Still rings true....

"Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot run away; and if they could, they would still be destroyed - chased and hunted down as long as fun or a dollar could be got out of their bark hides. Branching horns, or magnificent bole backbones. Few that fell trees plant them; nor would planting avail much towards getting back anything like the noble primeval forests. It took more than three thousand years to make some of the trees in these Western woods - trees that are still standing in perfect strength and beauty, waving and singing in the mighty forests of the Sierra. Through all the wonderful, eventful centuries God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand straining, leveling tempests and floods; but he cannot save them from fools - only Uncle Sam can do that." John Muir

LA County passes plastic bag ban

The LA Times reports on the recent environmental success in LA County, where a wide-ranging plastic bag ban was passed yesterday. The policy also implements a 10-cent fee for use of paper bags, making this policy one that is truly intended to change consumer behavior and expectations of getting free disposable bags.

Read more here: LA County passes sweeping ban on plastic bags.

As usual, the solitary no vote was also the solitary Republican on the council, who cites the tried and tested partisan message of "this will kill small businesses" and "poor people can't afford to buy bags." I have to go all talking head on you here, just for a quick moment, and say I am sick and tired of these false excuses. If you can, come up with a good rationale for the continued use of disposable bags - but please, don't patronize everyone by saying you oppose it for the poor people. Please.

Now, let's hope our state assembly can get their hands out of the lobbyist cookie jar and enact a state-wide ban.

Ranking paper companies

There are obviously a lot of potential problems with WWF ranking paper companies (who must voluntarily submit to being ranked), but for those that do, it is an interesting potential tool for both consumers and corporate buyers to use when choosing paper suppliers. Check out the news at WWF here.