25) Over-Cleanliness Negatively Affects Immune System

A new study from researchers at the University of Michigan shows that chemicals such as Triclosan and Bisphenol commonly found in anti-bacterial soaps, toothpaste, food cans, etc may be detrimental to the immune system and cause allergies. Both chemicals are classified as endocrine-disrupting compounds and interfere with the body's natural synthesis, transport, and other processes of hormones. After a study researchers found that children with high levels of triclosan had a higher propensity for allergies and had fever. This 'hygiene hypothesis' maintains living in very clean and hygienic environments may impact our exposure to micro-organisms that are beneficial for development of the immune system. More research needs to be done to establish a definite causal relationship. Are people sicker from over-using hygienic products? Or do they use these products because they are sicker? Those are definitively interesting questions but I have always believed that killing all the bacteria in your hands, even the good bacteria is actually bad for you since its there to protect us from harm. Back in the day people didn't need to use soap they would just wash their hands with water and although yes, they would get sicker more often, they also had more protection I believe. After all, human race has made it this far and only in the last 100 years or so have people actually cared about being hygienic.

Link to site: http://www.enn.com/lifestyle/article/42054

24) Sustainable Design for Food Packaging

Designers are in the business of making stuff and when done well, this makes people consume more in order to help businesses grow. Until recently, design for sustainable living had often been synonymous with subtraction-having less, living smaller, limiting oneself. In truth, sustainable design is the rejection of less. The goal of any designer, no matter what they think about green design, is to create an enduring product. Continued relevance is a hallmark of brilliant and elegant design. At IDEO designs two interesting things happen. Whether a product is designed to last for a few days or for a couple of generations, the company doesn't overlook its end of life. Far from being limiting to great design, a sustainable mindset simply requires that they create each choice with an extra level of care and meaning. By designing the end with as much creativity and passion as they do the beginning and middle, designers are in fact staring a longer and ultimately deeper conversation with customers. Second; coloring outside the lines. At IDEO, most of the truly 'green' elements of a sustainable product will always be invisible to the primary consumer. This not only means designing beyond the product but also asking questions about the processes. In doing so, the company's view expands to consider ways to evolve manufacturing processes or re-imagine existing technologies. It is always very interesting to see green designs on products or items that we use everyday such as bottles and such but done in a way that doesn't affect the environment as much and it can be recycled.

Link to site: http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/food_and_drink/616765/sustainable_design_shapes_the_future_of_food_packaging.html

23) Breeding Bees Resistant to the Varroa Mite

Beekeeper Rodger Dewhurst has taken it upon himself to save our honeybees from the clutches of the varroa mite by breeding varroa-tolerant native bees, Apis mellifera mellifera. Varroa mites are 2mm wide and feed off developing bees in brood cells and on adults by attaching themselves to their fleshy tissue. They weaken the bees' immune system and are vectors for other viruses and diseases such as Deformed Wing Virus. Within their hives, native bees are known to store two weeks' worth of pollen, the protein-rich food that is vital for their development. Thus, they can carry on replenishing the colony's population, especially important in the spring and summer when worker bees will only live up to six weeks. The behaviors Rodger has been implementing into his bees for 18 years are called 'grooming' 'biting' and 'hygienic cleaning' and have been developed by bees throughout their 10 million year history but are now being adapted to fight off varroa mites. These behaviors are not only passed down genetically but also learned from one bee to another. Rodger hopes to inspire other beekeepers to look for this amazing behavior within their colonies. As with the example of the dolphins' behavior, the behavior of the bees and how it can be explored even further with patience and time to its full extent and to help them defend themselves against mites is incredibly useful to them and to us.

Link to site: http://www.theecologist.org/how_to_make_a_difference/wildlife/649951/photo_gallery_breeding_bees_resistant_to_the_varroa_mite.html

22) Warning Over Contaminated Whale Meat

The Faroese government is being accused of ignoring scientific evidence over safety of whale meat as record number of pilot whales are slaughtered. Despite repeated scientific warnings over the foodstuff's high levels of contamination from mercury and other chemicals, the government is putting the health of consumers at risk by allowing the sale and consumption of the highly controversial whale meat. The hunt which is carried out annually is opposed by environmental and animal welfare campaigners who say the whale killing is cruel and unnecessary. The Faroese authorities maintain the hunt is sustainable and an important food source for the islands. Due to their position near the top of the marine food chain, pilot whales accumulate higher levels of mercury contaminants and organochlorines that are potentially harmful to human health. In 2008 the Faroe Island's chief medical officer recommended that pilot whale meat should no longer be used for human consumption because of the significant threat it poses. The Faroese government acknowledges that pilot whale meat and blubber can have high levels of contamination, but recommends consumers be guided by advice it issued in 1998 stating that one or two pilot whale meals per month are safe to consume. Part of me feels horrified by the slaughter of these whales but another part of me feels that we slaughter chickens and cows for our consumption and not as many people are writing articles on it or protesting how horrific the conditions they live in are, so I'd be a hypocrite if I say it disgusts me that people want to eat whale meat but I enjoy eating beef and chicken and don't care much how they are killed as long as I get to eat it. I guess it is a matter of taste and what kind of meat do people prefer to eat.

Link to site: http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/687202/warning_over_contaminated_whale_meat_as_faroe_islands_killing_continues.html

21) Deformed Toad Artist

New York artist, activist and ecological researcher Brandon Ballengee blends science with art by photographing deformities among amphibian populations known as the Malamp project. "The Case of the Deviant Toad" his first London solo exhibition, was the artistic result of his 'eco-actions' and study of UK toad populations. Ballengee worked for over two years to study possible causes of toads with deformities including parasites, predators or chemical pollution. "The Case of the Deviant Toad" represents the artistic leg of the project and it was a spotlight on amphibian deformity with its high-resolution scanner photos and preserved specimens of deformed toads. Ballengee developed a chemical process that stains the bones and cartilage with colours and leaves the skin transparent. The stained amphibians are then scanned at very high resolution and turned into large-scale watercolor prints scaled up to the size of a human toddler attempting to evoke empathy rather than fear. Resembling X-rays, the disturbing, yet beautiful images are unique, intended to recall the individuality of the life of every frog.

After browsing through the images of the frogs and reading about the artist's process, I think it is a great way to raise awareness of what is happening to these toads. I think art as a way of protesting the effects of global warming on the environment is a great way to reach the public and create reactions.

Link to site: http://www.theecologist.org/how_to_make_a_difference/wildlife/451908/deformed_toad_artist_hopes_to_win_public_sympathy_for_amphibians.html

20) Nonstick Pans can Affect our Hormones

A group of chemicals found in common household items may be having dangerous effects on our hormones, new research shows. A study on sheep and cells grown in the laboratory by Norwegian vets found that perfluorinated compounds found in water resistant clothes and non-stick frying pans can affect the body's steroid hormones including estrogen, testosterone and cortisol. These hormones are necessary for regulating a number of bodily functions in humans and animals, including our ability to reproduce. The research also discovered similar effects caused by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a group of chemicals that have been banned since the 1970s but continue to persist in the environment. To regulate he use of PFCs one could try to limit the use of clothes treated with water and grease repellent containing PFCs. It may also be wise to use cookware coated with non-stick "Teflon"-type coatings with care, especially when damaged. Alternatively, one may consider going back to the good old-fashioned cast iron frying pan. The DuPont corporation, which produces Teflon products disputed the findings saying that 'while some associations have been reported, no human effects are known to be caused byPFOA (the PFC chemical in Teflon products)'. Ever since my mom read about Teflo products being bad for your health she has changed to cast irons and stainless steel which do not release as many chemicals into the food as Teflon. However, like the article says, the incremental risks are small but regardless, a little bit at a time can add up to a lot so I rather follow my mom's advice and not use Teflon products to look after my health in the future.

Link to site: http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/570519/nonstick_pans_can_affect_our_hormones_new_research_suggests.html

19) Eco-clothes!

Eco360 Trust produces recycled shirts with 5 major benefits to the environment, society and to companies promoting their green practices. Eco360 Trust is a campaign of the non-profit Institute for Sustainable Communication which advises professionals on sustainability issues. Eco360 Trust raises funds for ISC's education program by producing customized performance apparel made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles. All net proceeds pay for college scholarships for low income students.

The 5 benefits of the Eco360 shirts are:

1. The shirts are made out of 100% recycled PET
2. The e360s save fresh water. they are printed digitally so no fresh water is used to dye the fabric
3. The e360s create U.S. jobs
4. The e360s support education for low-income students
5. The e360s help companies improve their credibility by putting their sustainability commitment into practice

These shirts sound like an awesome deal plus the designs are very cool. I will be definitively getting one when they are more available in the market. After visiting the website I saw they currently have 6 designs available, each is $37.00 and they have six different names for six different causes they support or colors they represent in the environment: sky, cloud, meadow, water, soil and moss :)

Link to site: http://eco360.me/

18) One Scientist's Hobby: Recreating the Ice Age

This weekend on the news I stumbled upon an article that talked about Russian scientist, Sergey Zimov, trying to recreate the ice age by relocating animals such as wild horses, moose, reindeer, bison and deer, back to the place where they once roamed in millions to demonstrate that by filling the vast emptiness of Siberia with grass-eating animals will slow down global warming. This seems like an interesting theory and of course one I would be willing to support, after all, animals once roamed free and the Earth looked better than ever before we started destroying it. Herbivores keep wild grass short and healthy sending up fresh shoots through the summer and autumn. In the winter, the animals trample and flatten the snow that otherwise would insulate the ground from the cold air. That helps prevent the frozen ground, or permafrost, from thawing and releasing powerful greenhouse gases. Today, Zimov has 70 animals in the park and some like the wild horses come regularly to a cabin where a caretaker stays year-round. The cost of bringing more animals to Siberia seems to be the problem as 1,000 bison from North America would cost $1 million to bring, but this theory, if proven correct, would mean that scientists from other parts of the world could do the same thing to areas that have been affected by the lack of animals grazing around.

Link to site: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101127/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_ice_age_park

17) Earth as Art

Looking through National Geographic's website this week I came across the Earth as Art gallery in which pictures from the Earth-observing Landsat satellites, jointly managed by NASA and the USGS take pictures of the Earth that are so beautiful they can be described as art. The pictures range from congregations of greenish phytoplankton in Sweden's dark water, to an ancient and eroded meteor crater in the Algerian Sahara. These pictures were taken from 2002-to present. They show just another view of how beautiful our planet is, the wonderful things that go on in the environment and hopefully will raise awareness to better care for our Earth.

Link to online gallery: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/11/photogalleries/101119-satellite-pictures-earth-as-art-australia-glaciers-mountains-clouds/#/earth-art-van-gogh-gotland-sweden-island-phytoplankton-bloom_29158_600x450.jpg

16) Why Wild Turkeys Are Rarely Served for Thanksgiving Dinner

There's a the traditional way to look at turkeys: As holiday food although it wasn't part of the Thanksgiving menu until the 1860s and didn't dominate the holiday meal until after WWII. There's the modern traditional way of looking at turkeys: Food from a factory farm where nowadays the average U.S. residents eat 17 pounds of turkey a year. There's the alternative traditional way to look at turkeys: organic, locally grown, free range and heritage breed turkeys, which let you enjoy a traditional holiday meal without consuming the inhumanely raised, antibiotic-injected, pesticide-laden-feed-eating turkeys. Finally there's the traditional traditional way to look at turkeys: wild turkeys.

However, here are 7 surprising facts about turkeys:

1. The Broad Breasted White Turkey is the bird sold virtually in every supermarket.
2. Many of the approximately 25,000 heritage breed turkeys raised each year are consumed around Thanksgiving
3. Turkey does have L-trytophan but not enough to make you sleepy
4. Wild turkeys were nearly wiped out from the U.S. by overzealous hunters
5. A Broad Breasted White turkey will grow to a weight of 35 pounds in just 19 weeks
6. Turkeys recognize each other by their unique voices and 20 distinct vocalizations
7. Turkey hunting is the second most popular hunting sport behind deer hunting, but few people eat wild turkeys on Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Link to site: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/turkey-facts

15) Investigation finds panic led to Cambodia stampede that killed 456

Last week on the news I read about a human stampede in Cambodia that had killed over 400 people. The other only times I've heard about human stampedes is when dealing with sports events and concerts, so I was curious to follow up on the story and see what was the cause of this stampede. Authorities have now confirmed that the swaying of a suspension bridge lead to fears it would collapse and resulted in a stampede that killed 456 people at a Cambodia festival. Police fired water canons to get people to continue moving across the footbridge which lead to an island in the center of a river and that caused panic. The government said it will help to transport the bodies of those who died and pay 5 million riel to the family of each of the deceased. The three-day Water Festival in the city of Phnom Penh is held each November near the palace to honor a victory by Cambodian naval forces during the 12th century reign of King Jayavarman VII. During the festival, which includes boat races, participants pray for a good rice harvest and enough rain, and celebrate the full moon. More than 4 million people were attending the Water Festival when the stampede occurred, a number lost consciousness and fell into the water.

Link to site: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/24/cambodia.festival.deaths/index.html

14) Wonder Food Spreads to Middle East

A nutritious blue-green algae known as spirulina has been added to school meals in Jordan to combat chronic malnutrition and anaemia among children. The Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition which has observer status with the UN Economic and Social Council says spirulina is rich in protein and vitamin B, as well as containing beta-carotene that can overcome eye problems caused by vitamin A deficiency. A tablespoon a day can eliminate iron anaemia, the most common mineral deficiency. Almost 1 in 10 children in Jordania suffer from chronic malnutrition, or long-term protein or energy deficiency while a third are anaemic. It is interesting to see all the benefits of spirulina and how it has been added to school means in Jordan. Hopefully the U.S. follows this example soon as it continues to battle the meals served in schools and the high rates of obesity and diabetes in children these days due to malnutrition and poor meal choices. It is not that people don't know there are other foods out there that are better for them, we all make conscious choices about what we eat but children should not be given the responsibility of choosing what they eat when they are that young because the obvious choice would be junk which would affect their development.

Link to site: http://www.enn.com/agriculture/article/42040

13) Tigers Could Be Extinct in 12 Years

Tigers will become extinct in 12 years if countries where they still roam fail to take quick action to protect their habitats and step up the fight against poaching. The WWF and other experts say only about 3.200 tigers remain in the wild which is a dramatic plunge from an estimated 100,000 a century ago. Ever since our last presentation when a classmate talked about the extinction of tigers it became more real to me that this species really is in danger. You always hear that animals are in danger of becoming extinct but when you are presented with dates and numbers you don't realize how big of a threat we really are to them. This is very sad news, specially how they are being hunted down in China for traditional medicine amongst other parts of the world. Thankfully, the countries that still have tiger populations are: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, and Russia. "Wild tigers are not only a symbol of all that is splendid, mystical and powerful about nature" the Global Tiger Initiative said. "The loss of tigers and degradation of their ecosystems would inevitably result in a historic, cultural, spiritual, and environmental catastrophe for the tiger range countries". Hopefully things are going to start changing and people realize they need to invest time and money to protect these tigers.

Link to site: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_russia_saving_tigers

12) Modern Insecticides' Devastating Effects

A new class of insecticides known as neoncotinoids is believed to be causing drastic population declines in bird species. Due to its effectiveness in killing insects, it has deprived birds of their basic food. Neonicotinoids, are essentially glued to plant seeds and infiltrate the entire plant. Any bug that eats the plant is immediately infected. The toxin attacks the central nervous system and causes a quick death. However, it is much less toxic to other animals. Henk Tennekes has linked the decline in bird populations in his recent book by stating that evidence shows the bird species suffering massive declines since the 1990s rely on insects for their diet. Neoicotinoids are used in a level far lower than DDT was used back in its time but since it is so efficient at killing insects, it is having the same effect. More research is needed to conclusively link neonicotinoids to avian declines. This is another clear example of how every organism is interconnected. You can't try to eliminate a problem without wondering how that will affect other organisms who might depend on that "problem" to feed themselves. However, I believe pesticides are necessary nowadays due to the number of bugs and plagues in crops being more and more resistant everyday and we have yet to see an eco friendly pesticide that does not affect other organisms at all.

Link to site: http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/42009

11) Green Thanksgiving!

As Thanksgiving approaches, I thought it was interesting how this article talked about planning an eco-friendly feast! The first step is deciding wether or not you want a 100% vegan menu which would be the most eco-friendly meal but most people don't want tofu shaped like a turkey so the article's advice is to choose a turkey that the USDA has certified organic and free-range. Of course free-range doesn't mean free from confinement but it is better than caged..or so it might make a person feel :) If turkey is not what you like to eat, there is a link with plenty of meat-less options as well as vegetarian gravy. Visit the local farmer's market for the freshest ingredients to make your mashed potatoes! And if you can't find a local farmer's market in your area, try to purchase as many organic, in-season ingredients at the grocery store as you can. Another helpful tip is to ask people to RSVP that way you can monitor unnecessary food waste, and ask your guests to bring a reusable dish to share leftovers. Enjoy!

Link to site: http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/featured/white-christmas-how-about-a-green-thanksgiving/

10) Harry Potter fans threaten India's owls

Die-hard fans are threatening India's owl population as demands for them continues to increase. Demands for owl parts in ancient rituals are also blamed and much of these owls are wanted as pets.The report's author, Abrar Ahmed started his research into the illegal trade of owls when a friend asked him to procure an owl for her son's Harry Potter themed birthday party. Traditional practitioners in India known locally as tantriks, also demand owl bones, feathers, claws and organs as well as the bird's blood and tears for ceremonial rituals. It is sad that there is an illegal trade going on and people don't realize that owls are not pets to be kept in a cage, as it happens in the movie, and that they need room to fly and hunt for food. I hope the government and local wildlife protection groups take action and educate people.

Link to site: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40002937/ns/world_news-world_environment/