Some issues of cultural dining practices around the world do ultimately impact the environment and ultimately Climate. For instance, each day countries such as China discard over 100 million chopsticks which are used as single use dining utensils. Such eating utensils which are predominantly made from wood and thrown away have resulted in further forest depletion and acid rainfall. The use of wood in this way (i.e single use eating utensils) is unsustainable as it majorly depletes the volume of trees which would otherwise be available to help in absorbing greenhouse gases.
The rate of depletion of trees from the use of chopsticks is not being equalled by the planting of new trees, and since the advent of Covid-19 there has been an imperative requirement to dispose of wooden chop sticks which in turn has resulted in a larger volume of waste whereby the wooden single use chopsticks have been burnt; thus contributing an additional tier of increased carbon (C02)/atmospheric discharge along with the process undertaken which ensures further growth of Aspen trees (Aspen is the tree wood that the majority of mass manufactured wooden chopsticks are made from) which involves propagation by fire.
The Deforestation of trees for the manufacture, use and export of such single use disposable utensils is undoubtedly a negative activity which is contributing to Climate Change.
There needs to be more of a change in direction in terms of one or two alternatives which could be looked at (possibly such as sugarcane bagasse); as plastic eating utensils (including newer plastics) are not preferable as any kind of a real alternative either, in terms of successfully lowering environmental pollution due to an overall lack of biodegradability.
Whilst it is recognised that there is a cultural argument; this website is not political. Please note that this article expressly mentions single use chopsticks in regards to single use utensils overall which have a negative environmental impact across many parts of the world; and does not otherwise refer to the dining culture of using beautiful long lasting chopsticks that are re-usable (and which I myself use when going out to various restaurants).
Sustaining Bio-Diversity…
HABITAT:
The primary focus on Bio-Diversity is to save and protect all the various species of life on this planet.
It is necessary to both nurture and develop suitable habitats for all wildlife species, and most people appreciate that Deforestation destroys what would otherwise be natural habitats. Therefore, the continuation of the volume in the manufacturing of such things as single use wooden chopsticks is in effect damaging to the Habitats of a wide range of animal species.
Any program of Bio-Diversity must recognise that such things as single use wooden utensils (such as single use chopsticks )must be made obsolete. Our strategies must include proper consideration about how we preserve Habitats, meaning that every Bio-Diversity Programme has to be inclusive of a wide range of species…
Peace and Love,
L.D.K