Much more political and citizen action is needed to solve plastic pollution, a longtime crisis.
The planet has been inundated with plastic. It covers much of the food bought in grocery stores and many products delivered to homes.
The Guardian newspaper reported that of all plastic waste generated by American households in 2021, only about five to six percent was recycled, according to research by Greenpeace. Of all plastic created, only nine percent has been collected. While efforts have been underway to move from fossil fuels to renewable energy, some members of Big Oil have promoted use of plastics and have increased its production.
A comprehensive way to address this crisis is a bill called the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, reintroduced this year and gaining momentum with more co-sponsors. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Rep. Jared Huffman of California sponsored it. Its provisions include reducing single-use plastics, providing accountability to corporations responsible for plastic pollution and creating a nationwide refund program for beverage containers.
The bill needs more support so that the country can end plastic pollution.
Sondra Levin, Loxahatchee
The writer is a member of the Sierra Club.
Once again, I’m reading in the Sun Sentinel about the Broward County School District squandering millions of dollars, this time on new emergency intercom systems that never worked or fit their needs, according to a new audit.
Doesn’t the district have experts who do research prior to purchasing these expensive systems — or anything else, for that matter?
Are they being smooth-talked, bamboozled, or is something much worse at work here?
It is just such a shame that our hard-earned tax dollars are going to a school district that appears to be incompetent with so much public money it receives.
The district could have put this money into paying teachers much more decent wages. No wonder the school district is having problems. It’s shameful.
Diane Miller, Plantation
I would go as far as saying that I’m looking forward to moving out of Florida. I initially came here for the weather, nature (the Everglades), low cost of living and cleanliness.
The weather will always be great, but a low cost of living? That’s out the door.
To me, a wildlife photographer, the Everglades are most important. The amount of destruction is unbearable. The building that has gone on since I came here in 1993 is so sad.
Our precious national park is being drained due to housing construction and the population explosion. We read about bears and alligators entering people’s properties, but in reality, it’s their homes that we continue to steal. Then FWC is called to have these precious animals killed for our so-called safety.
My final criticism is the amount of trash dumped everywhere. I can go deep in the Everglades and find plastic bottles and diapers on the roads. We humans are the most destructive creatures in this world.
Hal Kreitman, Tamarac
I’m not surprised about Gov. DeSantis’ cuts in the arts and culture budget and I find Rep. Chip LaMarca’s expression of disappointment disingenuous.
Hasn’t LaMarca heard about the governor’s campaign again “wokeness”? In that context, anything that has to do with arts or culture is suspect.
Fred Fejes, Ph.D., Fort Lauderdale
The writer is resident scholar, Stonewall Museum and Archives, Fort Lauderdale
