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Toxins Lurking in our Homes – Keeping our Air Clean and Our Children Safe

Friday, March 16th, 2012


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As parents, we all try our best to give our kids healthy foods (with only the occasional “fall from the wagon” for junk food and candy!!) We also do whatever we can to keep our kids in healthy environments, particularly when it come to things we can control, like what comes in and out of our own homes. But our question to you, is this something that is REALLY in our control?

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

How can we control, clean up and limit the toxins that are in the air that our children breath, and that come into our homes every time we open the windows or doors. These toxins settle on our children’s clothes, on their shoes, and lurk in the air our children breath, regardless of what we try to do to try to keep these toxins out and our kids safe…We often believe and trust blindly that our government is working to create and enforce the laws we need that will help us protect our children and clean up the air that they breath…but in REALITY is our government enforcing these laws and doing all they can to help us keep our children safe, or are there “forces” out there that are stopping this from happening….?!

Did you know that here in the USA:

The Clean Air Act, was established in 1970, and is the law that defines the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) responsibilities for protecting and improving the nation’s air quality. The last major change in the law was the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. However, many of these changes, from 1990, have yet to be enacted! Certain industries have lobbied for one extension after another in the name of “not hindering economic growth”…regardless of the actual costs to our health, welfare and to our ECONOMY because of the damages of not enacting these rules…!!

One air toxin in particular that these 1990 rules were intended to address is mercury, a “neurotoxin” that can damage children’s developing brains, cause a build up of methyl mercury in fish that then can also build up in women of childbearing age and impact fetal development. Other toxic chemicals and fine particle contamination that these 1990 amendments where intended to address include: arsenic, chromium and nickel that can cause cancer, lung damage and contribute to asthma and bronchial ailments.

In 1990, more than two-thirds of U.S. anthropogenic (human caused)

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

mercury emissions came from three source categories: coal fired power plants, municipal waste combustion and medical waste incineration. According to the EPA, emissions reduction programs have been complied with successfully from the last 2 sources of emissions which have reduced their mercury emissions by more then 95% since 1990. However, many coal fired power plants continue to fight these rules and have refused to comply with them.

In the year 2000, the EPA issued a scientific and legal determination that it was “appropriate and necessary” to control mercury emissions from power plants. This legal determination also stated that the EPA was REQUIRED to develop standards that follow the law and the SCIENCE in order to protect human health and the environment. Finally, in December 2011, these standards were adopted.

According to the EPA, these standards, know as the Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) are expected to avert up to 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks every year. In addition, the EPA tells us that “the value of these air quality improvement for people’s health ALONE totals $37-$90 billion each year; which means that for every dollar spent to reduce this pollution, Americans will get $3-$9 BACK in health benefits.” MATS will be the FIRST time that the federal government has enforced limits on mercury and other poisonous and cancer causing chemicals produced through the burning of fossil fuels.

As parents, we need to stand up and support these rules and THEIR ENFORCEMENT. As well, it’s time that not only coal fired power plants but all oil and gas producers are made to pay the full cost of being allowed to pollute. We need to stop allowing our air to be used as a sewer, free of charge. We need to stop subsidizing the fossil fuel industry as well. Just because we can’t see the pollutants entering our air, we know and see the effects of these pollutants in many ways, not least of which we witness first hand, IN OUR HOMES as our children suffer from increased breathing problems associated with asthma and allergies, which health officials and scientists tell us are triggered by these pollutants in the air directly, as well as indirectly through their impact in changing our climate, which is exacerbating these respiratory ailments as well.

As parents, we need to start “drawing the line” in the sand somewhere. One place to start is to support what the government is trying to do to enforce rules that are more then 20 years old that would help clean up our air and our environment. Make your voice heard on MATS. Don’t let industry try to weaken these standards that will benefit our economy, our environment and our and our children’s health.

Learn more, speak out, Sign the Moms Clean Air Force Petition today! To learn more about putting a cost on carbon, check out the Citizens Climate Lobby and the Save our Climate Act. Tune in on Monday, March 19th to listen to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and MomsRising at BlogTalk Radio where some of this will be discussed!

This post is inspired by Lori at Groovy Green Livin and is written in solidarity with all the participants in this months Green Moms Carnival. Please check out the Carnival, where you will find many wonderful and important ideas on other ways, products and opportunities to keep toxins out of your home!

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Posted in Climate Mama News, Green Moms Carnival, Health & Fitness, In The News, Take a Stand: Action & Advocacy | No Comments »

Top 5 Climate Change Books and Authors

Saturday, February 11th, 2012


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Best of Mother Earth blogger extraordinaire, Karen (often called the “keeper of the burger”) suggested this month’s Green Moms Carnival theme: Favorite “Green Books” and Authors.

Do we judge a book by it’s “green” cover? In fact, all the Green Moms have taken a slightly different approach, which I am sure you will enjoy when you read the carnival.

I am happy to share with you my current 5 favorite, “green reads.” As you might expect, all have an “underlying focus or link” to climate change” and all will help empower you to talk to your kids about why climate change is and should be important to you and your family.
In no particular order:

1. Bothered by My Green Conscience: How an SUV-driving, imported-strawberry-eating urban dweller can go green by Franke James. Franke uses wit, humor, and a super fun visual essay to make us all stop and think about what should be bothering us these days, and why!

2. Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity by James Hanson. Once again, Dr. Hansen puts the power and weight of his years of scientific analysis and peer reviewed research in his writing, as he both tells and shows us where we are headed, and the dire future we are setting in motion for our children and grandchildren; unless we stop now, and change course.

3. Ignition: What You Can Do to Fight Global Warming and Spark a Movement Edited by Jonathan Isham and Sissel Waage. Ignition showcases the views of a wide range of “concerned citizens” on the best approach to building strategies for a climate movement.

4. Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis Al Gore. Taking off where an “Inconvenient Truth” ended, this book brings together ideas and solutions for what we need to do, collectively, to fight the climate crisis.

5. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder Richard Louv. The importance and necessity of exposing our children to nature, is a key to saving our future.

It goes without saying, that the books written by my Green Mom Carnival pals are also some of my favorites, including the recently released book by Deanne Duke, The Non-Toxic Avenger, Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World by Diane MacEachern and Practically Green: Your Guide to Ecofriendly Decision-Making by our Mindful Momma, Micaela Preston.

What are some of your top “Green Reads?”

Yours,

Climate Mama

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Posted in Climate Mama News, Climate Mamas & Papas, Green Moms Carnival | 8 Comments »

Toxic Body Burden – One Woman, One Earth: A Review of The Non-Toxic Avenger

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012


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What do you think? Does it sound like it has the makings of an action hero adventure? In fact, The Non-Toxic Avenger: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You by Deanna Duke is a personal, down to earth, step by step guide to understanding and appreciating what we put into our bodies, and the impacts both knowingly and unknowingly these products, foods and airborne substances have on us, each and everyday. Deanna helps us understand the depths and details we would need to go through to understand what types of toxins are in our bodies and what actions we would need to take to reduce these. One of the beauties of the book is that Deanna has done the hard part for us, and as far as our own bodies and our own individual “toxic burdens,” Deanna offers us different paths we can follow, both long or short, that can help each of us reduce the toxins in our own bodies too.

An interesting parallel that jumped out to me as I was reading Deanna’s book, was the tremendous challenge Deanna had in coming to grips with and then managing her own personal “toxic burden” juxtaposed with the “toxic burden” we are creating for our planet, and how difficult this is to come to grips with – both consciously and unconsciously.

Deanna Duke, aka The Crunchy Chicken, has been writing her successful blog by the same name for almost 5 years. Deanna is an urban “modern day” homesteader, who lives in Seattle with her husband, two children and her “three chickens, a rescued chihuahua and four fish.” Deanna’s blog is a real life account of how she and her family are working to lower their impact on the environment and at the same time reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Non-Toxic Avenger takes this “a step further” and recounts Deanna’s journey to dramatically lower toxins in her family’s life and in her own body. Deanna starts with getting a “baseline” battery of tests to see what toxins are in her body, and then follows a step by step guide to try to find out where these toxins are coming from and then eliminate as many of them as possible. Is Deanna successful? You will need to read the book to find that out yourself!

Deanna is member of my Green Mom’s Carnival group – an amazing “collection” of women from around the country who blog on a wide range of issues, but who come together to blog monthly around an area of mutual concern; by the way this month’s Carnival is on climate change! The Green Moms support each other through general comraderie as well as through personal and professional advice. I have always been impressed with Deanna’s breadth of knowledge on subjects that come up in our Green Moms forum and her irreverent and humorous way of pointing out the facts to us on areas in her perview as well as her forthright way of helping us see and understand these facts too. Deanna “pulls no punches.” This book takes a more serious tone then Deanna’s blog, but her humor and knowledge shine through. When Deanna asked me to review her book I was both honored and more than a little curious.

As Deanna tells us in a recent interview with Retrohousewife Goes Green, If you do “nothing else” in trying to lessen your own body toxic burden, she recommends avoiding the following:

1. Bisphenol A: (BPA) found in plastics, canned foods, canned beverages
2. Triclosan: found in anti-bacterial soaps, toothpaste and a huge number of consumer products (almost anything that claims to be bacteria resistant)
3. Parabens: found as a preservative in many body care products.

Read you labels, see if these toxins are listed in things you use everyday..sometimes they are easily identified, other times they may be “lurking” but you will need to dig deeper then the label on the package.

What about our planet’s toxic burden, an issue that was always at the front of my mind as I was reading The Non-Toxic Avenger. Do we have a “Deanna” who we can consult, when it comes to steps we need to take to lessen our planet’s “toxic burden?” Is there a non-toxic “planet” avenger, who can “come to the rescue” like Deanna does, doing the hard part for us by helping us understand clearly what is making our planet sick, and then taking it the next step by helping us understand what we need to do to reduce and correct the damage we know we are causing?

In fact we have many Deanna’s, scientists the world over who are working with the UN International Panel on Climate Change or their National Academies of Sciences, independently and then collectively studying the changes that are happening to our planet, identifying causes and helping us work towards solutions. We have caring “mamas and papas” like you, who are helping your kids and families understand how we can all lower our negative impacts on the environment; teachers, politicians and business leaders helping us find ways to lead more sustainable lives.

Unfortunately, we also have loud voices trying to drown out the facts on climate change and minimize or turn us away from positive action. As Deanna shows us, it’s hard work to really understand what is going on. But the good news is that there are many people working on the “heavy lifting” part of the earth’s toxic burden story. So stay tuned to Climate Mama, the Crunchy Chicken and other Green Moms carnival sources as we help you understand this bigger picture, and break it down, step by step to things we can all do to help heal our planet.

Finally, as they say timing is “everything” and our review of Deanna’s book coincides nicely with a new series our friends at the Balancing Act are launching on January 30th. The show will follow the six month journey of four women who want to transform their lives in the areas of health, nutrition, fitness, beauty, lifestyle and empowerment. Tune in or visit www.thebalancingact.com/makeover for more information. I think Deanna’s book would be a great read for these women, and all those of us tuning in who are interested in creating our own transformational journey too!

The Facts: Deanna did send us a copy of her book for the review, but a free book doesn’t alter our review. What you get is our honest opinion – As you can tell, we REALLY enjoyed the book and learned a lot too! As well Climate Mama does blog regularly for The Balancing Act, where our posts help to educate woman around the country on the realities of climate change and what they can do to feel empowered to take action in this crucial fight!

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Posted in Climate Mamas & Papas, Food, Green Moms Carnival, Health & Fitness, In The News, Product Reviews | No Comments »

Fighting Climate Change with Facts: New Year Resolutions

Friday, January 20th, 2012


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When Amber of Strocel.com proposed: Resolutions to Fight Climate Change as the topic for our January Green Moms Carnival, my brain seemed to go on temporary “freeze mode.” How was I going to put into one post, something that I try to live out each day, that is part of (almost) every action I take and that I put into everything I try to teach and model for my children? Then I hit the “unfreeze” button, sent note to self, “get over it!” If you can’t put THIS into words, then you are not a very effective communicator, nor will you be able to convince all our loyal Climate Mamas and Papas (as well as our new ones!) that they too should act forcefully on climate change. So, thanks Amber, for the “kick in the.…..!”

My TOP 4 PERSONAL 2012 RESOLUTIONS FOR FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE:

1. Speak loudly, truthfully and don’t be afraid. As a young “twitter friend” Abigail Borah, recently wrote: “Across the world, governments are asking, how do we mitigate and adapt to climate change? Here in the U.S., political parties are still debating “IS CLIMATE CHANGE REAL?” As Abigal reminds us, and as we in the USA seem to be forgetting, THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE. We know that most Americans believe climate change is happening now and that they want leadership from “on high” on this important issue.

The facts on climate change are coming to us from climate scientists the world over. In fact 97% of them are telling us that climate change is happening faster than anyone ever imagined, it’s happening now and WE are the cause of this. There is no DEBATE in the scientific world, period. What if 97 out of 100 doctors told you your daughter was so sick she was going to die, but you had a chance to MAYBE change her prognosis, but you needed to act now. Three doctors tell you – no worries – lets just wait and see. What are YOU going to do? It’s time that we speak up and tell politicians to stop pandering to fringe groups (even the very loud ones) and start putting policies in place to help us adapt to our changing climate and mitigate the potential impacts of what is already in the pipeline. SPEAK UP!

2. Lead by Example. I am a climate activist, “Who’d a thunk it.” In fact according to some of the 2012 presidential candidates, I am one of those “extreme environmentalists and an enemy of business; ” or at least I must be, given that I was one of the 1253 people who got arrested protesting the Keystone XL Pipeline. I think that it is doubtful that most of my family, friends or neighbors would describe me this way, but hey, you never know!? As an outspoken mom of a 12 and 14 year old, I will continue my ‘activist” ways, speaking out at rallies and protests in my home state and around the country (possibly at the same time making my kids “cringe” although I know they are secretly and often vocally proud of my actions and my chosen path.) If I can help even in a small way to bring some sanity and truth to the campaign trail this year, I am on it!

3. Testify before Congress on climate change and more specifically the need to put a price on carbon. This one is a little scary to say “out loud.” But do hold me to it (and if you are involved in getting “speakers on the house or senate speakers list,” give me a call!) Our politicians, at all levels need to hear from us, to know that every day Americans, moms and dads from all walks of life are concerned about our children’s future. In this time of unprecedented climate change, policies to avert the worst of this unfolding crisis are of paramount importance to us. I see putting a price on carbon as a crucial step in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and moving towards a cleaner energy future that uses renewable energy like wind and solar. More on this in future blog posts, but for some good advice, check out Citizens Climate Lobby.

4. Offer sound practical advice and resources that busy parents can follow and rely on. Do let us know if there is any thing you would like to see on our site that isn’t currently here or any questions you want answered that we aren’t answering.

Together we can make a difference. Let us help you by being your “go to source” for answers you can give to your kids, colleagues, neighbors and friends on how each of us can play a part in the fight against climate change.

For more insight from some of our favorite “Green Mom” friends, check out Stocel.com.

Yours,

Climate Mama

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Posted in Climate Mama News, Climate Mamas & Papas, Green Moms Carnival, In The News, Lifestyle & Fun, Politics, Take a Stand: Action & Advocacy | 4 Comments »

Greening the Holidays: Shopping Angst, Tips and Gifts

Saturday, December 10th, 2011


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T’is that time of year again, but quite honestly I am not sure how it snuck up so quickly! I feel like I am beginning to sound like my grandmother, who used to love to tell me how time marched on soooo much faster as she got older. So blame it on age, busy life, mild weather, whatever the reason or excuse, panic is now starting to set in as the holidays are fast approaching and my “shopping list” is still missing many check marks.

Every year, I agonize over where to “draw the line.” It is as the saying goes, “wonderful to give”…but how best to balance giving in the consumer goods focus, pressure packed, “buy, buy, buy” world which commands us to “shop till you drop” culture that we live in, versus my own growing concern and fear for our environment. As my children grow older and have now entered their teens, and as my “eco-consciousness” pervades our home life, family discussions, and everyday purchases, I feel that the pressure to buy “a lot” of “stuff” is off and quality over quantity is recognized as a redeeming virtue.

So, now that I have that “off my chest” and “on the table,” what can I suggest to you to help make your shopping and gift giving more sustainable this year? I offer up 3 general tips, followed by a few specific “gift choices” that I would recommend, and one final Climate Mama “family tradition” holiday gift tip!

As a general rule,

1. Try to shop local, support local businesses, buy locally made products and services.
2. I personally do most of my “shopping” on line, from the comfort of my office or home; saving on gas and for me the frustration of going to the mall and all that that entails.
3. Wrap thoughtfully! Most of us love things that are wrapped, but remember that the average American throws out 4.5 lbs of garbage a day, most of it in packaging and this is on an average day not even during the holidays. Do you need a big box to put your present in? Won’t that box just go straight into the garbage? Can you wrap the gift with something that is reusable?

Now more specifically, for those lovers of books, here are my current top 3 climate change focused books, in a variety of categories:

1. Mousenet, by Prudence Breitrose – for the 8-12 set. Mice evolve and become computer-literate. They make an alliance with a ten-year old girl whose mother is a climate scientist, and who writes a treaty between the species: she will help them all get mouse-sized computers, and they will use their brilliant brains and their secret presence throughout the corridors of power to slow down the rate of climate change.
2. The Climate War, by Eric Pooley – For your “grown up” children. This is a true story of a group of people who set out to save the planet—or, more precisely, to preserve the planet’s habitability—through political action, and the story of those who stood against them. Their battleground was the American political system, which gave a natural advantage to the opponents of climate action.

3. Bothered by My Green Conscience by Franke James. For all kids, big and small. Written as a graphic novel, this book “contributes to greater understanding, respect for and positive action on the changing worldwide environment.”

Final Tip: A family tradition to share with you – giving a “gift from nature” that each family member creates for one other person in the family “secret Santa” style. Family member assignments are made ahead of time (but not too long ahead of time as the gift is meant to be simple, and while made to be kept, it also must be fashioned in a way that it can also go “back to nature” too, not into the landfill!)

As an extended family we spend the holidays together in a place where the sun shines most days and it is warm outside, so nature abounds. For my friends in snow covered climes, maybe a homemade creation from things found inside, would serve this idea just as well. This gift exchange, which takes place after the more traditional presents are given, brings laughter, tears and real joy to our celebrations as well as stories and memories shared again and again over the years!

This post is written in support and solidarity with the GreenMoms Carnival, hosted this month by Citizen Green. Check in to see what other “green moms” recommend and how they cope around the holidays!

Happy Holidays and here is to YOU and your lasting family traditions! We would love to hear about them, please share!

Yours,

Climate Mama!

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Posted in Climate Mama News, Green Moms Carnival, Holidays, Lifestyle & Fun, Product Reviews | 2 Comments »

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Welcome to Climate Mama

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You are a mother, a father, a grandparent, an uncle, an aunt, a teacher or a child at heart. When you hear the Native American saying, “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children”, it makes you stop for a moment and think. You love nature, travel, adventure and believing in a world that is special and unique. Climate change and global warming are words that alarm you, that often seem too big to get your arms around. You care about what’s happening to the world and notice small changes in your own life that seem to point in the direction of a threatened environment. But you wonder if these changes are real, and if they are you can’t imagine what you can do to help change what is happening.

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Climate Mamas and Papas

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Climate Change so often seems too big to get our hands around. We wonder where we can start and how we can actually make a difference. Each one of us has a different path that we will follow. Some of us cut a wider swath than others, but each of us has a role to play. We would like to introduce you to some amazing individuals, Climate Mamas and Papas who are making a difference, who are, through their daily lives, affecting the lives of all of us. They inspire us, empower us, and challenge us to reach for the stars, to strive to do the best we can to help change the crash course we are currently on with our environment. Lets meet some of these amazing people and find out what inspires them. Meet our featured Climate Mama, Janae Shields, today!

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Featured Partner & Campaigns

Earth Day New York promotes environmental awareness and solutions, all year long, through partnerships with schools, community organizations, businesses, and government entities; educating public and private policymakers through conferences and publications; and involving the general public in annual Earth Day events.

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