Posted by
Gar on Sunday, March 09, 2008 9:38:40 PM
Mass hysteria reigns supreme in the Envirowacko world. Plasitc bags have been blamed for causing the deaths of hudrdes of thousands of mammals, sea life and birds. Great hype if it were only true.
The original study [link] on which the premise was made included a statement which indicated "one hundred thousand marine animals are killed annualy by plstic bags."
That statement is what caused the furor to errupt and is quoted by most environmentalists to plead the cause of removing plastic bags from the waste stream.
Unfortunately that is not what the origianl study mentioned. The origianl study did mention one hudred thousand marine ani,as were killed in a four year tem by plastic debris. That debris though includes fishing equipment (which are discarded fishing nets.)
Far from being the enviromental disaster proclaimed by all of the self styled Planetary Saviors, plastic bags pose no more danger to marine animals than the typical lawnmower, unless it happens to be dropped off a boat mid ocean and it then happens to squash a crustacean on the sea floor.
The odds of a marine animal being harmed by a plastic bag are reather small I should imagine. The average porpoise appears to be smart enough not to stuff one down its blow hole. I wish I could say the same for the Envirowackos so desparately in need of a new cause every year to tout and feel good about.
The larger issue for myself is the manner in which these causes detract from real problems. Even a very gullible public can be soon sated on disaster news, only to turn away from truly important issues when help or remediation is required.
The old story about the boy who cried wolf once too often comes to mind in this case. When a real environmental disaster looms on the horizon next, how many will simply nod their heads and pay no attention?