It's about time

The President's Cancer Panel recently released a 'ground breaking" report stating

"The true burden of environmentally induced cancers has been grossly underestimated."

Here's a New York times oped

Currently the toxic chemicals actually in use in this country are not monitored and only about 200 out of 82,000 chemicals entering the market since 1976 have been tested for safety (Isn't that comforting) Source: Green America

A bill was recently introduced to protect Americans from harmful chemicals. It's called the Safe Chemicals Act. Here's a New York Times article

You can support this law by signing this petition

I did!

Photo Credit: Flickr the_justified_sinner

What can I do?

It has been hard for me to follow what is happening with the oil spill off the Gulf coast. Since I can't be there to help in a hands on way..I needed to find some other way to help. Here are the three things I did.

1. I donated money to Audubon. They'll be organizing volunteers for wildlife rescue and beach clean-up, as well as researching the effects of the spill on habitats in the weeks and months following its landfall. I chose Audubon because I have been a member for years and they are a well established non-profit with a long history of environmental work.

2. I filled out the National Wildlife Federation’s form letter to President Obama asking that the Gulf Coast be restored so that the world and our children know that we ( as a country) take responsibility for our mistakes.

3. I also filled in the Sierra Club’s form letter to let the President know that I don’t want to be responsible for anything like this happening ever again….so I support ending off shore drilling and looking for long term, sustainable solutions to meet our energy needs.

I got my ideas from Ten Things You Can Do

Photo:
Fort Jackson, Louisiana International Bird Rescue Research Center

Why 350?

Since Mark sold his car, he has been biking to work most days. He estimated how much carbon he was keeping out of the environment. His goal was 350 pounds...which he achieved on Friday, April 30, 2010. Here we are celebrating his success!!

Why 350?

"350 is the most important number in the world—it's what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere." For more information on why 350 and what we can do to get there..check out www.350.org