Plastic Straws Don't Suck for Everybody

Dear Friends,

I know that there is a great deal of misery in the world today. Toronto is still reeling from the horrific attack that murdered ten and grotesquely injured fourteen others last week. Our collective recovery will surely take time. There are horrors every single day coming out of Syria. There is an Orange Menace in the White House and there is a strange and most probably ugly election campaign coming to saturate Ontario airwaves this spring. 

And yet.....

I want to discuss what seems to be the overriding issue that is on most everybody's mind these days. That being the rush to ban plastic straws from our communities. I cannot open up any of my social media or any news report lately, without somebody preaching about the evils of the dreaded suckers. (See what I did there?) It seems to have taken on a life of its own online, with viral stories about choking turtles or waste washing up on a beach somewhere, coming forth on a daily basis.

And it is a real issue. I won't pretend that it isn't. The problem of unwanted and discarded plastics into our oceans, landfills, and public spaces is an epidemic problem plaguing the entire world. Scientists estimate that we as a global society have produced approximately 8.3 billion tonnes of plastics since the 1950s and about 6.3 billion tonnes of that has already become waste.  According to the Ocean Conservancy, 

More than 330,000 pieces of plastic and foam waste were picked off 2,800 kilometres of Canada's shoreline  by volunteers during beach cleanup events last year, including 17,654 straws — the ninth most common item found during cleanups supported by Ocean Wise and WWF-Canada. Worldwide, 409,087 straws and stirrers were picked up in beach cleanups around the world in 2017.

Single-use plastic straws make up about 4% of discarded plastics in total. It seems like it should be an easy win. Put pressure on governments and fast-food chains to ban the insidious little things that, according to activists, nobody really needs anyway. It seems perfect, except the whole premise is fundamentally flawed. 

Now, anybody who knows me or reads this space with any regularity understands the commitment I have to green initiatives. I am a conscientious vegetarian with a left-leaning propensity to vegan. I have found a way to grow my own herbs in a hydroponic method in our condo. We shop the farmer's markets and use locally sourced whenever possible. I rarely use plastic shopping bags, preferring bins or cloth bags, and we have recently made the switch to mesh produce bags for our market purchases. The Husband drives a completely electric car and both of us try to use public transit or walk to our destinations on a regular basis. We are far from perfect in our greening attempts and there are many things we could and should do better but this online lecture many of my friends are delivering about the evils of plastic straw use has me riled up for one very good reason. There is a dear person in my life who depends on these items as her literal lifeline. 

I am not exaggerating the issue here. Without a plastic straw (not a metal or paper one) she could not take in liquids. And, she isn't alone. There are many people who live with challenges that require the use of a plastic straw. Many stroke patients cannot adequately drink from a cup. A paper straw disintegrates when it comes in constant contact with saliva. A metal straw doesn't adequately bend to the necessary and personalized degrees needed for intake. Reuseable straws need to be properly cleaned and sanitized, something that people with fine motor issues cannot adequately do. Plastic straws have given many in our communities an independence and dignity to drink in public without spilling or spitting. A total ban would be telling these individuals that they shouldn't be afforded that privilege. Forcing them to request one at an eating establishment is an embarrassment for many and greatly reduces their dignity.

I wonder how many out there, those who are advocating with these silly memes and Facebook campaigns, are taking other conclusive measures to reduce their own environmental footprints. Did they drive to the establishments at which they are refusing the straw? Did they order a burger? Did they drink fair-trade coffee or eat fair-trade chocolate? Often times, we tend to go for the easy wins when a solution that is far more thoughtful or considered is really all that is necessary. Educating the public on the issue of the overabundance of plastic in our environment is essential and advocating for the reduction of single-use plastic straws is really a good thing, but allowing each person to make a thoughtful and informed choice is imperative. I am all for a reduction in plastics in all its forms and I do try to be conscious of what I am using on a daily basis. I honestly don't use straws all that often and I am more than willing to forgo the plastic kind and purchase a reuseable device for myself to use during my once a month Starbucks visits because I am able. But a ban for everybody? No. That is a bridge too far that further alienates many who rely on them.

A little thoughtfulness goes a long way. Let's all try and be a bit more respectful of those who have different needs.

Going Green on the Left Coast

There is an ease in the lifestyle out here in British Columbia that makes an old libtard like me feel right at home. I feel a true forwardness in philosophy and a conscientious effort on the part of the people to live their best lives. Now, don't get me wrong. I would abhor the 200+ days of dreary, rainy weather, but I find the adroitness of the creativity and naturality out here most appealing.

Those qualities were on full display in our two major stops today. Wandering through the luxurious florals at Butchart Gardens in Victoria reminded me that the gift of natural splendour is greatly enhanced when guided by a gifted creative force. There was very little that seemed out of place in the gardens that Jennie Butchart bequeathed to the people of British Columbia. Vibrant colours bursting out of all species of flora were placed in perfect harmony with a brilliant architectural design. I could have sat for hours in the rose garden or quietly meditated in the Japanese garden. But I think that I loved the old Victorian English layout the best. Crafted out of an old quarry, the place gave off the impression of a grand fairyland filled with leafy vines and colours of all varieties. There is a sense here that the outside world can wait for just a bit while one's consciousness is renewed and reinvigorated. Sigmund Freud once said "Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor conflicts."

And if that wasn't enough to stir the environmentalist in me, we decided to visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park just as evening was setting in Vancouver. The jaunt across the 450ft long and 230 ft high bridge that is described as "reassuringly wobbly since 1889" was a motion-sickness nightmare. My equilibrium was off immediately as I set foot on the expanse and I felt appropriately nauseated, but I wasn't about to let it deter me. The rainforest ecosystem must be properly viewed from above else it is lost in muddled descriptions. The Treetops adventure of seven suspension bridges through the enormous Douglas firs is enough to bring even the worst acrophobic to his knees, but it is a must experience. As is the cliff walk that is suspended along the granite cliff faces of the canyon, but my height-fearing friend chose to sit that one out. Vancouver has really figured out how to live green and the park at Capilano is a testament to that resolve.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention my heart on his birthday. I can't think of a better way or  better place in which to celebrate his day. We finished off a wonderful jaunt with a wonderful meal at an amazing vegan joint in Gas Town. Happy Birthday to The Husband. May all of our days be as lovely as today.

Another Almost Wordless Wednesday

Here is another in my monthlong pictorial of natural beauty witnessed this year. Today's photo is from Talon Lake in the Kawarthas. Twin Son and His Better Half have a cottage getaway that is a snapshot in serenity. I am so very appreciative each and every time an invitation is extended. This particular image was snapped at sunset in July.

Nature's Miracle at My Back Door

Proverbs 12:10 states;

"The righteous person regards the life of his animal."

This statement provides the perfect counterpoint to;

"God is good to all, and God's tender mercies are over all creatures" (Ps. 145:9).

In Judaism, one who is cruel to animals cannot be regarded as a righteous individual. This commonly held ideal is summarized in the Hebrew phrase ts'ar ba-alei chayim, the biblical mandate to not cause pain to any living creature. And while we bi-peds are consistently exerting our dominion over the less formidable, it is our sacred duty to protect, cherish, and reduce their suffering whenever the opportunity arises.

Such has been our month-long encounter with our duck squatter. Removing the nest that Mama Mallard dug into my geranium flower box would have been oh so easy. Destroying the eggs would have required no thought whatsoever. The idea of little ones soiling the backyard and pool area was not one easily swallowed, and several people told me to simply ditch the duck. But, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. You see...I have to at least attempt to live by the premise of not causing undue pain to any living creature. Moving the nest would have been cruel and torturous to the mother. Destroying the life that she created was unthinkable. My guilt overwhelmed me. So instead, we allowed the miracle to play itself out on our deck. And what a miracle it turned out to be!

We interacted with nature in a way that is almost unthinkable here in the suburbs. Our Mama Duck became quite calm in our presence once she knew that we meant neither her nor her eggs harm. She simply understood that we were sharing the space, and we in turn became enraptured by her routine. There wasn't a day that passed that both The Husband and I weren't staring and gaping at this patient and most probably bored mama doing what comes naturally. We were totally captivated.

There also wasn't a day that passed whereby some friend, either in real life or via the connection of social media, didn't enquire as to the health and well-being of our duck. Regular updates became a necessity by virtue of the constant questioning. We embraced the new-found celebrity. We posted pictures, blog posts, videos, and even the odd satire or two. Friends (and friends of friends) were now emotionally invested in the well-being of our mallard. We sought out advice from experts in the subject, and even those authorities kept up with us through regular email and phone call briefings.

This past Monday, I begged The Husband to set up a webcam. We knew that this whole experience was coming close to its end and so many people wanted to be in on the fun. It wasn't an easy venture given the outdated equipment that we had on hand, but my genius was able to make it work and on Tuesday we began sharing our duck with the world. Our timing was perfect. On Wednesday afternoon the magic started. The fledglings began hatching. We were glued to the live-stream and to our backdoor windows watching as one by one little heads, eventually totalling eight, began poking up through Mama's wing feathers. We were live-chatting with friends from across the continent as they joined us in watching our little miracle unfold. We answered questions as best we could, all the while totally engrossed.

Yesterday was the piece de resistance. As daybreak arrived, The Husband urgently summoned me downstairs to watch the little guys literally leap off of the railing and follow Mama into the pool for their first swim.

What followed was an extended comical farce of attempting to help the babies out of the pool. Mama didn't give much thought to that end of the deal. They can't yet fly and are certainly too small to jump out on their own. Watching The Husband, clad only in sweat pants, run around with a skimmer net in the pouring rain trying to help reunite mother and children was priceless, but so in keeping with our credo of ts'ar ba'alei chayim. 

And then....just as suddenly as it began, it was over. The ducks moved on to greener areas and murkier waters, probably to the pond a kilometre or so north of us. Last night The Husband remarked that we are now true empty nesters.

We will miss our friends, but I have no doubt, given the migratory and imprinting habits of mallards, that we will see them again.

When James Gandolfini passed away earlier this month, I couldn't stop thinking about the myriad of scenes during the run of The Sopranos in which Tony is either feeding the ducks or just watching them  paddle happily in his pool. These creatures continually bring such joy and peace to this extraordinarily tormented character.

Even brutal Tony Soprano understood the balance that needs to exist between humanity and nature.

We have been blessed this month. We know it and we wouldn't have done it any differently. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam
She-kacha lo B'olamo

Blessed are You Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe
Who has given us such things in the world.