China bans plastic bags
January 13th, 2008 by AndyIt’s kinda old news now, but if you haven’t heard, China has moved to ban plastic shopping bags. People there are using about 3 billion of the bags a day, so the benefits of a ban are probably pretty great. What I find truly fascinating is the ability of an authoritarian government to institute environmental changes. While here in Canada the smallest changes result in huge backlash, the Chinese government has simply said that they would confiscate a store’s merchandise and profits if they are found handing out plastic bags. Imagine the outrage here if the City of Toronto proposed the same penalties. I’d be pretty torn, which is the whole issue. Meaningful environmental change will probably require infringements on a lot of the “freedom” we feel we deserve. It’s going to be interesting.
January 14th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
you’re surprised that fascism gets shit done?
errrr.. millions of jews?
January 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Not really surprised. I just find it ironic that while we espouse the wonders of democracy, it is authoritarian countries that are moving faster to solve their environmental problems. However, I doubt too many people will get depressed over a plastic bag holocaust.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I’ve been thinking about the exact same things. (Not plastic bags, specifically.)
Wrote a long and rambly post on http://www.flatplanet.net. You guys should set me straight.
I would mourn petroleum tears for those plastic bags.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
“Cry” petroleum tears, even.
January 18th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Freedoms have limits though. For example, I am free to choose what I do on my property, but if I put a toxic dump on it and the fumes make you sick you can sue me. In actuality we owe it to future generations to provide them with a “resonable” environment. For the sake of argument, future generations could “sue” us for sucking up all the non-renewable resources and polluting the planet with non-biodegradable shopping bags. My point is that a lot of environmental policy could arguably be providing freedom, not infringing on it.