Small Actions, Big Results

In the spirit of eco-steps, there are many seemingly small, easy things we can all do that can add up to have a collectively large impact on our health, our lives and our environment.  But maybe there aren't enough of us doing them.  And maybe we could all do a little bit more.  I think both statements are true.  With June of 2010 being the hottest on record, and terrible things like the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, flooding in Pakistan, and drought and wild fires in Russia, I think it's time that everyone start paying a little closer attention.

Water, Water...Nowhere? Part II

  As a follow on to my March post entitled Water, Water...Nowhere?, I wanted to share the Yes! Magazine's Summer 2010 Issue that highlights water solutions.  You can check out the latest here:  Water Solutions.  Very thought provoking information!

The Ugly Truth: The Hidden Dangers of Cosmetics with Annie Leonard

Whatever you may think, have heard, or otherwise believe about Annie Leonard, she makes some very important points about the safety or lack thereof of mainstream cosmetics that we use every day. Her basic premise is "Toxics in, Toxics out."  In the U.S., in particular, there are all sorts of bad nasties in the cosmetics and personal care products that most of us use every day.  Back in February, I wrote about the benefits of using natural products vs. the overly preservative and chemical-laden products in About Face! Lookin' Good the Natural Way.  And it seems that thanks to Ms. Leonard's work along with the tireless efforts of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and many others, consumers are waking up to the hidden dangers in everyday products we buy and use.  

This is important.  Why?  Because our bodies absorb what we put in them, as well as what we put on them!  Not only do we harm the environment through the production and disposal of these products, but we harm ourselves.  

Consider this:  A woman who wears makeup every day can absorb up to 4 pounds, 6 ounces of cosmetics through her skin over the course of one year!  And that doesn't even count the chemicals, preservatives and compounds that exist in shampoos, conditioners, fragrances, deodorants, powders, etc.  Do we really need plasticizers in our shampoo or lead in our lipstick?  Scary stuff.

As always, in the spirit of eco-steps (taking small steps to help ourselves and our environment), I encourage you to read up on the ingredients in your makeup and personal care products.  Check the Safe Cosmetics Database for what's in your stuff and seek out natural, less harmful alternatives. 

Additionally, tell people.  Spread the word.  Take action and ask Congress to support the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.  It is through raising awareness and taking actions, however small, that we can influence companies to make safer products-- for us, for our environment, and for future generations to come.

Let It All Hang Out: Why Line Drying is Better

In my part of the world, it is now officially summer.  And summer usually means sun-filled, warm days.  Those days are p-e-r-f-e-c-t for line drying your clothes.   Instead of firing up the dryer, why not harness the power of the sun and fresh air to dry your clothes?   While it may sound like a major inconvenience, I can attest that it really isn't.  Whenever possible, I hang our family's (clean) laundry out to dry.  Sure, I have a dryer like most modern households, and I use it (as little as possible), so I won't pretend like I don't.  It's kind of a philosophical thing with me, but I won't bore you with that.  Back to hanging up the clothes... It doesn't really take that long to hang them up, and if you do it right, there is no need for ironing (score!!) when you take them down and / or fold them!  So here are some reasons why line drying is better:

Another Good Reason to Step On Outta Those Hose!

Be nice to the planet and ditch those panty hose. Nylons are made out of petroleum.  Yep.   Even if you've ditched your gas-guzzling SUV and are now driving a hybrid or biking to work... you can still do just a little more to help the planet.  Here are some other things that are made out of petroleum.  You may be surprised...

Chewing gum:  It lasts as long as it does for a reason—just about all brands on store shelves today use petroleum-based polymers. According to my friends at Planet Green, Goodyear, the tire and rubber company, supplies Wrigley's with much of its gum base. Yummy!   

More from Planet Green: 

• Hair dye: As if the toxic chemicals in hair dye weren't enough reason to avoid coloring your hair. Try finding more natural alternatives, or just go au naturale.

• Asphalt : Also known as bitumen, the material used to resurface roads (as well as in roofing materials) is an oil-based hydrocarbon. Meaning—if you noticed that road construction slowed down in your area at all in the last year, rising oil costs may well have been the reason. 

   Crayons: The main ingredient is paraffin wax, a petroleum product also used in most candles.

  Ink: Ever wonder why so many companies with an eco-conscience tout their use of soy-based ink?

  Pantyhose: ...and all other nylon products. All petroleum-based.
  

  And there's more...

  Heart Valves. Pillows. Aspirin. Ammonia. Toothpaste. Toothbrushes. Guitar strings. Shoe polish. Tape. Rubbing Alcohol. Vitamin capsules. Solvents. Caulking. Insecticides. Deodorant. Glue.
  The wax layer of the packaging your frozen food comes in. (And, of course, the fertilizers that farmers used to grow much of that food.)
  
  Given the ubiquity of oil, it's not an easy thing to get away from, no matter how much bike-riding and food-growing we do for ourselves. (Though both of things are a great start—keep 'em up!) But, like other addictions, we got ourselves hooked, and with serious effort and dedication, we can get ourselves unhooked.

Eco-Steps Toward a Better Tomorrow

The Conscious Shift in Consumer Behaviors

Sunday, April 11, 2010 by Ted Ning

The global economic downturn has not only affected many people’s wallets it has also caused a dramatic shift in the way people look at the choices they are making in their lives. In the U.S. there is a strong desire to be self reliant and to conserve resources as people prioritize their spending and behaviors towards more purposeful decisions. Choices as small as bringing meals to work rather than eating out, taking public transport instead of spending on gasoline and garden grown foods rather than store bought foods are some examples of trends that are picking up. These are changing the way companies approach green business strategy.

Today not only LOHAS consumers but ALL consumers are demanding a greater value from products and services. This value is derived from a strong desire to make the most of everything that a person has. Considerations including investment, functionality and cost are being assessed and are creating new dimensions of ROI that are increasingly a part of the emotional and social values a brand typically provides.

It's Just Another Meatless Monday

If you're humming the Bangles' tune Manic Monday right now, you're definitely a child of the 80's.  And now that I have your attention, let's talk about meat.  (You can still hum along if you'd like).  The Great American Meat Out is coming soon on Saturday, March 20th.  As mentioned in previous posts, I know that people can get touchy when it comes to food, especially meat.  But this post isn't so much about telling anyone what we should or shouldn't eat, it's bigger than that.

Why Eco-Steps Matter

It's no secret that the world population is increasing at alarming rates. As a human race, we consume resources to survive.  And, some of us consume more than others (far beyond what would be considered necessary for survival).

Just recently, I read an article addressing our consumption entitled, "What's Your Consumption Factor?" by Jared Diamond, author of "Collapse," and "Guns, Germs and Steel."  Some of the highlights of the article are that developed nations consume resources at a relative per capita consumption rate of 32 whereas the "rest" of the world consumes at a rate far lower than that-- somewhere around 1.  And, that the disparity in these resource consumption rates is at the root of many of the world's conflicts.  This article uses China as an example of where we are headed with our consumption.  In 2008, China's per capita consumption hovered somewhere around 11.  China has the world's fastest growing economy and four times the population of the United States.  If China's consumption rises to be on par with the US, oil consumption would increase by 106 percent, and world metal consumption would increase by 94 percent.  I don't mean to pick on China or single out any particular nation.  But, it is clear that we all need to start thinking a lot differently about how we consume. 

Looking Good on the Cheap

We all want to look good.  It's part of human nature.  I dare say that what we don't want is to spend a lot of money to look our best.  And the good news is, we don't have to!  With the economic downturn of the past year, second-hand stores, consignment shops, and stores like the Good Will and The Salvation Army have come back into popularity and for good reason.  You can really find some tremendous deals on stylish, gently used clothing while helping people, saving money and being kinder to the planet.  If you haven't already seen The Story of Stuff, check it out and you'll see why shopping just a little differently is much nicer to Mother Nature.  You can look good and feel good too!

Environmental Vegetarianism?

This may be the worst possible time of year to be writing about what people should or shouldn't eat.  But, it may also be the best since we are presented with many food choices at Thanksgiving, Christmas and holiday parties galore.  It is becoming mainstream knowledge (although perhaps not very popular) that what we eat affects the environment. Recently, my father-in-law passed on an article from the Washington Post that addresses just that. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/15/AR2009111502210.html

 (Warning: It may not be for squeamish readers, and should probably carry a PG-13 rating due to its graphic descriptions).