What would be the effects of banning the use of plastic bags Essay - 1

What would be the effects of banning the use of plastic bags - Essay Example He graphically describes the waste situation there points out to the message of boycotting plastic bags, which the locals have proposed. This engenders the extent to which these bags have been abused and misused in both the West and East (Manning 1874). Exposure to such information begs one to question the notion that plastic is indeed a necessary part of human existence. Taking to account the environmental damage it portends one cannot help but to wonder if we would not be better off without it. In his discussion of Lynn offers several facts about, he offers numerous statistics about plastic that bring out the enormity of the situation. Apparently, over 50 percent of the plastic used in the US is simply thrown away to contribute to the pollution problem and Americans throw away more than 31 billion tons of plastic annually (Hasselberger). He proposes several solutions among which are rejecting single packaging where goods as singly packed in plastic instead or in one bag, alternatively people should seek options to the plastic packaging they use. Blockstein, David (1988) in the Bioscience journal, explores another major con of plastics, which justifies regulation. This article detains the attempts of congress to reduce the problem of pollution, which has been found to negatively affect most wildlife directly, or indirectly more so marine animals as evinced by the fact that fishing nets often dredge up plastic waste (Blockstein 19). According to this article, over 3000 fur seals were killed by entanglement in plastic bags result in in suffocation and accounting for 15% mortality of the threatened species (Lockwood 18). It using plastic was banned; there would be a significant increase life expectancy of these and other young animals including sea birds and fish that tend to be negatively affected by the same. However, although this would seem an ideal solution to the problem, a complete ban on plastic bags use and manufacture would not

Is China shape up to be the next nation of innovation, moving away Essay

Is China shape up to be the next nation of innovation, moving away from the reputation of world's factory - Essay Example It is not just the emerging economies that need to be innovative; the developed countries have to step-up the rate of innovation to drive faster productivity growth that will help sustain healthy economic growth rates. Innovation leads to increased productivity and prosperity of a nation which in turn means world economic growth. Innovation addresses the most pressing social and human challenges. The social and human challenges can be met through education which brings about lifestyle changes in the people. Overall, the national environment matters to attain success in innovative activity. According to a recent survey conducted by the research firm the Economic Intelligence Unit Japan has been declared as the most innovative country, ahead of the US, Switzerland and Sweden. Innovation according to this study is â€Å"the application of knowledge in a novel way, primarily for economic benefit† (Blackcoat, 2007)2. The study has also indicated that China will see great progress for innovation while the US will remain the most â€Å"suitable place for innovation†. The study further suggests that there is no substitute for good education or for policies that encourage investment in IT communication infrastructure (Finfacts, 2007)3. Businesses consider innovation as a way to beat their competitors. For the economy to prosper the governments see the need for an innovative environment. Hence, innovation, government and businesses are linked together (Valery & Kekic, 2007)4. Firms collaborate with customers to product innovative products and personalize it; process innovation becomes important to design and improvise on the existing product and enhance productivity. Talents from different economies interact with each other to strengthen the links among personalization, collaboration and innovation. This has far-reaching implications for global business and for the nation