Interesting graph. (How long does it take to decompose)?

[Mrs-M]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/385720_346118152121856_100377760029231_850203_9712 32751_n.jpg

[Lainey]

thanks, Mrs-M. so powerful.
I also heard that every bit of plastic that was ever made is still in existence; hence "the Great Pacific Garbage Patch": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch

What have we wrought?

[razz]

Plastic of all kinds is/was possible because humans discovered fossil-sourced oil in the late 1800's. It has also given us car, plane and space travel and so much more.
It has been estimated that due to the fossil oil, this point in human civilization is the wealthiest and healthiest ever.

It has also enabled the production of so many artificial chemicals from fossil-based oil that are circulating in the world with the full consequences on ourselves and our world not known.
I just read that while bees which pollinate 70% of our food supply have been challenged with mite problems and hive disorders, they are now contending with chemical sprays that render them unable to fly and they die writhing.

Truly what have we wrought?

Tragically, I wonder how the collective we get the situation under control again?

I read the Archdruid Report blog http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.ca/weekly and learned about so much over the years with links to the source of his info.
He talks about the three levels of the economy in a number of his earlier blog entries.
Primary is the earth and its resources like water, soil, coal, native flora and fauna and minerals. These are limited and must be guarded and protected.
Secondary is the production using these resources like farmers, forestry, gardening, wood and metal products that has been going on for centuries.
Tertiary is artificial and man-made - If I recollect correctly this includes money management, investments, internet, political lobbying, lawyers, and so on. A full 70% of today's economy is based on the tertiary economy. I believe that it should be about 10% so the decision makers about plastic issues may well look at things differently from those on SLF.

Do you believe that those lives that are invested in this tertiary economy have a serious interest in the care and future of this planet and an understanding of what must change?
Plastic bags are a clear symbol though. Can you tell that this is important to me?

[Gregg]

I also heard that every bit of plastic that was ever made is still in existence...

I've heard the same comment. Except for the small percent that has been recycled or simply destroyed, it pretty much has to be true. Chemically speaking "plastic" is a pretty broad term, but as it relates to all the things that enter our daily lives I think its safe to say we've gone overboard with our use of it.

[Tussiemussies]

Thanks Mrs. M for posting this, I really wish they could find some better materials for things on the right side of the list. :)

[bae]

How fast do things decompose though if they are buried in a landfill? I've read some interesting articles in the past indicating that the time periods are much much longer once entombed.

http://wc.arizona.edu/papers/94/141/01_2_m.html

I suppose future generations may look upon these sites as fabulous resources though.

[puglogic]

I've often thought that too, bae. Sort of like our "midden" for future generations, that they might learn what kind of people we were.

{shudder}

[Mrs-M]

Great input you guys, and super-great links!

[Gregg]

To get a compost pile to degrade at a good rate you need to turn it to make sure oxygen is present in every layer. Would the same principal not apply to garbage in landfills? It just seems kind of funny that people didn't realize decompisition wouldn't occur in an environment where all the little critters doing the work couldn't breath. But then its easy to be critical with the benefit of hindsight...

[peggy]

When i saw the title of this thread, I thought you were going to tell us how long it took US to decompose! :0!

[Gregg]

When i saw the title of this thread, I thought you were going to tell us how long it took US to decompose! :0!

Haha. Who'da thunk it, forget the Holy Grail, the secret to immortality lies in a landfill!

[peggy]

Haha. Who'da thunk it, forget the Holy Grail, the secret to immortality lies in a landfill!

And they will be digging up our fairly intact remains a thousand years from now! Along with readable newspapers and, yeah, plastic bags! :D
I've been watching too much CSI

[Gregg]

And they will be digging up our fairly intact remains a thousand years from now!

Planning the ashes to ashes thing here. Kinda like the thought of coming back as a diamond.

[Mrs-M]

Super great additions everybody!

LOL, Peggy and Gregg!