Health
Arsenic and baby formula
In a nutshell, it’s suspected that some 75% of U.S.-grown rice contains elevated levels of arsenic. The likely culprit: past agricultural practices that relied on lead arsenate pesticides and left a legacy of arsenic in our soils. [Read more…] about Arsenic and baby formula
Biodiversity: What is it and why should you care?
Recently, I was chatting with a newspaper reporter about the impacts of encroaching development in California’s Mojave Desert. I mentioned we could expect to lose some of the wondrous diversity of plants and animals that are adapted to such extreme desert conditions. Her response? “I know you’re right, but no one cares about diversity.” [Read more…] about Biodiversity: What is it and why should you care?
Making sense of arsenic and rice
A few months back, we ran a segment on a disturbing trend seen in rice. Elevated levels of arsenic have been recorded in U.S. rice, with crops from Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas exhibiting the highest levels. More than 75% of domestic rice is grown in these regions. [Read more…] about Making sense of arsenic and rice
Genetically engineered food and consumer choice
Last month, California had the chance to be the first state in the union to require the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food. Dubbed the ‘Right to Know Act,’ Proposition 37 would have required producers to clearly label raw or processed foods that contained modified ingredients. [Read more…] about Genetically engineered food and consumer choice
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy
In late October, a tropical cyclone devastated parts of the Caribbean and America’s East Coast. Named Hurricane Sandy, this “super storm” was the largest Atlantic hurricane on record. Many impacted areas are still recovering, with damages in excess of $50 billion dollars. [Read more…] about In the wake of Hurricane Sandy
Coal ash – waste piles we don’t often consider
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Coal is a rock, albeit a soft rock that is mostly made of carbon. When we burn coal, this carbon is released to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. A portion of the remaining materials, composing about 1% of coal, is left behind as ash. [Read more…] about Coal ash – waste piles we don’t often consider
The carbon impact of your meals
Many people have adopted a philosophy of buying local food because they are concerned about the carbon footprint of transporting food long distances. People are rebelling against tomatoes from South America and garlic from China, because they can reduce greenhouse emissions by buying locally. Some people even start their own gardens for this reason. [Read more…] about The carbon impact of your meals
Trading one form of pollution for another
Recent work at a Superfund site located outside of New York City has revealed that a water clean-up effort appears to be polluting the air. Newtown Creek is one of the most polluted waterways in America. [Read more…] about Trading one form of pollution for another
It’s fall – that means raking leaves, apple pies, and the reappearance of the ozone hole
Ozone is found in two places in Earth’s atmosphere. At ground-level, ozone is a dangerous air pollutant with a wide variety of human-health effects. About 25 miles above us, the ozone layer shields us from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Without ozone in the stratosphere, the Earth would be uninhabitable by higher forms of life….like us. [Read more…] about It’s fall – that means raking leaves, apple pies, and the reappearance of the ozone hole
A push for transparency at the supermarket
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As consumers, we’ve come to expect nutrition information on our packaged foods. Organic foods are labeled. And many grocers are beginning to list the origins of produce. But in the U.S., there are no rules governing the disclosure of genetically modified foods. [Read more…] about A push for transparency at the supermarket
Economic growth vs. quality of life
I recently attended a breakfast of business executives, hosted by the local chamber of commerce. All lamented the lack of economic growth in the community, particularly the lack of growth in tax revenues to support public services. Similar conversations play out across upstate New York and the Midwest, where cities have lost their industrial base and the best talent has moved away.
The articulated solution—bring in more people. Now as a plumber, the Chair of this meeting probably sees this as reasonable. More people means more houses to build, more toilets to fix, and a higher income. But, is that real growth?
In the long term, I would argue that economic growth based solely on population growth is hollow. What we need to pursue is growth in quality of life—not more people, but people living better. A focus on quality of life is a focus on education, innovation, research, and development.
A vibrant, sustainable steady-state economy doesn’t divide up a limited resource base among increasing numbers—instead it affords each productive citizen a higher quality of life while extracting less from the natural environment. And a basic tenet for quality of life is clean air and clean water. Nurture a healthy environment and business will come.
This fall, when candidates are debating how to stimulate our sluggish economy, pay attention to what they are really promoting. And choose growth in quality, not growth simply based on more people in your community and the nation.
Photo, taken on July 17, 2012, courtesy of University of the Fraser Valley via Flickr.
Tough times for corn
This year, drought dealt a heavy blow to U.S. corn production, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture listing half the crops in poor or very poor shape. Yields are down and corn prices are rising–bad news for food processors, dairy operations, and livestock farms. Further complicating things, low inland water levels are causing shipping headaches for the barges that haul the grain. [Read more…] about Tough times for corn
Who's having the rice with arsenic?
New tests conducted by Consumer Reports have found that many rice products contain arsenic— some at worrisome levels. [Read more…] about Who's having the rice with arsenic?
Putting organic food in perspective
Recently, a Stanford University study on organic food received a firestorm of press coverage. The dominant buzz, heard from some of our nation’s leading newspapers and wire services: organic food isn’t worth its higher price tag. [Read more…] about Putting organic food in perspective
Old wine, new insights
Scientists are always looking for reliable records of past environmental conditions, so they can see if current observations are at all unusual. Good records are frequently obtained from lake sediments, which faithfully record yearly inputs of materials washed in from their watersheds. Increasingly, records taken from the ice packs on Greenland and Antarctica are used to show global changes in our atmosphere. [Read more…] about Old wine, new insights
Nanoparticles—tiny particles that pack a punch
Increasingly, we hear about the use of nanoparticles and nanotechnology in new products. Tiny particles of silver act as anti-microbial agents in clothing. Similarly small particles of titanium enhance the brightness and application of paints, cosmetics, and sunscreen. And particles of a rare element, cerium, remove otherwise noxious components from diesel exhaust. [Read more…] about Nanoparticles—tiny particles that pack a punch
A tale of Rachel Carson, malaria, and misinformation
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Fifty years ago Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, her landmark book exploring how pesticides compromise the health of humans and wildlife. It challenged us to envision a spring without birds and is credited for igniting the modern environmental movement. [Read more…] about A tale of Rachel Carson, malaria, and misinformation
Good food on a tight budget
By now, most of us know the drill. Eat more fruits and vegetables, less meats and processed foods. Whenever possible, go organic. And, in the words of Michael Pollan, “don’t eat anything your grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.” [Read more…] about Good food on a tight budget
Getting clean just got a little safer
