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.
Author Archive
Reduce Your Family’s Oil Consumption
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Laundry: A Toxic Load on Your Family & the Environment
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
The Quick Facts: The clothes dryer is the second biggest household user of electricity, after the refrigerator. Besides the impact on your utility bill, people spend money on fabric softeners and dryer sheets to “fluff,” reduce static, and make their clothes smell better after drying. Studies have found that these products can make us sick and harm the environment. To save energy, lower utility bills, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy and fuel use, opt for air drying — outside or inside — and skip the fabric softener and dryer sheets for a more healthy living.
You can smell it when you walk out the door of your home. You can smell it when you take your child for a walk in the neighborhood, house after house. What you smell is not the scent of fresh air, but “clean scent” or “fresh scent” dryer sheets. We all appreciate clean clothes, but studies have found that fabric softeners and dryer sheets can make us sick and harm the environment.
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Antibacterial Soap, Your Health, and the Environment
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010The Quick Facts: Experts recommend singing the “ABCs” song for effective hand-washing (20 seconds of vigorous washing with warm water). However, are we making the wrong choice to wash with? Antibacterial soaps have been found to be no more effective than using regular soap and do more harm than good to both human health and the environment.
More than ever, people are washing their hands with antibacterial soap, which experts say is harmful to our health and to the environment. More than three-quarters of soaps contain an “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial” ingredient. These ingredients are also found in cleaning products, laundry detergents, trash bags, and sponges, as well as toothpaste, socks, plastic kitchenware, cutting boards, and even toys. From 2000 to 2006, about 1,500 new antibacterial consumer products were introduced into the marketplace. However, antibacterial soaps have been found to be no more effective than using regular soap and do more harm than good.
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Natural Pest Control & Properly Seeking Professional Pest Help to Protect Your Family’s Health & the Environment
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Quickfacts: So-called “pests” are unwanted guests in many homes. Some “pests” can be unsanitary, wreak havoc on human dwellings (termites come to mind), dangerous, and plain annoying. For controlling pests, it is important to do research. Chemical treatment methods have been the norm. However, some of these methods have been found toxic and harmful to human health and the environment. Fortunately, by being more informed and by considering available natural pest control methods, one can reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals and the impact on their family’s health and the environment.
Reducing “Stuff:” Preparing for Baby (Perspective 1)
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009The Quick Facts: Parents and caregivers are bombarded with advertisements that may make them think the more “stuff” the better, especially when preparing for the birth of a child. Some products save you time and make life easier, and those are generally welcome. However, stuff adds up, and less can mean more in terms of saving money, helping the environment, reducing clutter and stress, and spending more quality time with your family. (more…)
Real Mama’s Go-Green Goals for 2009
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008and CLS, CBH, KMP and CM
The Quick Facts: As busy mothers, professionals, and human beings, we too get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Each year (since last year) those of us involved with Real Mama have verbalized our go-green goals for the holidays. This is both to remind us of our values at a hectic time of year and hopefully inspire our readers.
