Heating up - human action against human-induced warming
Two types of challenges this July - Plastic Free July, and the heat
Summer has officially begun, about ten days back we saw our longest day of the year. Summer seems to be off to a raging start with heat waves ensuing across the country and record-breaking temperatures in regions that typically see more mild summers. It is not specifically the summers that we see warmer annual temperatures with the rise of human-induced global warming (NOAA 2020). Yet, summer seems to warrant the most attention as the temperatures rise to more daunting levels. As July is upon us, we are fully immersed into the summer season and we begin to reach the hottest month of the year. On a global average, July is the hottest month with each July seemingly passing its previous record. This is a concerning trend, as July 2019 had been the hottest July on record and based on these trends, the five hottest Julys occurred within the last five years (New York Times 2020).
This may or may not be a coincidence, but July is also the month dedicated to going plastic free. The movement, or campaign titled Plastic Free July has been taken up by millions of participants across the world, companies and individuals alike, to reduce plastic waste. Taken in full-force, Plastic Free July is just that, it is the removal or omission of single use plastic items for the month. Like any cleanse or key diet, it is a focused effort and removal of certain items from one’s routine. It is both like a challenge and like a cleanse. Similar to undergoing the Whole 30 for a month or a juice cleanse, Plastic Free July seeks to extract potentially harmful aspects from the everyday and allow the participant to reflect on what they consume, in whatever sense that may be. Going plastic free, especially for a month, can sound like a daunting undertaking as plastic has become such a pervasive aspect of our consumption. It certainly is no small feat but Plastic Free July offers resources and tips to make an impact and have a meaningful time participating.
To participate in the challenge that starts this month, a participant can take a pledge to engage in the challenge how they best see fit. This involves how and where one sees opportunity to participate, at what level of engagement they looking to participate, and timeline of commitment (Plastic Free July).
The first question in the pledge poses the how and where, with check boxes in the form of a ‘check all that apply’ question. Given it can be impossible to dictate the consumption of others around you, and how that influences your own life (e.g. certain products your company buys for its employees, including you), one can choose to focus on areas of control. This could mean an individual chooses to participate at home, at work as an employee or an employer, in a council, or at school to name a few key options (Plastic Free July). This involvement could be restricted to a focused span of intention or as all-encompassing as one chooses.
For level of involvement, the pledge offers three options, “This is my first Plastic Free July,” “Looking for next steps (like finding solutions for trickier items), and “I'm ready to spread the word (organizing events and/or sharing ideas to help others)” (Plastic Free July). This is also a ‘check all that apply’ question, meaning despite that it may be one’s first time engaging in the challenge, one can look for helpful next steps or spread the word.
Types of engagement could include 1.) avoiding single-use plastic packaging 2.) a targeted approach directed at key items, with the top four items being bags, bottles, straws and coffee cups, and 3.) going completely plastic-free. In terms of timing, users can pledge to do as little or as much as they choose, with selection of one day, one week, all of July, and from now on (Plastic Free July).
Consciously removing plastics and placing effort to reduce single use plastics is important and admirable on any scale, and for the month of July for many it takes more center stage. The campaigns by Plastic Free July offer tips and tricks regularly to get started, for next steps, and how to engage in different spaces such as at work and during events. A lot of such waste can be avoided by planning ahead. Plastic use during trips to the grocery store, to the coffee shop, and to restaurants to name a few can be reduced or avoided with intentional planning. For these cases one could supplement reusable produce and carryout bags, a thermos/ reusable straw, and container from home respectively. By developing such a plan, one can more easily cut out items that are not needed or will not provide benefit.
Additionally, a number of eco-friendly businesses offer discounts over the course of July with their own Plastic Free July codes and sales. Be sure to check out and incorporate reusable items into your routine and support small businesses.
Based on the trends mentioned we can predict hotter temperatures and records that we do not wish to break. However, we can also find ways to engage that work against the human-induced aspect of climate change and encourage others to participate at individual and business levels.
Happy Plastic Free July, and until next week, stay savvy.
“Be Part of the Solution.” Plastic Free July, Plastic Free Foundation, 24 June 2021, www.plasticfreejuly.org/.
Fountain, Henry, and John Schwartz. “Scientists Predict Scorching Temperatures to Last Through Summer.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 18 June 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/climate/summer-weather-prediction.html.
Leslie, John. “July 2020 Was Record Hot for N. Hemisphere, 2nd Hottest for Planet.” July 2020 Was Record Hot for N. Hemisphere, 2nd Hottest for Planet | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 13 Aug. 2020, www.noaa.gov/news/july-2020-was-record-hot-for-n-hemisphere-2nd-hottest-for-planet.