Dealing with our environmental and global warming challenges
is not susceptible to a single, simple, silver bullet answer. There are technological, resource, political, fiscal, and social challenges. At times, multiple domains can coalesce to help drive change.
In 2002, Ireland instituted a fee on plastic bags. There was an awareness campaign and a fee of 33 cents. The result?
Within weeks, plastic bag use dropped 94 percent. Within a year, nearly everyone had bought reusable cloth bags, keeping them in offices and in the backs of cars. Plastic bags were not outlawed, but carrying them became socially unacceptable — on a par with wearing a fur coat or not cleaning up after one’s dog.
That’s right, the Irish take their canvas bags to the supermarket.
Energy Smart 