What is the point? #PlanetOrPlastic

What is the point?

NationalGeographic

I want to choose planet, but how can I when everyone around me is choosing plastic?

My family is slowly moving away from accepting the relentless flood of plastic that is devouring our planet. Yet, I ask myself, are we actually making a difference? What is it to choose planet over plastic?

I would like to think it is the reusable bags sitting in the cupboard that accompany us on every shopping trip. But, what is the point in using them? If the gentleman in the neighbouring checkout automatically accepts the rustling white bag placed before him. What is the point?

I would like to think it means handing over a reusable coffee cup to the cheerful barista. But what is the point? When I gladly warm my hands on the styrofoam mug of steaming soup from the chef. What is the point?

I would like to think it is the arguments we have as to whether an item can be recycled or not. But, what is the point? When McDonalds wrappers are strewn across the street and you can still see the "please recycle me" sign on the packaging thoughtlessly thrown in the waste bin. What is the point?

How are we supposed to choose planet over plastic? Just when I think we are progressing with the introduction of metal straws, reusable coffee mugs and the banning of single use bags, I take a look around me. Plastic shelves hold games, once packaged in more plastic, now most likely lying in a landfill. Poisoning our precious earth. Flashing lights on the cheery Christmas tree also made of the toxic material. Once those lights die out they too will join the millions of tonnes of landfill that is slowly rotting away our planet. Slipping into our oceans. Poisoning our sea life. Tightening around the turtles neck. Turning our oceans of blue into oceans of garbage.

In a small country in the South Pacific, containing only 4 million people, I don't understand how we can make a difference. China holds 1.386 billion people and produces 67 million tonnes of domestic waste per year. How can one person in a insignificant country initiate a world wide change?

Just when we begin to believe the lies we are telling ourselves. The "I can't make a difference." "What can I do, I am just one person?" We need to remind ourselves that we can make a difference. That there is a point to all of this.
After all, if one small beat of a butterfly's wings can cause a hurricane halfway across the world. One person in a small country called New Zealand deciding to choose planet over plastic can create a great tsunami of change.

I want to choose planet over plastic. I can and I will, because what is the point of letting this gift go to waste. This stunning, surprising, inspiring, wonderful planet that we call our home. I choose planet, because what is the point of letting it die?