"If you need a little motivation to stay away from these most unhealthy foods, consider that four of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States are related to diet (diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke). And if you're looking to improve yours, cutting back on these six foods is a great place to start."
Check out all my posts about food choices. Healthy, unhealthy, growing your own and more.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Preventing Breast Cancer
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month a campaign highlighting how women can prevent breast cancer has been launched. The campaign is called Pure Prevention. TreeHugger has a summary of the program as well.
In my opinion, there appears to be an increasing link between how we live and our health. This sounds obvious for things like obesity and heart conditions but the environmental and lifestyle link to cancer is gaining more prominence. The idea of a "green lifestyle" is about more than saving polar bears and sticking it to corporations. It's about living healthier today and not leaving a toxic legacy for future generations. We should be pursuing the best available ways to minimize our impact on the environment rather than finding excuses as to why things are not feasible. The solutions we have today may not solve all the problems but they are better than what we have been doing up to this point.
In my opinion, there appears to be an increasing link between how we live and our health. This sounds obvious for things like obesity and heart conditions but the environmental and lifestyle link to cancer is gaining more prominence. The idea of a "green lifestyle" is about more than saving polar bears and sticking it to corporations. It's about living healthier today and not leaving a toxic legacy for future generations. We should be pursuing the best available ways to minimize our impact on the environment rather than finding excuses as to why things are not feasible. The solutions we have today may not solve all the problems but they are better than what we have been doing up to this point.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Eco-friendly Fashion
Old clothing that is too worn out and cannot be donated likely ends up in the landfill. Many other fabrics suffer the same fate. Mined Recreations uses recycled fabrics to make useful items like handbags. Precocious does the same but designs many other clothing items.
A lot of fabrics end up in the landfill and now that a lot companies used more synthetic fabrics and special coatings, like those for stain resistance, the environmental impact is greater than ever. This type of recycling and reusing may not close the loop entirely but it does help.
A lot of fabrics end up in the landfill and now that a lot companies used more synthetic fabrics and special coatings, like those for stain resistance, the environmental impact is greater than ever. This type of recycling and reusing may not close the loop entirely but it does help.
What are the kids eating?
I'm sure we've all heard about the pop machines in schools debate. A new study from Centre for Science in the Public Interest (PDF of the press release and CBC report) indicates that nutritional quality of food served in schools is lacking. I don't know what they serve but I never wanted to eat the stuff they served when I was in school. They made fast food look good.
I understand that since children spend most of their day at school they have to eat. However, don't parents provide lunches and snacks to take to school? If they give their children money don't they tell them to stay away from fast food and cigarettes? Doesn't phys-ed class exist anymore? Many studies and statistics point to a looming health crisis in children and dramatic increases in obesity but the message does not appear to be getting through.
If, as a community, people decide schools are providing food with education then they need to be involved in making the healthy choices and pay for it. Parents will need to either provide healthy food for their children to consume during the day or develop a nutritional menu that is developed in conjunction with classroom nutrition education.
I find the CSPI does great work and have been pleased with the attention their reports bring to issues. Unfortunately, we need them to make people aware that a pop machine in every hallway to wash down the fries and gravy from the cafeteria might be bad for children. There is not an information shortage in North America and people have no excuse for not knowing.
I understand that since children spend most of their day at school they have to eat. However, don't parents provide lunches and snacks to take to school? If they give their children money don't they tell them to stay away from fast food and cigarettes? Doesn't phys-ed class exist anymore? Many studies and statistics point to a looming health crisis in children and dramatic increases in obesity but the message does not appear to be getting through.
If, as a community, people decide schools are providing food with education then they need to be involved in making the healthy choices and pay for it. Parents will need to either provide healthy food for their children to consume during the day or develop a nutritional menu that is developed in conjunction with classroom nutrition education.
I find the CSPI does great work and have been pleased with the attention their reports bring to issues. Unfortunately, we need them to make people aware that a pop machine in every hallway to wash down the fries and gravy from the cafeteria might be bad for children. There is not an information shortage in North America and people have no excuse for not knowing.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Green Birth Control
I will start with a disclaimer: this is not medical advice nor do I know the effectiveness of the following.
In recent years, we have heard of pharmaceuticals, fertilizer, anti-bacterial agents and birth control hormones entering our drinking water systems. We can eliminate fertilizer use on our lawns, stop using anti-bacterial soap and return unused drugs to the pharmacy but we can't stop women who use birth control from urinating.
I suppose something could be done about waste treatment before it re-enters the environment. The hormones wreak havoc on fish populations and could be in the drinking water. What if a birth control alternative existed? Charting, formally known as Fertility Awareness Method, can be used as a birth control method. Basically, cycles are monitored and sexual activity is limited to certain times. Once adopted it becomes a habit and simple. Sounds like the ease of use associated with pills. May not be for everyone but it does have a positive environmental benefit.
In recent years, we have heard of pharmaceuticals, fertilizer, anti-bacterial agents and birth control hormones entering our drinking water systems. We can eliminate fertilizer use on our lawns, stop using anti-bacterial soap and return unused drugs to the pharmacy but we can't stop women who use birth control from urinating.
I suppose something could be done about waste treatment before it re-enters the environment. The hormones wreak havoc on fish populations and could be in the drinking water. What if a birth control alternative existed? Charting, formally known as Fertility Awareness Method, can be used as a birth control method. Basically, cycles are monitored and sexual activity is limited to certain times. Once adopted it becomes a habit and simple. Sounds like the ease of use associated with pills. May not be for everyone but it does have a positive environmental benefit.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Climate Change Economics
The debate between economic progress and environmental preservation is one that is not going away. For every environmental problem there is solution and economic consequences are always calculated. Economic policy development has focused on how to best minimize climate change while maintaining current economic conditions.
Arthur Laffer and Wayne Winegarden have recently written about cap-and-trade systems in the National Post. There assessment indicates that cap-and-trade systems for reducing GHG emissions are not the most effective means to do so and would likely cause harm to the economy. You may remember Arthur Laffer(Wiki) from the Laffer Curve regarding optimal taxation levels. They also have a more in-depth study titled "The Adverse Economic Impacts from Cap&Trade Regulations" sponsored by the Free Enterprise Education Institute.
In the National Post article they make a compelling argument against cap&trade because of the European example not being as effective as expected. They use other economic arguments against cap&trade which are logical. I have not read the complete study so I am basing my comments on the article. Generally, there analysis is sound and regulations do have some sort of economic impact. I do have a problem with a couple of points they raise. First, they determine regulations that would limit emissions would create economic impacts on the economy similar to supply shocks of energy. The idea is that emission limits will limit energy supply and constrain the economy. Quite likely this will happen but any regulations will be known long before enactment giving time to adapt and efficiency is a byproduct of energy supply shocks. They state that overall energy intensity has decreased over the last 30 years while energy prices have generally increased. I have yet to review any energy intensity data or studies but I am not certain if energy intensity measure consider changes in the underlying economy. Obviously technological advances have significant impacts on the energy intensity of the economy but the economy has shifted to a more service based economy possibly creating the reduction.
Needless to say the debate between economics and the environment will continue. I look forward to the day when overall structures change and the two will not be adversarial but will complement each other.
Arthur Laffer and Wayne Winegarden have recently written about cap-and-trade systems in the National Post. There assessment indicates that cap-and-trade systems for reducing GHG emissions are not the most effective means to do so and would likely cause harm to the economy. You may remember Arthur Laffer(Wiki) from the Laffer Curve regarding optimal taxation levels. They also have a more in-depth study titled "The Adverse Economic Impacts from Cap&Trade Regulations" sponsored by the Free Enterprise Education Institute.
In the National Post article they make a compelling argument against cap&trade because of the European example not being as effective as expected. They use other economic arguments against cap&trade which are logical. I have not read the complete study so I am basing my comments on the article. Generally, there analysis is sound and regulations do have some sort of economic impact. I do have a problem with a couple of points they raise. First, they determine regulations that would limit emissions would create economic impacts on the economy similar to supply shocks of energy. The idea is that emission limits will limit energy supply and constrain the economy. Quite likely this will happen but any regulations will be known long before enactment giving time to adapt and efficiency is a byproduct of energy supply shocks. They state that overall energy intensity has decreased over the last 30 years while energy prices have generally increased. I have yet to review any energy intensity data or studies but I am not certain if energy intensity measure consider changes in the underlying economy. Obviously technological advances have significant impacts on the energy intensity of the economy but the economy has shifted to a more service based economy possibly creating the reduction.
Needless to say the debate between economics and the environment will continue. I look forward to the day when overall structures change and the two will not be adversarial but will complement each other.
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