Living In A Toxic World

'Toxic Sky'

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:25:00 +0000

Chemtrails or Death Dumps, as some are calling them, are a major problem that is affecting people and our weather all over the world. After spending time with like-minded friends today, I needed to once again publish a post about his very real, very deliberate 'Toxic Sky' issue. Please watch this video!

Eco-Friendly Apps for the iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:50:00 +0000

Eco-friendly apps are a must have for the environmentally conscious individual who uses an iPhone. Here is a list of free iPhone apps for you to consider.

1) Dirty Dozen- this app, from Environmental Working Group, is a top pick of mine. It gives the user a heads up on the 12 dirtiest produce items to avoid and a list of the Clean 15. Users can also access EWG's website from this app.

2) Ocean Wise- Vancouver based conservation program aimed at informing Canadian consumers on Seafood and helping them make better, sustainable choices when purchasing it or dining out. Great app!

3) EWG Sunscreen Guide- EWG's top-rated sunscreens to use when you need the protection. Users can also look up their sunscreens and see what rating it receives.

4) TreeHugger- Lots of goodies in this app! Comes with great articles, podcasts and more. Get it!

5) iGreenpeace- Breaking Greenpeace news from around the world and interaction with a fun little penguin named Alex.

6) TheGoodGuide- Apps bar-code scanning feature lets users scan an item in store and it will reveal whether the product is safe, healthy, green and socially responsible.

7) Carticipate- a ride sharing app that provides users with info on other people near their area that want to carpool.

More Green Apps to come as I find them!

Greenwashing Won't Go Away

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:20:00 +0000

Greenwashing is a nemesis to consumers and as long as there is green to be made it will continue. Recently CBC conducted a review of "green cleaners". Guess what they found? There are two ways to avoid this. One, read the labels and do some research. Just because it's on the shelf in a nice package doesn't mean it is green. Second, use homemade green cleaning techniques to save money and you don't have to worry about being duped.

Phantom Power

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:20:00 +0000

I have written in the past about vampire power, which is synonymous with phantom power. It basically means things that you think are turned off are actually using electricity. Check out this interactive page at CBC that highlights some of the common offenders.

Quarry Construction

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:26:00 +0000

Avaaz has posted a new action regarding a mega-quarry to be built in Ontario, Canada. I have only read their site and I'm not sure of the details but it is worth looking into. Basically, a company posed as a farming operation and acquired huge tracts of land that will now be converted to an open pit limestone quarry. Quarries are always contentious and this one appears no different. If you are interested sign the petition.

Oceans Facing Mass Extinction of Marine Life

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:34:00 +0000

The latest report on the state of our oceans and marine life made news yesterday. In the report, international scientists stated that our oceans' marine life are facing a mass extinction due to over fishing, pollution and climate changes. Studies show that the health and state of our oceans is degrading at an astronomical rate.

Pesticides and Produce EWG Article

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:42:00 +0000

Best Friends Forever? Produce Growers and Pesticide Makers Deepen Their Bond

EWG's Skin Deep Sunscreen Guide

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:48:00 +0000

Environmental Working Group's 2011 Sunscreen Guide is out! Be sure to visit the website for a list of sunscreens to avoid and those that are a safer alternative.

I have purchased UV Natural in the past and did not like using it. It can be a little stubborn to apply, and once on, leaves a caked-on, greasy feel along with a white residue. If you don't mind those annoyances, it does do the job. I just purchased the brand Heiko SPF 30 for 29.99 CAD, and will let you know how it works as soon as I apply it.

UPDATE: Tried Heiko and returned it. Was difficult to evenly apply, and left a white residue. I was hoping it would be easier to apply - stuff is expensive and you end up using a lot in one application.

Book Review: Ecoholic

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:52:00 +0000

The book, Ecoholic: Your Guide to the Most Environmentally Friendly Information, Products and Services in Canada, is a must have for all my Canadian readers who are interested in environmentally friendly products and ways one can lessen their impact on our precious environment. I purchased this book a few years ago and use it everyday for amazing tips, information and useful references that have added to my family's greener, healthier lifestyle.

Earth Song

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Mon, 02 May 2011 20:01:00 +0000

Protecting Kids From Toxic Chemicals

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:17:00 +0000

Nation’s Pediatricians Call on Congress to Protect Kids from Toxic Chemicals

Finally! Let's hope they listen.

Arctic Erosion Study

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:53:00 +0000

A 2010 study, conducted by 30 scientists from 10 countries, states that Arctic coastlines are eroding in areas up to 8 meters a year- most notably in Canada. This will have a major impact on the ecosystem and the people who inhabit the Arctic tundra.

State Of The Arctic Coast 2010: Scientific Review and Outlook

Green Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Homemade cleaners are by far the best way to protect yourself and your family from the dangerous chemicals that traditional cleaning products contain. Here are a few recipes to get you started.

Furniture Polish- 1/4 C. of olive oil mixed with 1/4 C. of fresh squeezed lemon juice in a spray bottle work wonders on all wood surfaces in the home. A little of this homemade cleaner with some elbow grease on each surface goes a long way! I have used this recipe for years and would never go back to the store bought stuff. Remember to skip the paper towels and use a cloth rag instead.

Kitchen and Bath Cleaner- A few drops of Tea Tree oil in a spray bottle is an effective way to clean and disinfect all kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

For those of you that use a microwave- using the remaining lemon from the furniture polish recipe in a small bowl of water for 2 minutes on high will steam clean the inside of your microwave and leave it smelling great! All you have to do is wipe the splatter off with a rag.

More green cleaning tips to come.

Iodine-131 Levels Reach New High Near Fukushima Plant

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:35:00 +0000

Japan says Fukushima plant to be scrapped : Levels of the radioactive isotope Iodine-131, in the surrounding waters near the Fukushima plant, have risen to a new high of 4,385 times the legal level.

Japan's Nuclear Crisis at Maxium Alert

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:15:00 +0000

Plutonium has been found in the soil surrounding Japan's Fukushima nuclear complex putting the country on 'maximum alert'. Plutonium is one of the most dangerous substances on the planet and highly carcinogenic. Officials from Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency stated that the levels found were low and of no risk to human health. Evidence of plutonium means a partial meltdown has already occurred.

Plutonium Found Leaking Out Of Japan Nuclear Plant

DuPont to Pay 8.3 Million for Polluting Tap Water

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:01:00 +0000

The toxic industrial chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as C8, was found in the tap water of nearly 5,000 southern New Jersey homes. DuPont has agreed to pay 8.3 million dollars to install water filters in the homes affected.

Read Full Article

Documentary Film: GASLAND

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 17:53:00 +0000

Gasland

To learn more about this film and the process called fracking, go to GASLAND

The Truth About Orange Juice

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:58:00 +0000

Manufacturers of OJ would have consumers believe that this popular household beverage is a "a simple, natural, single-ingredient product." Squeezed: What You Don't Know About Orange Juice is a book written by Author Alissa Hamilton which exposes the truth about where orange juice comes from and how it is produced.

How a fast-food sign changes your day

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:53:00 +0000

How a fast-food sign changes your day - Healthzone.ca

Calorie reporting, possible taxation and other regulations have been following fast food in the last few years. A recent study shows that seeing fast food signs trigger the need to rush. An interesting study that could have wider implications on fast food advertising and other regulations. We know more about the health impacts of products than ever and we are slowing figuring out the impacts of marketing in convincing us to buy. The two elements are related and either the advertising or the products will need to be tightly regulated.

Fish Farming

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:09:00 +0000

Some people feel that fish farming, particularly for salmon, create environmental problems. In British Columbia, a court has recently ruled that the government must release information about sea lice and other data gathered on fish farming. You can read about it here.

This is a good thing for so many reasons. Information gathered by government authorities about practices that impact the population at large should be made public. Since we have so many regulations and administrative bodies governing many areas of our society the more open the better. If we are all aware of what is going on and complete information is available to everyone better decisions can be made.

Great News!!! We're Getting More Nuclear Plants!!

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:30:00 +0000

I'm not serious about the headline but the reality is the Obama administration is planning to offer loan guarantees to fund the construction of nuclear plants. If the plants are going to be such a boon and savior why do they need the guarantees? Probably because they are only able to get funding if the federal government guranatees it. I'm sure there exists a minimum price that consumers will pay for the power too. To make the deal even sweeter the government will find a cheap/free way for the companies to get rid of the waste. What an awesome deal for the taxpayer. We subsidize the construction, guarantee a minimum return, take out the garbage and let somebody else enjoy the profit.

The problem lies in the business as usual approach to policy that supports private profits and shifts all the risk to the public. It seems like nothing can be done without a government guarantee or subsidy. If that is the case maybe we need to revisit the "free market" concept and decide if we want it free or just pretend.

Can Bankruptcy Save the Planet?

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:21:00 +0000

In light of the recent news about Greece's economic troubles and possible default I started thinking about the impact of a U.S. bankruptcy. The debt and deficit are growing rapidly and some people feel that it is expanding beyond the economic capacity of the country's ability to repay. It would be safe to say that this would be economic Armageddon. However, if the economic model that causes many environmental problems were to collapse would it save the planet? Consumption, waste and pollution would drop dramatically around the world. Resource extraction would slow down and help reduce the environmental damage in many parts of the world. Some would argue that it wouldn't matter much since most of us would be starving because we're broke and have no way to do anything to get money. I'm not really sure what would happen although I think the buildup to such an event would be long enough that some could prepare. An interesting scenario to contemplate and maybe one we will experience sooner than we hope.

"Climategate" is no Big Deal

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:17:00 +0000

While I was at the grocery store recently I heard two people debating the merits of climate change and how climate scientists allegedly faked data. One of the people sounded like they obtained their opinion from talk radio and was going on and on about how the "phony" data proved that climate change is not real. Oddly enough they managed to convince the other person that climate change is not legitimate nor has a scientific consensus. I'm not going to use the multiple sources argument to negate this opinion. I will use tobacco company science as the basis for my argument. It has come out over the years that tobacco studies minimized the risks of tobacco use. However, despite finding this out tobacco products are still widely available. So, if faking scientific data can keep unhealthy products available in the marketplace there is no reason that we should not continue to pursue ways to minimize climate change.

Seafood Sources

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:31:00 +0000

Many people eat seafood whether it is fish for Omega-3 or a fancy lobster dinner. A lot times we pick things up at the grocery store without thinking. In the past I wrote about the Seafood Watch program and how you could use that to help you pick seafood. Now, Greenpeace has launched a survey (PDF)that monitors the grocery stores to determine which ones are mindful of where they get their inventory. Another section let's you search grocery stores by state along with other information.

Seafood is not excluded from the industrial food system and just like the rest of it we don't know where anything is coming from or how it gets to us. Tools like this help consumers stay informed and make better choices.

Filter Your Tap Water

noreply@blogger.com (FeButterfly) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:23:00 +0000

There are several reasons that you should filter your tap water. I think it is a good idea so that you actually drink it and avoid bottled water. We use a tap mounted model that works well in our area and takes out a lot of the chlorine. Some kitchen faucet systems have an undersink filter that can be installed. I found that system expensive and I couldn't gauge how long the filters would last. Using the filtered water in reusable water bottles has made carrying something to drink a lot easier and cheaper for us. Follow this link for information on filtering your tap water.

The odd thing about water is that we spend so much money on water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure we have a clean water supply yet millions drink bottled water.