HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0064.220 2010-2012 8083294786 COUNTY COUNCIL KONA COUNTY COUNCIL KONA 09:00:45 a.m. 12-21-2011 2/2
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To Whom It May Concern:
The ocean brings life and it's currently in a dire situation that is only getting worse.
riastic pollution is negatively impacting our marine environment anti marine ffi�.
Plastic bags are the 2tid most common type of ocean refuse,they remain toxic even
arter they breakdown and they are responsible for killing over luO,000 marine
animals,including turtles,dolphins and whales every year.
Here are some frightening statistics:
-Over 1 million bags are used per minute worldwide.
-In 1 year,the US goes through 100 BILLION plastic bags,which costs taxpayers
(US)over 4 billion$/yr.
-Less than 3%of plastic bags get recycled,the rest end up in landfills,along the
coast and in our oceans
-Plastic bag production depletes resources and contributes to carbon emissions and
global warming
And yet we have a solution,we have the ability to change these statistics,to improve
the marine environment,marine life and the health of the island. This isn't a
difficult choice,it shouldn't come down to politics and it shouldn't have so many
objections.We should choose to make a simple change in our daily habits for the
future of the island,for our health and to better our environment.
Let's show the world that Hawaii cares about its land,the ocean that surrounds it
and its valuable resources.Let's show the world that Hawaii island and it's residents
are forward thinking and let's join Maui county and Kauai-county in choosing to
protect this beautiful island.
In the time it took for me to give this speech,over 3 Million plastic bags were used
worldwide and of those,over 2.8 million will end up littering our beautiful oceans
and potentially harming and killing innocent marine animals.
I support the Bill 17,Draft 2 that aims to reduce plastic bags.
Thank you, c7 6trj\.
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Ref. Date DEC 2 1 2011