By Peggy Ann Berry, PhD, RN, COHN-S, CLE, PLNC, FAAOHN
I have a true confession: I am an imperfect environmentalist. According to Vocabulary.com, when something or someone is not perfect, it or they are imperfect. There are flaws, chinks in the armor, math errors, and my all time favorite, transposing letters. Yep, imperfect! I think if we all reject the illusion that we can be perfect, our lives would be a little less anxious in this world.
The other side of that coin is that I am an environmentalist, imperfect, but I am an environmentalist. Again, referring to Vocabulary.com, an environmentalist is so passionate about the natural world that they work to protect it. Some people make a career out of protecting the environment. Some of my favorite people are imperfect environmentalists, even though they, we, all try to make a difference. As a nurse, I know that a healthy environment is intertwined with a healthy population.
But I am imperfect. I refuse plastic straws in restaurants, but I still sometimes use plastic bags at the grocery store for a quick stop when I've forgotten my reusable bags. I decline plastic cutlery when buying takeout that is still wrapped in plastic film or Styrofoam. I purchased a cute plastic bear filled with gummy bears without thinking. Well, I made an impulse purchase while shopping out of town with my sister, and I wanted those gummy bears. I can do better, and I intend to do just that.
I assume that you also identify as an imperfect nurse, social worker, or environmentalist. Perfection is not achievable, so all we can do is our best. There is no shame in that. We know that the process of making plastic uses carcinogenic products, such as vinyl chloride. Plastic manufacturing releases these pollutants into our air. We now know that microplastics are in our bodies and brains. It isn't just momma birds feeding the baby birds plastic. It is in us. Let us all consider mindfully what we can do together to reduce plastic waste.
What can we do in the future:
- Carry reusable bags for grocery shopping
- Buy in bulk
- Choose products in glass, paper, or metal containers over plastic
- Avoid produce wrapped in plastic (like bananas or potatoes, get real)
- Stop buying bottled water
- Use a refillable water bottle or coffee cup (I carry these with me on travel)
- Pack your lunch in reusable containers (it is healthier)
- Say no to plastic straws and cutlery (I have a travel cutlery set)
- Switch to bar soap and shampoo bars
These are just some of the things you can do NOW. In addition, here are two additional resources. NRDC has a great article on ten ways to reduce plastic pollution. In addition, I have included another valuable resource on the connection between plastics and climate, providing the information you need to support a plastic-free world. You also can follow me at Between the Waters on Facebook or WordPress. As imperfect as I am, I started a 501c3 in 2021 to illuminate and educate on water issues between the Great Lakes, the Ohio River Valley and beyond because we all live downstream and plastic pollution is making us sick.
Think about joining a network of imperfect environmentalists to make it a healthier planet for our patients, our kids, grandkids, and our future generations. Let's clean up our trash and dispose of it properly.
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Bio: Peggy Ann Berry, PhD, RN, COHN-S, CLE, PLNC has worked in healthcare since 1972 as an aide, then RN in 1977. After a 13 year career as an occupational health nurse manager, Peggy received her Masters in Nursing Science in 2007 followed by a doctorate in Nursing Research from University of Cincinnati in 2015. She is a Founding Fellow with the U. S. Academy of Workplace Bullying, Mobbing, and Abuse. She is a past Graduate Nurse Intern to OSHA and Malcolm Baldrige Examiner. She speaks on injury prevention, workplace bullying, and servant leadership.