Archive for the ‘Environment’ Category
Eternally Ever-Green Christmas
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009Winter is fast approaching. Nights will be their longest. But hope beacons from the lights on our Christmas tree. The evergreen symbolizes eternity. But we do not want our old plastic tree to sit in a landfill forever either. For this reason, artificial trees are not environmentally friendly. In addition to this, syntheitc trees are made from petroleoum-based PVC.
To have a truly green Christmas, select a live, uncut tree that can be replanted. If this is not feasible, select a real tree cut from a tree farm. As they grow they release oxygen and take in carbon dioxide. When the season is over it can be turned into mulch. Do not put tinsel or artificail snow on it.
“In everything natural there is something marvelous.” Aristotle
Would you let your kids play with Asbestos?
Saturday, October 24th, 2009Of course not! You know that asbestos is a fibrous mineral that can get into the air and damage your lungs. It was placed in buildings to prevent the spread of fires – and very effective at doing so. PBDE’s are also effective at preventing the spread of fires. They are a class of fire retardants that are used in everything from baby clothing to carpeting. But did you know that it is also being detected in the blood of whales? The chemicals are prevalent enough in whales that they are experiencing breast cancer. Even worse, chemicals like those found in flame retardants are getting into the food chain. They are everywhere. It is time to get the word out about these harmful chemicals and start working to find a safe alternative.
Earth Hour
Thursday, March 12th, 2009Saturday, March 28th is world-wide Earth Hour. Earth Hour is when, for one hour, people all over the world will be shutting off their lights. It started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. It has reached over 35 countries! We prompt you to turn off your lights between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 28th.
Lights Out Earthlings!!
by Melissa and Erin
Demand bio-based plastic
Monday, January 19th, 2009Billions of plastic bottles end up in landfills every year and do not degrade. These bottles make their way into streams and oceans and pose a threat to all of Earth’s creatures.
One might react with the response, “Doesn’t plastic get recycled?”. Well, recycling rates have remained steady while production of plastic has greatly increased. Try to remember the last time you were in a supermarket and heard “glass clean-up in aisle four.” Think about all the products that are encapsulated in plastic. Sadly, our unbreakable plastic world is contributing to a broken planet.
It is time to start demanding an alternative to plastic. Companies are now finding ways to make plastics from plants such as corn and wheat. Products are already on the market such as the corn-based BioBag. Corn-based plastic bottles are even less prevalent though and have not been utilized by larger corporations.