Synthetic Turf Will Contribute to Greenhouse Gas Problems

“Given that most plastic carpets are made out of polyethylene — the plastic found to release [methane and ethylene] at the highest rate — and given the high surface area occupied by this material, including each individual blade of plastic ‘grass,’ synthetic turf likely contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. I strongly urge you to consider how you can reduce these gases through policies restricting the installation of synthetic turf, as well as other synthetic surfaces, to guide consumers to make better choices and reduce plastic production everywhere we can.”

Rebekah ThomsonJune 5, 2019Environment, Climate change, Plastic pollution

Letter from the Martha's Vineyard Environmental Educators Alliance

"As they grow into adults we hope these students will keep this love for the Island close in their hearts and let it weigh heavily on the decisions they face as future community leaders. Change is inevitable. But change of any particular sort is not... In the end it is often money that rules the day. Ironic and shortsighted, when looking many years down the road, artificial turf is a costly financial choice, not to mention health and environmental one."

Rebekah ThomsonJune 5, 2019Environment, Plastic pollution, Stewardship

Letter From Vineyard Conservation Society

"Against this backdrop of growing enthusiasm for measures to reduce plastic waste, and the progress already achieved by our Island community, the possibility of replacing natural grass with one or more massive plastic carpets is particularly dissonant, and disappointing. Artificial turf, while not disposable in quite the same sense as a plastic drinking straw, is indeed a plastic waste issue."

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Environment, Plastic pollution, Costs, Disposal

Letter from Mass Audubon to MVRHS Leadership

“Mass Audubon opposes the use of synthetic turf for outdoor sports and activities on the High School playing fields and believes grass playing fields are a better alternative. Grass maintains a natural temperature, reduces rain runoff, filters stormwater, and when cared for properly, is safe for people and nature.”

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Environment, Stewardship, Toxic exposure, Plastic pollution

How Extreme Weather Is Shrinking the Planet

“With wildfires, heat waves, and rising sea levels, large tracts of the earth are at risk of becoming uninhabitable. But the fossil-fuel industry continues its assault on the facts.”

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Climate change, Environment, Plastic pollution, Human health, Costs

Plastic Fibres Found in Tap Water Around The World, Study Reveals

Tests show billions of people globally are drinking water contaminated by plastic particles, with 83% of samples found to be polluted… The US had the highest contamination rate, at 94%, with plastic fibres found in tap water sampled at sites including Congress buildings, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters, and Trump Tower in New York.

Rebekah ThomsonJune 4, 2019Climate change, Plastic pollution, Environment

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