Our catch phrase is on its way.
Dear Fellow Earthlings:
Way back in Installments 17 and 18 I noted how huge amounts of plastic make up a major portion of huge "islands" of trash that have formed in the Pacific Ocean. These so-called islands tend to form because plastic is non-biodegradable. It just stays forever -- unless you burn it. But by burning it, you release hydrocarbons into our atmosphere, thus polluting the air we breathe and increasing the intensity of the greenhouse effect.
To some extent, we CAN recycle plastic -- but recycling does not lead to a drop in the amount of plastic on Earth. Burying it does not work, either. After all, sweeping filth under a rug does not get rid of that filth!
In late June of this year (2016) I read an article from the Jakarta Post, written by Duncan Graham. In that article, Graham told of how two young ladies -- Isabel and Melati Wijsen -- are using not only physical efforts to pick up discarded plastic bags but also very effective social networking in their efforts to eliminate plastic bags on the island of Bali in their native Indonesia. i
Isabel and Melati are truly Earthsavers!
Their social media skills have allowed them to communicate to millions of people their ideas for ridding the once pristine island of Bali from the scourge of plastic bags.
Easier said than done! The Wijsen sisters are learning that! But they ARE trying! As Melati herself says, "With our friends we've been running Bye-bye Plastic Bags since 2013 and it's true that it has become tiring,"
Ladies, I know what you mean! I, too, have been trying to save Earth since 2013 -- and as yet have little to show for it!! I must admit that I too am getting a bit tired...
The Wijsen sisters' ability to use social media has put them leaps and bounds ahead of me in the effort to save Earth. I hope to do what they do! They are my mentors!.
Isabel and Melati even have a TED presentation under their belts. So their ideas are becoming well known around the world.
In case you don't know, "TED" stands for "Technology, Entertainment and Design" It began in 1984. Available in 100 different languages, TED presentations can help make all of us more aware of not only the challenges we Earthlings face regarding the future of Earth and its living creatures but also of ideas for meeting those challenges.
It is important that we walk the walk and not just talk the talk! Otherwise, our chances for saving Earth will be greatly diminished!
Steve Walker Earthsaver and Jingles Creator
© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.