This week, we remind you to pack your bags.
It is not an April fools joke. With effect tomorrow, the plastic bag levy will become mandatory. Each high quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime.
Having seen no reminders except for a poster in a fast-food restaurant, I was inspired to follow up on the essay I wrote in 2009 (when the plastic bag levy was first introduced) with this fresh feature I wrote yesterday to highlight the issues and what is happening in Hong Kong. The petition campaign organized by local students is particularly exciting as is the Kellett Tell It special edition student newspaper that Living Lamma shared with me.
When I finished my piece, I headed out to the supermarket where I had to tell the cashier 3 separate times that I didn’t want a plastic bag – once for my groceries then again for the butter and finally for the frozen fish. Sadly, my best Cantonese expression is now “m’sai doi, waanbo” in perfect tones because I am getting far too much practice.
Then, as if on cue, last evening I received the third of 3 different social media posts from 3 separate countries about large animals found dead or dying at sea and on land with a gut filled with plastic mistaken for food. I view each of these incidents like a cockroach — a sign of the vast numbers we are not seeing.
Our mass-media news is packed with economic terms like conspicuous consumption and disposable income and paid for by advertising campaigns that advocate trendy seasonal styles and the convenience we all deserve because we work so hard. Relief is offered in the form of energy-hungry time-saving gadgets, gas-guzzling vehicles and single-serving nutrition-empty products disguised as food. Relaxation can be found in frequent air travel to overdeveloped destinations and retail therapy for shopaholics and many other binge activities that don’t just promote but actually celebrate excessive behaviors in the name of luxury.
It seems perfect timing for Ocean Appreciation Month, the Coastal Watch photo game and upcoming International Conference on Solid Waste. I encourage you to take this opportunity to inform yourself on the issues surrounding plastic in Hong Kong. In the meantime, I will be preparing the April calendar and taking a little break for the extra long weekend coming up while I begin clearing and packing for my big move. There is much work to be done.
Turning this ship is going to take a lot of awareness, time, concerted energy and constant vigilance.
Who’s with me on this adventure?
Naturally,
Founder & Publisher
www.heartbeat.com.hk
natural life in the fast lane
Listen to your own heartbeat.
“There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” Marshall McLuhan (1964)
SoulFood Social by HK heartbeat
A casual conscious gathering on April 30 in Central
Get together with friends and meet new connections with a common interest in all things natural. Share the wealth of experience and knowledge in our HK heartbeat community. Our next gathering will be held on Thursday 30 April at Linguini Fini over fresh, delightful treats. Some of our HK heartbeat business members will be on hand to share ideas on making conscious lifestyle choices with the least amount of effort. We gather every month. Sometimes there are a few of us, sometimes there are more. Each event is unique and the discussion is inspired every single time and we would love for you to join us … naturally.
ENQUIRIES : soulfoodsocial@heartbeat.com.hk | TEL : +852 6628 6153 – Kinzie
QUICK LINK : event details | WEBSITE : heartbeat.com.hk
