• Home
  • About
  • Action
  • Calendar
  • News
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
    • 2024 Annual Report
  • Connect
    • Give
    • Sponsor
    • Join
    • Students
  • Resources
  • Media
    • Virtual Events
    • Monthly Member Learning
    • Conversations
    • Sustainable Stories
    • Earth Day 2021
SUSTAINABLE NEWTON
  • Home
  • About
  • Action
  • Calendar
  • News
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
    • 2024 Annual Report
  • Connect
    • Give
    • Sponsor
    • Join
    • Students
  • Resources
  • Media
    • Virtual Events
    • Monthly Member Learning
    • Conversations
    • Sustainable Stories
    • Earth Day 2021

It's the Last Straw for the McQuaides

12/28/2019

0 Comments

 
As we continue sharing New Year's resolutions from our Sustainable Newton Board members, today we hear from Mike McQuaide.  Everyone's next best step is a personal choice, but we hope you each find a meaningful action to take in 2020.  We strive to lead by example, but you can find many great ideas here.
By Mike McQuaide, Sustainable Newton Board Member
Picture
Many of us have been captivated by David Attenborough’s documentary films featuring various dimensions of the natural world.  What is less well known is Attenborough has received considerable criticism from environmental activists for his lack of attention to threats to the sustainability of the natural environment caused by human activity. 

My wife and I watched Attenborough’s most recent series, and it was obvious the criticisms had found their mark.  Each installment featured graphic assaults on the natural processes of the earth.  Some films were difficult to watch, as mother seals would not abandon their dead pups killed by plastics found everywhere in the oceans.  After we watched Attenborough’s documentary on the state of the oceans, our conversation turned to the predictable question of “what can we do?”

Our tentative answer to the perennial question of “how to help?” led us to be much more mindful of our use of plastic.  We bought metal straws we now take with us when we enjoy a restaurant meal.  This way, we don’t use a plastic straw that will not biodegrade and will end up in the ocean.  It is one small change in how we think and act, but these seemingly inconsequential changes can have a significant impact when larger numbers of people adopt the same practices. 

Set one of your New Year’s resolutions to be more actively considerate of the earth’s natural processes and think in terms of the sustainability of our daily practices.  The earth and its inhabitants will thank you.
More Information:

  • How plastics contribute to climate change (Yale Climate Connections) <read more>
  • Plastic straws are little, but they are part of a huge problem (The Washington Post) <read more>
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Air Pollution
    Climate Action
    Climate Change
    Conservation
    Electricity
    Electric Vehicles
    Food & Agriculture
    Forests
    Land Use
    Local Government
    Policy
    Public Health
    Public Opinion
    Renewable Energy
    Solid Waste
    Sustainable Stars
    Transportation
    Trees

    Archives

    March 2025
    January 2025
    February 2024
    January 2024
    October 2023
    August 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    RSS Feed

Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2019-2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Photos from Chemist 4 U, shixart1985 (CC BY 2.0), Juhele_CZ, EarthLED, shixart1985, EcuaVoz, Chemist 4 U
  • Home
  • About
  • Action
  • Calendar
  • News
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
    • 2024 Annual Report
  • Connect
    • Give
    • Sponsor
    • Join
    • Students
  • Resources
  • Media
    • Virtual Events
    • Monthly Member Learning
    • Conversations
    • Sustainable Stories
    • Earth Day 2021