Solutions - hmmm, off the top of my head, I'd suggest looking into the following solutions for some really good ideas. Then, simply put on your thinking cap and-considering the long term social, economic and environmental impact on yourself, your community and your world-design your own solution to your very own problem! In other words, think sustainably!

• Problem: "Just one word …Plastics!" (from the 1967 classic film The Graduate with Dustin Hoffman) It is difficult to imagine life without plastics. Plastics' versatility makes them handy for use in practically all aspects of our popular culture-from car parts to doll parts, from soft drink bottles to the refrigerators they are stored in, from the film used to produce TV shows to the television you watch them on-even the plastic credit card you bought it with. However, plastics are also both a health and an environmental affliction. They are made from petroleum based chemicals and many contain heavy metals. Plus they may only be used for 15 days on average, but they will not disintegrate in our landfills for 500 years.

  Solution: Make plastic from corn (polylactic acid) which is 100% biodegradable when composted. Also, reuse and recycle them before you're done. Check out Cargill Dow's full line of products available through their partner organizations www.cargilldow.com.

• Problem: Cigarette smoke kills 1,200 Americans a day. 1 in 5 deaths in the US can be attributed to cigarettes (from The Truth campaign)

  Solution: New York's Anti-Smoking Campaign was recognized as one of the largest in the nation. In July 2003, the state instituted its Clean Indoor Air Act which mandates no smoking in all public areas and places of employment, including most restaurants and bars. In public health terms the anti-smoking lobby was one of the great success stories of the past 20 years. How many people will stop smoking? How many lives will be saved? Stick around to find out! What we do know is that the Clean Indoor Air Act has not hurt New York City's restaurant business. To the contrary, 23 percent of the diners polled by an impartial Zagat survey said they were eating out more often because of the law Also, when you get time, check out the updates on the highly cool campaign by The Truth at www.thetruth.com

• Problem: With our economy based on the burning of fossil fuels, the imminent threat of global climate change, instability in the Middle East, many references to eco-effectiveness revolve around renewable energy sources. Transportation happens to be an area of particular interest and possibility.

  Solution: Fuel Cells - On the subject of alternative fueled automobiles, Ford Motors Chairman Bill Ford said "I believe fuel cells could end the 100-year reign of the internal combustion engine…it will be a winning situation all around - customers will get an efficient power source, communities will get zero emission transportation and automakers will get a major business opportunity." Applications can power a range of products from cell phones and laptop computers to schools and hospitals. Check out www.fuelcelltoday.com and be sure to check out their dandy educational materials section under reference center.

© 2002 POP SUSTAINABILITY