Green Love

Contaminated water kills more people than war

2010-03-29T21:26:00.003-04:00

According to an article on CNN, contaminated and polluted water now kills more people than all forms of violence including war.

This shocking and frightening news comes from a United Nations report released on Monday that calls for immediate action to be taken to clean unsanitary wastewater so that it can become an environmentally safe resource.

According to the report titled "Sick Water?", "At the beginning of the 21st century, the world faces a water crisis, both of quantity and quality, caused by continuous population growth, industrialization, food production practices, increased living standards and poor water use strategies."

Each year, more than 2.2 million people die from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe drinking water and poor hygiene. At least 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die every year from unsafe water as well, according to the report.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Click here to read about World Water Day and the World Health Organization's Advocacy Guide about the clean water initiative.

Vegan recipes!

2010-03-15T17:43:00.002-04:00

I'm always searching for easy, affordable, delicious and nutritional vegan recipes. Here are a few that I want to give a try:

1) Vegan chocolate chip scones
2) Vegan spinach lasagna
3) Oats and apples breakfast bars
4) Raw berry crisp
5) Edamame Guacamole

-Compiled from chooseveg.com, vegancooking.com, vegfamily.com, wholefoodsmarket.com

Endangered frogs refrigerated to spur breeding ... say what?!

2010-03-08T23:16:00.002-05:00

Check out this article from the NatGeo News Watch.

Apparently, in an effort to encourage breeding of mountain yellow-legged frogs, scientists at the San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research have put 24 frogs into fridges. Cold temps encourage hibernation which encourages mating and breeding behaviors.

Well, that certainly puts a new spin on heating things up in the bedroom.

Maryland Bans Bisphenol A

2010-02-28T12:27:00.003-05:00

Last Thursday, the Maryland Senate banned the chemical bisphenol A in cups and bottles made for children under age 4 with a vote of 46-to-O. The ban doesn't apply to toys and teething rings and will take place in 2012.

Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor and is believed to be linked to cancer, reproductive damage and other health problems.

Trouble for Florida's manatees

2010-02-21T13:53:00.002-05:00

An unusual cold snap in Florida in January has harmed its population of West Indies manatees, an endangered species.

So far this year, a record 280 or more manatees have died from cold stress-related illnesses; 5 percent of the total manatee population in Florida. Last year, the state saw a record high mortality rate of 429 deaths from boat strikes and other causes.

When water temperatures drop below 68 degrees, the giant sea creatures can't survive because their fat isn't designed to help keep them insulated, causing organ failure and cold stress syndrome.

Scientists estimate that they will be finding more dead manatees as the winter continues on.

Read the rest of the article from CNN here.

Olympic medals are eco friendly!

2010-02-21T13:45:00.003-05:00

Who knew that the Olympic medals are being made from recycling post consumer electronics?

According to Mother Jones, Teck Resources, a leading mining company in Canada has been extracting gold, silver and copper from used electronics. This year, 15,000 tons of e-waste will be processed from electronics - a promising increase from the mere 2,100 tons processed last year.

Read this: The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert

2010-02-13T16:14:00.003-05:00

I'm currently reading Elizabeth Gilbert's book The Last American Man for a class I'm taking all about the law of the land and our environment. I can't stress enough how awesome this book is, and I already plan on reading it a second time after I finish my class.

Here's the description from the back jacket:

"The Last American Man is the story of Eustace Conway, a true American original. For more than 20 years, Conway has made his home in the Appalachian Mountains where he lives off the land making fire with sticks and wearing the skins of animals he's trapped for food. In sharing Conway's fascinating true life story, acclaimed novelist and journalist Elizabeth Gilbert delivers an unforgettable adventure story about a truly epic, but thoroughly modern, American hero. As she thoughtfully examines Conway and all he embodies, the contemporary American male comes alive in all his conflicting elements of inventiveness, narcissism and intimacy."

READ IT!

The Review: "Tearing H&M a New One"

2010-02-12T12:28:00.002-05:00

In today's issue of The Review, there is a really interesting column written by The Review's Fashion Forward columnist Jackie Zaffarano.

You may be thinking, 'What about fashion screams environmentalism?' but this column is a great example of how even some of the fashion industry's biggest money makers are shamefully wasting clothing, money and materials.

The short of it is that H&M located in Manhattan at 34th Street and 7th Avenue was found repeatedly leaving garbage bags full of unworn, but unwearable merchandise on the street over Christmas. Although the clothing was untouched, it had been slashed with box cutters and razors, making it completely useless.

Wall-Mart was also found doing the same thing, except punching holes through the clothing rather than cutting it to bits.

Cynthia Magnus, a graduate student at the City University of New York, took this information to The New York Times after hearing nothing from H&M's headquarters in Sweden. H&M finally responded that they won't practice such tactics again.

Can someone please explain to me how hard it is to take a few bags of clothing to a shelter, halfway home or church in order to give it to the people that really need it? There are thousands of poor, struggling or homeless New Yorkers that could have used this clothing. H&M and Wall-Mart probably would have increased sales and their reputation if only they had announced a campaign to give back to the community, rather than trying to dispose of their excess merchandise under the radar.

Jackie's column raises a good point: even though a company may claim that it's supporting conservation and environmentally friendly practices, it's just as important to do your own research before you endorse a fashion line, that may in fact, be pulling the wool over your eyes.

Check out Jackie's column here.

Crazy Things You Can Recycle

2010-02-09T13:30:00.005-05:00

Check out this article from Earth 911.com, called Wow, Can You Recycle That?

What's on the list? Here are a couple of options for those of you, like me, who try to recycle as much as they can:

1) Cooking oil
"Make a designated waste oil container, label it and add to it each time there is leftover oil from your cooking. Then search for a recycling location on Earth911 or contact local restaurants to see if they accept the cooking oil for recycling."

2) Makeup containers
"Cosmetic and toiletry bottles, tubes and containers are commonly made of plastic #5, which is not a common material collected for recycling.

Origins was the pioneer nationwide cosmetic company to offer consumer cosmetic packaging recycling, regardless of brand. Empty cosmetic tubes, bottles, lipstick covers, jars and caps can be brought to an Origins retail store or department store counter nationwide for recycling or energy recovery. As an added bonus, customers will receive a free sample of an Origins skincare product for bringing in their empty containers.

MAC cosmetics accepts its packaging back for recycling either in-store or online, and you receive a free MAC lipstick with the return of six containers."

3) Keys
"Keys For Kindness is a small, family-run program designed to raise money through metal key recycling for the Multiple Sclerosis society."

What else is on the list?
Appliances, golf balls, ski equipment, snack wrappers, drink pouches, chip bags, gift cards, hotel key cards, automotive fluids, blue jeans ...

The facts about bottled water

2010-01-31T14:20:00.001-05:00

Thanks, Lyds.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/35kOfq/kuvaton.com/kuvei/facts_about_bottled_water.jpg

Rolling Stone: The Eco-Warrior

2010-01-21T14:04:00.002-05:00

Rolling Stone Magazine has recently been featuring a lot of really great, extensive environmental coverage.

Check out this article called The Eco-Warrior. It's all about the Environmental Protection Agency's new administrator Lisa Jackson, and her work to clean up the nightmarish mess that Bush left behind.

Here's an excerpt, but make sure you check out the whole article in Rolling Stone.

"With a minimum of fanfare, new EPA administrator Lisa Jackson has established herself as the agency's most progressive chief ever — and one of the most powerful members of Obama's Cabinet. In her first year on the job, Jackson has not only turned the page on the industry-friendly and often illegal policies of the Bush era, but has embarked on an aggressive campaign to clean up the nation's air and drinking water. Under her leadership, the EPA has sought stricter limits on toxic pollutants like mercury, moved to scrub emissions of arsenic and heavy metals from coal-fired plants, and revoked a permit for the nation's largest mountaintop-removal coal mine. "The American people can be outraged when we're not living up to the P part of our name," Jackson says. "The protection part."

Even more striking, Jackson has expanded the EPA's mandate to include sweeping new powers to crack down on climate-warming pollution from cars and industry. The move, which has the full backing of the White House, could prove to be the only viable way to stop Big Oil and Big Coal from overheating the planet — especially after the disastrous collapse of climate talks in Copenhagen in December. "If Congress doesn't pass legislation on climate change," says Carol Browner, Obama's climate czar, "EPA will follow through under the requirements of the Clean Air Act."

Taken together, Jackson's efforts represent a sweeping attempt to revitalize an agency that was gutted during the Bush years. The goal, as she sees it, is to once again base environmental regulations on science and the law — not on the demands of well-connected industries. "Under Jackson, it's a whole new ballgame," says Eric Schaeffer, who resigned as the agency's director of environmental enforcement in protest over Bush policies. "You now have an EPA administrator who has White House support but is still tough enough to provide an independent voice for the environment."

The Climate Killers: Rolling Stone

2010-01-17T11:00:00.003-05:00

Finally back from winter vacation and back and school, so hopefully I will be blogging a litte bit more these days.

Just got the newest copy of Rolling Stone magazine in the mail (yayay) and the cover this month is all about "The Climate Killers: Seventeen polluters and deniers who are derailing the efforts to curb global warming"

Click here to read the article.

Who made the list? Some offenders include:

Jack Gerard, "the fake protester," president of American Petroleum
Rex Tillerson, "the burning man," the CEO ExxonMobil
Tom Donohue, "the know nothing," president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

An excerpt:

" 'As the de facto chief of American business and industry, Donohue has turned the biggest lobbying presence on Capitol Hill into the biggest friend of climate polluters. In the first nine months of last year, the Chamber spent $65 million — three times more than ExxonMobil — mounting a campaign to block Congress from placing limits on carbon pollution. 'Not only has the Chamber spent decades denying the existence of the climate crisis,' Al Gore observed, 'now it is dedicating a significant quantity of resources and money attempting to prevent Congress from taking action.'

The extreme anti-climate position staked out by Donohue runs counter to the position of his own members. Of the 23 companies on the Chamber's board that made their position on climate legislation public, only four are against it — and three of those are coal companies. Yet the Chamber claims, in scaremongering language, that climate legislation threatens to 'completely shut the country down' and 'virtually destroy the United States.' For his part, Donohue is proudly ignorant of the risks that a changing climate poses to the business community: 'Is the science right? Is science not right? I don't know.'"

SAVE REHOBOTH BEACH

2009-12-23T15:26:00.005-05:00

THE OCEAN IS NOT A DUMP!

From Surfrider:

"On December 14th the Rehoboth Beach City Commissioners voted to use the ocean as a dump. They chose to send their sewage treatment plant effluent into the ocean. They turned down the viable alternative of Land Based Application, or LBA, where this treated water is used to irrigate farmland growing. LBA is currently being used successfully in Delaware.

Treated water from sewage treatment plants contains nutrients that can be bad for the marine environment. These nutrients contribute to Harmful Algal Blooms and Red Tides. Discharging into the ocean also wastes freshwater that cannot be recovered. LBA puts nutrients where they can be used by crops, thus reducing the need for additional fertilizer. It also saves freshwater by recharging aquifers and keeps Delaware farming.

A Court order told the City of Rehoboth Beach to stop discharging their sewage treatment plant wastewater into the Rehoboth Lewes canal because the nutrient-rich effluent was damaging the Canal and Rehoboth Bay. It therefore makes no sense to send the plant's future wastewater into the ocean, which is simply a bigger body of water.

The City of Rehoboth is basing their decision purely on economics and cost to Rehoboth residents based on flawed studies comparing ocean discharge to LBA. State agencies like DNREC, the Farm Bureau, and the DE legislature have already expressed support for saving freshwater, preserving farmland and reducing unnecessary harm to the marine environment by supporting the concept of Land Based Application. "

SIGN THIS PETITION TODAY TO SAVE THE BEACH

Also, check out Delaware's Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation here

NY Times: An Air of Frustration for Europe at Climate Talks

2009-12-22T11:16:00.003-05:00

Check out this article from the NY Times about the climate talks in Copenhagen.

Countries involved in the climate talks discuss their disappointments concerning progress toward reaching an accord on climate change.

An excerpt:

" 'Therefore the Copenhagen accord has not brightened the prospect for a global level-playing field in the future,' said Mr. de Buck, adding that 'we strongly regret' that result.

He suggested that industries based in Europe would increasingly move their operations to less regulated parts of the world.

Representatives of the renewable energy industry were also bitterly disappointed at what they considered Europe’s marginalization at the talks.

'The E.U.’s strategy of leading by example failed and left them without influence,' said Christian Kjaer, chief executive of the European Wind Energy Association.

China and the United States 'managed to get India, Brazil and South Africa on board' before departing Friday, 'leaving it to the remaining 188 countries to work through to Saturday morning on accepting or rejecting the empty accord without changes,' Mr. Kjaer said."

This is an issue that we should all be following and concerned about. The progress made in Copenhagen will no doubt effect us for generations. Check out the Times for the rest of the article and to learn more about the climate talks.

In the News

2009-12-22T11:00:00.003-05:00

This week from the Surfrider Foundation:

Threat of rising seas looms over coastal Africa Courtesy of Reuters

"The U.N.'s climate change panel in 2007 predicted global warming would raise sea levels by between 18 and 59 cm (7 and 24 inches) this century. Many climate scientists believe the estimate is conservative, and a rise of a metre or more is likely.

Either way, it could spell disaster for much of coastal Africa, especially densely populated tropical West Africa whose economic centres sprawl along the coast.

The United Nations estimates Africa has 320 coastal cities and about 56 million people living in "low lying" coastal zones, those less than 10 metres above mean sea level."

Could ocean acidification deafen dolphins? Courtesy of Scientific American

Offshore Aquaculture Act introduced to US Congress Courtesy of fishnewseu.com

"The Act will establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for offshore aquaculture development that takes a balanced approach to environmental and economic issues. The legislation would also establish a research programme to address important data gaps and ensure that offshore aquaculture development proceeds in an ecologically sustainable fashion.

Currently there are no national policies or laws governing how this method of offshore fish farming should be regulated in America’s territorial waters which generally begin three miles from the coastline. Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have said the agency will offer its own national aquaculture policy in early 2010."

Greenland to sell bottled water from melting glaciers Courtesy of TIME

Does anyone else find this incredibly ironic besides me?

Bottled water + trash + greenhouse gas + energy production ≠ protecting the world's glaciers from melting

The Recycle This Guide

2009-12-22T10:49:00.004-05:00

Check out this awesome Web site (thanks, Haley) for creative ways to recycle random stuff often not thought about being worth recycling.

http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/

This site provides tips on reusing or recycling nearly everything - turning pillowcases into Christmas stockings, shoveling snow into water and rain barrels, using chimney liners for gardening, and even making fingerless gloves from old shirt and sweater sleeves.

Make sure you also check out The Recycle This Guide to Recycling at Christmas, The Recycle This Guide to Recycling Baby Stuff, Reduce This, Repair This and Compost This.

Washington Post: U.S. pledges aid, urges developing nations to cut emissions

2009-12-18T18:01:00.003-05:00

From the Washington Post:

"The United States is pressuring developing countries to agree to emissions cuts along with the industrialized world for the first time, and insisting on transparent monitoring of those reductions. High-ranking U.S. officials were assuring nations behind the scenes that after years of resistance, Washington is also serious about reducing emissions at home and doing more to prevent global warming ... Clinton pledged that the country would help mobilize $100 billion a year in public and private financing by 2020 -- an amount that is almost equal to the total value of all developmental aid and concessional loans granted to poor nations by the United States, Europe and other donors this year."

Is the US finally making a peace offering for being one of the highest global contributers to global warming?

Read the rest of the article here:

NY Times: Climate Deal Announced, but Falls Short of Expectations

2009-12-18T17:41:00.002-05:00

Here's another update on the talks in Copenhagen, again from The New York Times. Click to read the entire article.

Leaders have announced a climate change plan, but many are saying its not sufficient enough to battle climate change as fast or as well as officials had originally hoped.

In fact, it's expected that many countries are going to express displeasure about the agreement. Europeans have been arguing that the deal doesn't require enough of the United States, China and other large emitters and are worried that the climate deal, as well as the laws of the European Union which already has a carbon emissions constraint program, will put European economies at a disadvantage.

The new treaty also fails to enact an expected goal of concluding a binding international treaty by the end of 2010. There are still tons of negotiations ahead before it can be internationally enforced.

Now, Senator Kerry is saying that the accord in Copehagen will help drive climate legislation to be passed by Congress next year.

Pollution in China: Incredible Images

2009-12-15T15:43:00.003-05:00

Thanks to my friend Haley for sending me this link ...

http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/

These are some of the most disturbing images of pollution in China I have ever seen. They're taken by freelance photographer Lu Guang. Guang won the $30,000 W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography for his documentary project “Pollution in China.”

Some of these images include chemical waste from Jiangsu Taixing Chemical Industrial District, industrial sewage of Zhejiang Xiaoshan Industrial District and the Henan Anyang iron and steel plant.

The picture below is in Ma’anshan, Anhui province along the Yangtze River. Large amounts of sewage from iron selection factories and plastics processing plants are often discharged into the river.

Sierra Club: Hold Big Polluters Accountable

2009-12-14T16:34:00.002-05:00

Send a message to the EPA urging them to pass their Big Polluter's Rule and to crack down on the worst offenders, the oil and coal companies.

"Right now only a handful of sources, including coal power plants, are responsible for more than half of all the global warming pollution in the United States. It's time to hold these mega-polluters responsible for their share of the dirty air."

Sign here!

National Geographic: Seal the House

2009-12-14T16:32:00.003-05:00

Check out this video from Nat Geo to learn about how to seal your homes properly for the winter, reducing your bills and your carbon footprint while still staying warm during the coldest of months.

NY Times: Large White House Contingent in Copenhagen Raises Expectations, Sparks Debate

2009-12-14T16:14:00.003-05:00

Following all the climate talk in Copenhagen? Check out this article added to the NY Times today.

Obama, due to speak on Friday, has made history by sending the largest US team in nearly two decades to the negotiations taking place in Copenhagen. His appearance will be the first for a sitting U.S. president since George H.W. Bush arrived at the 1992 Rio Conference.

The article states,

" 'What it says is this administration is committed to solving this problem, to meeting this challenge,' " John Holdren, Obama's top science adviser, said in an interview here today. 'It's a challenge for us and for the rest of the world. It's about our economies, it's about our well-being. It's about the sustainability of what we do. And we're determined to get it right.' "

Is this part of the Obama administration's goal of salvaging our image abroad and showing that we care about such important issues such as climate change and that we are ready and willing to work?

However, according to the article:

" 'Clearly, there's never been a level of engagement anything like this before,' added Paul Bledsoe, a spokesman for the Bipartisan Policy Center.But the large numbers of U.S. officials also raise both logistical and more substantive questions for the Obama team.'It puts immense pressure on the negotiators to act quickly,' Bledsoe said. 'It may also set up false expectations, not just in terms of what can eventually be arrived at, but who will do the actual negotiating.' "

What other officials are scheduled to show up? White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairwoman Nancy Sutley; Carol Browner, the president's top energy and climate adviser; Browner's top deputies, Heather Zichal and Joe Aldy; Michael Froman, the deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs; and Billy Pizer, the head of the Treasury Department's special climate unit and Ben LaBolt, from the White House's lower press office.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Keeping Track of Copenhagen

2009-12-05T21:36:00.002-05:00

All of the talk about the climate in Copenhagen can definitely be difficult to understand. Check out this Climate Scoreboard from Treehugger.com.

According to the Web site:

"The Climate Scoreboard uses C-Road technology to automatically update the thermostat based on which agreements pass and what those agreements mean for future global temperatures. The graphic created makes Copenhagen agreements easy to understand with just a quick glance. A thermostat graphic with several "colored" levels that identify business as usual, December (date) proposals, and the ultimate goal, anyone can easily tell just how close or far we are from that goal indicator of 1.5 degreeC temperature increase."

Keep checking back to the Scoreboard to see what shakes in Copenhagen.

Sustainable Surfing

2009-11-30T21:21:00.003-05:00

I can't get enough of surfing. Even though a spinal fusion will probably prevent me from ever getting really good at it, I'm still pretty much obsessed with all things surfing related and I'm still going to try to master it one of these days.

Anyways, here's just one more reason why I love the sport so much: the surf industry has been the latest to go green.

According to The New York Times, the surf industry is worth $7.2 billion. We all know surfers love and respect the ocean, but did you know how toxic making surfboards can be, and how much waste is created from broken boards and wet suits?

Now there's a greener alternative to making boards thanks to Green Foam Blanks, a company started by surf veteran Joe Stanley and Steve Cox. The company makes recycled polyurethane blanks, the foam core found in a board.

This is great news because polyurethane boards are carcinogenic. Green Foam will reduce the need for more of the toxin by recycling the waste produced when a surfboard is produced from a slab of foam.

Stanley and Cox have another company as well, ReSurf, which is currently trying to use polyurethane waste and broken boards as a filler for asphalt paving, as well as making surfboard accessories out of neoprene wetsuit waste.

Surfing is about finding that connection between board and wave, so it seems only natural to use a board that protects the very oceans that make it possible. Check these companies out.

Obama Announces 2020 Emissions Target

2009-11-30T19:53:00.003-05:00

Last week, Obama announced details about next month's global warming talks in Copenhagen, including a provisional greenhouse gas emissions target for 2020, 17% below 2005 levels.

According to the White House, Obama will announce the 2020 target "in the context of an overall deal in Copenhagen that includes robust mitigation contributions from China and the other emerging economies."

These emissions goals are similar to the climate bill recently passed in the House.

"This provisional target is in line with current legislation in both chambers of Congress and demonstrates a significant contribution to a problem that the U.S. has neglected for too long," the White House said in a press release.

We'll see what happens when Obama speaks on Dec. 9th in Copenhagen.

Citizen Gore: Rolling Stone

2009-11-29T19:06:00.003-05:00

I'm finally back after a week or so of being MIA ... projects for school + sleep deprivation + Thanksgiving break = very little time for blogging.

However, now that the semester is winding down I think I'll finally have more time to get back to blogging pretty regularly.

As far as my first post back: here's a really interesting interview in Rolling Stone with Al Gore. Gore talks about his new book Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis.

Here's a preview of the interview but click here to read the rest on Rolling Stone.

"Is that why online activism hasn't been able to galvanize action on climate change?

It's the quintessential example of how the broad public interest is directly contrary to the passionately held special interest of large carbon polluters. The entire world is waiting for the United States to get its act together and become a champion for the broad public interest in saving the future of civilization. But the system is still so dysfunctional and the influence of these special interests is so obscenely great that they have paralyzed the political system to the point where it's not responding to the most powerful public interest of all: survival for future generations."

Rob Machado's The Drifter

2009-11-17T22:34:00.006-05:00

One more reason to love pro surfer and humanitarian Rob Machado.In 2008, Machado travelled to Indonesia for a 6 month long self/surf-searching journey. The result? His new surf doc The Drifter.

The film has been on limited release around the East and West coast and is also now on DVD. Pick one up at surf shops all over or at http://www.thedriftermovie.com/ It's creating a buzz at film festivals in Japan, Australia and Hawaii, too.

I'm sure this movie will join my arsenal of surf docs including A Broke Down Melody as soon as I can get my paws on a copy.

A Vegetarian Thanksgiving!

2009-11-14T21:21:00.004-05:00

Check out this post from The New York Times for some vegetarian recipes for Thanksgiving this year. I might have to try out a few of these myself...

What's on the table this year at The Times:

Two-way chanterelle and pear bread stuffing (substitute chicken stock for veggie stock and ditch the pancetta)
Fiery sweet potatoes with Thai red curry pasted and coconut milk
Caramelized corn with fresh mint
Roasted cauliflower with lemon brown butter and sage salt

Who says Turkey Time has to be about the same old string bean casserole, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes with marshmallows?

Nuclear bombs = eco-friendly?

2009-11-09T20:44:00.003-05:00

Like me, you're probably scratching your head right now, too.

Haley Marks, editorial editor for The Review, blogged earlier about this topic on her own blog, UD's Citizen's of the World. Check out her blog for more extensive coverage of global affairs including genocide and humanr relief work.

An article by The New York Times, states that 10 percent of America's electricity comes from dismantled nuclear bombs. Parts of the bombs, particulary from Russia fuel 45 percent of the fuel in American nuclear reactors.

The 34 total tons to be recyled in a South Carolina factory are expected to generate enough electricity for a million American homes for 50 years.

Hmm ...

Shopper's Guide to buying safe moisturizer

2009-11-08T11:18:00.002-05:00

Check out this list from National Geographic's Green Guide if you're in the market for buying moisturizer free from toxics and other nasty ingredients.

Click here!

The chart lists whether the moisturizer is free from the "Dirty Dozen", if it's USDA Certified Organic, Leaping Bunny Certified and its price.

Prices are a liiiiitle steep, the cheapest at $15, but well worth the assurance that the lotions we slather on our skin aren't full of toxic chemicals.

Coal Country

2009-11-04T15:23:00.000-05:00

Massive beef recall Northeastern and mid-Atlantic states, e.coli to blame

2009-11-02T16:11:00.003-05:00

On Friday, Fairbank Farms of Ashville, N.Y. recalled more than a half-million-pounds of ground beef because it may be tainted with e.coli.

Look for packages with sell-by dates of Sept. 19 through Sept. 28. The number "EST. 492" would also be inside the USDA inspection mark or on the nutrition label.

List of recalled items (Courtesy of Philly.com):

Acme Markets. Lancaster Brand Ground Beef 90/10, 1-pound and 2-pound trays. Lancaster Brand Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04, 1-pound tray. Wild Harvest Natural Angus Ground Beef 85/15, 1-pound tray.

BJ's Wholesale Club/Burris. Fresh Ground Beef Patties 85/15, 5-pound tray. Lean Ground Beef 93/07, 3-pound and 5-pound trays. Meatloaf and Meatball Mix, 2.5-pound tray.

Ford Brothers Fresh Ground Beef Patty 80/20, 3-pound tray.

Giant Food Stores. Giant Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1-pound tray. Giant Nature's Promise Ground Beef, 1-pound tray. Giant Nature's Promise Ground Beef Patties, 1-pound tray. Giant Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/04, 1-pound tray.

Price Chopper. Price Chopper Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1-pound and 2.5-pound trays. Price Chopper Extra Lean Ground Beef 96/4, 1-pound tray. Price Chopper Fresh Ground Beef Chuck for Chili 80/20, 1-pound tray.

Trader Joe's. Brick packs with sell-by dates of 10/06/09 or 10/07/09): Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 85/15, 1-pound brick pack, and Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 80/20, 1-pound brick pack. Packaged Products with sell-by dates of 9/19/09 to 09/28/09: Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Beef Patty 85/15, 1-pound tray, and Trader Joe's Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats Ground Beef 96/4 Extra Lean, 1-pound tray.

Shaw's Supermarkets. Shaw's Fresh Ground Beef 93/7, 1-pound and 2-pound trays. Shaw's Fresh Ground Beef 80/20, 1-pound, 2-pound, 3-pound trays. Shaw's Fresh Ground Beef 75/25, 1-pound and 3-pound trays. Shaw's Fresh Ground Sirloin Beef Patties 90/10, 1.3-pound tray. Shaw's Fresh Ground Round Beef Patties 85/15, 1.3-pound tray. Shaw's Fresh Ground Beef Patties 80/20, 1.3-pound tray. Shaw's Fresh Ground Beef Patties Family Pack 80/20, 3-pound tray. Shaw's Angus Ground Beef 85/15, 1-pound tray. Shaw's Fresh Ground Round Beef 85/15, 1-pound, 2-pound, 3-pound trays. Shaw's Natural Ground Beef 90/10, 1-pound tray. Shaw's Natural Ground Beef 85/15, 1-pound tray. Shaw's Fresh Ground Sirloin 90/10, 1-pound, 2-pound and 3-pound trays. Meatloaf & Meatball Mix, 1-pound tray.

Other products. Cases of 10-pound Fairbank Farms Fresh Ground Beef Chubs. "These products had a sell date of 10/3/09, 10/4/09 or 10/5/09, but will likely not bear those sell-by dates on their package labels," according to the processor. "These products were distributed to retail establishments in Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia for further processing."

For more information, call the USDA hotline at 1-888-674-6854, the Fairbank Farms consumer hotline at 1-877-546-0122, or go to www.fairbankfarms.com.

Hooray for Clorox!

2009-11-02T15:33:00.002-05:00

Just heard from Greenpeace that Clorox is revamping production methods in all of its factories to eliminate the use of dangerous chlorine gas, eliminating the risk or injury or death to 13 million Americans in case of an accident or attack on one of the factories.

Tell Congress to pass legislation to ensure high risk chemical plants use safer chemical processes. Click here.

One of my favorite environmentalists: Eddie Vedder

2009-11-02T14:31:00.005-05:00

I saw Pearl Jam last week at The Spectrum in Philly and became instantly obessed with Eddie Vedder all over again, not just because of the phenomenal show he and the rest of the band put on, but also because of his environmental activism.

Here are some examples:

1) Pearl Jam and Target have partnered with Loomstate, an eco-friendly clothing designer to create a limited edition Backspacer T-shirt. Loomstate uses organic cotton and employs socially and environmentally responsible terms of production.

2) $2 from every ticket sold in the US tour is going toward the band's Vitalogy Foundation which doles out money to organizations selected by each bandmember.

3) Vedder is an avid surfer and supports surf conservation efforts, (a cause also close to my own heart), most notably Surfrider Foundation. He's also been an avid supporter of saving Hawaii's North Shore from development.

4) The band also supports Water.org, a non-profit that aims to bring water and clean sanitation to developing countries.

5) Vedder also supports fellow surfer and friend, Kelly Slater's Kelly Slater Foundation, which raises awareness and support for various environmentally and socially conscious charities around the US.

6) Vedder is also a vegetarian and sports an Earth First! tatoo on his calf, a monkey wrench crossed with a stone hammer.

Snaps for Portland

2009-11-02T14:00:00.004-05:00

Here's just another reason why Oregon is one of the coolest states in my book:

Last week, the Portland City Council passed its own Climate Action Plan.

The plan establishes 93 action steps to curb its emissions including curbside pickup of composted materials, expanding its streetcar system, creating neighborhoods where residents can easily walk or bicycle and reducing the total energy use of all its buildings 25 percent by 2010. It will also establish a city business tax credit for installing solar panels and eco-roofs together and provide mass transit passes to all high school students, among others.

If more cities around the nation took steps like Portland to establish their own Climate Action Plans, it would be much easier for individual cities to attain their own emissions-reduction goals without having to wait for nation-wide mandates from the government.

Some cities like Seattle, Madison and Miami have their own plans ... why aren't there more yet?

I hope Portland's Climate Action Plan will set a positive example for other states around the nation to kickstart their own programs.

Vote for the scariest climate action opponents

2009-10-26T19:11:00.003-04:00

Check out the Environmental Defense Fund's Web site and vote for the scariest climate action opponents!

In the spirit of approaching Halloween, the EDF is hosting a poll of who you think is the most frightening, scaaaaaaaaaariest opponent of climate change.

Here's the list:

Sarah Palin
Rex Tillerson
Lobbyists
Glenn Beck
Rush Limbaugh
James Inhofe
Energy Citizens
The Chamber

Need help voting? Here's a column Sarah Palin wrote for The New York Times in Januray 2008.

An excerpt:

"This is unfortunate, because polar bears are magnificent animals, not cartoon characters. They are worthy of our utmost efforts to protect them and their Arctic habitat. But adding polar bears to the nation’s list of endangered species, as some are now proposing, should not be part of those efforts.

... As a result of these efforts, polar bears are more numerous now than they were 40 years ago..."

Terrrriiiiifying.

The Review: Organic Cuisine, local produce a priority at Vita Nova's plate

2009-10-25T18:53:00.003-04:00

Check out this article published in The Review, this past week!

Vita Nova, the student-run restaurant at the University of Delaware uses organic and locally-grown produce as much as it can.

Some of its menu items include herb roast chicken, pan seared free-range duck breast and pine nut and basil crusted Scottish salmon - all made from either organic or locally grown ingredients.

Vita Nova's menu also specifies which farms or regions the ingredients come from. Organic chickens are raised at the Pennsylvania Dutch farm, for example.

What else on the menu is organic or locally-grown? Most of its wine, milk from the university's Agriculture Department cows to make ice cream and mushrooms from Kennett Sqaure, Pa., are just a few.

Check out the rest of the article on The Review's Web site www.udreview.com

Tell Senator Kerry to Protect a strong EPA in the Climate Bill

2009-10-25T13:21:00.002-04:00

Sign this petition!

This petition is underway from Credo Action:

Senators Kerry and Boxer have introduced a climate bill that protects the EPA. However coal and oil companies are still at odds with the bill and with the EPA. Tell Senator Kerry to pledge to only support a bill that preserves and guarantees the EPA's ability to regulate CO2 and that doesn't give away billions to the coal and oil industries!

From The White House: Recovery Through Retrofit report

2009-10-22T22:09:00.004-04:00

Click here to read a copy of the Recovery Through Retrofit report from the White House.

Recovery Through Retrofit was just released on Monday and covers the economic boost provided by thousands of new green jobs from energy retrofitting.

Hooray!

Oil spill in Australia enters 9th week

2009-10-22T21:56:00.004-04:00

A massive oil spill in Australia still can't be contained even after a fourth attempt.

After nine weeks, the spill is still going strong, emptying about 400 barrels a day into the Timor Sea.

PTTP Australia is the company responsible and said the next attempt to plug the leak will be next Thursday.

Environmentalists are urging for immediate government intervention because clearly this company is not doing anything fast enough.

My question is, how can the government, PTTP Australia and anyone else involved in the leak possibly let an oil spill continue for 9 weeks? Why hasn't the government or environmentalists called for urgent action sooner? 400 barrels a DAY? Not only is the oil causing massive amounts of damage to the Timor Sea, the leak is an incredible waste of money and oil. This is absurd.

Click here to read the rest of the article. What are your thoughts?

Fish are smart?

2009-10-21T16:21:00.002-04:00

The New York Times just published an article titled, "Remarkable creatures- For Fish in Coral Reefs, It's Useful to be Smart."

Apparently, a research team in Australia has trained damselfish to feed from a feeding tube that was attached to a variety of visual stimuli - including a three-dimensional latex disc, a two-D blue disk painted on a plastic board, or black circles or propeller patterns on white boards. The fish were rewarded with food if they repeatedly tapped the stimulus with their snout or mouth.

Not only did the fish learn this task, they also learned when the reward was delayed or delivered far from the stimulus. The fish could also discriminate between colors.

Research has found that a fish color is important because some brightly colored fish clean their predators. Certain colors signify cleaning behavior to different clients.

Granted my own fish, Trey (yes, as in Phish. Don't make fun of me) isn't from the coral reef, but who knew?

10 seconds on my soapbox

2009-10-21T16:07:00.003-04:00

The University of Delaware started using single-stream recycling this semester. All of the recycling bins around campus that used to separate paper, plastic and glass have been replaced with single bins so we can throw all of our recyclables in one container.

These blue bins are placed next to most trash cans around campus for a reason - so that recycling is made easier for us.

Please tell me then, why so many students continue to throw away their recyclables in the regular trash can and not in the single-stream bin?!?!

Grrrr.

Saving Our Forests from Space?

2009-10-20T23:22:00.004-04:00

I just read a really cool article from the Thomson Reuters Foundation called, "Space agencies, Google seek ways to save forests"

Essentially, space agencies and Google, Inc. are going to start monitoring forests by satellite as a means to curb deforestation around the world. Cool, huh?

Deforestation is blamed for emitting one fifth of all greenhouse gases from human activities. The only way to monitor forests all over the world on a large scale is from space, scientists believe. The new system will make annual assessments of forest carbon stocks, compared to the current 5-year cycle.

Deforestation is a huge problem and without large forests acting as carbon sinks, we're in big trouble. I'm all in for this project as long as steps are taken along with it, on the part of the countries involved, to curtail activities like development and manufacturing that contribute to deforestation.

I don't see the point to this elaborate satellite system unless action is taken here on Earth. If we don't make changes on our own planet to stop deforestation, this is nothing but a waste of money and more energy.

What are your thoughts?

AHHHHHHHHHHH

2009-10-19T20:05:00.003-04:00

This is pretty old, but my friend Lydia just showed it to me. This is nuts.

Green Halloween

2009-10-16T23:14:00.002-04:00

Halloween is all about orange and black, but here's some tips on how to make it a little greener.

1) Use reusable bags to collect candy instead of plastic ones. Old-school pillowcases are good bets as well as reusable grocery bags. Plus, they'll hold more candy weight than plastic or paper bags.

2) Make your own costume from old clothing, crafts or other supplies that you have around the house. Goodwill, The Salvation Army and other consignment and secondhand stores have great and oftentimes, hilarious options to build your own costume.

3) When carving pumpkins, try composting scraps and roasting the seeds. Here's a quick and easy recipe for baked pumpkin seeds:

1) Spread seeds on a cookie sheet

2) Sprinkle tons of salt on the seeds... no oil is needed

3) Bake them at 350 degrees, stirring frequently, until they're crunchy

4) Make your own natural facepaint. Here's a recipe courtesy of Green Halloween:

1)1 tsp cornstarch

2) 1/2 tsp water

3) 1/2 tsp all natural diaper rash cream

4) 1-2 drops natural/ organic food coloring

Mix water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add baby cream and food color and mix a bit more to your liking.

Protect America's Oceans and Great Lakes

2009-10-14T14:46:00.002-04:00

From Care2Petitionsite:

"In order to overcome the enormous challenges faced by our oceans and Great Lakes -- including pollution, habitat loss, overfishing and climate change -- we need one unifying national policy that will protect, maintain, and restore the health of our ocean ecosystems.

President Obama created an Ocean Policy Task Force to develop a first-ever national ocean policy and a strategy to guide its implementation. Before the end of the comment period on Saturday, October 17, we need your support to keep our waters protected!

Urge President Obama to issue an Executive Order that establishes a comprehensive national policy that protects, maintains, and restores our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes."

Sign here.

Toxics chemicals that should be avoided in cosmetics

2009-10-12T16:07:00.005-04:00

I try to be aware of what chemicals are in my cosmetics and I check every label before I make a purchase to make sure it's free of some of these heaviest offenders.

1) Lead and heavy metals
These can include lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, zinc, chromium and iron. These metals can be found in eyeliner, lipstick, teeth whiteners, foundation, sunscreen, nail polish and other products. Some metals are also used as colorants in eyeshadows, lipgloss, blush and concealer.

Metals, when accumulated in the body in high doses can act as carcinogens. Several metals can also act like estrogen in the presence of breast cancer cells. Lead is a proven neurotoxin. Mercury is a toxin to the nervous system, reproductive system, immune system and respiratory system toxin.

2) Parabens
Parabens are most commonly found in products with large amounts of water in them like shampoo, conditioner, lotions, cleanser and scrubs.

Parabens are linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxcity and skin irritation. They also disrupt hormone activity which is linked to breast cancer and reproductive problems.

3) Pthalates
Pthalates are used to hold color and scents in cosmetics.

The chemicals disrupt hormonal systems. Exposure to these chemicals while pregnant can cause birth defects in male babies - shorter anogenital distance- a characteristic of feminization. Pthalates also reduce the levels or sex hormones in the body which are essential for development and functioning of sex organs. They are also linked to breast cancer.

Click here to find out more about the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Vegan comfort food recipes for this fall

2009-10-12T15:55:00.003-04:00

Anyone having a hard time finding vegan recipes should check out some of these options from Whole Foods Market:

Tofu Salad with Chutney and Raisins: A vegan alternative to chicken or tuna salad
Ethiopian-Style Chickpea Stew: A hearty and healthy dish
Roasted Butternut Squash with Sage and Cranberries: A fall staple

Happy healthy eating!

A greener search engine? Blackle

2009-10-11T19:51:00.002-04:00

Blackle is a new search engine created by Heap Media that is powered by Google Custom Search. The screen, unlike most engines, is black - a feature designers say saves money because it requires more power to display a white or light screen than a black or dark screen.

Personally, I'm a little skeptical about this. Whether a screen is dark or not, energy is still being used to power a computer if it's on.

I think if we really want to save lots of energy, we should all make sure to turn them off (not sleep mode) when not in use, but to each his own. Also, check your computers settings to make sure it's on energy saving mode.

Here's more info about Blackle.

What are your thoughts?

EWG: Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database

2009-10-10T20:40:00.003-04:00

Researchers at the Environmental Working Group have this awesome database to check the safety of all of your cosmetic products. Each product is given a score based upon how potentially hazardous all of its chemical ingredients are.

It's a great way to check the safety of your current products, see which products are safe, and double check to make sure your products really are natural (since so many products claim to be organic and chemical free when they're not.)

Also use the database to wise up about the dangers of chemicals found in many cosmetics including parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances and more.

Click here for EWG's Skin Deep Database.

iRecycle – Earth911.com iPhone App

2009-10-07T16:25:00.003-04:00

For all of you who are obsessed with apps on your iPhone (I'm guilty, myself) here's a really cool one to download - iRecycle from one of my favorite Web sites, Earth 911.

iRecycle lets you find recycling locations anywhere in the U.S., get directions to them and find out what types of materials they accept.

Natural Deoderant!

2009-10-05T21:22:00.006-04:00

Tom's of Maine makes some of my favorite natural body care products. It took me a long, long time to find a natural deoderant that I 1) liked and 2) really worked 3) and was cheap, so trust me on this one.

Tom's of Maine products are free of animal ingredients, artificial colorants, flavorings, scents and preservatives, gluten, grapefruit seed extract, parabens, pthalates, aluminum and other harmful ingredients.

S4E tree planting October 24th

2009-10-05T21:17:00.004-04:00

Students for the Environment is hosting a tree planting Saturday October 24th at Middle Run.
Departure is at 8:30 am from Perkins, return time is around noon.

I went to this tree planting last semester and it was an awesome time.

You should go!

Arctic seas turn to acid, putting vital food chain at risk

2009-10-05T17:37:00.001-04:00

Interesting article from The Observer:

"Carbon-dioxide emissions are turning the waters of the Arctic Ocean into acid at an unprecedented rate, scientists have discovered. Research carried out in the archipelago of Svalbard has shown in many regions around the north pole seawater is likely to reach corrosive levels within 10 years. The water will then start to dissolve the shells of mussels and other shellfish and cause major disruption to the food chain. By the end of the century, the entire Arctic Ocean will be corrosively acidic.

"This is extremely worrying," Professor Jean-Pierre Gattuso, of France's Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, told an international oceanography conference last week. "We knew that the seas were getting more acidic and this would disrupt the ability of shellfish – like mussels – to grow their shells. But now we realise the situation is much worse. The water will become so acidic it will actually dissolve the shells of living shellfish."

Read the rest of the article here.

NY Times: Obama Aide Cocedes Climate Law Must Wait

2009-10-04T17:24:00.003-04:00

From The New York Times:

"President Obama’s top climate and energy official said Friday that there was virtually no chance Congress would have a climate and energy bill ready for him to sign before negotiations on a global climate treaty begin in December in Copenhagen."

Click here to read the entire article.

What are your thoughts?

NY Times: Walruses Offer Substantial Losses As Sea Ice Erodes

2009-10-04T17:19:00.003-04:00

From The New York Times:

"Half a century after Pacific walruses began recovering from industrial-scale hunting, marine biologists are growing worried that they face a mounting threat from global warming.

Masses of lumbering walruses have been crowding on beaches and rocks along the Russian and American sides of the Bering Strait in the absence of the coastal sea ice that normally serves as a late-summer haven and nursery.

While the retreats in sea ice around the Arctic this summer were not as extensive as in 2008 or 2007, the Chukchi Sea, at the heart of the walrus subspecies’ range, was largely open water.

On Thursday, biologists from the United States Geological Survey issued a report concluding that 131 walruses found dead near Icy Cape, Alaska, on Sept. 14 died from being crushed or stampeded. Several thousand walruses had been congregating in the area, a situation that scientists from the agency said was highly unusual."

Click here to read the entire article.

A Chance for Change

2009-10-04T17:13:00.001-04:00

Sierra Club's Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act:

"The Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act makes America more energy independent by creating 1.7 million good-paying new jobs by investing in secure, clean energy sources that are made in America and work for America. But polluters like Big Oil and Coal are spending tens of millions of dollars lobbying for billions in giveaways that would encourage the construction of more dirty coal-fired power plants and get rid of the tools that hold them accountable--like EPA's authority to regulate global warming pollution. Tell your Senator to fight back against these polluting industries and pass a strong clean energy jobs bill!"

Click here to sign!

Organic Beer?!

2009-10-02T01:07:00.002-04:00

It really exists!

Check out Nat Geo's The Green Guide for more info.

"Organic beer is getting to be big business. In the past few years, the large national brewers Anheuser-Busch, Miller and New Belgium have all introduced organic products, joining a growing number of microbreweries offering organic beer. The next time you stock up on eco-friendly ales, here are a few things to look for."

Cheers.

The Garbage Patch

2009-10-02T01:02:00.002-04:00

This may be "old" news, but I still find this terrifying.

The 15 most toxic places to live in the world

2009-09-30T15:53:00.005-04:00

According to Mother Nature Network, these are the 15 most toxic places to live on the planet.

Citarum River, Indonesia
Chernobyl, Ukraine
Linfen, China
The North Pacific Gyre
Rondinia, Brazil
Yamuna River, India
La Oroya, Peru
Lake Karachay, Russia
Haiti
Kabwe, Zambia
Appalachia, West Virginia
Dzerzhinsk, Russia
Riachuelo Basin, Argentina
Vapi, India
Earth's orbit

Vegetarian comfort food recipes

2009-09-30T15:21:00.006-04:00

Now that Fall is upon us, I'm starting to crave some serious comfort food. Click on these links for some delicious and easy to make recipes.

Roasted butternut squash

Yogurt honey health muffins
Red lentil burgers
Hearty greens soup with bowtie pasta and tomatoes
Earl grey shortbread cookies

Happy healthy eating!

Tell Congress to stop using antibiotics on farm animals

2009-09-28T17:34:00.001-04:00

Sign this petition!

New York Times: What's Wrong With the National Parks?

2009-09-28T17:30:00.001-04:00

I've been following coverage about our national parks lately. Here is an interesting piece from The New York Times in it's opinion section.

Click here.

Greenpeace: Danger Climate Destruction Ahead

2009-09-27T23:35:00.002-04:00

Farm Sanctuary's Walk for Farm Animals

2009-09-27T23:25:00.003-04:00

What: Farm Sanctuary's 2009 Walk for Farm Animals

Where: Glasgow Park, US-40 and DE-896, Newark, DE 19702

When: Staurday, October 3rd, 9 am

For more than two decades, Farm Sanctuary’s annual Walk for Farm Animals has raised awareness about the treatment of animals on factory farms.

A $15 registration fee entitles a Walk t-shirt designed by Herbivore Founder Josh Hooten. Day-of registration is $20 and does not guarantee a t-shirt. There will be music, a raffle, and a special speaker. Meet at the covered pavilion next to playground.

Chances for change

2009-09-27T23:16:00.003-04:00

Sierra Club's 100,000 Champions for National Parks petition

Help raise 100,000 signatures by October 4th to pass legislation protecting our national parks from the impacts of climate change.

Click here.

Care2's petition to stop feeding cows chicken feces

Help raise 35,000 signatures and tell the FDA to stop feeding chicken waste (feathers, feces, dirt, straw, etc.) to cows.

Click here.

Tide Coldwater

2009-09-23T23:36:00.003-04:00

Using cold water when you do your laundry saves money and tons of energy. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

New Orleans wetlands fastest disappearing land mass on Earth

2009-09-23T23:30:00.003-04:00

From treehugger.com

"Over the last four years, 340 square miles of wetlands around New Orleans have vanished, causing biologists to call the wetlands around the city the fastest disappearing land mass on the planet. 220 of those square miles have been lost due to hurricanes Rita and Katrina. The rest has been a victim to erosion caused by man. It's now thought that if the wetlands had been better protected before Katrina had hit, the damage wouldn't have been nearly as severe--and that those same vanishing wetlands are preventing New Orleans from rebounding from Katrina."

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Chances for Change

2009-09-23T16:30:00.002-04:00

100,000 Champions for National Parks

Glaciers of Glacier National Park rapidly melting.
Grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park face disappearing food sources as climate change wipes out the white bark pine nut.
Increased drought and hotter temperatures in desert parks such as Canyonlands National Park, where the devastation of native vegetation is making it harder for bighorn sheep to find nourishing grasses and hide from predators.

Click here

Protect America's Ribbon Seals
Click here

“Warning. G20 Climate Talks Ahead. Danger of Falling Expectations”

2009-09-23T16:14:00.002-04:00

Greenpeace is in Pittsburgh this week to send a message to world leaders at the G20 climate talks this week. Add your name to the petition today and join the millions of activists who have already signed the world’s largest mandate for climate action.

Click here.

A chance for change

2009-09-21T18:14:00.002-04:00

Sign this petition today... 22, 808 signatures and counting!

"New federal mining claims threaten 1 million acres of prime wolf, bear and salmon habitat adjacent to Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks. Closed to mining since 1971, these wild Alaska lands are integral to Bristol Bay's salmon-rich ecosystem. A recommendation from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to lift this mineral closure and expand a modern day gold rush was issued in the last days of the Bush Administration, and we need your help today to send this bad idea back to the drawing board. Tell Secretary Ken Salazar that you do not want to see these lands opened to mining! Instead, the BLM should evaluate permanent protections for these lands for the sake of Bristol Bay's clean waters and cultural traditions."

Click here.

Greenpeace is looking for student activists: Greenpeace Organizing Term

2009-09-21T18:02:00.002-04:00

Greenpeace is now accepting applications for its Spring 2010 Organizing Term. What you'll be doing - getting trained in grassroots organizing, direct action and campaign strategy, traveling with Greenpeace on campaign trips, meeting activists and working to save our planet!

Here are some of the qualifications to apply:

Students who are passionate, smart, and visionary.
Applicants must be committed to protecting the environment.
Rising freshmen and sophomores are preferred.
Must be 18-24 years of age as well as a current undergraduate student. No prior experience is necessary.
Greenpeace strongly encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented communities.

Interested? Click here.

NY Times: No Climate Change Leader as Nations Meet

2009-09-20T19:05:00.002-04:00

Check out this article from The New York Times.

Here's a preview:

"UNITED NATIONS — Economists point to powerhouse countries like India to illustrate the hurdles facing some 100 world leaders due to gather in New York this Tuesday for the highest level summit meeting on climate change ever convened.

The Indian government has announced a major commitment to solar power as a renewable means of bringing electricity to more than 400 million people now living without it. Yet the government was pilloried at home last summer for accepting the international goal of preventing a global temperature rise of more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit above present temperatures by limiting emissions. Opposition parties accused it of selling out the country’s future development.

While virtually all of the largest developed and developing nations have made domestic commitments toward creating more efficient, renewable sources of energy to cut emissions, none want to take the lead in fighting for significant international emissions reduction targets, lest they be accused at home of selling out future jobs and economic growth."

Read the rest of the article for more info.

Chances for Change

2009-09-20T13:52:00.003-04:00

SIGN THESE PETITIONS TODAY!

Demand clean car standards
"In May, President Barack Obama announced national clean car standards to spur the creation of an American automobile fleet that averages approximately 35 miles-per-gallon (mpg) by 2016. According to the White House, the vehicles operating under the new standards would deliver a lifetime savings of nearly two billion barrels of oil and reduce global warming pollution by almost 900 million tons.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) are currently finalizing a proposal for how to implement these standards. Please tell EPA and DOT leaders that they must ensure we meet the president's goal and not be hampered by the kind of loopholes that undermined previous national fuel economy standards. This is their opportunity to ensure real clean car choices for all Americans and allow the struggling auto industry to emerge as the model for a clean energy economy."

End aerial killing of wolves
"In 1971, Congress passed the Airborne Hunting Act banning the use of airplanes to hunt wolves. But the State of Alaska is exploiting a loophole that has allowed private citizens in aircraft to kill of hundreds of wolves annually under what's called "wildlife management."

Since 2003, the state's aerial killing programs have claimed the lives of more than 1,000 wolves. During the 2008/2009 aerial gunning season, more than 250 wolves were killed -- making it one the deadliest season in years!

Recently, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act, federal legislation working to end the controversial practice of aerial wolf hunting in Alaska and prevent it from spreading to states in the lower 48. The introduction of PAW in the Senate marks a landmark opportunity to stop aerial hunting once and for all. Urge your Senator to support the PAW Act today."

DIY fabric scrap neckalce

2009-09-17T19:54:00.002-04:00

So cute and and easy way to recycle that old Tee.

Click here.

A Sea Change

2009-09-17T19:36:00.004-04:00

A SEA CHANGE Imagine a world without fish
US TV premiere Saturday, Sept. 26, 8 pm EST Planet Green
re-broadcast: 11:00 pm , Thursday, October 1
check Planet Green website for more info:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/reel-impact/sea-change.html

Have a Nice Day- Thomas Friedman

2009-09-16T16:09:00.002-04:00

This is really interesting column written by Thomas Friedman from The New York Times.

It's about a company named Applied Materials, one of the country's leading makers of machines that manufacture solar panels. It's built 14 factories that make solar panels all around the world.

One problem - none of them is in America.

"If we want to launch a solar industry here, big-time, we need to offer the kind of long-term certainty that Germany does or impose the national requirement on our utilities to generate solar power as China does or have the government build giant solar farms, the way it built the Hoover Dam, and sell the electricity."

This column is well worth the read. Check it out.

A chance for change

2009-09-16T15:51:00.002-04:00

Sign this petition from Surfrider foundation to protect your beach from oil drilling drilling.

"Recently, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar extended the public comment period for the Minerals Management Service (“MMS”) proposed 5-year offshore oil and gas plan by 180-days. This plan was drawn up by the Bush Administration in its waning hours to form the basis for making future decisions on what the Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”) program should include.

Offshore oil and gas leasing poses a seemingly endless list of harms to the ocean, caused by both large spills and gradual degradation of the ocean associated with drilling-related activities. The dangers range from the vast long-term ecological impacts to the destruction of marine habitat, recreational uses and the economic value of our ocean resources.

Take action now – tell the Secretary of Interior to limit new drilling on the outer continental shelf and support ocean conservation and alternative energy development. Feel free to edit the letter below to let them know your personal feelings on this issue."

Affordable organic makeup? Is there such a thing? My top picks.

2009-09-15T23:36:00.009-04:00

It can definitely be tough switching over to using organic and eco-friendly makeup especially because prices can be pretty steep.

Here are my top green makeup picks for anyone on a college budget like I am, or who are looking to green up their makeup bags without breaking the bank.

I've used each of these products myself and certainly recommend them to anyone - they're made from natural materials, work great and aren't full of potentially dangerous chemicals. I've found all of these products in pharmacy stores in the regular makeup aisle.

These picks are from Burt's Bees, Almay, Physicians Formula and Desert Essence. As I test out more, I'll post them on here. Stay tuned for my favorite organic body care items...

Seeing Through the Fence

2009-09-14T10:01:00.001-04:00

On Tuesday, Sept. 22 Seeing Through the Fence is playing at 7 pm in Kirkbride 004. I'm going. Are you?

A Chance for Change

2009-09-13T12:56:00.004-04:00

Demand strong climate and energy action! Sign this petition! 10,000 signatures is the goal, so help make a difference today.

"A study just released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy states that the with a few key improvements, the House's American Clean Energy Security Act could create more than 569,000 new green jobs in the next 10 years and provide $283 in annual savings to the average household."

Toxic Waters: Coal in the Water

2009-09-13T12:42:00.005-04:00

Check out this video from the New York Times about water pollution in West. Virginia caused by coal companies in the area.
And here is the related article....

"Jennifer Hall-Massey knows not to drink the tap water in her home near Charleston, W.Va.

In fact, her entire family tries to avoid any contact with the water. Her youngest son has scabs on his arms, legs and chest where the bathwater — polluted with lead, nickel and other heavy metals — caused painful rashes. Many of his brother’s teeth were capped to replace enamel that was eaten away.

Neighbors apply special lotions after showering because their skin burns. Tests show that their tap water contains arsenic, barium, lead, manganese and other chemicals at concentrations federal regulators say could contribute to cancer and damage the kidneys and nervous system.

'How can we get digital cable and Internet in our homes, but not clean water?' said Mrs. Hall-Massey, a senior accountant at one of the state’s largest banks."

What do you think?

Michael Stars: Design a tee for Earth Day contest, win $1000

2009-09-09T15:28:00.003-04:00

Michael Stars is pairing with The Surfrider Foundation, one of my favorite organizations, and is looking for a design for its Earth Day Charity Tee.

It's a chance to win $1,000 bucks and get invited to the official launch party in LA.

A portion of every sale will be donated to Surfrider.

Deadline for submissions: October 1st. Winners are notified on or before October 12, 2009.

Enter here!

My Favorite SIGG'S

2009-09-07T21:06:00.005-04:00

Alas, I bought my own plain, gray SIGG before I realized there were cuter options. Some of my faves...

Chances for Change

2009-09-07T11:19:00.003-04:00

Click on these links to sign these petitions now for a chance to make a difference.

Save critical habitat for the Florida panther

Protect American wildlife from global warming

Reinstate federal protections for northern Rockies wolves

Help save harlequin frogs

Newark Nartural Foods' Farmer's Market!

2009-09-03T19:21:00.003-04:00

On my list of things to do this weekend: check out Newark Natural Foods' farmer's market! After having gone to them all summer in Baltimore, I need to continue my local produce fix back at school.

The Co-op's market is located in the parking lot of Newark Natural Foods (280 East Main Street, Market Street Plaza, Newark DE) and runs every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

Farmer's include Calvert Farm, Lockbriar Farms, Maple Hill Farms and Blackbird Heritage. There's even live music! Can't wait to get my hands on some seasonal Fall produce.

Check out Newark Natural Foods here!

Tiny Tips That Make A Big Difference

2009-09-03T18:00:00.007-04:00

Some facts and figures to turn you another shade of green

If every U.S. citizen recycled half of their annual waste, the nation would recycle a 280 million ton mountain of trash. That's the same as 550 Empire State Buildings.

Switch to compact fluorescent lights and eliminate 300 pounds of CO2 a year! If everyone screwed in these lightbulbs, an equivalent of 7 million cars would be removed from the road.

Use some elbow grease and hand wash your dishes. An automatic dishwasher releases 175 pounds of CO2 a year.

Every tree planted absorbs 1 ton of CO2.

Using 100% post-consumer copy paper saves 5 pounds of CO2 per ream.

The Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15

2009-09-03T17:30:00.002-04:00

Now that I'm back in Newark and not left to mooch off of my parent's fridge, I've had to do some serious grocery shopping. I always try to shop organic as much as possible but my wallet can't take it, especially being a college kid with no job. So, I've been left with the question, 'How do I get more bang for my buck when I buy organic produce?'

The Environmental Working Group conveniently has a Shopper's Guide To Pesticides application that I just downloaded on my iPhone. Now, when I go to the grocery, I can just whip out my phone and check what is really worth buying organic.

For those of you without an iPhone, here's the list...

Dirty Dozen (fruits and veggies with the most pesticides - buy these organic)
1) peach
2) apple
3) sweet bell pepper
4) celery
5) nectarine
6) strawberries
7) cherries
8) kale
9) lettuce
10) imported grapes
11) carrot
12) pear

Clean 15 (fruits and veggies with the least pesticides - safe to buy non-organic)
1) onion
2) avocado
3) frozen sweet corn
4) pineapple
5) mango
6) asparagus
7) frozen sweet peas
8) kiwi
9) cabbage
10) eggplant
11) watermelon
12) papaya
13) broccoli
14) tomato
15) sweet potato

Happy shopping!

DIY Rain Barrel

2009-08-25T20:22:00.003-04:00

Rain barrels are awesome ways to conserve water and great for gardeners. You can also connect them to downspouts or gutters to collect run-off. They're cheap to make (only 20-30 bucks), easy to assemble and help save the environment ... can it get much better? Check out all the materials you need and how to assemble them here.

On the fence about making one? Think about these stats...

One-inch of rainfall on a 1,000 square-foot roof generates 623 gallons of runoff
In the summer, 40% of a typical household's water use goes to watering gardens and lawns

They don't have to be plain old barrels either. Check out how cool these barrels look...

Food, Inc. and CRUDE: The Real Price of Oil

2009-08-24T14:54:00.003-04:00

I know I've been posting a lot of doc's lately, but there are just so many awesome ones that have come out this summer or that are due in theaters in the fall. Here are two definitely worth checking out...

1) Food, Inc.

2) CRUDE: The Real Price of Oil

TOMS Shoes

2009-08-22T14:05:00.003-04:00

I've been a huge fan of TOMS Shoes ever since I bought my first pair last year. Not only are they really cute and make you feel like you're walking on air, for every pair bought, another is donated to a child in need.

I'm so excited to learn that TOMS also makes Vegan friendly styles made from a blend of recycled products, faux suede insoles and rubber outsoles.

I really like this pair from the Vegan line...

Anyone in Delaware looking to buy a pair should check out Clothes In The Past Lane on Main Street. They carry a pretty good selection and it's where I bought my last pair. I might have to buy one of the Fall styles when I head back to school in a couple of days.

No Impact Man: In Theaters 9/11/09

2009-08-21T23:07:00.006-04:00

Mad Props To A Tiny State

2009-08-21T22:29:00.004-04:00

Delaware, a small wonder, has officially signed into legislation new plastic bag legislation ... a big step for weaning out plastic bag use in the state. The bill will reduce the need for landfill space, promote more recycling and will hopefully start to put an end to all of the havoc they wreak on the environment like in this picture below.

Starting in December, all retail stores with at least 7,000 square feet or with three or more locations must provide in-store plastic bag recycling as well as reusable bags to buy. By 2010, they must post a message encouraging plastic bag recycling, as well.

Other states like New York and California have passed similar bills already.

I'll be looking forward to seeing less plastic bags and more reusable bags around campus come December, that's for sure.

End of summer blues

2009-08-20T14:36:00.003-04:00

I know summer is quickly approaching its end, but I just can't (more like refuse) to let it go. My love of the beach and the ocean is always on my mind, and here are some new findings about the big, blue sea - some good and some worrisome. Do do you want the good news or the bad news first?

Bad news:

- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration just announced temperatures of the ocean's surface are the highest ever recorded with the average sea surface temperature 1.06 degrees higher than the 20th century average of 61.5 degrees. Combined global land and ocean surface temperatures are also the 5th warmest since worldwide record keeping started in 1880.

- Sea ice isn't doing too well, either. According to NOAA, arctic sea ice coverage is 12.7% below the 1979-200 average and is the third lowest on record after 2006 and 2007.

Good news:

- New restrictions on commercial longline fishing fleets have been imposed to protect marine turtles in the Gulf of Mexico. The plan closes specific areas, restricts fishing boats and reduces the amount of hooks allowed on fishing trips. Apparently, longliner fleets have snared an estimated 1,000 turtles between July 2006 and December 2008, despite only being allowed to snare 114 every three years.

A Real Bill for the Climate

2009-08-10T09:51:00.002-04:00

I hate to keep plugging the New York Times, but here is another update, this time an editorial on the battle for a climate bill to be put into place, however, one that forces the entire economy into technological change.

I found this interesting....

"The White House seems oddly disengaged. It has been a while since President Obama has issued a full-throated plea for a climate bill, and when his aides talk about the issue, they talk about things that are easy to sell — “energy security” and “green jobs” — rather than pushing for tough measures needed to cap emissions."

Any thoughts?

Climate Change Seen As Threat to U.S. Security

2009-08-09T23:22:00.001-04:00

Interesting article from The New York Times.

Tiny Tips That Make A Big Difference

2009-08-06T15:09:00.002-04:00

Did you know that if everyone switched to online banking 1.6 billion tons of waste and 2.1 million tons of CO2 would be cut a year?

Did you know that if every home in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with an Energy Star bulb we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year?

Did you know that an idling cars spew much of the 1.7 billion tons of auto emissions per year?

Trader Joe's and Ocean Destruction: Update!

2009-08-05T16:06:00.007-04:00

A few weeks ago, I posted a video about Trader (Traitor) Joe's supporting red listed seafood. According to Greenpeace,

"Within a week of receiving feedback from the public, Trader Joe's announced that they would consider recommendations published by the Monterey Bay Aquarium in their seafood sourcing decisions. Unfortunately, the company backpedaled immediately afterward, stating that they may continue selling red list species. They don't have an agreement or partnership with the Aquarium on sustainable seafood. "

Greenpeace has come up with a list of FAQ's about the issue that are pretty helpful including which items to avoid (New England Wild Jumbo Scallops, Just Salmon, Coconut Shrimp, etc.), EcoFish labels, and what a red list is.

Check it. And stop buying redlisted fish from Trader Joe's while you're at it. Oh, and sign the petition, too!

Snaps for Kimberly-Clark.

2009-08-05T15:49:00.005-04:00

Fellow activists, please raise your glasses to Kimberly-Clark. According to Greenpeace, which has been lobbying the company (who makes Kleenex, Scott and Cottonelle) to stop using trees from the Boreal forest since 2004, Kimberly-Clark has finally devised a new policy to help save and protect the precious forest.

They've set a goal to obtain 100 percent of its wood fiber from environmentally responsible sources, yippeeee! In fact, according to Greenpeace, by the end of 2011, Kimberly-Clark will no longer use any pulp at all from the Boreal Forest unless it's Forest Stewardship Council certified. It's policy will also protect other endangered forests from being used by the company and increases the company’s use of FSC-certified pulp and recycled fiber worldwide.

This is a huge step because Kimberly-Clark is the largest tissue company in the world ... can you imagine how many trees can be saved from now on?

I think Kimberly-Clark deserves some thanks, especially for really listening to all those petitions sent in from Greenpeace and other activists. Show your appreciation by signing this letter.

Green Honor Role

2009-08-04T22:18:00.002-04:00

The Princeton Review released a list of green colleges across the nation. Here's who made the list...

1) Arizona State University

2) Bates College

3) College of the Atlantic

4) Colorado College

5) Dickinson College

6) The Evergreen State College

7) Georgia Institute of Technology

8) Harvard College

9) Middlebury College

10) Northeastern University

11) State University of New York and Binghamton

12) University of California- Berkeley

13) University of New Hampshire

14) University of Washington

15) Yale University

C'mon UD... step it up!