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.
Author Archive
Summer Sprays: Safe Sunscreen & Bug Sprays
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Plant a Tree: Clean the Air
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
The Quick Facts: Photosynthesis is a mechanism that we all learn about in elementary school but many people don’t realize the benefits of planting trees and other vegetation on the environment. Plants can be used in urban spaces to improve local air quality and, on a global scale, to reduce the impacts of climate change through carbon sequestration. Plant a tree, flowers, or garden today to reduce your impact and help clean the air.
How Plants Clean the Air
The cycle of how plants make energy is called photosynthesis. Greatly simplified, it is when the sun, water, minerals, and carbon dioxide are all absorbed by a plant and then used to make food, glucose/sugar, for the plant. Oxygen is produced as a by-product of this process and released into the air by leaves.
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Breast Cancer and the Environment: Is there a link?
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010The Quick Facts: The detection of breast cancer was the focus of new controversial recommendations made recently about breast cancer screening. However, there are many risk factors associated with the development of breast cancer and some groups strongly believe that increases of chemicals in the environment has lead to increases in breast cancer. Synthetic chemicals can mimic the effect of estrogen, exposure to which overtime increases the risk of breast cancer. You can take preventative measures to reduce your risk of breast cancer by reducing these risk factors. Namely, make informed decisions about birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy; limit the amount of alcohol you drink to one drink a day and don’t smoke; maintain a healthy weight throughout your life by eating healthy and exercising; eat organic produce, meat, and dairy; avoid #7 plastics that may contain BPA; revamp your beauty routine and use more natural products.
In mid-November the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent government-appointed panel made the first reevaluation of breast cancer screening guidelines since 2002. Needless to say, their recommendations were controversial. One recommendation suggests that women in their 40s should stop routinely having annual mammograms and older women should cut back to one scheduled exam every other year. Many organizations do not support the recommendations, including the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology, among others. Speak with your doctor to determine what the proper course of action is right for you.
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Earth Focused Activities and Games (1-6)
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
All summer I tried to go camping with my family in our back yard. I thought that this would be an easy thing to achieve seeing as it was literally going to be in our back yard, but invariably something came up every weekend. It was too hot, or the kids had not slept well the night before, or my husband wasn’t going to be back in time to roast marshmallows, etc. We actually got the tent up one Friday afternoon and the three kids climbed inside (even the one year old was loving this), only to be eaten alive by mosquitoes that were trapped inside with us!
Global Warming Updates: How Warm Are We? Legislation, International Actions, and What Kids Can Do
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
The Quick Facts: Measures must be taken both nationally and internationally to slow the pace of global warming. Domestically bills are pending in Congress to reducing global warming while the international community will meet in December to further international efforts. These actions will hopefully help curb greenhouse gas emissions but we should all do our part at home to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and teach our kids to do so as well by encouraging kids to turn off lights in the house; explaining the need to carpool; and planting trees.
Seafood Choices: Farmed-raised vs. Wild-caught
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
The Quick Facts: We all know that eating fish is important for our health. However, when faced with the labels, claims, and prices at the seafood counter it is hard to know what to choose. Practical tips include: Choose fish that is healthy and sustainable, usually wild-caught (but not always); Avoid farm-raised finfish, especially salmon; Look for certified seafood; Buy local or domestic; Eat a variety of fish; Choose high-quality fresh or flash-frozen fish; Ask questions.
