Featured Charity: The Ocean Foundation

The World is a dirtier place then it needs to be! If the world becomes too unsustainable, not only do we go but all air breathing life goes with it!!

The average American generates around 87 pounds (39 kg) of e-waste annually, but only about 20% of this is properly recycled​. This is especially bad for the environment because E-waste contains hazardous materials like heavy metals, contributing significantly to environmental pollution when improperly disposed of​. The U.S. disposes of approximately 35 billion plastic bottles annually, yet only around 30% of PET plastic bottles are recycled. Plus, it is estimated that 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the world's oceans each year, posing a severe threat to marine life. In the U.S., around 16.9 million tons of textile waste are generated annually, with an 85% disposal rate in landfills. Only about 15% of textile waste is recycled​​​. This is especially bad because textile waste takes decades to decompose in landfills, which release harmful greenhouse gases and chemicals into the environment. None of this even factors in food waste: the largest component of environmental waste in the US, with over 60% of food waste going into landfills (Source for all info listed: Recycle Track Systems).

It’s not all bad; there is significant reasons for optimism in the fight for a more environmentally friendly world! The largest ocean cleanup project in the history of the world is still underway, thanks to the The Ocean Cleanup, which is not only focusing on oceanic waste but on intercepting plastic in rivers as well (Source: The Ocean Cleanup & 9News). Furthermore, recycling rates in the US have significantly improved over the past 50 years with a near 26% increase in nationwide recycling efforts (Source: US EPA). Air quality is also significantly improving over the past 50 years across first world countries in six major pollutants of Carbon Monoxide, Lead, Nitrogen Oxides, Ozone, Particulate Matter, and Sulfur Dioxide: aka gas produced by fossil fuels (Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce).

Solution 1: Major solutions will have to come from the top-down on global environmental efforts. This means that governments will not only have to pass legislation and fund various projects, but will also have to carefully monitor their undertakings to ensure then they are being followed through. All citizens who live in countries that have freedom of speech protections and/or voting rights must consistently let their local & national representatives know that environmental care is an A-priority! Governments will have to do their part with maximal legislation over the biggest of industries & companies: especially in places such as China, India, United States, Russia, and Japan where fossil fuel emissions are highest. Ideally, a deal akin to the Paris Agreement with maximal follow through would be the best overall solution to this problem!

Solution 2: Waste-to-Energy Facilities such as the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Facility in Jamesville, New York would go a long way in reducing the amount of food waste & the number of landfills nationwide! While expensive to build, this model has proven to be cost effective & environmentally friendly. Implementing Waste-to-Energy facilities across the country would be a start, but to implement them in areas of the world where landfills & waste are most abundant would be the best & most effective solution!

Solution 3: For first world nations steady improvement over the past 50 years, its to stay the Course! As cheesy as this sounds, our methods of air quality control and recycling education and implementation has been working! Accelerations should be made by proper government agencies when practically applicable, but otherwise we should continue to build off of the work we are currently doing.

Time is ticking on our ability to be environmentally conscious. We have the power to act now and make this world a cleaner, more environmentally friendly place for lifetimes to come!

This post was researched with and assisted by ChatGPT.