Fox Will Have a Field Day with This One

Do you remember when news leaked that Obama said:

So when Brian Williams is asking me about what’s a personal thing that you’ve done [that's green], and I say, you know, ‘Well, I planted a bunch of trees.’ And he says, ‘I’m talking about personal.’ What I’m thinking in my head is, ‘Well, the truth is, Brian, we can’t solve global warming because I f—ing changed light bulbs in my house. It’s because of something collective’.“

during the campaign trail?

Am I the only one who know finds this kind of humorous:

Obama Seeks Better Light Bulb

“I know light bulbs may not seem sexy,” Mr. Obama said, “but this simple action holds enormous promise because 7 percent of all the energy consumed in America is used to light our homes and our businesses.”

By Jennifer Jaykins

Air Pollution

Just last week the list of the most hazardous cities in regards to air quality was released. Sadly, on the heels of that report, is a report that it may be far worse than originally expected.

Pollution levels have historically been calculated using sensors on the ground.  Because of a lack of resources and funding in many populated areas, a scientist decided to use satellite data to see if they could determine air pollution levels.  What they found is that particulates are 5 to 10 times higher than guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

At this point, there is nothing reported about remedies to the situation.  More than likely, a cross section of scientists will look at the data, determine its statistical significance and evaluate future methods of measuring air quality.

In the meantime, be aware that the air might not be as clean as we think.

by Jennifer Jaykins

Special Report: Mercury Contamination

We are constantly warned about mercury levels in fish.  We are told to stay away from many varieties because of the effects of long term exposure and links to brain damage, severe respiratory issues, and kidney and liver failure.  This is something that we laugh at when Jeremy Piven claims he has it, but should take all precautions to ensure our children are not exposed to it.

In a new report released about our children and their exposure to mercury, we find that it is much more common than expected and quite expensive to clean up.

In fact, in a four year period, 37,000 calls were made to the Poison Control Center  regarding possible mercury exposure.  While many are centralized to broken thermometers, there are a significant amount due to mishandling in science labs at schools.  One researcher found that of 300 schoools inspected, 40% of schools have high levels of mercury in the atmosphere due to unknown or unreported spills.

Despite the high level found in schools, 75% of mercury exposure comes from the home.  The EPA feels that the way to reduce is exposure is to educate parents and children on proper clean up techniques, as well as, reminding them what products contain mercury.  For exmple, with the positive shift to an eco-friendly lifestyle, CFL’s have become the most common household item to contain mercury.  These lightbulbs cannot be disposed of by placing them in the normal trash, where they contaminate the land fills and surrounding areas.  They need to be disposed of properly.

Mercury poisoning symptoms start within hours of exposure and are indicated by tremors, chills, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache and anxiety.  If you feel there is cause, take the individual to the emergency room immediately for treatment.

girls are maturing at faster rates

A new study has shown that girls are reaching puberty sooner than expected.

While we have heard this over and over for the last few years, this study is significant.  The decrease in start of puberty had been primarily seen only in the United States.  As a result, for a while scientists felt that the data might not have been statistically significant.  Instead, they felt the disparity was due to different sampling and data collection techniques. But in this latest study, Europe is now seeing the decrease in age of menarche and breast development, according to the New York Times.

This has given many of the investigators reason to believe that it is environmental factors causing the early onset of puberty.  What environmental factors?  Food, air quality, and the ever discussed Bisphenol-A and other hormone disruptors.  In any case, this is a cause for concern:

The concern is that early puberty is linked with higher breast cancer risk in adulthood. Early puberty has also been linked with social problems and depression, and is associated with high-risk behaviors in adolescence such as alcohol and drug use and unprotected sex. It’s not clear whether these concerns are the result of physiological changes that influence behavior or are explained by the social pressures girls encounter when their bodies mature.

I think this is another study that shows there needs to be a shift back to a simpler way of life… clean organic food, lack of exposure to chemicals in cosmetics and other household items, and staying away from plastics and cans.

by Jennifer Jaykins

good role model

In all honesty, I think beauty pagents are awful; debasing, degrading, sexist, objectifying, and I can keep going on and on.  I think they send young girls a bad message.  I think they give men an unrealistic ideal for a woman, whose expectation will never be met.

Which is why I have even surprised myself by sharing with you a contestant for Miss USA.  Meet Amal Bennett-Judge.

She has hopes of being the next Miss USA.  Unlike many of her contemporaries that are on the campaign trail against gay marriage, Miss Bennett-Judge is on the green trail… and she does it all wearing used clothing!

I think this is a woman that can speak to what the youth of America are concerned with.  She may have a way of doing it that I might not fully agree with, but her message is fantastic.  Maybe this is a case of the ends justifying the means.

by Jennifer Jaykins