Episode 67: We Talk Climate Change - Chao Plastic Bags & Straws

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Paige: You're listening to “Coffee with Gringos.” I’m Paige Sutherland.

Ian: And I’m Ian Kennedy.

Paige: So today, given it's one of the top issues around the world, we are gonna talk about the environment. So, we're just going to talk about some new policies, some certain issues, our background with environmental policies, how we grew up, stuff like that. So, remember, if you get lost, check out that audio guide and transcript online. So, Ian, let's go back a little bit. Growing up, were you raised in a household of recyclers?

Ian: Luckily, yeah, my parents were pretty good about recycling—you know, glass, paper, cardboard, things like that. But it was still, like, in the 90’s it was still kind of coming around as the new thing. We even used to do things like, my birthday is on Earth Day, April 22, so, what we used to do is on my birthday, we would actually go out and we’d pick up trash in certain parts of the city.

Paige: Are you serious?

Ian: Yeah, it was my grandpa's idea so we’d have a little cleanup crew.

Paige: That sounds like a terrible birthday. “Hey son, it's your birthday. Let's pick up trash.”

Ian: Yeah, pretty unconventional but, yeah, it was fun. We did it for a few years and yeah, I just learned that it was important to keep things clean and keep Earth clean and also to reuse things. So, yeah, I think that's really important. What about you? What's your background with recycling?

Paige: Yeah, I'm still stuck on your birthday. I mean, that is very giving of you.

 Ian: Yeah, I guess I got roped into it. But, yeah, it ended up being good.

Paige: My family, I would say, is more, recycling came in a lot later. I think growing up, we didn’t really recycle at all. It wasn’t anything that I thought of. It probably wasn’t until maybe I was in high school that we actually got a recycling bin, like something separate. But I think given that it's taken time for it to become part of my habit. I don't naturally recycle. I think if there's, like, two separate bins I'll do it but I wouldn't, like, think “oh, I should recycle that.” It's just bad.

Ian: Yeah, I'm right there with you though, like, even to this day, I have to—it’s still sort of a conscious thought. Like, maybe sometimes I'll go to just throw something in the trash and I'll think, “okay that can be recycled, go ahead and wash it out.” You kind of have to go an extra step but it's really just telling yourself not to be lazy, just to kind of do the right thing.

Paige: Yeah, I think, I'm encouraged because my father, who I said we didn't grow up as a cycling family, and now, like, I mean he's in his 50’s, but he's, like, very strict about it. Like, if you're in his home, he's like, “No, you gotta take off the cap, empty it out. Do this, take off the label…” And he even takes the k-cups from the coffee and he, like, puts them in a composite and he, like, puts in his garden. So, I think we're capable of changing, it just takes some time.

Ian: Sure, yeah. And like you mentioned, like, it wasn't super well known or super popular probably back when we were kids, so it's been something that's been growing, along with all these other initiatives to try to help curb climate change that's happening. But yeah, I think, in addition even to recycling, like, even as reusing things. So even now I'm good about if I buy something like a plastic jar or something that can be reused to hold things, then I'll use that instead of buying more tupperware or buying more plastic items. So, I think even little things like that can help.

Paige: How has your adjustment to the no plastic bags been?

Ian: It's been okay, it's been all right. Strange enough, like, I used to go to a grocery chain in the United States, I don’t know if you have Aldi in Boston. It's, like, a more of a budget supermarket chain of Trader Joes. And there they have a policy, it's bring your own bags. So, whenever I used to go shopping there, I'd have to bring my own bags, so I’d bring a big backpack or something like that. I was lucky enough to kind of already have that practice but it's super inconvenient at times if you go without a bag, and then you have no other choice but to carry them yourself or buy a paper bag or something like that. But I think it's I think it's a good practice to have moving forward to try to get rid of those plastic bags.

Paige: I know when we moved here, it was March. So almost a year and a half now. And it was a really hard adjustment because we moved and then, like, maybe two weeks later, there was no bags. So it's like we got here in this new country, we're like, oh, we go to the store, they give you bags and then like two weeks later we show up and like, “Oh no, no bags.” So, we’re, like, what? But I mean, it maybe took me four or five times where I went and I was like, “Crap, I don’t have a bag.” But now I don't even, it’s part of my habit. If I go food shopping, it's always “bring a bag.” Like, I haven't messed up once after that.

Ian: Yeah, so just takes some getting used to. I think with a lot of these kind of new initiatives, these new kinds of policies, they're uncomfortable at first because these things have always existed, so it’s just super normal. So, like you said after a couple times and remembering or kind of that adjustment period, it doesn't become so difficult.  It's kind of just second nature.

Paige: I agree and it is silly how many bags we did use. I mean, you go food shopping once a week, you're probably using ten to fifteen bags. That's not really necessary.

Ian: Yeah, not necessary. If you can get everything in one bag or just a couple of bags. Again, it's these little things that that help.

Paige: So, the straws…How's your adjustment been to the straws?

Ian: The straws are fine. For me, I've always thought straws are such a luxury item. Like, you know, you can always drink with just your mouth, from the lid, from the can, from whatever you're drinking from—you don't really need a straw. So, for me it's always been, like, this luxury or this extra item you don’t really need. So, for me, I've always found straws to be a little crazy.

Paige: I do like a good straw, though. It's something I don't need, like you said, it's totally a luxury. I can use my mouth; I don't need a straw. But when I'm drinking a cold beverage that has, like, ice cubes, I prefer a straw—like an iced coffee. I don't know, but I can adjust. I don't need it. I think the hardest thing is, I feel like I'd rather have no straws than the straw alternative that they have. Which is this cardboard straw that just, like, dissolves as you drink it. It's terrible.

Ian: Yeah, I was gonna say, I like the idea of having alternatives but with alternatives that I've used, I agree, it's kind of gross. Like, you know, if I want to enjoy a drink for a while, I look down at the bottom of the straw and it's getting floppy or sort of, like, dissolving…yeah, getting soggy in the drink, it's like a huge turnoff. It's pretty gross so some other alternatives need to be explored besides what’s being used.

Paige: One they talk about is to have a metal straw. And, like you said, I mean, do I need a straw? No, so am I going to carry a metal straw around in my purse so that I can drink out of the straw? It’s a little extreme.

Ian: Yeah, I'm sorry but I’m gonna feel like a dumbass if I walk around with a metal straw in my pocket to drink out of a drink.

Paige: Yeah, I think until they find a better reusable alternative, I’ll just go straw less.

Ian: I've heard of, like, pasta noodles straw being used in other places. I've heard of a bamboo straw.

Paige: Yeah, I mean, I would try it. And quick reminder, don't forget if you want to advance your English more, learn more, go online to dynamicenglish.cl where you can take private classes, you can take group classes, you can even now take classes online. So, obviously, we all have an individual responsibility, you know, to recycle, not use as much straws, not use as much plastic bags, stuff like that. Then you have the extreme, right? People who say, “I'm not going to fly anymore.” What are your thoughts on that?

Ian: So, again, I think, in theory, it's a good idea. You know, reduce your carbon footprint, but for me, saying that you're never gonna fly anywhere anymore is a little bit extreme, it's a little bit ridiculous. Especially if you're someone who travels a lot. I understand it's bad for the environment, but come on, you expect me to ride in a boat across the ocean? Or I guess if it's domestically, you know, within a country, it's more understandable. But you're not going to convince me that me taking a boat from the US to Europe is going to help a whole lot more than if I just take a flight. I don't know how you feel about that, what do you thin

Paige: No, I mean, I think not flying is so extreme. I think you can make small changes but to drastically change your life, I don't think it's that necessary and, like, you said, that impactful. I think doing these daily things is more impactful because, how often do you really fly? I mean, a couple times a year. So, if you don't do that, is it really going to save the world? I think little things like taking public transit, riding your bike, not using your car a lot, carpooling, those things I think you do more frequently. So, they have more of an impact but I think more not flying is more, kind of, like, a philosophical stance of, like, “I love the environment” more than, like, practically, is it really going to do a lot?

Ian: Sure, kind of a statement, I think. Which, there's a famous person who is practicing that right now—young Greta Thunberg, right? Talk about her a little bit, she's causing a lot of news waves around the world right now.

Paige: I mean, obviously, she's a very passionate, smart young lady. I think people are so impressed by her because she's so young. I mean, she's a teenager, and she's going around the world trying to literally save the world by fixing climate change—it's impressive. I mean, she knows CO2 levels and the gases and she knows, like, everything, science-wise, of the impacts of climate change. And you hear her, you're like “wow.” At fifteen, I was not thinking about these things.

Ian: Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Paige: I think she's inspiring. It makes me kind of feel bad when I listened to her of like, ooh, I can at least recycle more.

Ian: Right, right. Yeah again those little things we were talking about. You know, someone like her, you see she's making these big changes, these big initiatives, and it can at least kind of motivate you, give you a kick in the butt to say, “yeah okay, I can recycle more. I can eat less animal products or meat; I can ride my bike instead of driving my car”—things like this. I think over a long time they accumulate good habits, also. So, then you're creating, like, a long term, environmental habits, collectively. Yeah, it's good to have people like her that are voicing their opinions and showing these things, but I think it's a little crazy to think that everyone's gonna stop flying and completely stop eating meat and things like this. But yeah, I think what she's doing is good and needs to be done.

Paige: I mean, hopefully some of these young activists who are taking to the streets and really passionate about this cause that hopefully, people will listen and policymakers will change. And hopefully, we can make a dent in some of the problems we've been creating,

Ian: Yeah, that would be good. And for all of you, all of you at home, who don't want to stop flying, at least consider maybe recycling more. Recycling, reusing, ride your bike instead of driving your car. It's, again, it's these little things that can help change the world. You don't have to do crazy things.

Paige: Absolutely. Remember, as always, if you get lost, check out that audio guide and thanks for listening.

Ian: We'll see you next time.

***Greta Thunberg interview: http://www.cc.com/video-playlists/kw3fj0/the-opposition-with-jordan-klepper-welcome-to-the-opposition-w--jordan-klepper/ed6ma7

Key Vocabulary, Phrases and Slang:

1.     unconventional (adjective): uncommon, unusual

a.     She does her work in an unconventional way.

2.     to get roped into something (phrasal verb): to be convinced or persuaded into doing something.

a.     I got roped into helping my parents clean the house.

3.     initiative (noun): act or decision to resolve a problem or improve a situation.

a.     The company is taking fresh initiative’s in order to improve employee relations.

4.     to curb (verb): to limit, restrain

a.     I usually eat a snack in the afternoon to curb my hunger.

5.     budget (adjective): low cost, economical

a.     They always shop at budget stores in order to save money.

6.     second nature (noun): something that is a habit due to frequent use or practice.

a.     Using a computer became second nature for me once I started university.

7.     silly (adjective): ridiculous, stupid.

a.     Not wearing a coat during a snowstorm is so silly.

8.     straw (noun): thin, hollow tube used for drinking with.

a.     Straw production causes damage to the oceans.  

9.     luxury (adjective): expensive, inessential comfort item

a.     She wants a luxury car when she gets her driving license.

10.  to dissolve (verb): to weaken, become liquid, break down

a.     The papers dissolved because I left them in the rain.

11.  gross (adjective): disgusting, nasty.

a.     That plate of food looks so gross. I don’t want to eat anymore.

12.  floppy (adjective): loose, weak, without shape or form.

a.     The material became floppy after a few hours.

13.  soggy (adjective): wet and soft.

a.     The bread is soggy because someone spilled water on it.

14.  turnoff (noun): something that causes someone to feel disgusted or uninterested.

a.     People who only talk about themselves is a real turnoff for me.

15.  dumbass (noun, slang): someone stupid.

a.     I felt like such a dumbass when I wrongly introduced my name to the group.

16.  to convince (verb): to persuade, cause someone to believe in something.  

a.     My teacher convinced me that it is very important to take notes for the course.

17.  drastically (adverb): significantly, extremely.

a.     Learning English has drastically helped me for my new job position.

18.  impactful (adjective): having a major effect or impact.

a.     They focused on an impactful design for their new company logo.

19.  to carpool (verb): to share a single vehicle with multiple people.

a.     My friends and I decided to carpool to school together so we can save money on gas.

20.  to accumulate (verb): to gather, collect.

a.     The oceans are accumulating too much garbage to be sustainable in the future.

21.  taking to the streets (idiom): to bring something into public awareness.

a.     I am happy about the activists taking to the streets over global warming issues.

22.  to make a dent (phrasal verb): to make noticeable progress in a part of a large problem or challenge.

a.     The team made a dent last night in the annual reporting project.