Published on July 4th, 2008
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Fireworks displays create surges of pollutant ozone in lower levels of the atmosphere, where it is a respiratory irritant, greenhouse gas, and plant toxin. Some scientists believe fireworks are an “insignificant source of pollution”, because they occur infrequently; however, no source of greenhouse gases is insignificant considering our current climate crisis, not to mention the heavy metals and potassium perchlorate in these grand patriotic displays.
Via: www.abc.net.au & Grist
Image: dcJohn on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
Related posts on fireworks, ozone, and the environment:
Published on May 27th, 2008
Those extra pounds Americans are carrying around are causing climate change. Considering eating more food requires more agriculture production and transportation costs, obese people are contributing to food shortages and higher energy prices, according to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. “We are all becoming heavier and it is a global responsibility,” said Phil Edwards. “Obesity is a key part of the big picture.” 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are produced by agriculture.
Image: colros on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
Published on May 12th, 2008
Last month, the Brazilian government began producing condoms using rubber from trees in the Amazon in an effort to preserve the world’s largest rainforest and cut dependence on imported contraceptives to fight AIDS. Brazil’s first government-run condom factory will produce 100 million condoms a year from latex harvested in the Chico Mendes Reserve, named after a conservationist and rubber tapper killed by ranchers.
Image: The Guardian
Published on April 21st, 2008
LifeStraw is a personal, portable water purifier developed to combat waterborne diseases, of which nearly 6,000 people die from each day. Forbes Magazine calls it, “One of the Ten Things that will Change the Way We Live”.
Source: LifeStraw
Published on April 7th, 2008
Springtime has arrived in the northern hemisphere. To the hippest of energy hipsters, that means cold shower season is here! I took my first cold shower of 2008 today after a run and found it refreshing and invigorating.
Of course, showering cold isn’t only for greenies and energy genies. Roanne Weisman writes about some of the purported health benefits of showering cold in her blog, here.
Still, it’s not for everyone. Check out a Green Options list of the thrills and the chills of showering cold. And if there’s no way that you’re jumping in cold water, read up on how to green your bathing.
Photo: Flickr
Published on March 31st, 2008
Cell phones could kill far more people than smoking or asbestos, suggests award-winning cancer expert Dr Vini Khurana. Dr. Khurana says people should avoid using mobile phones whenever possible, and governments must take “immediate steps” to reduce exposure to their radiation. He concludes that “there is a significant and increasing body of evidence for a link between mobile phone usage and certain brain tumours”
source: truthout.org
image: webwiseforradio.com
Published on March 10th, 2008
A new study found traces of common drugs including: an anti-seizure medication, a mood stabilizer for treating bipolar disorders, ibuprofen and naproxen, and an antibiotic typically given to cattle in the water of 24 out of 28 US metropolitan areas.
Most wastewater and drinking water treatment systems are incapable of removing those drugs. Some scientists said there is probably little human health risk; others fear chronic exposure could alter immune responses or interfere with adolescents’ developing hormone systems
