New Research on Pesticides

This summer pesticide manufacturers must begin testing 67 chemicals to see if they are endocrine disruptors, now says the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program will test these chemicals to see if they affect human’s androgen, estrogen, and/or thyroid systems. The long-term plan is for all chemicals in pesticides to be tested.

An article in The Washington Post states:

Linda Phillips, who manages the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, said that it will take about two years to obtain data from the two-tier program, and that it then could take the agency another year to make a final determination about the chemicals’ effect on hormone disruption.

I’ve written about endocrine disruptors in plastic and fire retardent chemicals and phthalates. Given our personal history of infertility and the young age of our children, this is an issue about which Rich and I have been concerned. I’m so pleased to see more study being given to the chemicals that surround us. People need to know what effect the ingredients of products they use can have in order to make informed decisions about what to allow around themselves, their families, and their environment.

If you want to learn more about endocrine disruptors, the National Resources Defense Council has an endocrine disruptor info page and the World Health Organization’s International Programme on Chemical Safety has published the comprehensive Global Assessment of the State-of-the-Science of Endocrine Disruptors.

Is Your City Energy Efficient?

Today an article in USA Today caught my eye. The article includes a top ten list of U.S. cities ranked by their annual energy cost savings in commercial buildings.

The list looks like this:

1. Los Angeles

2. San Francisco

3. Houston

4. Washington, D.C.

5. Dallas/Forth Worth

6. Chicago

7. Denver

8. Minneapolis/St.Paul

9. Atlanta

10. Seattle

The energy efficient buildings in these 10 cities alone are saving a total of $420 million in annual energy costs!

I have to admit that commercial buildings are not the first nor the tenth thing I think of when considering green issues. Clearly many people do, thus the impressive savings, which just goes to show that there are many ways to make a real difference.

To find ways to save yourself some money by making your home more energy efficient, check out the Home Energy Saver or Make Your Home Energy Efficient.

9. Atlanta	$16.4
10. Seattle	$16.3

Nurtured by Nature

Shortly after I posted on my children’s gravitation to the natural world around us, I read about an interesting study in Newsweek on the psychological effect the natural world has on humans. Read more

New Energy Efficiency Standards Set

Yesterday President Obama signed a memorandum that ordered the U.S. Department of Energy to create new, more energy efficient standards for a variety of household appliances. The list includes commonly used items such as dishwashers, refrigerators, lamps, and ovens. The memorandum addresses a series of deadlines first set by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 that have been missed by previous administrations. Read more

Take Another Look – A Solar System May Be For You

Today’s USA Today reports that prices on rooftop solar systems have been falling, with more price decreases expected. Add to those decreases the recent elimination of the cap on federal tax credits for solar power and suddenly the price of solar systems is moving within the reach of average families. Read more

Free Financial Book Offer

Financial resolutions are being made in many households this year – I know they are in ours. We’ve been working on putting our house in order, financially and otherwise, so we can help save the planet. If part of your plan to green your family includes increasing the green in your wallet, this news is for you! Read more

Creating a Legacy?

I’ve been thinking about the results of a survey I read about recently on Telegraph.co.uk. The survey asked adults in Britain who influenced their current spending habits. Nearly 40 percent said their spending resembled their parents spending patterns. Read more

Biking in 2009

A recent USA Today article on biking to work included an interesting fact. Beginning in January of 2009, companies can earn a tax credit of up to $20 per month for each employee who commutes by bicycle under the Bicycle Commuter Act.

This tax credit has companies all over the country offering incentives to their employees to encourage cycling. From Discovery Communications in Maryland to New Resource Bank in California, companies are offering money to their employees to purchase, repair, or maintain a bicycle.

If more exercise or fewer carbon emissions are one of your New Year’s resolutions, ask your company about this and make sure they know about the tax credit. For more on the Bicycle Commuter Act, visit The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Commuter Act FAQ.

Packaging Repackaging

I became almost giddy after reading a recent article in The New York Times about the efforts of several companies to change the packaging of products they sell. Read more

Coupon for Whole Foods

I just discovered Whole Foods has posted a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $25 or more on its website. The coupon is valid from 10/15/08 to 10/22/08. Visit Whole Foods for a link to the printable coupon. I hope you find something yummy!

« Previous Page — Next Page »