.jpg)
I just watched this really interesting documentary called "The World According to Monsanto". It's a very interesting film looking at Monsanto's advertising vs. actual cases of environmental and health hazards. Genetically modified soybeans and corn are affecting not only America, but Mexico and South America because US GM corn is hybridizing with native corn. Bovine growth hormone (rBGH) made by Monsanto increases mastitis (inflammation of mammary glands), increases the amount of pus in milk, and increases the risk of cancer. PCBs (like the ones found at the plant in Glens Falls) in high concentrations can kill small animals and increase the risk of cancer.
Check out some of these links:
Dirt-poor residents seek compensation in Alabama town that was secretly poisoned for decades
Two veteran news reporters for Fox TV in Tampa, Florida have been fired for refusing to water down an investigative report on Monsanto's controversial milk hormone, rBGH
Selling a Revolution: The Monsanto PR Campaign
Intro to Bovine Growth Hormone
An old petition from preventcancer.com speaking out about rBGH
New Study Links Monsanto's Roundup to Cancer
There are many more websites you can find for yourself, but please, think twice before you use pesticides on your lawn or garden (especially if you have kids or pets!!). Pretty much all milk in the US that is labelled otherwise contains Bovine Growth Hormone, so it's my opinion to go organic and rBGH free.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Greening prisons
A pretty interesting story about how inmates are recycling and growing their own food for their prisons.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081101/ap_on_re_us/green_prisons
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081101/ap_on_re_us/green_prisons
Friday, October 24, 2008
Two local events
350.ORG PRESENTATION
"The Bells are Ringing …
…not for me and my gal, but they will be ringing 350 times at St. George’s Church and at churches and synagogues throughout the area. Why?- to remind parishioners and members of the Clifton Park community of the vital importance of reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million or less. That’s the maximum amount of carbon that scientists tell us we can have in order to maintain the fragile ecosystems that sustain life on earth. Right now those same scientists tell us that carbon emissions into the atmosphere from manufacturing, households, autos, power plants, and all other sources have raised the number to 385 parts per million. And that is causing climate change - global warming, as it is more popularly known.
On Thursday, October 30th at 7:00 pm, join Green Faith members and other concerned citizens at the Clifton Park – Halfmoon Library for an informational presentation on the 350.org movement. Our speaker will be Jeremy Osborn from 350.org, representing author-environmentalist, Bill McKibbon. This program is sponsored by the Saratoga County Interfaith Environmental Coalition in the interest of improving our stewardship of the Earth.
So listen for the bells on Thursday, Oct. 30th at - you guessed it – 3:50pm and think about what action you can take to reduce your “carbon footprint” to a level that will help make our planet sustainable."
GREEN BUILDINGS FOR GOVERNMENT
"Learn how to implement and enhance state and local green building policy andprograms from national experts - right at your own computer!Register today for the U.S. Green Building Council's new "Greening YourGovernment" Webinar Series <http://lists.usgbc.org/t/883097/13111060/902/0/>
* Understand key components and resources for implementing LEED atthe state and local level.
* Explore the development of the STAR Community Index, and thetools and resources it provides for developing sustainable communitiesnationwide.
* Identify sound green building policy and key implementationstrategies through case examples.
Who Should Participate:
This webinar is a valuable educational opportunity for state and localgovernment leadership and staff, policy makers, advocates, and anyone elseinterested developing and enhancing green government building programs. "
"The Bells are Ringing …
…not for me and my gal, but they will be ringing 350 times at St. George’s Church and at churches and synagogues throughout the area. Why?- to remind parishioners and members of the Clifton Park community of the vital importance of reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million or less. That’s the maximum amount of carbon that scientists tell us we can have in order to maintain the fragile ecosystems that sustain life on earth. Right now those same scientists tell us that carbon emissions into the atmosphere from manufacturing, households, autos, power plants, and all other sources have raised the number to 385 parts per million. And that is causing climate change - global warming, as it is more popularly known.
On Thursday, October 30th at 7:00 pm, join Green Faith members and other concerned citizens at the Clifton Park – Halfmoon Library for an informational presentation on the 350.org movement. Our speaker will be Jeremy Osborn from 350.org, representing author-environmentalist, Bill McKibbon. This program is sponsored by the Saratoga County Interfaith Environmental Coalition in the interest of improving our stewardship of the Earth.
So listen for the bells on Thursday, Oct. 30th at - you guessed it – 3:50pm and think about what action you can take to reduce your “carbon footprint” to a level that will help make our planet sustainable."
GREEN BUILDINGS FOR GOVERNMENT
"Learn how to implement and enhance state and local green building policy andprograms from national experts - right at your own computer!Register today for the U.S. Green Building Council's new "Greening YourGovernment" Webinar Series <http://lists.usgbc.org/t/883097/13111060/902/0/>
* Understand key components and resources for implementing LEED atthe state and local level.
* Explore the development of the STAR Community Index, and thetools and resources it provides for developing sustainable communitiesnationwide.
* Identify sound green building policy and key implementationstrategies through case examples.
Who Should Participate:
This webinar is a valuable educational opportunity for state and localgovernment leadership and staff, policy makers, advocates, and anyone elseinterested developing and enhancing green government building programs. "
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Deadline extended to oppose offshore drilling
"The federal government has extended until September 18 the deadline for commenting on a proposed 5-year plan for offshore energy development. Please act now.
Congress may soon take up unprecedented energy legislation that includes authorization for new offshore drilling. Unfortunately, that’s not the only big threat facing our nation’s precious coastal environments. The Bush administration has launched a new accelerated planning process that could open extensive offshore areas around the country to oil and gas drilling irrespective of how Congress votes. Lining our coasts and shorelines with oil rigs will not lower current gas prices or bring Americans long-term energy security, but it will put at risk some of our nation's most valuable habitats and productive marine areas. " from WWF.
Congress may soon take up unprecedented energy legislation that includes authorization for new offshore drilling. Unfortunately, that’s not the only big threat facing our nation’s precious coastal environments. The Bush administration has launched a new accelerated planning process that could open extensive offshore areas around the country to oil and gas drilling irrespective of how Congress votes. Lining our coasts and shorelines with oil rigs will not lower current gas prices or bring Americans long-term energy security, but it will put at risk some of our nation's most valuable habitats and productive marine areas. " from WWF.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Palin on arctic drilling
Honestly, I was pretty psyched when Sarah Palin was announced as VP for McCain. After all, she's a fisherman/hunter in Alaska, shouldn't she know the value of pristine environments in her home state? I was shocked to find out she's a big advocate for drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore drilling.
"McCain hinted in June that he may re-evaluate his position on drilling in ANWR, saying that he would “go back and look at it again,” but he has since continued to cite environmental concerns as his primary reason for opposing drilling in the reserve."-from http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/29/mccain-and-palin-disagree-on-arctic-drilling/
Let's hope come election time, the candidate with better environmental values wins.
"McCain hinted in June that he may re-evaluate his position on drilling in ANWR, saying that he would “go back and look at it again,” but he has since continued to cite environmental concerns as his primary reason for opposing drilling in the reserve."-from http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/29/mccain-and-palin-disagree-on-arctic-drilling/
Let's hope come election time, the candidate with better environmental values wins.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Native Plant Workshop Oct 22nd
Native Plant Training WorkshopOctober 22, 2008
8:30 am - 5:00pm
At the Cary Institute for Ecosystem StudiesMillbrook, NY
Participants will learn techniques and methods for reintroducing native plants to areas that have been managed for the control of invasive plants and will also learn how to preserve existing native plant habitats.
Who should attend: Land managers including local, state and national parks, land stewards, land trusts and preserves, large land owners such as corporations, religious institutions, historic mansions, colleges and residential schools, DEC foresters, landscape architects, horticulturists, growers, nurseries, soil and water conservation district employees, highway workers, NYS Turf and Landscape , EMC, CAC, and Master Gardeners.
Presented in cooperation with NYSDEC Estuary Training Program of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies, and PRISM.
For more info, For more information contact: Meredith Taylor 845-889-4745 ext. 109 mjtaylor@gw.dec.state.ny.us
8:30 am - 5:00pm
At the Cary Institute for Ecosystem StudiesMillbrook, NY
Participants will learn techniques and methods for reintroducing native plants to areas that have been managed for the control of invasive plants and will also learn how to preserve existing native plant habitats.
Who should attend: Land managers including local, state and national parks, land stewards, land trusts and preserves, large land owners such as corporations, religious institutions, historic mansions, colleges and residential schools, DEC foresters, landscape architects, horticulturists, growers, nurseries, soil and water conservation district employees, highway workers, NYS Turf and Landscape , EMC, CAC, and Master Gardeners.
Presented in cooperation with NYSDEC Estuary Training Program of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies, and PRISM.
For more info, For more information contact: Meredith Taylor 845-889-4745 ext. 109 mjtaylor@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Monday, August 18, 2008
Keeping your cat indoors
Lately I've been thinking about outdoor cats for several reasons. In New Zealand, they have a huge problem with feral cats that prey on native wildlife. There aren't many natural predators in NZ, so cats can easily kill lots of birds that aren't used to be hunted. On continents, feral and outside cats also kill birds and small mammals. I love cats, but I think it's unnecessary for cats to hunt, especially when wildlife also have to contend with natural predators, diseases, cars, and habitat loss. This morning I was woken up at 4 am to the screams of two cats fighting in my backyard- which points out that outside cats have a much shorter lifespan than indoor cats. Even putting a bell on a cat collar doesn't solve the problem, because a study has shown that cat can learn to stalk so quietly that the bell doesn't jingle.
I've found a website that discuss the issues of feral/outdoor cats: http://www.njaudubon.org/Conservation/CatsIndoors/FAQ.html#three
One man in Texas shot a feral cat who was killing endangered shorebirds, and it brings up an interesting ethical question of killing a cat who kills birds: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/magazine/02cats-v--birds-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2
I've found a website that discuss the issues of feral/outdoor cats: http://www.njaudubon.org/Conservation/CatsIndoors/FAQ.html#three
One man in Texas shot a feral cat who was killing endangered shorebirds, and it brings up an interesting ethical question of killing a cat who kills birds: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/magazine/02cats-v--birds-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2
Friday, August 15, 2008
Scaring away cheetahs and elephants (in a good way)
Well guys, I'm back from Australia/New Zealand, so I'll be updating the blog more. I had an amazing time, learned so much, and met great people. Time for uni to start again and get back to the real world (and figuring out a way to negate the huge carbon footprint I created while travelling...hmmm.).
I went to the zoo in Auckland, New Zealand, and learned how this breed of dog is being used by African farmers to keep the cheetahs out of the farmers' land. Before this program was initiated, farmers would kill the cheetahs, or leave poison for the cheetahs (and whatever else ate the bait) so they wouldn't eat their livestock. The dogs are trained to keep out the cheetahs, keeping the livestock safe and saving the cheetahs. There's more about that program here: http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=46
In a similar story, in Sumatra the WWF has introduced a program for tame elephants to scare off wild elephants. Wild elephants have been entering farms and plantations because their natural habitat is being logged and destroyed. Nine rangers and four trained elephants keep the wild elephants out. Keeps people from killing the wild elephants, and hopefully the wild elephants find better places for food. There's more on it and a video at this website: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/borneo/item3729.html?enews=enews0808t
Pretty cool, I think- and everyone likes success stories.
I went to the zoo in Auckland, New Zealand, and learned how this breed of dog is being used by African farmers to keep the cheetahs out of the farmers' land. Before this program was initiated, farmers would kill the cheetahs, or leave poison for the cheetahs (and whatever else ate the bait) so they wouldn't eat their livestock. The dogs are trained to keep out the cheetahs, keeping the livestock safe and saving the cheetahs. There's more about that program here: http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=46
In a similar story, in Sumatra the WWF has introduced a program for tame elephants to scare off wild elephants. Wild elephants have been entering farms and plantations because their natural habitat is being logged and destroyed. Nine rangers and four trained elephants keep the wild elephants out. Keeps people from killing the wild elephants, and hopefully the wild elephants find better places for food. There's more on it and a video at this website: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/borneo/item3729.html?enews=enews0808t
Pretty cool, I think- and everyone likes success stories.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Renewables
Al Gore has called for 100% energy to come from renewable sources within the next ten years. Some don't believe this is possible or even desired. But this is really important, and MoveOn has created a petition to push for this, and around 150,000 people have already signed it.
"Al Gore took a big risk when he called on us to get 100% of our electricity from cheap, clean sources within 10 years. It's an achievable goal, but it's already under attack from the oil and coal companies. They're calling his plan unrealistic, impossible, and crazy.
We're in a crisis. If this is the fate of any new idea to get us out of this crisis alive, we're toast. Gore's challenge will live or die on the reaction of people like us.
We can turn back Big Oil's attack if hundreds of thousands of us personally endorse Gore's challenge to power our country with 100% cheap, clean energy within 10 years—and then we urge Obama, McCain, and Congress to get on board.
Clicking here will add your support to Gore's challenge:
http://pol.moveon.org/gorechallenge/o.pl?id=13302-3613284-qw2OfTx&t=4" (from MoveOn.org)
"Al Gore took a big risk when he called on us to get 100% of our electricity from cheap, clean sources within 10 years. It's an achievable goal, but it's already under attack from the oil and coal companies. They're calling his plan unrealistic, impossible, and crazy.
We're in a crisis. If this is the fate of any new idea to get us out of this crisis alive, we're toast. Gore's challenge will live or die on the reaction of people like us.
We can turn back Big Oil's attack if hundreds of thousands of us personally endorse Gore's challenge to power our country with 100% cheap, clean energy within 10 years—and then we urge Obama, McCain, and Congress to get on board.
Clicking here will add your support to Gore's challenge:
http://pol.moveon.org/gorechallenge/o.pl?id=13302-3613284-qw2OfTx&t=4" (from MoveOn.org)
Monday, June 2, 2008
Urge the Senate to support Climate Security Act!
Hey everyone, I think supporting climate change legislation is the most important action each of us can do. We can recycle and reduce all we want as individuals, but to really make a difference, we have to influence politics. The Climate Security Act is currently being debated in the Senate. This bill would reduce the amout of emissions and fund conservation programs for wildlife (which are going to need the money since climate change is seriously going to wreak havoc on habitats). Please call or send an email to Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton to support this!!
Senator Schumer:
Phone: (202) 224-6542
District Phone: (212) 486-4430
Senator Clinton:
Phone: (202) 224-4451
District Phone: (212) 688-6262
Although it seems scary, all you have to do is call to say that you would like them to support the Climate Security Act to reduce global warming pollution and protect America's natural resources.
You can find out more about the bill and some talking points here:
http://online.nwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Congress_and_Global_Warming_US_Senate
Senator Schumer:
Phone: (202) 224-6542
District Phone: (212) 486-4430
Senator Clinton:
Phone: (202) 224-4451
District Phone: (212) 688-6262
Although it seems scary, all you have to do is call to say that you would like them to support the Climate Security Act to reduce global warming pollution and protect America's natural resources.
You can find out more about the bill and some talking points here:
http://online.nwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Congress_and_Global_Warming_US_Senate
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
