Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced recently that the carbon dioxide levels in Earth’s atmosphere measured just shy of 400 parts per million. Evidence from ice core samples and other means strongly suggests that level is the highest that carbon levels have ever been since humans first appeared on Earth. In fact, one scientist said that the last time the carbon levels were this high, the sea level was between 33 and 66 feet higher.

In a city bordered on three sides by water, that should trouble everyone.

Clearly, humanity has reached the point that we must view the environmental ramifications of our behaviors as a whole rather than thinking of each of them in isolation. When it comes to solving this problem, a multitude of reforms are needed: cleaner energy, more efficient manufacturing, technological advances in material science and — let’s just put it out there — a reduction in consumption, including the needless packaging that often accompanies it.

That last part is where your garbage comes into the picture.