I would like you to think about a threat that will not solve itself. Plastic pollution is consuming our world, jeopardizing the future of us teenagers and children who will be responsible for cleaning up the mess few people acknowledge. Do you truly realize what plastic is doing to our world, our only home? Or do people simply not care since they believe they will be long gone when our ecosystem finally shows obvious signs of deterioration?
Five garbage patches litter our oceans, with one stretching across a surface area larger than the entire state of Texas. There are concentrations as high as 580,000 pieces per square kilometer. These plastics, floating around with no sign of being picked up anytime soon, release chemicals that contribute to climate change.
Plastic does not degrade easily. For 1,000 years, a single plastic item will continuously emit toxins into our atmosphere, adding to all other substances that are destroying our ozone layer.
We must act as soon as possible, today if you can. Pick up trash, recycle, stop using plastic containers, plastic bags, plastic anything. You do not need to buy bottled water every single day. Filter your water and buy a nice water bottle. Save money by simply buying reusable cutlery and containers. Get others involved. It is amazing what you can do with the help of friends, family, neighbors and strangers. If we work to reduce plastic production, other countries will see and follow — if we are consistent and mindful.
— Bel Mangahas, Carpentersville
Stop coal ash poisoning
Illinois’ rivers, lakes and streams are its lifeblood. They sustain agriculture, plants and animals. They provide drinking water, recreation and beauty. But all around the state, this water is in danger from dozens of leaking coal ash dumps and landfills, from Waukegan up north to Marion in southern Illinois, and from Alton in the west to Danville in the east. Coal ash is a toxic byproduct of coal-fired power plants and the problem has been created by the ash being stored in unlined pits where it has contaminated ground water and surface water with heavy metals and dangerous chemicals for decades.
Take the E.D. Edwards Plant near Peoria on the Illinois River. Here, ground water testing reveals that arsenic, a carcinogen, is present at several times the level deemed safe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Neurotoxic lead also is found here at concentrations much higher than the EPA’s drinking water standard. Lithium and cobalt exceed safe levels by huge amounts. There are countless more examples like these.
But we can act today and urge our state legislators to vote for a bill that forces companies owning dangerous pits to relocate the ash to properly lined impoundments away from water. The companies cannot be allowed to merely construct caps over their pits and leave the ash there in perpetuity while it constantly leaks into our waters. It’s up to us to make our voices heard and force polluters to clean up the messes they’ve made. Lobbyists for the polluters are busy contacting our legislators with a very different message.
Take five minutes to call your state representative and your state senator and tell them that legislation is needed immediately that ensures closure of coal ash pits that puts public health first.
“Cap and Run” is not an option because Illinois taxpayers may have to foot the bill for cleanup down the road.
Go to openstates.org and type in your address. Then click on the names of your representatives for contact info. The health of our land, animals, and people is at stake.
— Christine Main, Champaign
