by Will Atwater September 26, 2023 NC Health News

Environmental advocates across the state were shocked last week by the insertion of a provision in House Bill 259, now part of the 2023-24 state budget, that blocks local municipalities from establishing ordinances to reduce single-use plastic use. - You can’t make this stuff up!

“Plastic waste is a scourge on our society on many levels,” said Wil Weldon, board chair of Don’t Waste Durham, a nonprofit organization working to eliminate waste by establishing a so-called circular economy, a system designed to “keep materials, products and services in circulation for as long as possible” to slow climate change, according to the EPA. If fewer single-use materials, such as plastics, are produced, it lowers CO2 emissions from fossil fuels used to make plastics, and it reduces emissions from plastic waste decomposition. READ MORE…

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HOW YOU CAN PROTECT THE OCEAN AND HELP SAVE MARINE LIFE FROM HOME

BY: Isabella Caprario

The ocean is more than just a mysterious and beautiful place that sparks the imagination. Scientists say that approximately 50 to 80-percent of the earth’s oxygen production comes from our oceans. A variety of marine life requires a clean ocean to breathe and thrive. Today, the world’s oceans are facing unprecedented danger due to various issues, including overfishing, pollution, oil spills, and more. Climate change is also affecting ocean animals and the cleanliness of the sea. Whether you want to save the whales or just do your part to keep the oceans cleaner, there are several things we can all do at home to promote a cleaner, safer oceanic environment. Read on to discover ways to help protect the ocean and save marine life, all from your own home.

State budget provision stymies local plastic reduction efforts in North Carolina

How You Can Protect the Ocean and Help Save Marine Life from Home