Do those Twinkies hurt the earth?

We all know that some ingredients in our food are less than healthy. For example:

Hydrogenated and Partially Hydrogenated Oils create trans fats which increase LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood and decrease HDL (good) cholesterol. They have been linked to heart disease, strokes, and contribute to diabetes. A 2% increase in calories from trans fats can result in a 23% increase in the risk for heart disease.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) has been linked to insulin and leptin resistance. Insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t use the sugars that you eat correctly. Leptin resistance is when your body no longer recognizes when it is full. HFCS has been linked to Diabetes and Obesity.

Inorganic phosphates, chemical additives designed to improve the texture of foods such as meats, cheeses, beverages and bakery goods, have been linked to lung cancer.

The list could go on and on! Artificial ingredients pose potential health risks. That, in itself, is enough to steer clear of them. But wait ... there's more ...

These ingredients, found in most processed foods, hurt the environment as well. Yes, processed foods require a lot of natural resources to make them attractive and convenient ... but the problem we're talking about today is the danger to the environment when these artificial ingredients end up in our landfills and leach into the soil and waterways. What happens when animals ingest these chemical additives?

Higher than normal levels of phosphates can make aquatic systems so productive that they choke themselves out. Hydrogenated & partially hydrogenated oils have been known to cause emphysema, respiratory distress, anemia, constipation, irritability, and blindness in animals. Mice who have ingested high fructose corn syrup have shown reproduction problems and heart disease.

The fact is that artificial ingredients hurt everything ... our health, the environment and everything that lives.

So ... today's tip is easy ... eat whole foods ... foods which are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and refined as little as possible before being consumed. Eat fruits, vegetables and foods as close to their natural form as possible. Shop the perimeter of the supermarket rather than the center (most processed foods are located in the center of the store).

We no longer have the luxury of making our food choices based simply on our health ... we now must consider the environment and all living creatures when we decide between processed foods and whole foods.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

A picture is worth a 1000 words ...

The next video is hard to watch and may not be appropriate for everyone!

A Plea & then ... Something Completely Different

A plea ...

Those of you who have followed my blog know, or have guessed, that I don't kill animals, insects ... basically any living critters ... not even the creepy, crawly variety. In previous posts, I've talked about not killing wasps because they are pollinators, eating meatless meals because they are good for the planet and why we shouldn't buy ornaments which are made out of bird feathers. I realize that not everyone shares my belief ... and I respect that.

I recently received the following article from Humane Society International. It is about the slaughter of Grey Seals on Hay Island in Nova Scotia:

http://www.hsicanada.ca/wildlife/seals/seal_hunt_2010/grey_seals_2810.html

These animals are currently in a protected area ... they have learned to feel safe from humans. Now they are being destroyed, simply for vanity. I believe it's wrong.

If you agree with me, I hope you will sign the letter of protest which can be found on the above link (click the button which says "Take Action"). There is also a very short petition you can sign HERE.

Please spread the word. Maybe if enough people protest this action, we can stop it. Thank you!

And now for something completely different ...

Most over-the-counter pain relievers (Advil, Midol, Motrin, Nuprin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, etc.) are part of a family of drugs called NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The warnings for these drugs say they can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. For the most part, the warnings are directed at people who already have heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.

I've recently learned, in a most frightening way, that these drugs can cause a totally healthy person to develop high blood pressure in a very short amount of time. And high blood pressure can cause stroke and/or death.

So ... my tip today is to check the labels of over-the-counter pain relievers and if they are NSAIDs or contain Naproxen/naproxen sodium, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USING THEM. Better yet ... find other, safer methods to deal with pain.

That's it for today ...

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

Environmental Beauty

I have this belief that living an environmentally-friendly life means not just protecting the earth but also protecting every living thing on the earth. While I personally try never to kill anything .. plant, animal or otherwise ... that's not really what I'm talking about. I'm talking about how and what humans take from nature ... that desire to be excessive ... the idea that if one thing is good, then a billion things is better ... with no thought to sustainability.

If one studies nature, it is apparent that there is balance ... and if left alone, nature seems to check itself. When food is available, a species thrives and typically becomes food for another species, higher on the food chain. Or, if predators don't control populations, the species will grow until the food source can no longer sustain it ... and starvation will check population growth.

At one time in human history, people were part of that balance. We took what we needed to survive but nothing more. Then, man got greedy and decided that more was better. And that had an impact on every species on the earth.

Even at that point, man could almost be forgiven his gluttony ... after all, he was taking plants and animals which would be sold for food and clothing. Necessities! But then, man got preoccupied with status and wealth and looking good. Exotic animal populations were devastated because man (and woman) wanted unusual boots, furs, beautiful feathers in their hats, and trophies on their wall. And "balance" became a thing of the past.

And that's the part I have a problem with ... taking so much from nature that species become extinct. Let's face it ... we don't exactly know what will happen to us as various species forever disappear. We don't know what it will do to the quality of our life ... or to our very existence. I'm guessing that it could be devastating.

While I wandered around the Internet last month, I came upon a disturbing trend ... ornamental feathers. I started to see posts and ads about jewelry made with feathers ... about boas and headbands and dusters and shawls ... all made with beautiful, exotic feathers. They were, indeed, beautiful! But I began to wonder how those feathers were obtained. I'd like to say that feathers were collected as birds molted. But, that's just not the case. They are obtained in ways that I won't mention here ... it's too ugly.

In the US, laws state that feathers can only be obtained from domesticated birds. So, the majority of them are a by-product of the poultry industry. But are we simply using every part of the bird, as advertisers would tell us ... or are birds being raised specifically for their feathers? We've talked about the environmental cost of raising animals ... it's extremely high. Additionally, if the demand for ornamental feathers increases, does anyone believe that it won't be met ... and met with more and more exotic species? That opens us up for the reduction and/or elimination of bird species because of their beauty. It happened in the 1800s ... it could happen today.

We've talked about meatless meals ... because they are environmentally friendly. Let's expand that to include meatless, or animal free products ... because they are also environmentally friendly.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

15 "Green" Tips, Hints and Interesting Facts

Here are some miscellaneous "green" tips, hints and interesting facts:

1. According to the The Auto Channel, 147 million gallons of gas, each year, vaporize into the air due to loose, damaged or missing gas caps. Keep your fuel in the tank by making sure you screw the cap on tight.

2. It's time to get out those cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorants, shampoos, toothpastes and mouthwashes and check the labels. 1,4-Dioxane is a known eye and respiratory tract irritant. It is suspected of causing damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys. The State of California, under proposition 65, listed 1,4-Dioxane as a chemical known to cause cancer on January 1, 1988. Like many solvents, it forms contamination plumes in groundwater when released to the environment. Groundwater supplies have been adversely impacted in several areas. But you won't find 1,4-Dioxane on the label ... instead look for names that include: myreth, oleth, laureth, ceteareth (and any other "eth"), PEG, polyethylene, polyoxyethylene or oxynol.

3. Here's another good reason to look for products made out of recycled materials. According to the executive director of the Zero Waste Alliance, recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than producing it from scratch. Recycling glass uses 31% less; newsprint, 45%; steel, 61%; and plastics, 57-71%.

4. Thinking of a new TV? Those with the Energy Star label are up to 30% more energy efficient than others.

5. Do you use flea collars on your pets? According to Pets for the Environment, they are a "source of constant toxic exposure for your pet and family. Instead, vacuum often and thoroughly, bathe your pet regularly, and ask your vet or local pet store about safer flea treatments and repellents." For more great Eco-friendly pet care tips, click HERE.

6. Pat yourselves on the back. Accordingly to a 16-month survey conducted in 2007 by the research firm Mintel, 36% of adults regularly buy green products. That's an improvement of 12% over previous studies.

7. Want to persuade your boss and co-workers to green up the office? Check out Ideal Bite's Top 10 Easiest Ways to Green your Office. They have a great list which can be printed out (on recycled paper, of course) and posted for all to see ... and hopefully act on.

8. Here's a great idea ... help our bird friends stay warm all winter. Instead of tossing out dryer lint, put it in your yard. Birds will collect it and use it to cozy up their nests.

9. Want to have a little fun? Host a green-cleaning party. Women's Voices for the Earth conceived the idea ... basically, people get together with glass jars and Eco-friendly ingredients and then ... they mix up everything from laundry detergent to furniture polish ... all environmentally safe. Check out their site womenandenvironment.org for information and party kits (which are for sale) ... or ... click HERE for their favorite recipes and design your own party.

10. Got the sniffles? Instead of using disposable tissues ... use a handkerchief.

11. According to the EPA, Americans toss out 2 million tons of "e-waste" each year. That includes approximately 130,000 computers. Instead of sending them to a landfill, consider these ideas:

• Donate computers and any peripherals to a nonprofit organization. Many will refurbish them for disadvantaged or disabled people.
• Check with stores like Staples for recycling programs ... some offer credit towards another purchase.
• Check with manufacturers ... some, like Dell and Apple, recycle their own brands for free. Others will take any brand when one of their own is purchased.
• Another idea ... turn them in to a local Computer Recycling shop where usable components will be turned into new products.

12. Each year, the average American throws away 68 pounds of clothing (from Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association). Think reduce, reuse and recycle instead.

13. Replace one outside incandescent light ... yearly CO2 savings: 210 pounds. Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit ... yearly CO2 savings: 214 pounds. Wash clothes in cold water ... yearly CO2 savings: 327 pounds. Source: Rocky Mountain Institute.

14. Interested in watching a short "green film"? Click HERE to watch dozens of them ... for free.

15. Here's a unique recycling idea ... put your used green tea bags in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Use them as cleansing pads in the morning. The bag helps exfoliate skin gently and tea has anti-inflammatory properties which will help to reduce puffy skin on the face.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

ONE HUNDRED POSTS

Wow ... I can't believe it!!!

This is Reduce Footprint's 100th post. :)

It has been so much fun ... and I thank you all for participating in this wonderful green journey we're on. I can't wait to see what happens next! Until then ... here's a gift for you ... and some of the reasons why we walk gently ...

Cut Flowers and the Environment ...

For many, beautiful arrangements of fresh cut flowers are a must for a holiday table. Bouquets of unusual flowers make easy gifts ... grab a bundle from most supermarkets or order a bouquet online to be delivered. Whether one needs a hostess gift, something for a special someone or a gift for the "hard to please", cut flowers will accommodate. That's what the $40 billion a year, cut flower industry tells us. What they don't tell us is how bad they are for the environment.

Most cut flowers, approximately 79%, are grown in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. They are grown in climate controlled greenhouses using pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides ... including DDT and methyl-bromide which are banned in the U.S. These substances have been linked to health problems such as skin conditions, respiratory problems, impaired vision, and birth defects. Many of the people who staff the greenhouses, and who come in contact with the flowers on a daily basis, are now suffering from these problems.

Not only are workers being hurt ... the environment is suffering as well. Methyl-bromide has been linked to the destruction of the ozone layer. DDT usage has caused serious problems for many animal and bird populations. Small amounts of these chemicals are dangerous ... most greenhouses, however, aren't using just a little ... they are using a lot. It contaminates the ground and water, hurting animal and fish populations and it reduces the amount of drinkable water in many communities.

Once the growing stage is complete, the cut flowers are sent all over the world. They travel far distances, and as we've talked about before ... anything that travels a long distance is causing pollution and using a lot of resources to make the trip. An estimated 500 million make their way into the U.S. In order to pass inspection upon entry, they are often sprayed with more toxic chemicals so that no bugs or insects make the trip ... and so that each and every blossom looks it's best. Florists in this country touch these flowers and are reporting skin rashes and breathing problems.

There's still more ... once the flowers get to a florists shop, they are typically arranged using floral foam which helps to hold them in place. This foam is a petroleum bi-product that off gases formaldehyde when soaked in water. It is also non-biodegradable. A leaf shine product is typically used to shine up the greenery ... this is an aerosol product and aerosol products hurt the environment.

What about the flowers produced in the U.S.? Are they better? While they may not use banned chemicals, many farms and greenhouses use a lot of pesticides. These are harmful ... to the earth and all of her inhabitants.

So ... should one forgo cut flowers as a gift? Not necessarily. Look for organic flowers, grown locally if possible. Make a point of asking about that beautiful bouquet ... is it arranged with floral foam ... is it sprayed with anything. And by the way ... many live plants are grown in the same conditions so ... know where your product comes from. Basically, use the same guidelines buying cut flowers and plants as you would buying food.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

Green gifts for kids

Today is an exciting day. This post is written by Small Footprints (that would be me) and our bloggy friend at Wellness KIDS (http://wellnesskids.blogspot.com/). If you haven't stopped over at Wellness Kids, I encourage you to do so. There are some great articles about keeping our kids safe ... posts about what goes in and on their food ... information about using air filtration systems in the home ... and how cleaning one's home can be harmful. And here's the thing ... the information presented there is not only important for kids ... it's important for adults and the planet, as well. So, if you have a minute, stop over there and say "hello".

When it comes to special holidays and celebrations, it's easy to set aside our green efforts and opt for ease and convenience. That is especially true when thinking about gifts for children. Let's face it ... kids are bombarded with commercials for the latest gizmos and gadgets ... many of which contain less than environmentally friendly materials or are energy gluttons. And "green" gifts aren't always easy to find ... or on our children's list to Santa. Before giving up on green gifts, consider these ideas:

From Wellness KIDS, we have these wonderful suggestions:

I love the challenge of finding gifts that stimulate the mind, encourage creativity, are fun, and good to our planet. If you Google “eco-friendly gifts for kids”, you’ll find lots of great online retailers carrying a wonderful variety earth-friendly natural wooden, fabric and other types of toys. This year I tried to think of gifts that are not only natural or recyclable, but items that actually use or teach how to make use of recycled materials, and/or do something beneficial for our planet. Here are 5 of my favorite kids’ gift ideas this year:

$8.76 - Recycled Crafts Kit

I absolutely love this one. Get the book, Recycled Crafts Kit, by Laura C. Martin and pack it in a decorated recycled box along with lots of great recycled materials to be used in the projects from the book. The book is full of great information about waste and recycling, as well as fun projects for kids to make. Cheap, educational, fun, and eco-friendly! What more could you want?

$25 - Gardening Kit

Buy a great gardening book for kids, like Roots, Boots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together With Children by Sharon Lovejoy ($11.16 on Amazon.com). For about $25, you could get the book, and pack it together with some great kid-sized gardening gloves, a trowel, a pot and some seeds. Or you could go all out and provide and all the items needed to do one of the great gardens in the book. This is a great way for parents to spend time with their kids, for kids to learn the wonderful art of gardening and to add back to nature.

$50 - “Adopt an Animal” at www.worldwildlife.org

Give the gift of giving. Make a $50 donation to the World Wildlife Fund in your (or another) child’s name. 82 cents of every donated dollar goes toward the World Wildlife Foundation’s conservation efforts.

A $50 symbolic adoption includes as a thank you gift: A plush, stuffed animal, a species spotlight card, an adoption certificate, a 5”x7” color photo of the chosen animal and a drawstring gift bag. Choose from 80 available species. Or you can send an adoption card and allow the recipient to choose their own favorite animal. Order by 12/17/08 for arrival by Christmas.

Note: For a gift closer to home, support your local zoo. Many zoos have great adopt-an-animal programs too! Some of them include great behind the scene tours and other great benefits. Check your local zoo for more information.

$64/$84 Earth Friends (theearthfriends.com)

These adorable dolls are made entirely from organic or recycled materials. They are just the kind of soft, loveable dolls that become instant favorites with children. There are nine boys and girls to choose from. Each Earth Friend arrives with his or her own little backpack with a tree planting kit inside.

$1299 – MacBook

Okay – it’s a high-end gift, but I just saw the commercial for the new MacBooks and was amazed. Kids love Macs because they are great for gaming and graphics programs, plus they are sleek, streamlined, cool-looking and seemingly immune to viruses and spyware.

Now there is another reason to love MacBooks. According to Apple, they are the most environmentally friendly notebook computers in the world. The new version of their most popular MacBook can run on just one quarter of the power of a single light bulb!

According to Apple’s website, each new MacBook is designed with the following features to reduce its environmental footprint:

• Arsenic-free glass
• Mercury-free LED-backlit display
• Brominated flame retardant-free internal components
• PVC-free internal cables
• Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure
• Up to 41 percent smaller packaging

So, if your kid has been especially great, this would be one heckuva gift!

A BIG THANK YOU to Wellness KIDS for those great ideas. Are you ready for some more? OK ... read on. These come from Small Footprints:

• When buying holiday gifts for the kids keep in mind that it’s better to buy products that are made of organic cotton and wood.

• It's OK to give slightly used gifts. Look for items that are in good shape and that don't contain toxic materials.
  

• Have a little artistic genius on your list? Buy earth friendly ... and animal friendly supplies.

• Bedding ... what kid doesn't like to jump into a bed with his favorite cartoon characters on the sheets? Look for organic, Eco friendly materials in colorful, playful designs.

• Furniture ... when I was a kid, my parents got us a little table and 4 chairs. It was kid-sized and we thought it was just about the coolest thing in the universe. I'm sure that they thought we'd eventually do homework on our little table ... we, however, imagined tea parties and art projects and car tracks and table games and ... well, you get the idea. So ... how about some kid friendly, earth friendly furniture. Look for organic wood and non-toxic paint.

• For the outdoor kid (and those wonderful nature hikes), consider a backpack made from natural or recycled materials.

• How about a LED flashlight ... after all ... what would ghost stories around a campfire be without one. There are green varieties available which are solar powered and still others which are kid powered (a crank is used to power it up).

• For the little ones, how about a fun, animal shaped toothbrush. Recycline has a series called Preserve Jr. Check out their link below in the list of resources.
  

• Toys never go out of style. Here are a few options (be sure to look for Eco-friendly materials and minimal packaging):

• Fuel cell racing cars (they run on water ... wow)
  
• Wooden building blocks or balls
  
• Stuffed animals
• Science kits
• Crayons made out of soy wax
• Did you know that ToysRus has an Eco-friendly line of toys? Yep ... it's true!
  

• Don't forget about homemade treasures (again ... made with Eco-friendly materials):

• Scarfs, hats and mittens
• Clothing
• Stuffed dolls and animals
• Books (for a very cute book, check out our bloggy friend at Musings from the Fishbowl
  
• Candies and cookies
• Doll houses and furniture
• Kid friendly jewelry
  

• Get the kids involved and help them make gifts for the people on their list.

For additional ideas and resources, check out the Internet. Here are a few suggestions:

• http://www.recycline.com/preservejr.html
• http://www.zrecommends.com/detail/the-2008-z-recommends-mostly-green-pretty-cheap-holiday-gift-guide/
• http://www.toysrus.com/
• http://www.greenandmore.com/gifts-for-kids.html
• http://www.nrdc.org/greenliving/guides/holiday.asp
  

Just remember ... with any gifts, consider packaging and materials. With a little effort and creativity, you can give the little ones on your list a gift that will not only bring smiles to their faces, but will make the earth happy as well.

As always ... I'd love to hear from you!

Art Supplies - Another View

In an earlier post (Eat your veggies), we talked about how eating meatless meals, even occasionally, reduces our footprint on the earth. The fact is that livestock pollute and if we reduce the demand for items containing animal products, we go a long way towards helping mother earth. Not ready to give up meat? Well, animal products show up in all kinds of things (cosmetics, soaps, etc.) so even if you're not ready to go "veggie", there are other ways to reduce the animal products one uses.

Today we have a special treat ... a guest author. A kind reader has submitted the following article for your consideration. In it we'll learn about some surprising items that contain animal products.

ART SUPPLIES: free of animal ingredients.

What’s in a Colour?
If you know where the pigment or dye comes from you have a great head start in knowing what you are working with and what you are participating in.

Some pigments are made from plants or minerals or are synthetic, but some are not. For instance, Ivory Black and Bone Black pigments are from charred animal bones. Lampblack, on the other hand, is pure carbon and not from animals at all. Here are some other colours that are not from animals: ochre, raw umber, burnt umber, burnt sienna, cadmium yellow, zinc oxide, gamboge, indigo, madder, cobalt blue, naphthol crimson and diozine. There are many others.

Great Books
The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques by Ralph Mayer (great section on pigments)
Colour by Victoria Finlay.
Painting with Acrylics by Jenny Rodwell

Tips

-Cochineal is a scarlet dye made from ground up female cochineal insects.

-Ox gall is gall, obtained from cows, and used as the wetting agent in most watercolour paints.
Holbein has some watercolours that do not contain ox gall. Remember to find out what pigments are in the paint before buying the paint.
canada@holbeincanada.com http://www.holbeinhk.com/#
Here are a few of their ox gall free watercolours: Cadmium Red Deep, Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Yellow Deep, Lamp Black, Opera, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Deep. There are many more.

-Rabbit-skin glue comes from (you got it) rabbits. And it is used for sizing oil-painting supports.

-Gelatin is made from boiling animal skins, tendons, ligaments, etc. The highest-grade gelatin, made from the skins, hoofs, and bones of calves, is used in gesso. Watercolour and most papers are sized with gelatin. Gelatin is also used in many foods and to make gelatin capsules for vitamins etc. Accent Vellum, construction papers and handmade papers usually don’t have gelatin. There are some papers starting to come out that are sized with starch. Ask at your art store.

-Sepia ink is made from the inky substance from the sacs of squid and cuttlefish. India Ink or Chinese Ink is made of carbon or lampblack pigment, and a shellac binder. Shellac is obtained from secretions of an insect. http://www.temuss.com/html/shellac.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shellac
Damar Varnish is from a plant source. See, The Artist’s Handbook by Ralph Mayer.

-Water Soluble Ink seldom contains animal ingredients. Water Resistant Inks usually do contain animal ingredients, but no harm in asking. Check with the manufacturer via the internet and click on “Contact Us”.

-Charcoal comes from vines and willow, but bone charcoal doesn’t. The word “bone” is a dead give away. Ask before you buy.

-Graphite: mineral. Conte Crayon: natural pigments (iron oxides, carbon black, titanium dioxide), clay (kaolin) and a binder (cellulose ether).

-Pencils: Derwent does not use any beeswax in any of their products. Their charcoal pencils are made from pure charcoal, clay and pigment. The wax used in the pencils is from a plant source, the binding material is from a mineral source. They have a list of individual colour pencils that are free of animal products. Just ask them. Their Coloursoft pencils, Graphitint pencils, Aquatone pencils, metallics pencils, graphitone and Derwent Pastel Blocks are all free from animal ingredients. http://www.pencils.co.uk/enquiries_form.aspx www.pencils.co.uk

-Krylon has fixative sprays that do not contain animal ingredients http://www.krylon.com

-Yupo Paper (100% polypropylene) suitable for all watercolour techniques. Good for drawing and fixative sticks to it.

-Raw Fabrics: unsized organic hemp, bamboo, linen or cotton. Stretch the fabric on stretcher bars and put on Golden’s Absorbent Ground (100% polymer is on the label but ask to see if there is anything else in it ). It’s like gesso, but is absorbent for watercolours, and the Pastel Ground is for pastels and drawing. Also, charcoal on unsized fabric with a fixative spray afterwards works well. http://www.goldenpaints.com/technicaldata/absorb.php

-Natural brushes are natural hair that is harvested from farm raised or trapped animals, in particular sable (marten), squirrel or mongoose. Less expensive natural brushes are made of horsehair or bristles from pig or ox snouts and ears. There are now high quality synthetic brushes that are just as good as natural brushes. Winsor & Newton is just one of many who make synthetic brushes.

-Oil Pastels are made by combining raw pigments with animal fat and wax. Soft Pastel are usually free of animal ingredients. Here is a site on ingredients and also, another on how to make home-made pastels:
http://www.nmsdistribution.com/Pastel.htm
http://painting.about.com/library/weekly/aamakepastela.htm

Going straight to the manufacturer or company is a great way to learn what is in art supplies. More and more new products are being made that are free from animal ingredients. The internet has put us in easy reach of manufactures and companies who want to hear from us. A simple, polite request has power. It’s now easier than ever to ask for products that are free of animal ingredients.

When it comes to art materials, leave the animals out of it.

Compassionate change. Ask for it

Purchase Power

Many of the practices that harm the earth, and threaten her inhabitants, can be linked to commerce. Businesses are formed to satisfy a need and in doing so, to make money. This seems reasonable enough. However, as the line between need and want becomes blurred, there is a belief that more and more products and services must be offered ... quickly ... and at any cost. Often, the cost is destruction of the environment, elimination of animal species ... and ultimately harm to human life.

There are responsible businesses in the world ... those that use sustainable practices and who are caring stewards of the environment. There are also businesses who are ignorant to the affects of their practices. Still others simply don't care because they are focused on the financial rather than the environmental bottom line. In writing these words, I am also aware that in some areas of the world there are people trying to put food on the table, in any way they can ... and when a person's choice is eating or protecting endangered habitat, animals or the environment ... well, how can we blame them for wanting to feed their families. It's a huge problem.

Tackling the problem is complex and will take much more than a post on this blog. However ... there are things that we can do. With every purchase that we make, we send a message. We encourage responsible business practices when we buy earth friendly products. Alternately, we encourage harmful business practices when we buy non earth friendly products.

The following article talks about one company's efforts to prevent the destruction of elephants ... an endangered species. It's also a reminder that there is power in what we purchase ... and an even greater power in what we don't purchase.

EBay to ban sales of ivory goods

EBay has announced a worldwide ban on the sale of ivory products on its auction websites from next year.

An eBay spokesman said the move was the best way to help African and Asian elephants. The endangered animals are often hunted for their ivory tusks.

The ban comes as a conservation group prepares to release a report critical of the auction site.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare will say more than 4,000 ivory products have been listed on eBay.

It will also most sales of ivory products through eBay are done on the company's American website.

"In one instance, a user purchased a pair of elephant tusks off eBay for more than $21,000," the International Fund for Animal Welfare said.

Welcome decision

EBay said it would still allow the sale of some antique items which contain a small amount of ivory, such as pianos.

Campaigning groups the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International welcomed the decision.

Teresa Telecky, policy director for Humane Society International, said eBay's decision was "commendable and should set an example for others".

Each year, an estimated 20,000 elephants are illegally killed in Africa and Asia for their ivory, fueling a booming black-market industry.

Elephants are protected under the International Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/americas/7681903.stm

Published: 2008/10/21 12:49:03 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

As always, I'd love to hear from you!

A Perfect Whole!

Reducing our footprint on the earth means more to me than just recycling or using less energy. To me, it's also about considering one's actions and ensuring that those actions don't have a negative impact on the earth or anything that lives on it.

History is full of examples where actions were taken without thought about negative impact. In the early 1930's, much of our country's forests were decimated through logging. This wasn't the responsible, replant the forest, kind of logging ... this was clear cutting ... period. This left the land vulnerable to wind and rain and the result was severe erosion. Luckily, President Roosevelt and the CCC implemented a reforestation program which is considered responsible for the lush, beautiful forests that we enjoy today throughout much of the country.

In the mid 1920's, wolves were exterminated from Yellowstone National Park. The result was an overpopulation of animals normally on a wolf's "menu". This lead to other imbalances in both plant and animal life. In 1995 wolves were reintroduced to the park. Within two years, the project was considered a success. If you would like to read more about this, click here.

These examples are big and aren't the kinds of decisions that we, as individuals, normally have to make. But even small actions have consequences.

Recently I happened to be in a campground located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campground was surrounded by a beautiful forest and located near a river. The setting was lovely. On my way to the bathroom, I noticed something hanging off the trash dumpster. It was a bee trap. Inside, hundreds of dead bees were stacked up and towards the top, two bees were struggling to escape. They never would. I have great compassion for all living creatures so the site broke my heart. Why, in the forest, would someone find it necessary to exterminate insects? The answer amazed me. A short distance from the dumpster, several hummingbird feeders were placed in a tree by the camp host and evidently they wanted to ensure that only hummingbirds were fed. OK ... but what is the result of this decision? Hundreds of bees lay dead in a container instead of flying around the forest, pollinating as they go. And that means that plant life suffers. And when plant life suffers ... we're not far behind. One may argue that it was just one trap. But what if a lot of traps are put out ... what happens to our pollinators?

We seem to believe that it's OK to kill anything that bothers us. But there is always a consequence to those actions.

So here's what I'm suggesting. Start with the belief that everything works together to create a perfect whole. Labels such as "pest" are just that ... a label ... not necessarily a fact. Instead of killing a critter, try dissuading it or just move it out of the way. I do that with spiders all the time ... they seem to love my house so I just pick them up and move them outside. And when putting out any type of feeder, be tolerant of all critters that come to eat. After all, nature doesn't discriminate ... why should we. Basically I'm saying, live and let live.

As always, I'd love to hear your comments on this subject.