July 3rd, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
Zany “right-wing conservative” Stephen Colbert supports big-business pharmaceutical companies, but he freaked when New York Times columnist, Nicholas Kristof, told him “lady pee” laced with unfiltered estrogen from birth control pills is turning up in our drinking water.
Stephen Colbert is very entertaining, but this is a serious issue. Drinking water is taking the brunt of American’s obsession with pills and chemicals. In March, depression medications were found in fish across the U.S., and in June artificial sweeteners, like saccharin, also washed up in water.
Via Colbert Nation.
Tags: artificial sweeteners, drugs, fish, pharmaceuticals, water
Posted in Health, The Environment | 1 Comment »
July 1st, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 Sometimes I think the tree sloth is our closest relative. It’s dopey looking, moves slowly, smells really bad and only comes down from its perch to poop—certainly sums me up!
But in all seriousness, scientists have long-believed that the chimpanzee is our closest animal cousin, but now a new study challenges that assumption.
Some experts believe orangutans are our closest brothers and sisters, putting them one evolutionary notch above of chimpanzees.
Published in the Journal of Biogeography, scientists say that when you consider the physical traits of orangutans, they are a better match with humans, even though chimps and humans have 96% of the same genetics.
According to researchers humans share 28 unique physical characteristics with orangutans, but only 2 with chimps. A couple notable features include our mammary glands, humans and orangutans have the widest-separated mammary glands. Also, humans and orangutans both have hair lines well above our eyes, most other primates do not.
Now, I love orangutans. They are one of my favorite animals, but these claims seem anecdotal at best and many researchers feel the same way, saying the weight of all the genetic evidence must be considered. I agree.
Via National Geographic News.
Tags: animals, environment
Posted in The Environment | No Comments »
June 30th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 Bisphenol-A, or BPA, is a compound found in the liner of aluminum cans and used to make hard plastic. Over the years, BPA has been under ever-increasing scrutiny.
Last year, BPA was found into interfere with brain cells and cause learning impairments. That’s why states like Connecticut, New Jersey and Delaware wanted it banned.
Many claim the FDA is too relaxed on BPA. So Wednesday, a group of companies, foundations and advocacy groups petitioned the FDA to better ensure the soundness of research on the safety of BPA.
The coalition claims the Food & Drug Administration is too dependent on industry-data and that the BPA industry wishes to prevent regulation and protect industries that use Bisphenol-A.
Without government-backed regulation companies that produce and use BPA will have no reason to investigate the potential health consequences of the chemical. If the FDA were to put pressure on the BPA industry, it would force manufacturers to develop a safe alternative.
Listen, the government has to protect us from potentially harmful products, because companies don’t care. For example, in 2001—NOT 1801—a company was fined $500,000 for selling flammable children’s pajamas.
Hard to believe stuff like this is still going on today!
Via Red Green and Blue.
Tags: Bisphenol-A, FDA
Posted in The Environment | No Comments »
June 29th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 I’m naked right now! Just kidding, that’d be creepy. But for a lot of people walking around naked is a lifestyle. I call them crazy people.
However, nudism or “naturalism” is catching on. More and more people are shedding their clothes and bearing their giblets. Many of them claim it’s green.
Being naked from time to time means you’re not wearing as much clothes, so you’re not doing a lot of laundry, using up water or releasing detergents into the sewers.
But some people take it a giant step further. Instead of just staying inside, they take naked vacations with other naked people. On these nude getaways vacationers do activities and eat diets with very low ecological impact.
And the idea is spreading! In France, nearly a third of vacationers at the Aquitaine region on the French Atlantic coast are foreign nudists.
I wouldn’t have a problem with nudism, if it weren’t for every other nudist looking like Archie Bunker or Mimi from The Drew Carey Show.
Via Green Inc.
Posted in Green Living, The Environment | No Comments »
June 25th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
I didn’t expect to write about dog poop twice in one week, but it’s a hot eco-topic—perhaps because tomorrow is Take Your Dog to Work Day. (Sorry, cats—you’re out of luck.)
Poo Free Parks, a Denver-based company that installs and maintains eco-friendly pet waste bags and dispensers, has launched a community-based program to eradicate dog waste in city parks and along waterways.
The first campaign will be rolled out in Poo Free Parks’ hometown, with expansion planned for other markets, including San Francisco and New York.
Working with city and county officials, the company will install and maintain at least 200 pet waste bag dispensers in Denver parks, at no cost to taxpayers. The dispensers are made from 100% recyclable aluminum, and the bags are 100% biodegradable (within 18 months).
“The service will be funded through cause marketing, aligning publicly minded businesses with a public need through an environmentally conscious effort,” says Kevin Patterson, manager of Denver Parks and Recreation. Sponsorships are available to help defray installation and maintenance costs.
“It’s good for the parks, the people, the planet and our cities,” says Poo Free Parks President Bill Airy. “Pet waste can ruin an otherwise beautiful park, creating health hazards, an unsightly mess, not to mention the large amounts of plastic waste that accumulate.”
According to Airy, the program will:
- Clean up parks, waterways and walkways
- Improve water quality in rivers, streams and lakes
- Reduce the amount of harmful plastics in landfills and oceans
- Save city and taxpayer dollars by delegating pet waste tasks to a private entity
- Offer employment opportunities to at-risk individuals from local rehabilitation networks
For Your Organic Bookshelf: The Brisk Walk: The Story of a New York City Dog Walker
Tags: environment, pets, poop
Posted in The Environment | 1 Comment »
June 25th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 I know. It sounds like the punch-line from a Far Side cartoon, but the African penguin is also called the Jackass penguin. Yeah, they need to work on their PR a little.
Anyway, in South Africa more than 100 of the endangered penguins were released back into the wild after an oil slick off a nearby coast.
A sunken trawler is the likely cause.
African penguins are already in trouble. Nowadays, there are only about 36,000 breeding pairs left. That’s a drop of 75% during the last 50 years.
It took conservationists 4 weeks to rehab the little guys, involving rounds of medication, hand-feeding and blood tests—and not to mention, smushing their itty-bitty cute faces.
On the day of their release, countless spectators lined the beach to see the little tuxedo-wearers off. One volunteer said, “It’s been very emotional working with them and seeing them go, hopefully they’ll be ok.”
Researchers expected it would take the penguins a few weeks to swim back to their home along the coast of Namibian. Jackass penguins huddle together to keep predators at bay and last reports say the little guys completed the journey and are doing fine.
Clearly, we have to do a better job protecting these tankers, maybe wrapping them in worn out mattresses and old truck tires—or at the very least, when one sinks we clean it up!
Then again, kicking our oil addiction and not hauling millions of gallons of crude oil across our vulnerable oceans sounds like the BEST idea.
Via National Geographic News.
Posted in The Environment | No Comments »
June 22nd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Man’s best friend may be his dog, but Fido’s poop is another story altogether.
I’m continually amazed by dog owners who think of my lawn as a bank account, with plenty of deposits but no withdrawals. Many inconsiderate dog walkers simply don’t want to scoop the poop.
Environmentally speaking, doggie droppings expose us to several diseases caused by parasites like roundworms—potentially fatal infections in young children that can spread throughout the body.
Such infections are underdiagnosed. In fact, a recent study found that approximately 14% of Americans carry antibodies for dog and cat roundworms, meaning they’ve been exposed to the parasite.
“That’s why it’s so important that people pick up after their pets,” says Kevin R. Kazacos, DVM, PhD, a professor of veterinary parasitology at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, IN. “The No. 1 thing that people can do to stop the spread of disease from their pets to their families is to regularly take the animal to a veterinarian. That’s the first line of defense. Secondly, people need to clean up their pets’ poop.”
Never allow children to play in areas soiled with pet or wild animal feces, Dr. Kazacos says. Kids who eat dirt also are susceptible to parasites.
“There are really a number of parasites that can affect your pets, including heartworm disease, roundworms and hookworms, and all of these can be, to varying degrees, very serious health problems,” says James O. Cook, DVM, a veterinarian in Lebanon, KY, and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “What’s worse, these can be zoonotic conditions, which can spread to the rest of the family. If your pets show any signs of infection, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. And when you obtain a new puppy or kitten, have your veterinarian treat them early in their life because they commonly have parasites without any symptoms.”
Common signs of parasite infection in dogs and cats include changes in appetite or coat, diarrhea, coughing and reduced activity, but many infected animals will not show any symptoms. Your veterinarian can detect a worm infection with a simple fecal test. If an infection is found, the vet may recommend a deworming program.
Editor’s Note: Check out Flush Puppies—biodegradable, water-soluble and flushable doodie bags.
For Your Organic Bookshelf: Parasites (Natural Pet Care Pocket Series)
Photo courtesy of AVMA/ARA
Tags: environment, Health, pets
Posted in Health, The Environment | 3 Comments »
June 22nd, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 Results of a new study show workers who spray pesticides have double the risk of a blood disorder called Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance.
MGUS is characterized as abnormal levels of plasma protein that can lead to multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting the plasma cells in bone marrow.
Printed in the journal Blood, experts examined 678 men, ages 30 to 94, who apply pesticides, taking blood samples and having them fill out a questionnaire asking about pesticide exposure and application methods.
Researchers compared this data against a similar group from a large MGUS-screening study taken from the general population. The comparison revealed MGUS was 1.9 times more prevalent in pesticide workers older than 50.
Certain chemicals heightened risk more than others. The insecticide dieldrin increased MGUS risk 5.6 fold, while the fungicide chlorothalonil only raised risk 2.4 fold. Either way, scientists insist people should be more aware of the dangers.
Fortunately, most of us aren’t spraying pesticides, but to help safeguard yourself, try buying organic cherries, strawberries and peaches, these fruits are among the most contaminated.
Via ScienceDaily.
Tags: chemicals, farming, food, food safety, fruits, pesticides
Posted in Health, Organic, The Environment | 2 Comments »
June 18th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 If you saw Finding Nemo, you know. Coral reefs play an important part in ocean life. They’re a source of food and hideouts for baby fish and other sea creatures.
But they’re dying at an alarming rate. Experts say between 1969 and 2008 survey data shows the most complex types of coral reef have been wiped out across the Caribbean.
Scientists are blaming global warming, but not entirely. Disease is responsible for killing 90% of Elkhorn and Staghorn Corals in the 1970s. In addition to losing one of Mother Nature’s wonders. Loss of coral reefs may harm humans too.
Populations that rely on commercial fishing will see their hunting and fishing grounds shrink. And fewer coral reefs mean less protection against large waves and storms for coastal residents
Via Reuters.
Tags: climate change, global warming
Posted in The Environment | No Comments »
June 16th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Singer Paul McCartney yesterday launched a Meat-Free Monday campaign, which encourages consumers to help slow climate change by avoiding meat one day a week.
Celebrity supporters include Chris Martin, Alec Baldwin, Woody Harrelson, Sheryl Crow, Kevin Spacey, Kelly Osbourne, Gillian Anderson and Ricky Gervais.
Studies clearly show our food choices affect the environment. The UK’s Food Climate Research Network says food production is responsible for 20%–30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Farm animals, which release gases like methane and nitrous oxide, account for 50% of food-related emissions.
In fact, livestock production is globally responsible for more climate-changing emissions (18%) than transportation (13%), according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. And Compassion in World Farming says UK families that slash meat consumption by 50% would release fewer emissions than if they drove their cars 50% less.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Rajendra Pachauri, PhD, chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said last year:
“IPCC found that changes in lifestyle and behavior patterns can contribute to climate change mitigation across all sectors. One area where individuals can make a difference in this regard is by altering their diets through consuming less meat, say by giving up meat at least one day a week. Reducing meat consumption in this manner will make individuals healthier, as well as the planet.”
Adds McCartney:
“I think many of us feel helpless in the face of environmental challenges, and it can be hard to know how to sort through the advice about what we can do to make a meaningful contribution to a cleaner, more sustainable, healthier world. Having one designated meat-free day a week is actually a meaningful change that everyone can make that goes to the heart of several important political, environmental and ethical issues all at once. For instance, it not only addresses pollution, but better health, the ethical treatment of animals, global hunger and community and political activism.”
Organic Meat-Free Monday Playlist
- Amoeba’s Secret
- Ram
- Unplugged (Official Bootleg)
Tags: climate change, factory farms, farms, global warming, meat, Meatless Monday, vegan, vegetarian
Posted in Organic Food, The Environment | 1 Comment »
|
|
please Share the Love