IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN
Posted by: sandstone on: December 28, 2009
As Kermit already knows, it’s not easy being green, particularly when you are trying to eliminate the unnecessary use of plastic from your life.
I’ve been writing about using less plastic in all of its forms for close to two years hopeful that with education and persistence that change would come. Change is taking place, but it is moving at a snail’s pace … partly because some people are resistant to any type of change regardless of the necessity, partly because the plastics industry is too ensconced in consumer retail products to let go, partly because retailers and grocers find it easier to talk about being green than about actually effecting change.
We all know talk is cheap. Let’s face it, retailers, grocers, manufacturers of consumer products do almost NOTHING to help. In fact, these businesses are the largest contributors to the plastic mess we face in our environment.
A whopping 52% of plastic trash that ends up in landfills and the oceans comes from grocers and retailers. Walk into any grocery store, walk the aisles, and look at how much plastic is used in place of alternative packaging that includes paper composites.
As we move rapidly into the New Year, it is time to put companies on notice that they are equally responsible for helping reduce the amount of unnecessary plastic used in this country.
Who’s on our 2010 “hit list” of companies that do little or nothing to address this world wide pollution problem ?
Big box retailers like Target, Wal-Mart
Home Improvement chains
Grocery chains, convenience chains, drug chains
Electronics stores
Discount chains
Celebrate the New Year by pledging to continue your fight to reduce and reuse plastic products. Join me in 2010 as we move to a more direct approach with companies and corporations that have yet to take the necessary steps to reduce plastic usage and the resultant plastic trash.
What You & Your Family Need to know about Pancreatic Cancer
Posted by: sandstone on: November 17, 2009
The following article was written in the LA Times in September shortly after Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer.
The article is filled with up to date information you and your family should be aware of. Pancreatic cancer is a silent killer. Symptoms of the disease are vague, which is why it is usually detected only it its advanced stages.
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month.
With Patrick Swayze’s death today comes a highly public reminder that the cure rate for pancreatic cancer is abysmal. This year, an estimated 42,470 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease. And an estimated 35,240 will die.
Smoking can increase risk, as can obesity, diabetes, family history and other factors. But there simply aren’t obvious signs of the disease in its early stages, and detection can often come too late. (Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer earlier this year; hers was indeed caught fairly early.)
The disease is broken down into two basic types: exocrine tumors and endocrine tumors, as the American Cancer Society explains. Exocrine tumors are the most common and are usually malignant. Endocrine tumors are much more rare and the malignancy rate is more complex. (Steve Jobs was diagnosed with the endocrine type several years ago.)
The National Cancer Institute offers a good overview of the disease. Of special note, it includes a link to clinical trials.
Besides studying genetic factors and trying to improve detection, researchers are trying to improve the effectiveness of the drugs now commonly used to treat cancer of the pancreas – and to devise new therapies as well.
Here’s an overview of new treatment approaches, according to the American Cancer Society. Included targeted therapies that attack only specific types of cells or vessels, immune therapies that bolster the body’s ability to fight the disease and more.
Similarly, the Lustgarten Foundation offers descriptions of the Pancreatic Cancer Genome Project and the Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker Initiative specifically. The former identified specific mutations and signaling pathways and is expected to shape research for years to come. The latter aims to find new detection and screening options.
For a truly impressive, or inspiring, database, there’s this list of pancreatic cancer researchers and their projects, via the Pancreatic Cancer Research Map. It’s searchable by investigator, area of research, state, etc.
And, for a sample of recent research into pancreatic cancer, the Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at Johns Hopkins University offers a selection of presentations.
All of which is to say, the work continues.
– Tami Dennis
Chris Jordan: Awareness Through Art
Posted by: sandstone on: November 6, 2009
If you haven’t viewed the art of Chris Jordan take some time, and do yourself a favor. His ability translate social and environmental concerns into visual art we can all understand is immense.
He has published several books including “Intolerable Beauty – Portraits of American Mass Consumption”, “In Katrina’s Wake – Portraits of Loss from an Unnatural Disaster”, “Running the Numbers – An American Self Portrait”, and “Running the Numbers II – Portraits of Global Mass Culture”.
Click the link below from Daily Art Fix and Enjoy!
Chris Jordan: Awareness Through Art
Posted using ShareThis
TARGET & CVS SAYING GOODBY TO SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS
Posted by: sandstone on: November 5, 2009
Last week Target, the fifth-largest U.S. retailer in 2008 and CVS announced plans designed to reduce the number of single use plastic bags their customers carry out of their 7,000 stores every year.
Target plans to give customers a 5-cent discount for every reusable bag they use to pack their purchases at all 1,700 Target stores nationwide.
CVS’ plan is to give customers who choose to participate cash bonuses for not using plastic bags is more cumbersome. 
Customers must ante up 99 cents to purchase a green tag that will be affixed to their own reusable bags when they shop.
When used in conjunction with their CVS cards (four times) customers will receive an additional $1 cash bonus they buy something but don’t request plastic bags.
Green activists, working to reduce and eliminate single use plastic bags were naturally buoyed by the announcement.
While this is a small step forward, it is none the less, it is worth noting that Target Australia completely banned the use of single use plastic bags in last year in 2008! Here. Green activists are watching to see how soon other retailers follow suit.
[...] the two programs could keep billions of plastic bags out of the environment and nudge other big retailers to take similar steps, says Allen Herskowitz, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
According to Allen Herskowitz, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, both programs could keep billions of plastic bags out of the environment. “Plastic bags are the most ubiquitous form of waste on the planet,” Herskowitz says. “They are among the most deadly forms of marine debris, lethal to threatened species of marine mammals throughout the world.”
|
|
|||||||
Smart Plastic Products
Posted by: sandstone on: October 20, 2009
Occasionally I am asked if I am against all uses of plastic or if I think all plastic should be banned. Of course not, the answer is no.
There are real and legitimate uses of plastic. The problem is that unless plastics are reused and/or recycled they last forever. As has been pointed out here on more than occasion, every piece of plastic that has ever been produced and hasn’t been recycled, still exists! Unless that plastic milk jug you brought home is disposed of properly, it will likely last longer than the pyramids in Egypt!
Let’s use plastic materials to replace wood products in homes, for decks, fences, to build furniture, to manufacture flooring; there is an endless list of methods and material uses of the substance. Just don’t use plastic for once ‘n done “single use” plastic bags, for toss away water bottles, clam shells to take donuts home that can easily put in a paper bag or box.
That having been said, I recently I came across a product that is clever in concept, cost effective, and has a legitimate use. It’s called Bagster in a Bag made by Waste Management Services.
I came across the product when we were faced with all the flooding in Georgia and I thought this is a product with immediate value.
If you have ever had to rent a big dumpster you already know what a pain it is and how costly it can be. The fact is, there are some jobs that are too small for a big dumpster and too big for your already existing trash containers. Bagster addresses both of these concerns and can be purchased at your local home improvement store for $29.95. You don’t have to wait for a scheduled delivery or pickup and you can load up to 3,300 pounds of your household junk, construction debris, or yard waste. The Bagster is said to have the strength of a steel dumpster at a fraction of the rental cost.
There is a fee to pick up the Bagster and you can fill multiple Bagsters and have them picked up at the same time. The Bagster is made out of plastic woven product similar to tarps. There are filling do’s and don’ts … you can’t put your old refrigerator or toxic materials inside for collection, but if you have a small to medium size job that you want to tackle today, this is a plastic product you may want to consider.
WMS has a wonderful website full of information worth your review … check it out. This company does more than talk about being green.
|
PANCREATIC CANCER & PLASTIC POLLUTION … FIGHTING TWO SILENT KILLERS
Posted by: sandstone on: October 16, 2009
I am passionate about fighting plastic pollution … I am equally passionate about fighting pancreatic cancer, a disease my family knows all too well . My mother and my step-dad lost their fight against this disease.
Ironically, pancreatic cancer and plastic pollution have a lot in common … both are silent killers & both are not recognized by the public.
We usually hear about plastic pollution as Earth Day approaches , when the MSM decides its time to ratchet up its coverage about being green.
We hear about pancreatic cancer only when a celebrity like Patrick Swayze passes away. What we hear afterward are the sounds of silence. {{crickets … hello … anyone there? crickets}}
These are issues that are, for the most part, out of sight and out of mind. It’ time to shine light on both of these killers.
Today Say No to Plastic is waging an ongoing campaign to help defeat these two scourges. When you go to the Silent Killers tab you can make a donation that will work for both causes.
Your donation will be equally divided between Ocean Keepers and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
November is pancreatic cancer awareness month. Please help!
TOXIC RIVERS … TOXIC WATER
Posted by: sandstone on: September 24, 2009
Photo: AFP/Manan Vatsyayan
One of the most precious resources we have on planet earth is water … clean drinkable water.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the world’s surface is covered in water, most of it is salt water which humans cannot drink. A mere 2.5% of the earth’s water is fresh water; drinkable if we don’t pollute it with chemicals, trash, animal waste, run offs from farms, pesticides, and human waste. Polluted water kills fish and marine life. Polluted water sickens and kills people, most often in countries too poor to have sewage systems to protect the populace.
Those children are floating in one of the most polluted rivers on earth. This is a picture of Yamuna River in India. According to the Mother Nature Network this is one of the 15 most polluted places on earth to live.
The Yamuna is the largest tributary of the Ganges River. Where it flows through Delhi, it’s estimated that 58 percent of the city’s waste gets dumped straight into the river. Millions of Indians still rely on these murky, sewage-filled waters for washing, waste disposal and drinking water.
We take clean water for granted. Did you know that many of the world’s people walk at least 3 hours to gain access to water?
- Each day almost 10,000 children under the age of 5 in Third World countries die as a result of illnesses contracted by use of impure water.
- Fresh water is either groundwater (0,5%), or readily accessible water in lakes, streams, rivers, etc. (0,01%).
- Two thirds of the water used in a home is used in the bathroom.
- To flush a toilet we use 2 to 7 gallons of water.
- In a five-minute shower we use 25 to 50 gallons of water.
- To brush your teeth you use 2 gallons of water.
WHY SO MANY PEOPLE HATE PETA
Posted by: sandstone on: August 25, 2009
I love animals and most creatures except yellowjackets and insects that destroy my tomato plants.
I don’t like PETA. I understand their desire for the humane treatment of animals. It is laudable, but their approach is so negative, so misguided and over the top that their message gets lost in the turmoil they create. In their desire to be noticed at all costs, they have turned off millions of people who support humane treatment of animal life but don’t want to be associated with PETA.
Candidly, why would any sane person want to be associated with a group that feels the best way to get people to loose weight is to ridecule them and call them names?
PETA is also incredibly insensitive to other peoples feelings and sensibilities. They regularly trample on them (and good taste) with such insufferable, sanctimonious arrogance … one wants to scream, “Have you all lost your minds?” Just say the group’s name and see how many people roll their eyes and hiss as they repeat it.
Their brand of extremist activism hurts other groups with legitimate righteous issues … say like green activists trying to reduce the UNNECESSARY consumption of plastic.
Their latest fight against McDonalds is just another example of extremist behavior designed to catch media attention. Some people believe that any media attention is better than no media attenion. You know … just spell my name right! It wasn’t that long ago when Britney Spears was shaving her head to get media attention. How’d that work?
The worst part is the pay back. The picture below says it all … PETA SUCKS … spelled out in rabbits.
The following comments were found over at Femisex
PETA, you have finally done it. You have made me change my mind about something. Congratulations. However, it won’t be to your liking. I’m going out right now get some Kobe Steak for dinner wearing my endangered species ocelot fur coat and if any one of your mink-releasing vegan followers dares to as much as sneer in my direction I’m making a hat out of their bony ass.
———————-
I know it’s already been said, but this is disgusting. In so many ways.
Makes the t-shirt I saw recently even more funny and appropriate…”People Eating Tasty Animals”
———————
The whole thing just makes my ample body sigh. Clearly, PETA believes any attention – bad or good – helps their cause. They oflten fail to consider the negative outcome of such efforts. Campaigns like this one – and this one is a DOOZY – actually serve the omnivore argument better than any other.
As someone who never cooks meat at home and strives to be a vegetarian (mainly for ethical reasons), I have to go with Dabitch on this one. The whole silly mess makes me want a cheeseburger.
—————————————-
Dahlings,
After all of the nonsense about about that vile Cintra Wilson article, as I put it on my blog, I am beginning to suffer “outrage fatigue.” And as a luxuriously plus-sized omnivore, I intend to eat a sandwich made out of the nearest endangered species I can find.
—————————–If I thought for one second that my kid chose to go vegetarian out of some sort of weird fear of being fat, I’d be shoving prime rib down her gullet faster than you could say “all things in moderation.”
Need I say more? Actually there is one more thing.
Calling fish sea kittens won’t stop people from consuming this valuable protein any more than it will stop people from consuming beef by calling cattle land dolphins!
THIS IS TOO SAD … LAYING WASTE TO THESE TREASURES
Posted by: sandstone on: August 24, 2009
- In: Environment| Health| LIFE| News| Politics| Random| Uncategorized
- Leave a Comment
Some posts don’t need many words … this is from the Mother Nature Network.
After seeing these pictures, one has to ask if this the legacy our generation wants to leave to those we leave behind … a complete absence of God’s best creations … photos of what polar bears and lions used to look like?
I know as I write, that in a world where millions do not have clean water to drink, or food to eat, or decent housing, or a decent job that savings these animals may seem to be insignificant by comparison.
In reality, so few things in life are ever as easy as choosing black or white. A species once lost is lost forever. We need to continue to find ways of valuing all life!
10 animals on the verge of extinction
//
TARGET STORES TO ELIMINATE SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS – BRING YOUR OWN BAG IS THE NEW CHIC
Posted by: sandstone on: August 15, 2009
It seems that the US is lagging behind most countries in the world when it comes to reducing or eliminating the unnecessary use of single use plastic bags.
China, Ireland, India, Bangladesh, Denmark, Canada, Belgium have all moved forward in this direction. For more detailed information see “Trends from Around the World” at Reusable Bags.
Which brings me to one of my favorite stores. Target, or as “those in the know” like to say …Tar JAY is a terrfic trendy consumer friendly store. It’s hard not to like the retailer’s red & white logo and that cool dog mascot. But sadly they mimic chains acoss the country that contributre mightly to plastic pollution on a daily basis.
Now enter Target Australia. Guess what … they are eliminating single usage plastic bags!
One retailer is setting its own nationwide ban. Target Australia, not affiliated with Target Corporation US, said it will no longer offer single use plastic bags at its 283 stores in Australia as of June 1 this year. The stores will only offer reusable bags, for $1, or compostable bags, for 10 cents. Profits will go a children’s charity, the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
Target estimates it gives out 100 million bags a year, and South Australia expects its ban will eliminate 400 million bags a year. All of Australia uses about 4 billion plastic bags annually.
Now that you have read this, consider the following.
This announcement was made in May 2008! So what’s our excuse for not following suit in the US? What, indeed!
Memo to the “suits” in Minneapolis, if Target Australia can accomplish this … what’s our excuse? As an activist, consumer, and business woman who believes that there are realistic solutions to these environmental challenges … you need to call me. Green retailing is the future. Will you let your competitiors beat you to the punch?
Like I said, ” Call me!”
Recent Comments