Climate change, poverty in Africa and ... plastic bags?

July 6-8, 2005:

The G8 leaders meet in Gleneagles to discuss the future of Africa and the issue of climate change.

July 6, 2005:

A small group of people representing Suffolk and Essex churches meets in Ipswich – following a Parish Pumps workshop in Bury St Edmunds – to discuss environmental issues and, specifically, what to do about all those plastic bags.

No connection there, then. Or is there... 

Plastic products and plastic bags are predominantly oil-based products. Oil is a fossil fuel.   Fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide, which is contributing to climate change. Global climate change is altering the climate of Africa, causing drought, famine and destruction of traditional communities. There are billions of plastic bags in circulation, and we use (and waste) them every day. 

We buy plastic products and items packaged in plastic every day.

Plastic is contributing to the plight of people in the developing nations of the world, and a PLASTIC BAG PROJECT to reduce the use of plastic in your church and at home would be a simple and practical way of demonstrating your concern.

Try to get into the habit of taking along your own re-useable fabric shopping bag(s) when you shop – you’ll then be able to decline those plastic bags.

Fabric bags are widely available. Some are organic, and most biodegradable:

• You can buy baskets and bags in a number of high street shops.
• Traders Fair World Shop, 12 Museum Street, Colchester CO1 1TN (tel 01206 763380) stocks cotton and jute bags of varying sizes and colours priced from £1.50-£4.99.
• Fairtrade stalls sometimes sell them.
• Oxfam shops stock jute or cotton bags for around £3.99.
• A Rocha produces a robust, high-quality jute shopping bag with the message ‘Caring for God’s World’ on one side, and ‘Say No to Plastic Bags’ on the other, priced at £5  (+£2.50 postage and packing). The bags have been fairly traded with India, and any profit supports A Rocha’s Christian work in 15 countries around the world. They can be ordered direct from uk@arocha.org or 0208 574 5935.
• Friends of the Earth Scotland offers an organic cotton shopping bag with either long or short handles for around £3 (plus postage and packing), available from merchandise@foe-scotland.org.uk
• Or you could make your own ...

Supermarkets also have an important role to play. It’s unlikely that they’ve made the connection between their plastic bags and poverty in the developing world, nor that the degradable bags offered by some are only degradable, not biodegradable. This means that although the bags break down in time, the indestructible plastic polymers will always remain in our environment. You may wish to write or speak to your own supermarket about this.

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