Monday, November 30, 2015

Week 15. Human Impacts Lab.



Part 1 Ban Plastic Bags or Not (13 points)


What to submit on your blog:
Headings A, B, C, D, and E with questions answered.

A. Think about your opinion about the use of plastic bags for most purposes. Answer these questions.
1. Why do you think this way? For instance, have you ever read any scientific studies on the environmental impact of different types of “carry bags” or formed an opinion based on what a friend told you? (1 point)

I use plastic bags for many other reasons than putting groceries in them. I have not read any scientific studies about an impact of "carry bags" on the environment. I know that they are very handy when needed, and I also know that they don't simply disintegrate when left outside. They become brittle but are not absorbable by the soil. I also know that plastic material can cause harm to animals. 

 2. What type of bags do you prefer to use? (.5 point)

I mostly use the plastic bags, but I also have cloth baggies for when I need only a few items to put in them. We used to ask for the paper bags at a store, but I haven bot seeing this bags at any store for a long while now. 

B. Read the articles under the “Articles In Favor of Ban on Plastic Bags” heading. Do the further research, if you are interested. If you write using other sources, remember to cite them.

1. Summarize three arguments (three total) made in these sources in support of banning plastic bags in most circumstances. The summary is easy to find; you do not need to read the entire article! (1.5 points)

The majority of trash picked up are the plastic bags. 
Single items can be carried out without placing them in the bag.
Taxpayer's dollars can be saved by not expanding to the special sanitation department that in charge of cleaning out the plastic debris from our cities.  

2. How is the reasoning supported scientifically? Give two examples. (1 point)

I did not see any scientific support presented in any of the articles that I read. Only the logical explanations have been given, like how much money can be saved if the contract to pick up the litter around the solid waste site is terminated, and the other simply outlines the ordinance. 

3. List two exceptions to the plastic bag ban in Austin. (1 point)

In Austin, the thicker paper and plastic bags that have handles are acceptable, and of course, bags that made out of cloth and other durable materials are allowed. 

C. Read the articles under the “Articles Against Ban on Plastic Bags” heading. Do the further research, if you are interested. If you write using other sources, remember to cite them.
1. Summarize at three arguments (three total) made in these sources in support of “banning the ban” on plastic bags in most circumstances. (3 points)

The actual environmental impact of using the plastic bags is lower than of the limited-use of a cloth one. 
The CO2 emission by one plastic bag is minimal in comparison to other material's production. 
To reduce the trash, we would have to do much more than just ban the plastic bags, which only count for less than 1%. 

 2. How is the reasoning supported scientifically? Give two examples. (1 point)

 The study conducted by Dr. Chris Edwards and Jonna Meyhoff Fry is set to find out which seven types of bags have the lowest environmental impact by assessing pollution caused by extraction of raw materials, production, transportation, and disposal. Even though the study is still under the peer review, the findings being released by Environmental Agency. The HDPE plastic bag would have  a baseline global warming potential of 1.57 kg Co2 equivalent. If reused once, it will fall to 1.4kg Co2e. To have the similar outcome, the paper bag will have to be reused four times. 
The misconception of greater benefits from banning the use of the plastic bags raised the need of clarification of some terms. The benefit can be achieved if we would recycle all of the plastics. Also, use of the biodegradable materials for plastic production can reduce the overwhelming litter. 

D. Read or skim the Scientific Research Paper. Be sure to read the summary and study Figures 5.3 and 5.6
.Scientific Research Paper

United Kingdom Environmental Agency. Life cycle assessment of supermarket carrier bags: a review of the bags available in 2006. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/291023/scho0711buan-e-e.pdf






1. Summarize two findings of the United Kingdom Environmental Agency publication. (2 points)
  • Whatever type of bag is used, the key to reducing the impacts is to reuse it as many times as possible and where reuse for shopping is not practicable, other reuse, e.g. to replace bin liners, is beneficial. 
  • Recycling or composting generally produce only a small reduction in global warming potential and abiotic depletion.
2. State two items in this article that surprised you. (1 point)

I did not know that the paper, LDPE, non-woven PP and cotton bags should be reused at least 3, 4, 11 and 131 times respectively to ensure that they have lower global warming potential than conventional HDPE carrier bags that are not reused. 


The finding of global warming potential between all of the researched materials showed that "much-hated" plastic baggie is the least harmful!

E. Revisit All About Bags, Bags Around the World (http://www.allaboutbags.ca/aroundtheworld.html).

1. In your own words, state two countries’ (besides the US) bag usage policies. (1 point)

In Belgium, the tax on plastic bags, aluminum and disposable cutlery (plastic forks and spoons) produce enough of the revenue to support the nationwide recycling program.  

 France figured out how to "kill two birds" with one stone! They banned all but biodegradable plastics. Shoppers get to have a convenient carry options and farmers have a new market opportunity; plant matter to use in bioplastics. Win-win for everyone.



Articles in Favor of Ban on Plastic Bags

Californians Against Waste: The Problem With Plastic Bags.
http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/plastic_campaign/plastic_bags/problem

Muskegon County could be first in Michigan to ban stores' plastic bags http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2015/04/muskegon_county_could_be_first.html

City of Assaquah Plastic Bag Ban. http://www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/index.aspx?NID=1170

Information on Bag Ban in Austin. http://www.austinbagban.com/


Articles Against Ban on Plastic Bags

All About Bags, Paper Plastic Studies. http://www.allaboutbags.ca/papervplasticstudies.html





Part 2 Greenwashing (7 points)

What to submit on your blog:
 Headings A, B, C, D, and E with questions answered. Four sentences each are required for C and E.

Introduction
Greenwashing is a term that describes the concept of businesses or organizations spending more time and money claiming to act in environmentally conscious ways through advertising and marketing than actually implementing business practices that minimize environmental impact. It’s whitewashing, but with a green brush. This is also referred to as “green sheen.”
A classic example might be an energy company that runs an advertising campaign touting “green” technology they’re working on, but that “green” technology represents only a sliver of the company’s otherwise not-so-green business, or may be marketed on the heels of an oil spill or plant explosion.
Or a hotel chain that calls itself “green” because it allows guests to choose to sleep on the same sheets and reuse towels, but does very little to save water and energy where it counts, on its grounds, with its appliances and lighting, in its kitchens, and with its vehicle fleet. (http://www.greenwashingindex.com/about-greenwashing/)
Greenwashing. Each characterization is valued at 1 point. Read each carefully, decide if the ad qualifies for that particular designation, and then add up the points for a final score.
  • The ad misleads with words. 
Do you believe the ad misleads the viewer/reader about the company’s/product’s environmental impact through the things it says? Does it seem the words are trying to make you believe there is a green practice when there isn’t? Focus on the words only — what do you think the ad is saying?
  • The ad misleads with visuals and/or graphics.
Do you think the advertiser has used green or natural images in a way designed to make you think the product/company is more environmentally friendly than it really is?
  • The ad makes a green claim that is vague or seemingly not provable.
Does the ad claim environmental benefits without sufficiently identifying for you what they are? Has the advertiser provided a source for claims or for more information? Are the claims related to the company/product?
  • The ad overstates or exaggerates how green the product/company/service actually is.
Do you believe the advertiser is overstating how green the product/company actually is? Are the green claims made by the ad believable? Do you think it's possible for the product/company to do the things depicted/stated?
  • The ad leaves out or masks important information, making the green claim sound better than it is.
Do you think the ad exists to divert attention from something else the company does? Do you believe the relevant collateral consequences of the product/service are considered in the ad? Does it seem to you something is missing from the ad?

Activity

Find an advertisement that you believe engages in greenwashing. The ad can be in print, online, or multimedia. After you view the ad, summarize it, and research the background of the organization, business, or product and its environmental impacts. Provide the ad with a score of one to five based on the above scoring criteria.

See http://www.greenwashingindex.com/ads/ for examples.

A. Company/Organization, product name, and image of ad, if visual (1 point)





Hummer.


The add:

B. Summary of the ad in at least four sentences (2 points)

The add is showing a vegetarian buying, well, vegetarian foods. The guy behind him stocking up for some serious BBQ party with plenty of meat. So, our planet-loving, tofu guy is rushing to the GM dealer and buys a Hummer! So much for the GREEN. What I see here, is that GM wants to show us that their gas-guzzlers are also accepted by the "nature-preserving" population. What I actually see, is that being vegetarian doesn't mean you are all for the health of the planet. You are just another Joe who wants to show off at whatever cost but cry "clean" in the same day. The GM tried to say that their vehicles are good for all of us, but they forgot to mention about negative effects their product emits.


Unabashed attempt to hype its green cred while also selling Hummers speaks for itself. GM’s ‘Gas-Friendly to Gas-Free’ ad campaign sought to reframe GM as eco-friendly, but the company is still the leading producer of gas-guzzling vehicles and has fought to undermine attempts to improve CAFE fuel economy standards.

C. Greenwashing score and justification for each characterization of the score in at least four sentences. (2 points)

I would give this add 3 points.

 One - for misleading with visuals.
Showing a "clean" eater, and trying to illustrate the connection of being vegetarian to a Hummer.
Like this supposed to make us think that this SUV is environmentally friendly. Or, seeing the "power" of the animal protein next to his radishes, and a glimpse on the magazine add, makes one desire the power of the true machine and makes you forget the responsibilities to which you previously committed. (I can also add, that maybe, just maybe by not having proper nutrition makes you do crazy things? [ please don't attack me for this opinion, I know that tofu contains adequate amount of protein for healthy body support])

 Two - for overstating how "green" the vehicle is.
"Restore the balance" it claims.
It doesn't make me believe that this car is providing a benefit to our climate regulation. A tofu-eater buying this car has no relation to the cleanness of the product advertised.

 Three - GM is trying to make the green claim in hopes that more people would buy this car. It seems that mentioning 20 MPG HWY should lure the buyers in, But, even the price of the vehicle understated. Starting at 29,500. The actual price of shown SUV is 32,880 excluding any additional fees. The "H-3 is like nothing else" is appears at the end. To what exactly are we supposed to compare it?


D. MLA citation of source(s). (2 points)

"Find the GM Vehicle." General Motors. Web. 3 Dec. 2015.
       <http://www.gm.com/>.

"Tofu (Hummer Ad)." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
       <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL4ZkYPLN38>.

"HUMMER H3." . Price, Modifications, Pictures. MoiBibiki. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.  
         <http://www.moibbk.com/HUMMER H3.html>.

The moral of the story: don't believe everything that is shown on TV or stated on the internet.

Be responsible and do your part in protecting our home, the Earth. 

Other sources cited:

"California Bans Use of Plastic Bags Statewide [Video]." Guardian Liberty Voice. 1 Sept. 2014.
       Web. 3 Dec. 2015. <http://guardianlv.com/2014/09/california-bans-use-of-plastic-bags-statewide-        video/>.

Web.2Dec.2015<https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/
      /scho0711buan-e-e.pdf>.

"Plastic Bags - Google Search." Plastic Bags - Google Search. Web. 3 Dec. 2015.
   <https://www.google.com/search?q=plastic         bags&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS594US614&espv=2&biw=1492&bih=745&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVz6S-mMDJAhXDGR4KHaC7BaIQ_AUICCgD#tbm=isch&tbs=simg:CAQSCQnDwmlWMiVrDw&q=plastic bags>.

"Paper and Plastic Bag Bans Continue. And Recyclers Ain't Happy About It." Core77. Web. 3 Dec.        . <http://www.core77.com/posts/25320/paper-and-plastic-bag-bans-continue-and-recyclers-aint-
       happy-about-it-25320>.



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