Can There Be a Holistic Approach to Jobs, Education, Healthcare AND the Environment?

Monday, I attended the White House African American Women's Forum geared toward black women in positions of leadership.  While many attendees were in formal leadership positions, many of us were also leaders in our families, community organizations or churches.   We were there to hear about and discuss topics that are important to our community, such as economic security, healthcare and education. The distinguished speakers and panelists included: Dr. Regina Benjamin, U.S. Surgeon General; Gene Sperling, Assistant to the President and Director of the National Economic Council and Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama. There were several other notable panelists that you can view on the program I posted above.

The icing on the cake was the surprise visit from our very lovely First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama! Valerie Jarrett introduced her after sharing with us how very caring and compassionate she and President Obama are and how much they both truly care about the American people. Let me just say that Mrs. Obama is even more beautiful in person and not just outwardly. She has a beautiful spirit and actually thanked us for all that we do in our communities. Obama 2012!

So,  on to my point. We talked about all these issues that are affecting our communities in very significant ways. There are so many great ideas and established programs that are addressing these issues, but we have a long way to go.  One thing I would like for us to visit is the capacity for the environment to be integrated into the discussion.  I think we often feel that the environmental movement does not include us because of what the average environmental activist looks like.  This is so far from the truth. Minorities, urban populations and low-income people are those most likely to be impacted from environmental degradation so isn't it up to us to fight for our rights to clean air, clean water and a more sustainable future?

My thinking is that there has to be a way to integrate jobs, education, healthcare AND the environment in a way that addresses each issue.

SO, here are the facts:

• President Obama wants to double exports over the next five years, according to Gene Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council.
• The American education system needs to be revamped to encourage innovative thinking that will take us into the future.
• Environmental health is a real issue that needs to be addressed, particularly when it comes to air quality and its impact on asthma rates among African American children.
• There is a global need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so that we can work toward a healthier and more sustainable future.

Renewable energy technology is one area in which we can begin to address these issues.  For instance, there are several areas in developing nations that grapple with unreliable electricity.  Most of these areas, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa see over 300 days of sunlight per year. This is ideal where solar power is concerned.  I know that renewable energy technology is cost prohibitive in the majority of these areas. However, I wonder if we can examine the possibility of using carbon credits to fund the projects. This has happened in India as well as many countries in the developing world. Many of these projects are entrepreneurial in nature, but are generally not US based. Now, I'm not even going to try and explain carbon credits here: I found a number of links that can offer much more information. Take a gander if you'd like :-)

• Article about carbon credits in India
• Carbon credits for dummies
• Carbon credits and entrepreneurship
• Carbon Africa, LTD

So, in a nutshell I think we need to view things a bit differently than we have in the past. Do we not have the expertise to build and export renewable energy technologies to the places that need them? Can't we expose the next generation of entrepreneurs to the possibilities available in such an industry?  America has traditionally been a country of innovators. I think we should get back to that.

Green Teeth!

Nope, I don't have a severe case of rotted teeth...quite the opposite actually: I was at Trader Joe's today and found a recycled toothbrush! It's been a while since I've visited TJ's so I don't know how long it's been on the market, but I do recall reading about recycled toothbrushes while searching how to make a bracelet out of your used toothbrush. This is so very cool.The Preserve toothbrush has a handle that is made from 100% recycled #5 plastic which includes yogurt cups. The brush is made with nylon bristles. It comes in a postage paid mailer so that after 3 months, when you're supposed to change brushes, you can mail it back to the company to be recycled. What's even better is that it's Made in the USA! Check out the Preserve company and learn how you can recycle your everyday products that may not be picked up curbside, particularly #5 plastics.

My Reward for Pounds Lost: Dye Free Red Velvet Brownies!

Bet you didn't expect that, huh? I've been thinking lately about how I have so many more facets to my life that I would like to share in blog form. But, if I created a blog for each of them, none of them would have anything for you to read. Sooo, I've decided to expand this blog a bit to include a bunch of other fun stuff centered around living healthily and naturally - mostly :). Stay tuned!

So, back to the matter at hand. Most of you may not know this, but I'm short...5'2" on a good day.  I would consider myself petite if I got rid of the pudge. I'd much rather describe myself as petite than short, it sounds more glamorous. My ultimate goal is to lose about 30 pounds. I know I can do it, I just need to discipline myself to exercise more, get more rest and stop baking for myself.  I mean, I eat healthy meals, and I don't keep sugary snacks in the house. I am by no means a vegetarian, but I don't cook meat based meals for my family every day. Since I've learned more about the environmental impact of eating meat, we've reduced the amount of meat we buy and at least 2 days out of the week, we have wonderful vegetarian meals. My downfall is that I like to bake and I (like my Nana) will whip up a batch of cookies or a cake in a heartbeat. I will then struggle to not eat it, and most of the time, I lose! It's a vicious cycle that must stop now.  I take comfort (too much apparently) in the fact that it isn't  store-bought, doesn't have high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated whatever.  But, it must end. It's out of control.

SO, it's probably a bad idea to reward myself after losing weight with the very thing that makes me keep weight on in the first place. BUT, I found this recipe and I just have to have it at some point in my life. Preferably before I go full-fledged vegetarian, which I am seriously contemplating. I will definitely leave the red dye out and modify some other things. 

On the other hand, maybe I should buy myself that circular saw I've been wanting so I can build more stuff around the house without having to ask my neighbor to cut my wood. Or maybe that rain barrel that I should already have.  I don't know, that's a tough one. I'll keep you posted!

~Kiki

A Breath of Fresh Air

Today I was afforded the opportunity, through Mocha Moms, to attend the release of the Coordinated Federal Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Asthma Disparities. This Action Plan is a result of the collaborative inter-agency Asthma Disparities Working Group and part of President Obama's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. The agencies involved are the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  By partnering, these agencies are aiming to increase coordination of Federal programs in order to target the appropriate asthma treatment to those who need it the most.

The event was held at THEARC in SE Washington, DC. Given the largely African American demographic of the area, the location was certainly appropriate. I would like to have seen a larger representation of this community within the event, but there were several children and community leaders present.  As I mentioned in my last post, many studies have proven that urban minority populations are at a greater risk for asthma and other respiratory ailments. What is even more disconcerting is the fact that even though black people are more likely to contract asthma, we are least likely to receive adequate treatment for it. Shaun Donovan, Secretary of HUD stated that an individual's life span can be predicted based on what zip code that person lives in, and in the case of asthma, this indicator is even more clear.  He went on to say that mold and cigarette smoke are triggers of asthma and if one lives in poverty, the chances are higher that these triggers will be encountered.  

Secretaries Kathleen Sebelius (HHS) and Lisa P. Jackson (EPA) both recounted personal stories of having a brother and child, respectively, who suffer from asthma.  I certainly empathize with them both as my own brother and husband were chronic asthma sufferers as children.  I can certainly recall holding the mask for a nebulizer for my two-year old brother while he struggled to keep still long enough to receive this necessary treatment.  As I think on all the information I have gained recently regarding asthma, I can't help but wonder if there could have been more done for him.  I'm so thankful that he and my husband are managing their asthma successfully as adults and can only pray that this initiative can begin to close the gap on racial asthma disparities.

On a lighter note, Secretary Jackson gave the Mocha Moms a shout out! How cool is that?

My Day at EPA...Baby in Tow

Today I spoke at EPA's Public Hearing in support of their proposed Carbon Pollution Standard. This rule under the Clean Air Act would set limits on how much carbon pollution future power plants can emit (there is still the issue of existing power plants, but the fight isn't over). I hadn't planned on speaking and didn't sign up in advance, but when the opportunity arose, I jumped on it and gave my way more than two cents. I'm so glad that I did. Here are two reasons why: Camille and Ava. My children mean the entire world to me as I'm sure is the case with most parents.  I was prompted by the fact that their generation and generations to come are going to reap the benefits of what we do today, or conversely, suffer the consequences of our inaction. This standard, like the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard is a necessary tool in the fight not only against big polluters, but also in the quest for environmental justice. For so long power plants have been allowed to pollute without limits. Studies show that minorities and underserved urban populations suffer disproportionately from the effects of toxic air in the form of increased incidences of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. In my comments, I discussed this as well as mentioned my husband and brother, urban dwellers who both suffered from severe asthma as children. Ava was right there with me at the mic, and with her big brown expressive eyes gnawing at their souls, they have no choice but to implement this standard (I know a little dramatic, but that's how I do).

The EPA will continue to accept public comments until June 25, 2012.  I hope you'll take a quick moment to submit your comment in support of this standard.


Thanks to Mocha Moms and Moms Clean Air Force for spreading the word!

Spring Has Sprung (weeds and all): A Review of Burnout Weed Killer

Source: St. Gabriel Organics

I hate weeds. There I said it. Although I'm a nature lover, I have to admit that I HATE weeds. They are ugly and ubiquitous and ugly. Weeds, mosquitoes, fruit flies and silverfish...I could totally live without them. But alas, they are here and I'm sure God has a purpose for them.

But, all is not lost. I have found a natural way to control the weeds in my yard!  It comes in a bottle, but it's NOT Roundup. I refuse to give any of my money to the Monsanto monster. I hate that stuff even more than the weeds, mosquitoes, fruit flies and silverfish.

The product I found and began using a couple of years ago is called Burnout.  It's made from food grade ingredients (but I'm sure that doesn't mean drink it), destroys plant tissue in hours and will not leach into the soil or well water. I'm so happy I found this product because Roundup and all those toxic herbicides found in the stores are not an option for me.  It feels great knowing that I can have a nice weed-controlled yard (notice I didn't say weed free) and I don't have to worry about toxic residue.

Disclaimer: I was not paid to review this product. I just think it works very well and would like to see more people using less toxic products.

Greening Your Lenten Season

Lent is a time that many Christians around the world observe as a season to reflect on what it means to be a follower of Christ. It is meant to be a season of sacrifice in order to draw us closer to him by cleansing our live of those things which hinder our spiritual relationship.

This year, instead of giving up chocolate or meat, how about refraining from activities that are detrimental to our planet? In adopting greener behaviors we honor the teachings of Christ as they pertain to creation care.  We also show compassion for the poor as they suffer the greatest impact from environmental degradation.

Wondering what sacrifices you can make? Well, here are a few practices to adopt that will hopefully last well beyond the Lenten season.

1. Give up plastic water bottles! Not only will you save yourself money, but you will help to reduce the 1.5 million tons of plastic waste created, and the 47 million gallons of oil required to produce them each year. Opt for a stainless steel water bottle instead. Target carries some that cost as little as $7 each.

2. Give up plastic and paper bags!  Neither option is better than the other: they both require huge amounts of energy to produce. I'm talking millions of barrels of oil huge! Try reusable shopping bags instead. As I said in a previous post, they are so user friendly and you'll feel great knowing you are doing something small to help the environment.

3. Give up washing your car! Just kidding about that one - no one wants to drive a dirty car. However, washing your car in your driveway or on the street is the worst thing you can do for the environment. When you do this, all the runoff from both your car and the street, including motor oil, gasoline and exhaust residue, are rinsed directly into storm drains and eventually into our lakes, rivers and streams. Instead, take your car to the local car wash. They are federally required to treat their wastewater before disposing of it and are also more efficient than most homeowners when it comes to water use.

For more green behaviors to adopt during Lent, here is a great list from The Daily Green.