Dear North American municipalities,

Why is it that entire countries in other continents are able to ban plastic bags, while only a handful of cities in North America have been able to get their act together? Don’t get me wrong – I’m in no way belittling the efforts of the cities who have managed to do this. I’m especially proud of Leaf Rapids, Manitoba!

Uganda has just decided to ban plastic bags. But this isn’t the first time that Africa has lapped North America on this issue. Earlier this year, a sizeable portion of Tanzania went plastic bag-free, and a number of other countries over the years have taken decisive action, be it bans or taxes.

It’s time to play catch-up. If they can do it, we can do it.

Sincerely, Rena

I’ve mentioned this before but I clearly can’t stress this point enough: Green is the new black. But it’s almost more than that now. It’s a craze but hopefully not a fad that will fade like Backstreet Boys, pogs, or the 80′s in general.

Yesterday we were able to witness the entire globe go green for the Al Gore-organised Live Earth shows around the world. Musical artists joined together for 29 hours of non-stop entertainment to raise awareness about environmental issues. Your parents and your geography teachers can smack you over the head with the message, but when Sting tells you to recycle, you listen.

And now this – riots in Hong Kong over the now ubiquitous Anya Hindmarch “I’m not a Plastic Bag” bags. It’s almost as funny as it is sad, but simultanously encouraging. That a reusable bag would cause such a stir speaks highly of both the bag and the people clamouring for it. Turn up your speakers, kids – this link has a YouTube clip!