along the beaches, and in the mountains of the UAE. Camels, sheep, goats and cattle, as well as the protected Arabian Onyx, the Sand Gazelles and other wildlife are dying after ingesting plastic – just like the albatross birds in the Midway Atoll.

As the images show, these animals are eating the plastic pollution left behind by visitors, travelers, dune and wadi bashers – and then choking on it, or starving to death because the plastic blocks their intestines. The pollution in the desert is already an outrage. The death of these innocent animals is inhumane, unnecessary and horrific.

His son, David, said his father has noticed an increase in the number of animal deaths due to plastic pollution. “My father took up this subject a few years ago, and since then has tirelessly advocated an awareness to stop the littering.”

The emirates are wealthy but developing nations. They have trash collection services, but the education of the population lags behind. “Most people’s attitude is “Just drop it, others are there to pick it up,”"said David. “The country as a whole has to start a major education program on this.”

These images are a heartbreaking reminder that plastic pollution is everywhere.

All images are copyright of Dr. Ulrich Wernery, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It was a FMLY affair at McWorld with Amy Blount Lay, of PPC Coalition member Surfrider Foundation making a riveting presentation about monsters of myth and reality before setting those assembled free to create a giant sea monster out of plastic trash.

Amy showed us how to use salvaged PVC pipe as the substructure for the sea monster to which we glue-gunned our plastic trash to create a mighty monster of the deep – in this case to be installed upside down from the ceiling of McWorld.

Amy, a Surfrider volunteer who teaches Studio Art and Visual Culture at Pierce College, devised the sea monster project to educate people about plastic pollution in our oceans.  She has variations of the project for every age audience starting with preschool.  I asked Amy to elaborate on one of my favorite Greek Monsters, Scylla and the terrifying Charybidis, a  legendary whirpool which sounds much like the very real oceanic gyres.

Amy:  “Between Scylla and Charybdis” is where we get the phrase “between a rock and a hard place.” I like to use this Classic dilemma as an analogy for where we are in the environmental movement in regards to plastic. On one side we have Scylla the many-headed beast. She represents this “monster” of a product, plastic. On the other side we have Charybdis a bottomless whirlpool.  The whirlpool, to me, is like all of our attempts to stem the problem: recycling, reusing, renewing… etc.”

I asked Amy what inspired her to dedicate herself to the plastics issue.  Amy: “I began surfing 14 years ago at El Porto in El Segundo. With the power plant to my back and the oil tankers on the horizon I don’t think I ever had the “surfing Eden” experience that some people claim to have. I’ve been hit in the face with everything from plastic cheese stick wrappers to gaffer’s tape to pantyhose. Almost every session I stuff my wetsuit legs with old balloons, plastic bags or candy wrappers. It’s absolutely disgusting!

When I had my son five years ago I decided the odd beach clean up just wasn’t enough for me. In 2009 I enlisted my friend and fellow activist-surfer-mom Nancy Hastings and together we developed the Sea Monster idea into a preschool pilot program for Surfrider Foundation’s R.A.P. (Rise Above Plastics) program. “

Back  at McWorld, the most intriguing ideas of the night came as questions posed to the crowd by Amy.  What is a monster?  Do you believe in monsters?  What role do monsters play in modern society? After the night of education and the creation of our own plastic trash sea monster, all assembled were in agreement that plastic pollution is a real and terrifying, modern-day sea monster.

In June, Bonnie Raitt, as part of the Green Music Challenge initiative challenged her fans to stop using plastic bottles for two weeks and invest in a BPA-free, stainless steel bottle. “Each of us can make a difference in preventing plastic pollution by refusing single-use plastics, such as plastic water bottles, and make sustainable choices when we shop”, Bonnie said.  If you liked the silver, red or black bottles from the video, you can order them here.

Jack Johnson wrote an inspiring little song, encouraging us stop being “such fancypants” and drop the plastic water bottle habit. Alongside Jack’s  video are short shout-outs for AB 1998 from our notable supporters JJ Abrams,  Fran Drescher,  The Ditty Bops, and Louie Pshihoyos, the director of “The Cove.”

Musician Ben Harper also raised his voice against single use and disposable plastic, and in support of Plastic Pollution Coalition. If you haven’t already been to his site, check it out.

And many more have spoken out and given us quotes, currently rotating on this web site.

Music, art, and performance inspires us, energizes and gives our life meaning in ways that are sometimes too mysterious to define. Art feeds our souls. And that’s why these artists are such particularly potent messengers for the truth about our world.

We are very pleased to announce that Klean Kanteen, Chico Bag and Lunchbots have joined the coalition. All three offer efficient high-quality solutions for a life without disposable plastic—reusable stainless steel water bottles, reusable bags, and stainless steel lunchboxes. These companies are visionary leaders in their fields and we are delighted to welcome them on board.

KleanKanteen offered its first stainless steel bottle in 2004—years before the general population realized the health and environmental dangers of plastic bottles. With the highest commitment to quality and fair labor practices, Klean Kanteen has remained a visionary producer of stainless steel water bottles. Thoughtfully designed to be easy to use and keep clean, the bottles are toxin-free and made of food grade stainless steel with a BPA-free cap.  Their site offers a rainbow of colors and styles but you can also find their products in lots of stores and supermarkets nationwide.

A random trip to the local landfill is what set in motion the creation of ChicoBag. Founder Andy Keller was stunned by how much of the landfill was just single use plastic bags. He realized that single use plastic bags were everywhere, and vowed to help stop this needless waste. He began his company literally sitting at a sewing machine, making the first bags himself. Now ChicoBag is a leader in a growing field, creating a variety of durable, lightweight and attractive reusable bags, many made from recycled content. All ChicoBags can fold into their own integrated pouch and come with a carabiner hook.

Packing a lunch without using plastic is a challenge no more. Lunchbots makes 100% stainless steel containers in a variety of sizes, and even has a children’s dish set. Perfect for school lunches or ‘brown bagging’ at work, the containers are made of the highest quality 18/8 stainless steel, just like KleanKanteens, and are easy to keep clean. Check out their photo gallery for attractive and appetizing ways to pack lunchbots with delicious meals.

Dr. Colborn joins a distinguished group of scientists:

• Arlene Blum, Ph.D., biophysical chemist and mountaineer, author of Breaking Trail, A Climbing Life and Annapurna, A Woman’s Place. Dr. Blum is an outspoken critic of flame retardants in plastics, and their impact on public health. She is also a Himalayan climber, keynote and motivational speaker
• Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer. She was chief scientist for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1990-1992. She is a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, called “Her Deepness” by the New Yorker and the New York Times, “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, and the first “Hero for the Planet.”
• Marcus Eriksen, Ph.D., explorer and plastic pollution education specialist, an outspoken ocean advocate and founder of 5Gyres project.
• Wallace J Nichols, Chairman, Ph.D., marine biologist, California Academy of Sciences.  Dr. Nichols is a Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences and a Regional Vice Chair of the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group.
  
• Hideshige Takada, Ph.D, Professor, Organic geochemistry, Tokyo University. Dr. Takada started International Pellet Watch and is tracing the course of  plastic pellets across the world via global pollution maps.
• Tierney Thys, Ph.D., Marine Biologist, filmmaker, educator, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, and world expert on mola-mola.
• Jeremy Jackson, Ph.D., Professor of Oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Dr. Jackson is the author of more than 100 scientific publications and books, and his current research includes the long-term impacts of human activities on the oceans.

BPA has been banned from baby bottles and children’s sippy cups in Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Vermont, four counties in New York and the City of Chicago. Connecticut and Vermont restrict the use of BPA in baby food and infant formula. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Denmark have banned BPA in food containers for young children, and calls for bans are moving through Europe.

In California, Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has introduced legislation that would ban BPA in infant food packaging, in addition to other food and beverage containers.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the plastics industry spent over 5 million dollars attempting to kill this bill in California and describes just how difficult the fight was. More details also in the press release of PPC member, Breast Cancer Fund.

The bill will now go to the California Senate for a concurrence vote (the Senate already passed the bill last year), and then to California Governor Schwarzenegger’s desk.

AB 1998 has two more hurdles to clear before it reaches the Governor’s desk.  First the Act must pass through the California Senate Appropriations Committee by August 14th, and then it must pass a vote on the Senate floor by the end of August. Governor Schwarzenegger has indicated his intention to sign AB 1998 if it reaches his desk.

Plastic Pollution Coalition will continue to gather support for AB 1998. See our YouTube collection of videos in support of the ban.  Never before has such widespread support for the reduction of single-use plastic waste been demonstrated in California. See the full list of supporters and opposition below.

To voice your support for The Single-Use Bag Reduction Act, please visit  PPC Member Heal the Bay’s Action Alert and write a support letter.

Supporters:
Californians Against Waste
Heal the Bay
California Grocer’s Association
1 Bag at a Time Inc
AFSCME
Amerigreenbag.com
Association of Communities United of South Los Angeles
Ballona Creek Renaissance
Bay Area Council
California Association of Environmental Health Administrators
California Coastal Coalition
California Coastkeeper Alliance
California League of Conservation Voters
California State Lands Commission
Chico Bag
City of Burbank
City of Del Mar
City of Long Beach
City of Newport Beach
City of Pasadena
City of San Buenaventura
City of San Clemente
City of Solana Beach
City of Ventura
Clean South Bay
Clean Water Action California
Defenders of Wildlife
Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association
Duro Bag Manufacturing Company
Earth Resource Foundation
Earthwise Bag Company
East Bay Municipal Utility District
Environment California
Envirosax
ForestEthics
Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market Inc.
Friends of Five Creeks
Global Green USA
Green Sangha
Humboldt Coastkeepers
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Solid Waste Management Committee/ Integrated Waste Management Task Force
Marin County Board of Supervisors
Monterey County Board of Supervisors
Monterey Regional Waste Management District
Natural Resources Defense Council
Neighborhood Market Association
Northcoast Environmental Center
OCEANA
Orange County Coastkeeper
Ormond Beach Observers
Planning and Conservation League
Plastic Pollution Coalition
PW Supermarkets Inc. (San Jose)
Rainforest Action Network
Rite Aid
San Diego Coastkeeper
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
Santa Monica Baykeeper
Save Mart Supermarkets
Seventh Generation Advisors
Sierra Club of California
Solid Waste Solutions Inc
StopWaste.org – Alameda County Waste Management Authority
Steven Bochco Productions
Super A Food Inc. (Commerce)
Surfers’ Environmental Alliance
Surfrider Foundation
State Lands Commission
Urban Semillas
Washington Elementary PTA
Western States Council of the United Food & Commercial Workers
WiLDCOAST
Wild Heritage Planners
WinCo Foods Inc.
Wisdom Academy for Young Scientists
Youth Opportunities for High School and Associations of Communities United of South Los Angeles

Opposition:
American Chemistry Council
American Forest & Paper Association
Biodegradable Products Institute
Bradley Packaging Systems
California Film Extruders & Converters Association
California Forestry Association
Californians for Extended Producer Responsibility
Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Command Packaging
Corona Chamber of Commerce
Crown Poly Inc
Great American Packaging
Heritage Bag
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Metabolix
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce

More information, telephone numbers and suggested actions are located here.

And here is some news coverage on the vote:

• BPA baby bottle ban fails in Assembly – ABC local coverage
• Lobbyist ‘fear tactics’ to fight BPA ban seem to be working – Consumer Watch

RE:  AB 1998 (Brownley) Single-Use Bag Reduction Act:

Dear Senator Simitian:

We write to express our support of the Single-Use Bag Reduction Act (Assembly Bill 1998) as amended. AB 1998 is scheduled to be heard before the Senate Environmental Quality Committee.  AB 1998 would ban plastic single-use carryout bags and require and require recycled paper carryout bags be sold at supermarkets, retail pharmacies, and convenience stores throughout the state.

As founders of Plastic Pollution Coalition, we are concerned with the environmental and economic impacts of plastic bag pollution in inland and coastal communities throughout the state.  Californians use an estimated 19 billion single-use plastic bags every year.  The state spends an estimated $25 million annually to clean up and landfill these littered bags, which does not include the hundreds of millions of dollars that local governments continually spend to clean littered streets and waterways.

We can no longer recycle our way out of this problem.  Despite efforts to expand recycling programs, less than 5% of single-use plastic bags are currently being recycled. The rest of these bags end up in our landfills or as litter, clogging stormdrain systems, and making their way to our waterways and ocean.  It is estimated that 60–80% of all marine debris, and 90% of floating debris is plastic. Plastic lasts for hundreds of years in our environment and may never biodegrade in the ocean.  As a result, it poses a persistent threat to wildlife.  Over 267 species worldwide have been impacted by plastic litter, including plastic bags.

Paper bags are not a viable alternative to plastic bags.  Paper bag production contributes to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and waterborne wastes from the pulping and paper making process.  Even compostable plastic bags made of plant-based sources have not proven to degrade in the ocean. Instead, they require industrial composting facilities, and only a small number of cities currently support the infrastructure to collect and dispose of compostable bags properly.

San Francisco, Malibu, Fairfax, and Palo Alto have banned plastic bags and at least 20 more cities in California are considering this approach.  Rather than taking a piecemeal city-by-city approach, AB 1998 will create one uniform policy for addressing all types of single-use bags to encourage consumers to use reusable bags, the most sustainable alternative.

California has a critical role to play in becoming a true leader in eliminating plastic bag waste and preventing the proliferation of plastic pollution in our communities.  The passage of AB 1998 will be a major step in breaking our addiction to single-use bags.

Sincerely,

Daniella Russo (Co-founder and Executive Director), Lisa Kaas Boyle (cofounder), Dianna Cohen (cofounder), Manuel Maqueda (cofounder)