THIS is what technology can do – delivery of medical supplies in remote areas of Rwanda and the application of drone delivery of medical supplies on a commercial scale. Definitely worth the watch. Good context and information about the country.
Single-use plastic is one of the biggest contributors to landfills and trash pollution. [National Geographic: Great Pacific Garbage Patch]. We’ve all heard of “microplastics” by now [NOAA: What are Microplastics?], and plastics can be found in measurable amounts in US waterways and water-sourced foods [USGS: Microplastics in Our Nation’s Waterways].
I could go on with the citations, but you get the idea, and this is probably not news to you.
What can you do about it? Start making a habit of avoiding plastic.
Avoid: Plastic bags for purchases, plastic containers for take out (or “doggy bags”), overly-packaged items (always encased in plastic).
Biggest thing to avoid? Plastic drink containers, especially water bottles. [Earth 911: Who are the Biggest Plastic Polluters 2021].
While corporations (see above image) are by far the largest polluters, individuals can help to move the needle toward conservation and reduction of pollution by taking consistent action to avoid contributing to the problem, and encouraging others to join in.
TrashBlitz Austin used volunteers to collect and count trash to come up with a way to reduce the use of plastic in the city of Austin. 70% of the trash picked up consisted of single-use plastic items. One of the outcomes of this effort was the Austin Reuse Coalition with a focus on helping restaurants reduce the use of plastic.
Please do your part to reduce use of plastic, and encourage others to do so, also. If everyone eliminated plastic bottles and plastic bags from their lives, there would be an immediate and visible reduction in pollution. It has to start somewhere – let it start with us.
#breakfreefromplastic
Well worth the watch – One of my pet peeves is seeing “GMO- Free” on products that are nowhere near GMO on the production line.
The BEST way to be environmentally responsible is to PURCHASE LESS/USE LESS of the products that are harmful to the environment (think – no single-use water bottles).
The most recyclable and recycled packaging product. The past two years saw a jump in demand for cardboard boxes (due to COVID). The video below is an interesting history of the development of this product (16 minutes and a bit technical, but very interesting).
Conversation with a Treasure of Delphi, Dan McCain. I had the chance to catch up with him, recently, and we discussed Delphi history and the Wabash & Erie Canal history, which has been a life-long passion for him. He is only two generations removed from the Wabash & Erie Canal heyday, and was born and currently lives in his family home very near the restored section of the Canal. The importance of the Canal to the economic development of Delphi and Carroll County cannot be over-emphasized.
Please enjoy this 16-minute video about this important era in Carroll County and Delphi History.
I have always thought of myself as easily distracted – so much so, that I actually have implemented procedures into my life (particularly my work life) to help maintain (or, at least resume) focus. I am very aware of how technology (particularly portable devices) can pull my attention down a rabbit hole of lost time and productivity.
Check out the article by Johann Hari: Your Attention Didn’t Collapse – It was Stolen
This article from the Guardian dives into our society and increasing lack of focus. I certainly agree with his observations – everywhere I look, I see people immersed in their phones and disengaged from their environment. That’s not the sole problem, but it is certainly a compelling symptom.
On the flip side, I’m currently reading Extreme Productivity, by Robert C. Pozen. Perhaps I can find some more clues about focus to help me recapture and control my own attention span.
