My article on the subject of Health of the Planet – published in the North Renfrew Times on Wedneday   24 July   2019

17 July 2019

Health of the planet

We are all concerned about the health of the planet.   We have a challenge to build a sustainable future .   I am glad that lately this   subject is touched upon in the North Renfrew Times .

It is nice to talk about the   health of the planet.   We should all be constantly focused on that.

Recently I wanted to buy a large balloon with “Happy Birthdays ” inscribed for my grandson’s birthday and also other balloon with his age inscribed .   All helium filled . This would make good colorful decoration   and ambience.

Believe it or not I got vetoed out for that . I was told that the grandson does not want balloons – as that would add to pollution .   Modern day balloons are made from materials such as rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or a nylon fabric .

Balloons are fun and make great decorations. But balloons can be a big problem when they are deliberately released into the environment. The litter is not only a blight on landscapes, waterways, trees and power lines, but balloons and balloon strings can entangle, choke or kill marine life and other animals.

That’s not to mention the wasteful use of helium, a non-renewable resource.

I am proud that my young grandkids are aware of the need for safeguarding the planet. They are the ones who will inherit the world.

When we talk about saving planet – we go on spending thousands of dollars on fireworks during Canada Day or other major festival events. This add pollution in the atmosphere   and we spend our tight tax dollars.

I think there is something morally wrong here.

What   astounds me most is the demoralizing story about how some Canadians have behaved wrongly over last few years – sending our garbage (& used plastic materials ) to other countries of this planet on false documentations (it seems). Canada is losing prestige and trust. This is not the way to improve the health of the planet.

Now we have such Canadian trash coming back from countries such as  Philippines, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

Research  ” on-line  ‘ will bring out the following stories reported in our various national newspapers .

• Containers of Canadian trash that festered in the Philippines for years arrived back in Canada just in time when Canada was to celebrate the country’s 152nd birthday.

The arrival brings nearly to a close the nearly six-year long garbage saga that led to a

diplomatic dispute with the Philippines and drew attention to the growing global problem

of plastic waste.

• 83 shipping containers of plastic garbage were discovered in the main Cambodian port of Sihanoukville, with what Cambodian media reports say were fake import documents labeling the containers as recyclables.

Cambodia says 11 containers of Canadian trash were among illegal garbage shipments.

• Malaysian officials  opened a shipping container  filled with plastic bags from major Canadian chains, as well as product packaging stamped with “Made in Canada” labels from recognizable  brands.

Please note as far as I understand – Canadian officials have not yet explained how the garbage is leaving Canada without permits or what, if anything, can be done to halt the practice.

And we say for us the health of the planet is important   and we want to save planet – whose planet ?

Let us be not coy. Let us accept the reality that saving planet is not easy and every small step by individuals is worthy of admiration specially our children’s view is important .

Also   our honesty will win the day – and let us stop the practice of sending our trash to other countries of the world .