The metric system, smoking, carbon tax and reducing plastic pollution all require us to accept change to make things better in the future… for our children and our grandchildren. What can we do to help people change when it's really important?
The Metric System
Canada changed from miles, ounces and Fahrenheit degrees to the metric system of kilometers, grams and Celsius degrees back in the 1970’s. I was in university then and found it a bit easier since my high school science labs had been in metric, but they made it easier by giving measurements, like weather temperatures and speed signs, in both systems for years until everyone got used to the new system.
We also bought thermometers and rulers with both scales on them. I told customers not to convert fever temperatures but, instead, to just remember that 37C was normal and 40C was really high (equal to 104F). For pharmacists, actually, it was a relief…as we had to learn the Canadian system of weights and measures (like the British), the American system (with it’s slightly different ounce and gallon), the metric system AND the obscure Apothecary system with it’s grains, scruples, drams and ounces (yes…pharmacists do have scruples!). It was a relief to use the simple conversions of the metric system!
So, our government legislated the change but continued the old system until everyone became used to the new way of measuring.
Smoking
To discourage smoking, based on research showing second hand smoking is harmful, cities banned smoking in public and eventually in restaurants and other public areas. This made smoking an activity that had to be done in a special area and not acceptable everywhere as it had been. Along with government-sponsored education, this “denormalization” of smoking has led to steadily decreasing rates of smoking in North America.
A combination of restricting where smoking was acceptable and educating people why it was dangerous worked to gradually change behaviour. However, I read this week that smoking rates have increased again recently, possibly due to the availability and popularity of e-cigarettes. There’s still more work for governments to do to eliminate this harmful habit, but there are still fewer smokers than there once were!
Carbon Tax
The Carbon Tax is a fee imposed on the burning of polluting carbon-based fuels, like coal, oil and gas. While the tax is much debated, experts say it will change behaviour: The tax will encourage people to choose products and services that are less polluting to avoid the tax. Nothing like money to make people consider changing! Our Canadian government tells us the Canadian version of this tax will be revenue-neutral for government and much of the population - the tax collected will be rebated to consumers – but studies say it will still work as an incentive to change.
Plastics
There’s a huge problem with plastic that most of us don’t see… tons of plastic waste are ending up in our oceans and lakes and it takes years and years to degrade. As it breaks down it becomes “microplastics” that enter our food supply. Substances in plastics affect our hormone function and our health.
So, what can be learned from other system changes we’ve made that can be applied to plastics? We need awareness, education and system changes to make us want to correct what we’re doing. Scientists estimate that by 2050 there will be more plastic by weight in oceans than sea life…
Here are 9 suggestions for things you can do:
Use reusable items instead of disposable:
This includes bags, cutlery, straws, coffee cups, plastic wrap and anything else you can think of.
Stop buying bottled water
Filter water instead and use reusable bottles. You can even get bottles with a filter built in!
Boycott products with plastic microbeads, such as soaps, body wash, toothpaste.
These tiny beads often slip through water treatment systems and look like food to fish.
Microbeads are already banned in some countries.
Cook more at home to avoid packaging.
If you do order out, ask for no cutlery to be added to your order.
Buy second-hand.
Second-hand items are not packaged, you’ll prevent these items from ending up in landfill and you’ll save money!
Recycle!
Already many communities require us to separate plastics and other items in our garbage, so they can be recycled. And in some communities, if you don’t, they may just leave your garbage at the curb (my neighbours call them the garbage police!). So, changes are happening at the community level. However, not all communities participate in separating and recycling garbage. If yours doesn’t, suggest it!
And recycle in your home too! Reusing plastic bags and containers means fewer will end up in the garbage.
Support bag charges and bans.
These can be one of the fastest ways to make people change their habits quickly.
Buy in bulk (yogurt, snacks, etc.).
Buy large sizes and repackage these into reusable containers or, better yet, make your own snacks! Might be tastier and better for you too…
Put pressure on manufacturers and retailers to change.
Email, Tweet or just buy elsewhere when you notice bad plastic practices!
Please watch the short video on the plastic problem on the Plastic Pollution Coalition website. In addition to further explaining the problems we are facing with excess use of single-use plastic, there are links to information on how to reduce the problem and live “plastic free”.
