Thinking globally, acting locally.

Leon Toh

– August 6, 2009Posted in: Uncategorized

The small town of Bundanoon took to the polls to officially ban bottled water in their stores.

This is a perfect example of how small groups can have a major impact on the world. The fact that it was a consensus amongst the townsmen showed that people were ready to take environmental leadership and officially, chose to avoid bottled water and make use of tap water that not only saves on money but also the environment.

At the end of the day, every bit to save the environment counts and the last thing we should be doing is to unnecessarily produce bottled water when we already a viable alternative of having clean tap water! It is not just an environmental choice, but also an economically viable choice to make.

The implications of Bundanoon legislative decision, is how much we can all chip in to do our part for the environment. It begs the question that if they can do it, why can’t we?

Very similar to the concept of using plastic bags, the simpler and cost effective method was to encourage the habit of carrying our own grocery bags.

I think it is not the interest in the fact that we have to ban bottled water, but just the idea that we have the right to choose what we want to do. Simply put, we can choose to not buy bottled water and reuse bottles.

BBC: Australia town bans bottled water

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8141569.stm

About the Author

Leon is an opinionated student, loves to be with people and enjoys contemplating about everything under the sun. He is restless and is always looking for every opportunity to travel to see the world. At 16, he ventured off to Trieste, Italy for his pre-university, embracing the wonderful Mediterranean culture. In Italy, he was also a conflict resolution facilitator, working on youth engagement in Europe. He volunteers regularly for youth development to support ways to seek social change. On the side, Leon is an avid fan of the series Mythbusters, is a facebook addict and a food fanatic.

Zizie

I dont think I have a problem with bottled water. However, I have become obsessively (and I hope not compulsively yet) akin to recycling! I bag my rubbish till I see a recycling bin, even if it means taking it home then depositing them in the ones in my neighbourhood.

If all the rubbish bins in the nation could be changed to the ones which separates "paper; plastics; others" etc, I could scream with glee!

If we drink from bottles, then recycle the bottles, wouldn't it be less damage done than banning them wholesale? we would still have convenience!

ah, convenience. human's biggest sin, no? everything at our convenience, and look at what it's doing to our environment. plus, im not denying the fact tht recycling would then use up energy and the whole big wheel keeps on turning; vicious cycle.

ah, i'm rather confused now. D:
Leon Toh

Hey TC, i can get where your coming from. you know the quote from Jonas Salk (american researcher) :

"If all the insects on earth disappeared, within 50 years all life on earth would disappear. If all humans disappeared, within 50 years all species would flourish as never before."

Sustainability is just about giving time for the environment to regenerate. Its just nature, and I suppose if we do our bit to reduce our wastage and encourage reusing/recycling, it could go a long way.

Economic sense is one matter and i'm not too sure why the government needs to be part of it all the time. Its just a choice. In the office, use a mug/bottle for water from the tap instead of purchasing bottled water. That is economical for me, or perhaps because i'm just a student and see it as so. Economic Benefits don't always succumb to monetary needs specifically - There is the classical model to economics, or we can as consumers influence economics to see the environment as a factor. It isn't rigid.
Agnes Lim

I was con into buy a Living Assurance Policy Plus on 8th August 1994 from GE in OCBC bank.
All I wanted was to invest my money in fixed deposit for a short term, but was directed to a different counter by the teller, seeing that I had a large sum in my savings.
They told me that there were better ways to invest my money.
I told the staff that my purpose is for investment not for the policy, that means I had intentions of surrending my policy. Based on my policy then, was about 12 years.

For the first few years, they can be bothered to send me birthday cards, and the yearly statements on how much bonuses I had accumulated, but never have they send me any changes or updated Benefit Illustration, to me I took for granted that it still remains the same, plus the additional bonuses yearly.

But in 2004, when I checked my policy, I was told that it differs greatly from what was told to me by the devious sales consultant.
I surrendered my policy at a lost of about $5,000 from my principal sum and closed all my OCBC bank a/c and vowed never to deal with OCBC and GE.
I went to IDRO & CMU to claimed MIS-SELLING by the staff. Initially I was skeptical on their trust, true enough they sided with the bank & GE, because the staff told me that their salaries were paid by the bank & insurance association.
In April of this year I went to Fidrec and was thrown out of the office, because I had unfoiled their incompentent staff making mistakes and telling lies to cover-up.
I had sent feedbacks to MAS & Fidec
At this present moment I am still waiting for their reply.
OneHuman

All this environment talk is kind of inpractical. The fact that plastic bags has dual purpose. Most of us will reuse the plastics bags to bag up our rubbish, unless of course the government prefer us to just throw out our rubbish. Just like corporations and governments who would put money on top of other agenda, don't expect everyone else to change if the change don't make economical sense.
TC

This whole eco-nazism thingie is starting to scare me...Now IF I disagree and say let the bottled water stay minus the kool-aid, will I be vilified as a hater of mother nature?? The ultimate way to go green is to dispense with all the technological innovation of the few centuries, and let's just head back to the caves. Go green! :P

Thinking globally, acting locally.

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