Antibiotics with your Tap Water, Madam?
In a recent study by the University of California, antibiotics given to cows were traced throughout their waste stream. Although not the first study to be done on the extensive use of antibiotics, especially on dairy cows, this study found that most antibiotics broke down before reaching ground water. This is good news for individuals who use well-water and live near dairy operations. The study did not look into the effects on surface water, marine life, or other species and areas of the environment impacted by the antibiotics.
Filtering your water and occasionally having it tested can also help keep your tap water safe and clean. The EPA recently released a study that reviewed the safety of municipal tap water. Depending on where you live, contamination risks may differ. The EPA found that water quality (for the US) was disappointingly low and came up with a list of suggestions. So it may be worthwhile to see just what lurks in your tap water!
You can read the summary of the dairy study here.
Energy Use Down Due to Recession
A recent study was done by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that asserts Americans are using less energy in 2009 than in 2008. The main attributing factor: The Recession.
Energy use tends to follow the level of economic activity, and that level declined last year. At the same time, higher efficiency appliances and vehicles reduced energy use even further. As a result, people and businesses are using less energy in general.
Reducing energy use is such an easy way to reduce our monthly bills. It’s a shame that people only use less energy when forced to cut back their spending. Just because we aren’t forced to cut back our costs doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be concern with our energy consumption.
Another point that was mentioned in this study is the reduction of coal as a fuel source. Luckily it was renewable energy sources and natural gas that filled the void. There’s no real surprise wind and solar were on the rise with the various energy credits being provided by the government.
We can only hope that as the economy recovers, people will continue to conserve energy and there will be a continued support to move to renewable sources of energy.
Canadian? Watch your BPA Intake
In a recent study by Statistics Canada, 91% of all Canadians had BPA in their bodies. Now this is not a growing issue specific to Canada though, so consider your own Country’s products and your personal rate of BPA exposure and intake.
So just how bad is this and what can we do about it in our own locations across the globe? First, the study provides an important baseline for understanding BPA exposure. But is BPA really bad for you? And since it is so prevalent in consumer products, is this number of concern? Let’s take a quick look.
What and Where is BPA?
BPA, or Bisphenol A, is most commonly used in plastics and to coat things like shopping receipts and food cans. For the scientifically minded out there, it is most commonly used in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. It is a synthetically-made chemical that does not naturally occur in nature, but due to its persistent use in consumer products, can be found in water, aquatic animals, and humans mainly. The 2002 BPA market saw 2.8 million tons produced globally, and the numbers have only increased until recently. Some of the most common products can be found in our food plastics including baby bottles.
Should I Be Concerned?
According to the American Chemistry Council and industry trade groups, No.
According to health officials worldwide including the FDA and health scientists, Yes.
Take a minute to reflect on the different sources of information.
So, Why the Controversy?
Mainly, different mindsets. The chemical industry and chemical trade groups are taking the approach that until it has not been proven to cause immediate harm to human health. Resulting with the approach that there is little need to address the situation, so business continues as usual. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally deemed low rates of BPA exposure as safe. The chemical industry is first to tell you that BPA is highly regulated and tested and has been studied for over 40 years.
Unfortunately, there is a growing body of evidence that is proving that BPA exposure is not safe. Its effects on the brain, diabetes, prostate gland, and in particular the reproductive system and children is of great concern. In February of this year, the FDA made a public announcement encouraging households to limit their exposure to BPA. Now the FDA has not made a formal announcement that BPA should be publicly banned, but countries like Canada have decided to review whether this should be done until we learn can be certain there is absolutely no health risk.
The real health concerns arise when BPA levels increase, and since manufacturers have no control over what their consumers eat and are exposed to in conjunction with their product, the responsibility lays with each of us to decide which approach we will take.
CBS News Video on the 2010 FDA Announcement to Limit BPA Exposure
CBS News Reviews FDA Warning on BPA
Tips for BPA-Free Living
The Mayo Clinic offers these tips for reducing your potential exposure to BPA:
- Choose glass or BPA-free plastic baby bottles.
- Use glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers for hot foods and liquids.
- Avoid plastic containers with the No. 7 and No. 3 recycling label — they’re made with BPA.
- Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Instead, use glass containers designed for microwaving.
- Reduce your use of canned foods — many cans are lined with a BPA-containing resins
Please note that BPA is not required to be listed on food products or consumer goods, so it may be hard to find and eliminate all together. BPA can be flushed out of the body within 6 hours according to current research, so cleansing your body of BPA quickly is an option.
So it is up to you to decide which approach is best for your lifestyle. Either the wait and see method or the precautionary principle. Best of luck with your decision.
Sources include: Reuters, Chemical Market Associates, Inc (CMAI), Mayo Clinic, American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division Business Group
Is Wind Energy Not Worth The Investment?
Robert Bryce from the Wall Street Journal thinks that wind energy could actually be causing more carbon emissions than often advertised. Bryce found research that suggests because wind is not a consistent source of energy, coal plants have to pick up the slack. The research found that it requires more energy to start coal fire generators than if left running. Hist entire piece called Wind Power Won’t Cool Down the Planet can be found on the Wall Street Journal.
Not Thinking Ahead
The major flaw with Bryce’s argument would have to be the fact that he is only thinking about now, without looking ahead into the future. Wind may be the most popular now, but there are so many other sources of energy that we can invest in that could help us eliminate our need for coal and oil. I may be a little naive, but I would hope that America would one day rely on only renewable and clean energy sources.
That could be 50, 75 or even more than 100 years down the road. The fact is that we cannot continue to rely on the current sources of energy that we are without causing further damage to our planet as well as shortage of those sources. The only way we are going to see long term reduction in carbon emissions is if we keep investing and continue to incorporate wind, solar, geothermal and other renewable sources available to us.
The cost of investing in renewable energy is high at the moment, but it could help reduce future energy costs. Research can also be done now to help reduce that cost and help make it more efficient in the future. The cost will be drastically reduced and electricity can be generated a higher percentage of the time.
Another point that he brings up is that natural gas is a solution we should consider. There is enough natural gas to meet our needs, but what happens when that runs out? It’s only a matter of time before we have to go back and start considering renewable energy sources again.
To answer the original question of this post: Yes. Some of the points that Bryce brings up in his article are valid. People may be pocketing incentives from the government and wind energy is currently expensive. The major problem is that all solutions we currently have are only short term. We need to continue investing in renewable energy and get over these initial speed bumps to one day be using a source that will not leave us in a bind in the future.
What are your thoughts?
Don’t Let Green Go To Your Head
Supernews makes funny videos commenting on politics, news and pop culture. I have seen some funny videos from them in the past and just stumbled upon this video about “going green”. Check it out.
This video makes a great point about not letting green go to our heads. Towards the end of the video, Fred does a great job in summing up this point:
Being green isn’t just empty words and it’s not something you wear on your sleeves to rub in other peoples faces. It’s about making real changes in your life because you genuinely care about the future of the earth.
We need to be sure that we don’t fall into “green” marketing hype. Living a green lifestyle doesn’t mean that we have to go out and buy tons of “green” products to prove we are trying to help the environment. That means making changes in our lifestyle that will help us conserve our resources and lessen our impact on the environment. It doesn’t require us to spend more money, you can actually save money. Let’s not end up like Terry in the video. Try to stay modest about helping the environment and other will hopefully follow because of the positive changes that come from it.
What are your thoughts people like Terry in the video?
Ten Steps To A Greener and Eco-Friendly Backyard Garden
Nowadays people are becoming more environmentally aware and are seeking ways to make their impact less intrusive. Recycling is a big issue now and the latest trend towards safer cleaning supplies and containers is also a big change in the right direction. But in the home we can also make a difference in the purchases we make and the furnishings we use. The backyard and garden are areas were we can begin to make changes to ensure a sustainable setting that is beautiful as well as helpful to the native environment.
1. Use Natural Sunlight
The first step is to begin using natural sources as much as possible and a good place to start is sunlight. By installing solar lights in your garden and backyard, you can enjoy good natural sunlight by day and have soft light at night at no cost. Based on your design theme, you can find solar lights in many styles, from small lights for highlights and strings to attach to the porch or gazebo, to ones built to look like rocks so that they are unobtrusive to the scenery. Adding a motion sensor allows you to trigger them only when needed so you’re still free to enjoy the peaceful night if you desire.
2. Try to Always Use Natural Materials
Another natural alternative also comes from the materials used to construct garden and backyard furnishings and decorations. Even though a plastic porch swing may be popular to most, try to purchase swings made from more natural materials. When choosing wood for paneling or deck work, choose varieties that were grown and harvested with the environment in mind and make sure they are durable. You want to avoid harsh chemicals and paints so this wood should be a type that ages well, like cedar. Another renewable eco friendly plant is bamboo and it is gaining wider acceptance and being used as fencing as well as other purposes. And don’t forget rocks in your garden as they can be used to great artistic effect if placed precisely.
3. Make Your Lawn Natural Again
This may seem like an odd step to take; after all wouldn’t the lawn be natural by default? Perhaps not as natural as you’d like to think. Most people use dangerous pesticides and other chemicals on their lawn to ensure a perfect green color and growth. Some also use grass types not native to their area which then requires more water than other grasses as well as a lot of maintenance. But here is an alternative. By using sustainable grasses, those that won’t require such extra help, as well as allowing native plants to grow in the lawn as well, you can still have a fantastic lush green lawn that can be easily cared for.
4. Use Only High Quality Wood, Properly Grown
Beware of woods that are harvested in a wasteful way. Since the eco friendly approach is to do as much as possible without leaving a large environmental footprint, you should buy items made only from woods harvested with sustainability in mind, or from a tree farm. Shop around until you also find high quality products. This will insure that the wood is durable and won’t require treatment with harsh chemicals. Some of these woods, in fact, age quite well and will reward you with enhanced natural beauty as time goes on.
5. A Classic Design Gives You Long Term Enjoyment
You want to pick furnishings and accessories for your garden and backyard décor that withstand the test of time. Nothing would be more frustrating them to choose a design theme, only to have it become passé within a few years and require a complete overhaul. Certain things are timeless, however, and are a welcome addition regardless of time or place. Choose a classic style for your larger items, such as umbrellas, chairs, picnic tables and the like, and add tasteful highlights such as colorful cushions and accessories. Even the flowers you choose to grow can add a classic touch. Use annuals to alter the colors as the seasons progress, and cool colored flowers for a softer touch. Adding brightly colored flowers can have the opposite effect, creating areas with a bright highlight where you want it.
6. Why You Should Cook Outdoors
Cooking outdoors is a great way to save money and energy in the home. During the summer the air conditioner is on and consumes energy, raising the utility bills accordingly and when the kitchen is in use the AC may be used at higher settings to offset the heat. You can save that money by going outside and starting up the grill or solar powered oven for dinner. Not only do you save but you gain as well. An outdoor dinner under the stars is something the entire family can enjoy and it’s something you can do as often as you like.
7. Carefree Landscaping
Using plants native to your area will greatly reduce the amount of maintenance you have to do on your garden and backyard. Since they are already used to the climate and rainfall, they don’t require extra water or special conditions. An even better benefit is that in the long term they will provide a habitat for the local birds, butterflies and other wildlife, adding to the beauty of your outdoor décor.
8. Water is Another Natural Element for the Green Garden
An overlooked addition that would benefit any outdoor design, water can add a soothing touch, a relaxing corner as a counterpoint to the more festive gathering areas like the barbecue. A solar powered fountain is the best of course, providing an energy free accessory. Other ways to use water include installing an inexpensive fish pond or using a water barrel to collect rain in areas where water conservation may be an issue.
9. Protect Your Long Term Investment
When you make purchases, for your home as well as for the outdoor décor, keep in mind their long term value. Don’t waste money on items that will require a lot of maintenance, or can’t be repaired or reused in some way. The last thing you want to do is contribute to the local landfill. Quality goods on the other hand, will last for a long time and can even be given away when you’re done with them so they can have the longest life possible. In this case, be wary of recyclable furnishings, as they require a lot of resources to reprocess.
10. Five R’s to Keep in Mind for Eco-Friendly Living
A final step to take on the road to living a more sustainable lifestyle is to keep in mind the five R’s, reduce, reuse, recycle, repair, and redecorate. Be careful of low quality goods that will need to be replaced quickly or that can’t be repaired and kept in use. You should do everything you can to make sure furnishings, accessories; indeed everything in your home has as much use life as possible. And when you’re done with it give it to a friend that may have need of it, or organize a sale if you have a lot of things you wish to be rid of. As much as possible, avoid throwing things out for the landfill. Recycle as much as you can.
An eco-safe environment is not difficult to create as long we make better choices and are aware of the impact we have on our habitat. Gone are the days where people could pretend that nothing they did affected anything else. Now it is up to us to create new sustainable practices from the ground up and teach our children how to live well so that nature can continue to sustain us all. And it all begins with how we furnish and care for our home and garden.
About the Author
Jay Chua is not only an outdoorsman and a nature enthusiast, but he also publishes the website, PorchSwingSets.com. Along with his wife, Deisy, he lives a green lifestyle in Vancouver, Canada, complete with organic fruit trees he has planted in his garden. If you would like further information on purchasing durable and sustainable outdoor furnishings such as single rope hatteras hammocks visit PorchSwingSets.com to see a plethora of options.
Book Review: Merchants of Doubt
Where do climate denialists get their information?
How is it that the belief in climate change has plummeted, when the scientific and factual evidence is skyrocketing?
How will we, as a global society, ever expect to address one of the greatest issues of out time if we refuse to recognize it?
Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway set out to find the answer to the first two questions quite some time ago. In their recent publication Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming they review from a science historian’s perspective, just what has happened. Oreskes is currently on a book tour answering and explaining just how the presence of doubt, not fact, has been enough to derail the most conclusive scientific evidence. The tactic? It’s most often referred to as the Tobacco Scheme since most publicly used by tobacco companies to fight regulation and maintain their market share.
How do these schemes work?
Essentially by taking well known scientists, having them publicly state their doubts on the scientific research (while being funded by think tanks) and then leverage those scientists profiles for lobbying and marketing campaigns. This of course is a rather crude rendition of the careful planning that takes place, but I recommend hearing Oreskes speak to understand just how effective this process has been for so many years.
The catch?
First, these scientists are commenting on research done outside of their field.
Imagine taking advice from an Opthamologist (eye doctor) on how to address your stomach aches. What? They are both doctors, right? Just like scientists are all…scientists. So check your sources.
Second, they are taking advantage of the fact that the general population isn’t familiar with the scientific process for research. Scientific research is different from a Think Tank’s research or a non-profit or a company’s R & D department. Why? Because it must be peer reviewed, and all of the comments and critiques must be addressed. It takes a great deal of time to build the scientific body of knowledge on a subject due to this thorough and necessary process. How long have we known about climate change? Apparently Linden Johnson knew in 1965 it would be an issue, and in the early 1990s it was accepted that anthropogenic sources were the cause in the scientific community based on a great deal of research. To be clear, there is no scientific debate on climate change. Personal, political, corporate, religious, and all other types of beliefs or agendas, not scientific, debates remain.
Third, the public status of the ‘Scientists’ that are casting doubts have given them access to media, lobbyists, politicians, businesses, and other interested parties. But more importantly, their status as a ‘Scientist’ not necessarily a Climatologists, Glaciologists, or other climate change specific study has given them credibility in the eyes of the public. Remember, many people are ‘Doctors’, but you wouldn’t trust any type of doctor with your specific medical condition.
Fourth, the media’s lack of understanding of scientific inquiry, reporting, and the process along with their keen nose for drama (present or imagined) has been its own self-propelling train of misinformation. To be clear, there is no scientific debate regarding whether humans are the source of this increased time in warming. Radiation from the sun has not changed (they know because they measure it), but emissions have, and since we are on glacial and interglacial cycles (meaning we go from ice age to a ‘hot’ age) we know that this rate of warming is unaccounted for (not to mention that we are currently in a ‘cooling’ phase of the cycle…meaning it should be getting colder, not hotter out).
So how did we all get so confused?
Well a concerted effort for casting a doubt, not necessarily a credible doubt, but doubt. If you are in a room of 100 people and you take a vote, and all but one person votes YES, then would you say there was a controversy? Would you give equal media attention to the Yes and No sides of the argument? No. You can report it, but if the vast majority has said ‘yes’, then there isn’t much controversy to report. Unfortunately, in the realm of climate change reporting or mis-reporting, both sides have been given equal press time.
Again, there is no scientific debate about climate change. But ‘Merchants of Doubt’ as Oreskes and Conway title them in their book, are able to override this by casting doubt. And when there wasn’t anymore evidence to try to shred, they attacked the content of character of the scientists themselves, not their work. A great example is ClimateGate. An overblown and somewhat pathetic attempt (if you are reading the science, not the opinion column) to dissuade populations of climate change and give industries more reason to fight regulation.
I highly recommend this book, hearing Oreskes speak, or to watch the video below to help clear the air, persay, about what has happened. The same technique was used to fight the regulation and common belief of negative ties to tobacco, DDT, acid rain, and the ozone hole. It is not new, but it has been effective, to all of our great misfortune.
D-o-u-b-t. It has been their most powerful tool. But Education an be ours.
