Fossil fuel based plastic lasts forever, destroys oceans, creates mountains of ugly waste, gets into our food and into our bodies. It was wonderful when it was invented, and has, like so many good things, become a problem because it is now everywhere and is damaging to the environment and to our bodies. But...
There are alternatives. It seems that people have figured out how to use cork - cork! - to replace plastic.
"Now cork is experiencing a revival as more industries look for sustainable alternatives to plastic and other materials derived from fossil fuels. The bark is now used for flooring and furniture, to make shoes and clothes and as insulation in homes and electric cars. Portugal’s exports reached an all-time high of 670 million euro ($728 million) in the first half of 2023."
And the cork trees are not cut down, just the bark is stripped off and regrows in about 9 years. So, the trees still pull carbon out of the atmosphere.
I believe in the resilience and innovation of our human species and I celebrate advances in sustainable technology. California just experienced Climate Change driven massive floods and wind. Earlier the wandering winter jet stream brought an arctic winter into the Northern states and down into parts of the South.
But many people are dedicated to reducing our carbon pollutions into the atmosphere. And I am glad to see examples of them.
