July 7th, 2010
Cornelia Mazzan
What’s so harmful about using regular sunscreen and bug spray?
What is Permaculture…and how can it help our life on the planet?
How can your family reduce their oil consumption, especially after seeing the Gulf disaster unfold?
How can you teach your children about the oil spill and the effects on the environment?
For the answers, check out Real Mama’s Summer 2010 E-newsletter below.
Recognizing that families and caregivers are short on time and that environmental issues and actions can be complex, Real Mama researches and reviews some of the latest environmental topics and concerns for today’s busy families.
Hope you’re enjoying summer so far. Thanks for your visit and please let us know what you think!
Tags: e-newsletter, eco solutions, eco-info, green solutions
Posted in General, Minds | No Comments »
July 7th, 2010
Kari Jermansen Martin
The Quick Facts: Prior to the massive oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, most people probably did not think of how much oil they consume. It is projected that oil consumption in the United States will increase by 1.2 percent annually, reaching 24.7 million barrels per day by the year 2020. This increase in demand will put pressure on our resources and continue our addiction to fossil fuels. It’s a lot simpler than you think to reduce your oil consumption. In the end, it will save resources and money, and help your health and the earth.
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Tags: fossil fuel, oils spill, reduce oil consumption
Posted in General, Water | No Comments »
July 7th, 2010
Wendy Weiner
Special Contributor to Real Mama, Inc.
Quick Facts: “Consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fiber and energy for provision of local needs.” People, their buildings and the ways they organize themselves are central to permaculture. Thus the permaculture vision of permanent (sustainable) agriculture has evolved to one of permanent (sustainable) culture. (* David Holmgren, Permaculture Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability)
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Tags: no waste, permaculture, sustainable agriculture, sustainable culture
Posted in Earth, General | No Comments »
July 7th, 2010
Kirstin McPolin
The Quick Facts: Using sunscreen (and bug spray depending on geography) is essential in the summer to protect kids and adults from exposure. In recent years information is readily available and is accessible to help make the important decision about which products to use to keep your family safe from the elements while taking into consideration health and environmental impacts.
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Tags: DEET, EWG, kids health, oxybenzone, plant-based ingredients, retinyl palmitate, safe bug spray, safe sunscreen, vitamin A
Posted in Bodies, General | No Comments »
July 7th, 2010
Camille LoFaro Sowinski
The Quick Facts: Whether it’s an at-home project or a lesson plan for the classroom, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has provided us with a teachable moment that cannot be passed-up. With real time streaming video available of the actual leak and a host of easy-to-replicate science experiments, the devastation in the Gulf may be the catalyst needed to raise a generation with an awareness of the realities that accompany our fuel consumption habits.
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Tags: crude oil, fuel consumption, Gulf of Mexico, lesson plan, oil spill
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July 7th, 2010
Cornelia Mazzan
Sue Andrew’s Second Grade Class in Carlbad, California has had a “green” year. Real Mama board Member Camille Sowinski, whose daughter is in the class, has been working all year with the children on green service learning projects. They submitted their activities along with their worm bin video to the Green Education Foundation and won a $250 grant. Projects were reviewed and evaluated based upon student involvement, successful outcomes, potential for sustainability, creativity, and opportunity for others to replicate the initiative.
GEF Green In Action Awards are granted to schools, classes, or groups of Green Keepers. Participants in GEF programs send in photos, videos, and/or artwork that demonstrate the impact of their participation in a GEF environmental education project or eco-challenge (i.e. National Green Week, Green Thumb Challenge, Green Energy Challenge, etc.).
Watch the Award-Winning Vermicomposting Video!
http://tinyurl.com/25ootjy
Here is a list of the green programs they developed and a brief description of each:
Litter Patrol — We have been learning about storm waster run-off in our class and the harmful effects to marine wildlife.
No Trash Tuesday — We have also created a Zero Waste Lunch Program at our school.
Lunch Time Recycling — With money awarded to me from our Parent Teacher Association, we had a lunch recycling cart built.
Vermicomposting — As part of my service learning program, I taught my second graders how to build small worm composting bins out of recycled materials.
Earth Poetry — We are writing a series of poems about the earth and activism.
Read the full article here.
Congratulations to Camille, Ms. Andrews and her entire class for their hard work and dedication to making our planet a better place!
Tags: GEF, Green Education Foundation, green school programs, green service learning project, vericomposting, worm bin
Posted in General, Minds | No Comments »