Plastic Pens: One small step for man, one giant step for the planet

Posted on May 28, 2020

by Anoopa Ballal

The usually murky canals in Venice are now so clear, you can see the seaweed and fish in them. Delhi experienced a 60% reduction in PM2.5 levels. The endangered Gangetic dolphin was spotted in places in which it’s never been seen before and gaur are roaming the streets of Mangalore.

You may have seen some version of the “Earth is closed for repair” meme going around. While we are struggling with the economic and psychological consequences of the pandemic, we cannot deny the relief the fresh air and reduced noise pollution have brought us. We’ve known we are damaging the planet for a while now. India, one of the largest polluters, has pledged to reduce theemission intensity of its gross domestic product by 33-35 percent

in the next decade. Given that we have the gargantuan task of lifting millions out of poverty, this feels like squeezing blood from a stone. It is unreasonable to put the onus of carbon reduction solely on the shoulders of the government and the poor. Every one of us can and should make a change. There are hundreds of simple ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. Take the stairs when possible, recycle as often as you can, turn off the lights when you leave a room, sterilize your pet, fix that leaky tap, and avoid single-use plastic like the plague. The last one is particularly important because most plastic isn’t biodegradable, meaning it will last (and pollute) forever. The saying “The pen is mightier than the sword” is literal, because it will be around forever, killing animals, people, and the planet. The USA trashes about 1.6 billion disposable pens each year. School students in Kerala alone throw away an estimated 1.5 crore pens per month. These figures add up over the course of a generation, and making the switch to a more sustainable alternative is relatively painless and easy. Fountain pens can last a lifetime. If you would strongly prefer a ballpoint or a rollerball pen, then choose a robustly constructed metal one, with long-lasting refills. Take a look around our store, and you’re sure to find a pen that works for you and the planet today. Saving the world is paradoxically the ultimate team sport, as well as the responsibility of each individual contributor. Educate yourself on, and support the various green initiatives, in your community, or start one if you can. Let’s start doing our parts today, or there won’t be anything left for the next pandemic to do.