Look at this sexy bag.

Look at this sexy bag.

Look. At. This. Sexy. Bag.

I wanted to highlight this arousing piece of cloth that contains individual sections for produce because:

It can be hard for some folks to imagine altering a habit that’s become second nature. I have conversations every week with people about the needlessness of plastic produce bags, and some appear to be absolutely astounded by the concept of giving them up.

There’s no blame or shame here: Changing is really hard, and when you’ve been doing something one way forever, it feels like the “right” way. I’m sure there are many things I do a certain way without question because I think it’s the “right” way — but we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about this sexy bag.

Let’s zoom out for a moment, shall we? Two bigger picture thoughts emblematized by this sexy bag :

1. Maybe it’s not that hard to change — just a little uncomfortable. When disposable produce bags were first introduced, that was a change.

2. We, as individuals/members of society have proven that we’re actually quite willing to change — especially if that change is for the greater good. What’s been shown to us over and over again is that big corporations are not willing to change.

Expanding a bit on #2: I’ve been thinking about how, last month, when asked by a startling Amber Alert-style text message to reduce their energy usage during a heat wave, New Yorkers actually complied.

The following two tweets effectively sum up the absurdity/irony of it all (is it ironic? or just plain awful?)

Savvy☭ @sleepisocialist

NYC sending a text to residents to turn down the AC while leaving Times Square lit up is a great example of how the “individual responsibility to stop climate change” has been pushed to redirect our focus away from the corporations & failed government policy causing the most harm

July 1st 2021

32,382 Retweets142,096 Likes

Đ₳₦ ⱧɆVł₳ @DanHevia

Turn all these big ass billboards off in Times Square before you ask me not to make a Hot Pocket.

June 30th 2021

1,406 Retweets7,884 Likes

We know corporations have pushed the “personal responsibility” narrative to override and distract from being held accountable for blowing up the planet.

My very own newsletter (this! here!) encourages personal responsibility as a solution to climate change, as does Big Soda and Big Oil and Nature Valley Granola Bars. And now, even the mayor jumped on board by way of text message.

I don’t mind the mayor sending that bonkers text to NYers because I think continuing to raise awareness around the state of this hot, global crisis is important. It just can’t be the only way to act against climate change.

Personal responsibility and corporate responsibility can and should happen simultaneously. New Yorkers can agree to not do their laundry for a day AND M&Ms and LG can agree to go a few hours without blazing advertisements?

This is not at all a new idea or unique perspective. I’m just at a loss for how we’re still here at the crux, wasting time hovering above a point rather than moving in any direction.

Blah blah.

Things to read:

• "What can I do?" Anything.

• Inside Exxon’s playbook: How America’s biggest oil company continues to oppose action on climate change

• How can I recycle empty prescription pill bottles? (I wrote this — the answer is unsatisfying, but the solution is out there and really cool and simple)

Things to do:

Share Good Little Garbage Girl

Things to eat:

• I am excited by Mark Bittman’s recipe for tomatoes and beans

• My spouse made some amazing vegetarian meatballs this weekend with Impossible meat. Text him 2 learn more — he doesn’t even subscribe to GLGG.

Things to know:

• I’d love if you’d share this newsletter with a friend and/or blast it on social media.

• I’d also love to know what else you want to talk about — you know, besides bags.

• We’re gonna discuss eating (less) meat soon.