you are thinking: “I already bring along a reusable bag when I go shopping.”
That’s great! By signing our pledge, you’re sending a message to our leaders that Californians are ready to move beyond single-use plastic bags, and giving us a push in our efforts to institute bag bans across the state.
Local bans on single-use plastic bags – already in place in 11 California cities and counties – are absolutely working. These efforts to cut plastic pollution, along with the impact of those of us who already bring along a reusable bag to the grocery store, have reduced California’s annual use of plastic bags by a third over the past couple of years – from 18.2 billion to 11.9 billion in just two years. [2]
Click here to take the pledge and help make a difference for the Pacific and its creatures.
Then, spread the word to your friends and neighbors who are looking for a way to help the environment this Earth Day, and join us on Facebook.
Thanks for making it all possible,
Dan Jacobson
Environment California Legislative Director
[1] “Sea Turtle Threats: Marine Debris,” Sea Turtle Conservancy, Jan. 13, 2011.
[2] “Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures 2009,” United States Environmental Protection Agency, Feb. 16, 2011.