• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Labels & Packaging
    • Markets
    • Technology
    • Equipment
    • Supplies
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Labels & Packaging
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Label Insights: Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements

    Die Technology

    Ink Innovation

    E-Commerce Labels

    Contingency Planning
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Epson upgrades SurePress demo facility

    Xeikon helps converters navigate toner and inkjet

    Mactac introduces Simply Sustainable initiative

    Simco-Ion announces Cleanflex Easy Ionization Gun

    Global Graphics unveils new SmartDFE
    Blog
    Video Bites
    Beauty & Personal Care Labels
    Beer Labels
    Beverage Labels
    Flexible Packaging
    Folding Carton
    Food Labels
    Glue-Applied
    In-Mold
    Industrial Labels
    Medical Labels
    Pharmaceutical Labels
    Pressure Sensitive
    Prime Labels
    Promotional Labels
    Security Labels
    Shrink
    Smart Labels
    Specialty Labels
    Spirits Labels
    Wine Labels

    S-OneLP launches Cannabis Resource Guide

    Bobst announces virtual packaging industry event

    Enprom helps converter respond to flexible packaging needs

    anytron assists medical device company with labeling

    Deep dive into the packaging supply chain
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    Avery Dennison meets demand for digital substrates

    Epson upgrades SurePress demo facility

    Xeikon helps converters navigate toner and inkjet

    Bailprint Labels installs Nilpeter FA-17

    Domino promotes Jessie Van Apeldoorn
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Avery Dennison meets demand for digital substrates

    Younger generation drives sustainable packaging momentum

    Epson upgrades SurePress demo facility

    Xeikon helps converters navigate toner and inkjet

    Mactac introduces Simply Sustainable initiative
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    Simco-Ion announces Cleanflex Easy Ionization Gun

    Esko and Asahi unveil CrystalCleanConnect flexo platemaker

    Bailprint Labels installs Nilpeter FA-17

    Bobst enhances design of Mouvent LB701-UV digital label press

    Epson SurePress reaches milestone
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Avery Dennison meets demand for digital substrates

    Mactac introduces Simply Sustainable initiative

    Simco-Ion announces Cleanflex Easy Ionization Gun

    Channeled Resources installs new slitter in Toronto facility

    Kao Collins launches new website for printing inks and services
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Flexo Label Advantage Group LLC (FLAG)

    NarrowWebExchange.com, LLC

    Mechanical Specialties, Inc.

    UPM Raflatac

    Dantex Group
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live from Show Events
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Label Converters
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Labels & Packaging
      • Beauty & Personal Care Labels
      • Beer Labels
      • Beverage Labels
      • Flexible Packaging
      • Folding Carton
      • Food Labels
      • Glue-Applied
      • In-Mold
      • Industrial Labels
      • Medical Labels
      • Pharmaceuticals Labels
      • Pressure Sensitive
      • Prime Labels
      • Promotional Labels
      • Security Labels
      • Shrink
      • Smart Labels
      • Speciality Labels
      • Spirits Labels
      • Wine Tables
    • Markets
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • China
      • Europe
      • India
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Equipment
      • Digital Printers & Presses
      • Flexo Presses
      • Label Converting Equipment
      • Label Fishing Equipment
    • Supplies
      • Dies And Tooling
      • Flexo Supplies
      • Ink & Coatings
      • Prepress Supplies
      • Pressrooom Supplies
      • Substrates
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Blog
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Supplier Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Homepage Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Letters From The Earth

    The asteroid is us

    ...

    The asteroid is us
    Related CONTENT
    • Channeled Resources installs new slitter in Toronto facility
    • Kao Collins launches new website for printing inks and services
    • Xitron announces addition of Bill Brunone
    • Bailprint Labels installs Nilpeter FA-17
    • PPG releases 2020 Sustainability Report
    Calvin Frost01.31.20
    As we begin 2020, I am struck by the discordance that is here in America. Am I alone in hearing these voices? I see and hear a lack of harmony, a lack of balance. Every time we pick up a newspaper, or watch television, there is another story of political strife, capitalism against environmentalists, disharmony against common sense.

    The December 29th edition of the Chicago Tribune is a good example: The lead article on the front page tells a story of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which stretches from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota, through South Dakota, across Iowa, under the Mississippi River into Illinois.

    The pipeline is currently approved for moving 556,000 barrels of oil per day. The owners want to double the flow to over a million barrels a day. They maintain the pipeline is structurally sound and meets codes that can handle the increase.

    Environmental groups, on the other hand, have raised numerous objections, and the battle lines are drawn. When I read stories like this, I try to remain neutral and understand both sides, really, in this case, economic benefits versus potential environmental issues. However, on this one, I quickly concluded that the underlying reason for the requested amendment is more oil with less concern for the environment. The questions in my mind are, “Do we really need that oil? What is the potential cost to the environment? Why isn’t the money being spent on renewables?”

    While today’s story is tomorrow’s history, it is only exasperated by the current administration’s efforts to support resource deployment at the cost of “our” environment. Right now, at this very instant, Washington is trying to dramatically weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA), one of the most widely supported and successful laws. This law focuses on survival of species. This isn’t about losing a butterfly here or an otter there. This is about the extinction of hundreds and hundreds of species. This same administration has tried to scrap the Clean Power Plan, which would, for the first time, place binding limits on greenhouse emissions from existing power plants, the biggest source of climate pollution in the US. And, to add fuel to the fire (I hope you get the pun), Washington is attempting to strip California and 13 other states of their right to adopt tougher clear car standards that would keep thousands of tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

    So, the question is, “What kind of culture have we become?” What era do we live in? As National Geographic puts it, “We don’t live in an ordinary time. Everywhere we look, species are winding out. Extinction rates are hundreds, perhaps thousands of times higher than historic rates. The last mass extinction, which occurred in the Dinosaur Age some 66 million years ago, followed an asteroid impact. 

    Today, the cause of extinction seems more diffuse. It is logging and poaching and introduced pathogens and climate change and over-fishing and ocean acidification.” (And, I might add, a total disregard for balance in our very fractured world caused by over-population and global political disharmony). National Geographic continues, “But trace all of these back and you find yourself face to face with the same culprit. The great naturalist E.O. Wilson has noted that humans are the “first species in the history of life to become a geophysical force.”  And many scientists and philosophers argue that we have entered a new geologic epoch, the Anthropocene Era or Age of Man – “this time around the asteroid is us.”

    That’s the whole point! We are the ones causing the problems of water pollution, plastic contamination in the oceans, global warming, terrible epidemics caused by man-made illness that are transmitted from village to village and city to city. For goodness sake, why would our leaders in Washington not support stricter emission standards if they prolong life? Well, all of us know the answer – greed.

    There’s an enormous debate about the Anthropocene Age. Some scientists suggest it began 12,000 years ago. Others consider the Industrial Revolution, the introduction of the steam engine, as the start of the Anthropocene Epoch. While the debate continues, the real point of this new era is that we, man, are the stimulation of change.  Wikipedia says, “The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch dating from the commencement of significant human impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems, including, but not limited to, Anthropocene climate change.”

    Further, the Anthropocene Epoch’s unofficial interval of geologic time makes up the third worldwide division of the Quaternary Period (2.6 million years ago to the present), characterized as the time in which the collective activities of human beings began to substantially alter Earth’s surface atmosphere, oceans and systems of nutrient cycling.” 

    By the way, Anthropocene is derived from Greek and means “the recent age of man.” (Maybe we should ask the Romans what they think!)

    The Encyclopedia Britannica has a great chart on the Quaternary Period and where the Anthropocene Epoch fits:

    The interesting chart (page 36), which from a purely scientific, geological view, defines each period going back in time thousands of years. Regardless of when the current epoch, the Anthropocene Epoch started, it seems to me we can agree that this is truly the Age of Man. Indeed, we are the asteroid as pointed out by National Geographic.

    Like Heather Tallis, the Nature Conservancy life scientist that I mentioned in my last column, I think we have two courses of action: The current destructive path that some folks want us to take or the path that Theodore Roosevelt advocated over 100 years ago. 

    Read this: “We have fallen heir to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune.”  

    He was referring to America, of course, but at the same is apropos to the world. What is fascinating, at least to me, is after Roosevelt became President, he put his words into action. He created a legacy of conservation. He became our first “public” conservationist. At one point, he argued that short of war, no question that faced the nation “compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land a better land for our descendants than it is for us.” 

    I don’t think it’s necessary for me to compare our current administration with that of Teddy Roosevelt. You get the message.

    As we start our next decade, it is my fervent wish, my New Year’s wish, that leaders in our industry, like UPM Raflatac, Avery Dennison, Sun Chemical, Dow-DuPont, and others, will continue to make sustainability their most important corporate goal. These leaders have begun to make changes and develop technologies that are less invasive. There’s another group of industry giants that include Berry Plastics, P&G, Walmart, Unilever, and others that have made the reduction of plastic waste a priority by forming an alliance to end plastic waste. 

    Finally, industry is realizing it must do its part to make changes that will improve our environment. Yes, we are in the Anthropocene Era, the Age of Man. But, as Teddy Roosevelt admonished, let us all make decisions that protect what we have that is so very precious.

    Another Letter from the Earth.



    Calvin Frost is chairman of Channeled Resources Group, headquartered in Chicago, the parent company of Maratech International and GMC Coating. His email address is
    cfrost@channeledresources.com.
    Related Searches
    • avery dennison
    • sustainability
    • climate change
    • waste
    Suggested For You
    Channeled Resources installs new slitter in Toronto facility Channeled Resources installs new slitter in Toronto facility
    Kao Collins launches new website for printing inks and services Kao Collins launches new website for printing inks and services
    Xitron announces addition of Bill Brunone Xitron announces addition of Bill Brunone
    Bailprint Labels installs Nilpeter FA-17 Bailprint Labels installs Nilpeter FA-17
    PPG releases 2020 Sustainability Report PPG releases 2020 Sustainability Report
    Domino promotes Jessie Van Apeldoorn Domino promotes Jessie Van Apeldoorn
    Digital embellishment makes labels shine Digital embellishment makes labels shine
    Controlling static and contamination in label production Controlling static and contamination in label production
    Collaboration helps propel Creative Labels of Vermont Collaboration helps propel Creative Labels of Vermont
    TLMI reveals Eugene Singer Award winners at Virtual Spring Summit TLMI reveals Eugene Singer Award winners at Virtual Spring Summit
    Monadnock Paper Mills joins SGP Monadnock Paper Mills joins SGP
    Bobst enhances design of Mouvent LB701-UV digital label press Bobst enhances design of Mouvent LB701-UV digital label press
    Edale appoints agent in Poland Edale appoints agent in Poland
    Germany Germany's Bentlage-label invests in Gallus ECS 340
    Mark Andy organizes international webinar for students Mark Andy organizes international webinar for students

    Related Letters From The Earth

    • Wishcycling

      Wishcycling

      ...
      Calvin Frost 04.13.21

    • Environmental scorecard

      Environmental scorecard

      ...
      Calvin Frost 03.04.21

    • The age of the conundrum

      ...
      Calvin Frost 01.27.21


    • Circularity

      Circularity

      ...
      Calvin Frost 11.12.20

    • War – Part III

      War – Part III

      ...
      Calvin Frost 10.09.20

    • War – Part II

      ...
      Calvin Frost 09.02.20


    • War – Part One

      War – Part One

      ...
      Calvin Frost 07.10.20

    • Golden opportunity

      Golden opportunity

      ...
      Calvin Frost 06.04.20

    • All roads lead to China

      ...
      Calvin Frost 04.03.20


    • Turning waste into gold

      A new process could potentially change the waste and recycling markets.
      Calvin Frost 03.05.20

    • Sacrifice and survival

      Sacrifice and survival

      ...
      Calvin Frost 11.15.19

    • Invasive plants and animals

      ...
      Calvin Frost 10.11.19


    • Palm oil

      ...
      Calvin Frost 09.04.19

    • Evian spelled backward

      ...
      Calvin Frost 07.10.19

    • Chemistry is the culprit

      ...
      Calvin Frost 05.31.19


    Trending
    • Collaboration Helps Propel Creative Labels Of Vermont
    • Dscoop Plans For Edge Fusion
    • Esko And Asahi Unveil CrystalCleanConnect Flexo Platemaker
    • Avery Dennison Expands Automotive Portfolio
    • Digital Embellishment Makes Labels Shine
    Breaking News
    • Ashland commits to forest restoration
    • Epson upgrades SurePress demo facility
    • Xeikon helps converters navigate toner and inkjet
    • Mactac introduces Simply Sustainable initiative
    • Simco-Ion announces Cleanflex Easy Ionization Gun
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    April 2021

    • Label Insights: Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements
    • Die Technology
    • Ink Innovation
    • E-Commerce Labels
    • Contingency Planning
    • Narrow Web Profile: Executive Label
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Ashland Supports the Nature Conservancy Forest Restoration Effort to Help Plant a Billion Trees
    Martin Bauer Announces Installation of Agile Filling System at Bethlehem, PA Facility
    PepsiCo and Ingredion Begin Pilot Partnership with Soil and Water Outcomes Fund
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    AkzoNobel Shareholders Approve Final Dividend at Annual General Meeting
    PPG Maintains EcoVadis Gold Rating
    Sustainable Plastics Will Make Up More Than 15% of Production by 2030
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Getinge Receives FDA Clearance for Multiple Products
    Study Shows Benefits of CCHD Screening Using Masimo SET Pulse Oximetry
    TEAM Technologies Acquires ViruDefense
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    RDIF, Minapharm to Make Over 40M Doses of the Sputnik V Vaccine in Egypt
    Bora Pharmaceuticals Completes Health Canada Inspection
    Nanoform, Aprecia Partner to Advance 3DP Nanomedicines
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Johnson & Johnson Reports Sales Increase in First Quarter of 2021
    THG Launches Recycling Program in UK
    Knoll Printing & Packaging Commits to a Healthy Ocean and Planet
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    L’Oréal Successfully Defends Itself In Patent Infringement Lawsuit
    TFF Names 2021 Honorees for Lifetime Achievement Perfumer and Hall of Fame
    Ashland Donates $20,000 To Help Plant Trees
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Kumon North America Adds Speedmaster XL 106 from Heidelberg
    Acrylic Resins Market Worth $21.9 Billion by 2025: MarketsandMarkets
    SE-DA Invests in Kornit Presto S
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Ashland commits to forest restoration
    Epson upgrades SurePress demo facility
    Xeikon helps converters navigate toner and inkjet
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Savaré Strengthens Technical Support for the Americas
    FiberVisions, Avgol Partner with Polymateria
    High-Tech Conversions Launches Wipes Dispenser
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    FDA Clears Orthofix's 3D-Printed FORZA Titanium TLIF Spacer System
    Patients Conclude Clinical Visits in Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Study
    SeaSpine Begins Limited Rollout of WaveForm TO 3D-Printed Interbodies
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Identiv, Ameta International Announce US, Canadian Distribution Partnership
    Adesis Achieves ISO 9001:2015 Certification
    Louis Widmer SA Complies with EU Anti-Counterfeiting Directive with Zebra Technologies’ Solution

    Copyright © 2021 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login