Is There a War on Clean Air and Intelligence?

Today, just 2 months after EPA announced plans to limit mercury and other air toxics from power plants, Senator James Inhofe announced his plans to force a vote killing the long-delayed rule.  According to him, this rule is a move by President Obama to wage war on affordable energy. He also claims that this rule, which protects families and communities, will lead to power grid instability. Utilities have already addressed this issue and confirmed that there would not be reduced grid stability.

What Senator Inhofe (who is ironically the top republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee) doesn't say is that mercury is a neurotoxin, highly dangerous for developing babies when consumed by pregnant women through certain fish and seafood. Seafood, with its Omega 3s would seemingly be a healthy food option for growing a baby right? Not if we don't get mercury emissions under control. Without this regulation, power plants do not have a limit on how much mercury they can emit into the air and ultimately into water, contaminating fish supplies and harming our families.

Why is it so important to limit mercury emissions? I'm so glad you asked. According to this report  by NIH, it was found by the CDC that almost half a million children have cord blood mercury levels at those associated with loss of IQ. This loss of IQ then leads to diminished economic productivity over the life of that individual. This is serious as this loss in productivity amounts to over $1 billion per year. So, not only is this rule vital for the protection of the environment, it is imperative for the economic stability of our country. If we really want a long term boost to the economy, we might want to re-evaluate our priorities.


Take action to ensure that our families and communities can breathe clean air!

A Love to End Pollution

I was reading this post on Mom's Clean Air Force and it really made me pause and reflect on my role as a mother.  In my mind, I feel that a mother's love can do anything. It's like kryptonite to all the troubles of this world. I love my two daughters to the ends of the universe and back and I never doubt the fact that I am a great mom. However, like most parents, I feel that there is always room for improvement. I question the food choices I make for them, although my 6 year old has enviable eating habits and enjoys fruits and vegetables more than any other 6 year old I've ever met. My 1 year old is on her way to following in her sister's footsteps as her favorite food right now is avocado. I buy organic when necessary and avoid toxic ingredients as much as possible, but am I doing all that I can? Ultimately, I know that God is in control, but to me, that doesn't equate to me not taking responsibility for my actions or for the well-being of my family and community.

When it comes to pollution however, I know I can do better, particularly when it comes to fighting.  Air pollution has serious health consequences for our kids.  Just consider the fact that children living in urban areas, many of whom are minorities, are impacted disproportionately by asthma. With healthcare in the condition that it is, we need to do all we can to stay healthy.  We might tend to believe that as individuals there are limitations to our ability to influence change, and that may be true. The cool thing about a movement however, is that it is made up of individuals all sharing the same goal, uniting to form something bigger than themselves.  That's what is so great about Mom's Clean Air Force.  Regardless of where you're from, what your social or economic status is, or whether you are Democrat or Republican, this group unites all moms (and dads) with the goal of protecting our kids from air pollution.  As the Force says in its mission, "sometimes being a good mom means being an active citizen". I know I can certainly play a larger role in my community to fight against air pollution. I hope you feel the same.

Do you think that being a good mom means being an active citizen, particularly when it comes to matters of public and environmental health?

Do you believe there is more you can do to fight against air pollution?

Then, take action now and join Mom's Clean Air Force!

Planeteers - 1, Sly Sludge - 0

I know you have to remember Sly Sludge, one of the eco-villains from Captain Planet. No? So I'm the only nerd that watched Captain Planet as a child? Oh well, read on...

The other day, my dear Aunt and I were having a conversation about recycling and how she's just begun to do it, but doesn't quite know which things are recyclable and which are not. Well, my helpful self stepped in and sent her a list (specific to her county) of what things can be recycled curbside. Needless to say, she was super happy and I encouraged a fellow recycler. Yay me!

In addition to water bottles, aluminum cans and paper, many people don't realize that there are so many other things that can be recycled. Just for example, you can recycle plastic egg cartons, many detergent, lotion and liquid soap bottles (rinsed out), spaghetti sauce jars, and as of very recently, ziploc bags! Ziploc bags need to be taken to the bins at the grocery store where you would take your used plastic shopping bags,  but no biggie, just take them next time you go food shopping. On a not so side note, and for the sake of encouraging their use, let me just say that reusable shopping bags are waaay more user friendly because you can get lots more groceries in one bag and they can be carried on the shoulder when you have several to transport. So go out and get those bags!

So, back to Sly Sludge. This Eco-Villain from Captain Planet was usually found illegally dumping toxic waste and other garbage and generally enjoyed polluting the planet.  He was symbolic of environmental negligence, but always ended up being the loser. In the real world there are people (corporations as well as individuals) that pose a threat to the well-being of our planet.  In the end, we hope that they will also lose, but we have to do much more than summon a hero in tights. Recycling is one of several steps we can take as individuals that can make a big difference.

Are you confused as to what can be recycled and what can't? What steps do you think you can take to make it easier for yourself?

2012 Green Resolutions

I stumbled upon this list of 10 things that we can do to be more environmentally responsible. It's full of things that are definitely possible - small changes that can make a big impact.  I get a bit frustrated when I see things like "buy a hybrid" or "install solar panels".  Sure, those things are great and I would love to one day, but the green in my pocket kind of limits the green in my life.

What do you think? Will you be incorporating any of these activities into your lifestyle?

EPA Announces New Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

    The EPA recently announced that it would be implementing long over-due power plant emissions standards for mercury and air toxics such as arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium and cyanide.   This is significant in that it helps to protect families and communities from the side effects of exposure to these pollutants and in that there has never been a standard such as this although amendments to the Clean Air Act were passed over 20 years ago.  This is of particular importance to me as the mother of small children living in a metropolitan area. The occurrence of asthma and other respiratory illnesses among young children has long been associated with air pollution, especially in minority urban communities. 

    What's even better is the cost savings in terms of health care.  According to the EPA, the value of the air quality improvements for people's health alone totals 37 to 90 billion dollars each year! Also, over half a million "sick" days will be averted leading to higher productivity for workers and lower health care costs for American families.   

    In addition, it is well known that mercury accumulation in certain types of fish can be very hazardous to pregnant women and unborn children.  However, fish is also widely considered to be a healthy food choice. Maybe this new standard will over time, allow us to buy tuna and other types of fish without worrying so much about mercury accumulation in our bodies. This is certainly a step toward holding polluters more accountable as well as overall care for human health.  For more information take a look here and here. Let me know what you think!

Why "On the Sixth Day"?

So, what's the reason behind the title of my blog? Well, just in case you hadn't figured it out, it has everything to do with the Sixth Day of Creation.  On this day, God not only created humankind, but gave us the task of being responsible for the rest of creation.  God spoke, "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth. Genesis 1:26 (taken from The Message Bible).  So, you see, environmental responsibility is not just for those some deem as "treehuggers" (although there's nothing wrong with hugging a tree every now and then). Bible believers are also without a doubt charged with caring for creation.  My intent with this blog is to discuss environmental issues, how they can affect us, and the steps we can and should take to make a difference.

Finally!

I have completed my Master's Degree in Environmental Management, with a GPA of 3.6, all while being a full-time mom and wife. Yep, every once in a while, I do toot my own horn.  Overall, the program was excellent and did a great job of demonstrating real world applications of environmental theories and management principles.  I'm so happy to be done. Whew!