Greenpeace

Being an activist, as you know well, is not always particularly satisfying. You read about a lot of crappy things that crappy people do. You repeat the same information to the same decision makers hoping that this will be the time they really listen. And sometimes you have a victory. And on very very rare occasions you have two in one month.

I told you about Target. And now I'm really excited to tell you about Sears and Kmart. Sears Holdings, the company that owns Sears and Kmart, has committed to phasing out PVC in their products and packaging. Sears Holdings is the nation's sixth largest retailer with over $50 billion in sales per year and approximaterly 3,800 stores. 

Center for Health, Environment and Justice has been running a super successful PVC campaign getting companies to eliminate PVC. This means that 3 out of the 6 biggest retailer stores are in the process of phasing out PVC. How's that for progress? Maybe these big wigs are finally starting to understand that we all really do care about the chemicals that are in the things we bring into our homes.

You can check out their website and see what the entire policy is, but I'll give you some highlights:

- identify safer, more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to PVC

- show preference to PVC free materials

- encourage vendors to reduce or eliminate PVC from their products and packaging

 

Pretty good. Now we need the rest of them to phase out PVC as well as brominated flame retardants. And remember they listen to people who buy their stuff.
 

Have a good week. I'm back on the east coast on Friday. I heard it snowed over there. That does not make me happy even if it is December.

Renee  

 

 . . .  which is what it should be doing.

Articles galore, supporter feedback. Some good discussions have been coming out of the latest Guide to Greener Electronics. Our international co-worker Tom put up a blog today that I thought was pretty interesting. He talked about a number of the discussions we've seen in the past several days.

Check it out here.  

Renee 

P.S: I only have two weeks left on the west coast. I'm starting to miss California already!

 

When we debuted our Guide for Greener Electronics, we started the discussion with needing cleaner and greener cell phones and laptops in our homes and pockets. Last week we introduced the need for the gifts we give to video game lovers to be cleaner and greener too. But I want to take a moment to highlight that that is not the end of greening the electronics industry. It doesn't stop with what we purchase.

Our world is getting smaller, we know this not only from our nation's more recent immigration, trade agreement, and climate change discussions, but also from the toxic toy story's that have saturated our tv's and newspapers the past few months. I'll be the first to admit that it's sometimes hard to put ourselves in the shoes of others whose lives we can barely even image. But it is because the world is getting smaller that we need to.

Listen, I'm no hippy. I'm a somewhat odd mix to the environmental justice movement. I like shopping, makeup, and late nights out with my friends. Being an environmentalist can be difficult sometimes. There are many issues that effect every aspect of your life, of your routines. I understand the world is not black and white. There are many grey areas that sometimes keep us from being the very best that we can. But it is our duty to try and to do better when we know better. And that is why we publish these guides, talk to the companies, and explain everything we find out and know to people like you. The people who buy these products and the people who want to be making informed decisions.

The hidden story of the electronics industry are the environmental impacts of the complete life cycle. Such as . . .

- The manufacturing process where the companies chose what chemicals went into the laptop that I am using right now. If you would like to know what they are read the report we released a couple weeks ago on just that subject. We found out through taking apart many different laptops that it is possible to produce a more environmentally friendly one.

- The consequences of what is leached from our computers into our homes, offices, and coffee shops. BFR's (brominated flame retardants) are additives to our products and so they leach out and become part of our dust and find themselves cozy little spaces to bio-accumulate in our bodies. Check out this recent report and interesting website. 35 people were tested and found that yes BFR's have settled in our bodies.

- The people who break these products apart on open flames, unprotected in the e-waste landfills of developing nations.

The good news is that all the companies we talk to know this. And so they should be doing better.  . . . because they know better.  

There are many organizations around the world working on ending the devastating toxic waste trade between developed and developing nations.  And so as much as I love(d) my mac (it was totally stolen Oct 1) it is difficult to not think about where it came from, what it is doing, and where it will eventually end up without thinking about all of the people and places that are effected by each segment of that computer's life.

Besides looking through our webpages, check out two of the organizations that are working with us.

Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

Basel Action Network 

 

Holla from Cali,

Renee  

Opps we did it again. We just released our 6th Greener Electronics Guide and this time we've expanded! We've include game consoles and TVs.

Remember how this goes?

We rank companies on their policies and practices on toxic chemicals and takeback. The main point to why we do this each quarter is that as electronic products become more often than not disposable products, companies need to look more closely at the life cycle of their products. Toxic chemicals in means toxic chemicals out. And most of the time those toxic chemicals are being released into your home, and the land, water, and bodies of the people who 'recycle' them in the developing world. And you don't have to be a genius or a CEO of some mega corporation to realize that  . . . well, that's just crap.

You can read the guide here. But I'll give you a sneak preview.

Nintendo got a zero. I mean a zero, boys and girls. I'll admit we are tough critics, but we've never given a zero before.  Microsoft scored a 2.7 and Philips did ummm not too well with a 2.

People are always asking what's with scoring them based on their policies and practices, basically what they tell us. Don't worry folks, we are all good follow up-ers here at Greenpeace and we are making sure they stick to their promises. But the bottom line is that companies should be transparent. They should be telling their customers what it is in their products and they should make them safe and toxic free.

So this is it. One step closer to greening the electronic industry.

Take Care,

Renee  

 

Seattle is awesome and it totally doesn't rain everyday. It hasn't rained once. It's super cold, but not rainy.

Yesterday we went to Pike Market and snacked on cheese and lattes most of the afternoon. There is a crumpet shop. Who knew what a crumpet was? Well . . . a lot of people, but I wasn't one of them until we walked up 1st and Pike.

I'm here in Seattle visiting an old friend Liz. She is 5 months pregnant and just married. So weird. When did people start doing that?

Sometimes I feel Liz is way more environmentally aware than I am. She makes her own cleaning products and recycles in ways I still don't understand. When the baby comes she is going to make her own food and use cloth diapers. And with the news reports every other week or so on new toxic chemicals found in toys, she is growing concerned with what she is bringing into the house.

But the reality is the everyday items we use in our homes have toxins as well. One of the most dangerous chemicals that has been getting attention on a state level across the nation are brominated flame retardants. I also mentioned those when I was in San Jose traveling around with that giant skull made out of e-waste.

Warning: ridiculously long words ahead 

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have many subsets, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs. There are three common commerical types, but two have been voluntarily phased out due to health and environmental concerns. The one that is still in use is called deca-bde. It exists in an ungodly number of home items. Including your tvs, couches and mattresses. One of the reasons it is so horrible is because it is an additive and leaks out of whatever product it is in. That's why the dust in our homes is so full of chemicals. It's also why you shouldn't carry around those plastic reusable water bottles.

States have started recognizing the dangers of BFRs. Maine's ban on deca-BDE goes into effect at the end of the year. One thing Liz can feel safe about is that Washington state has also passed a ban on deca. A number of other states are also debating the same type of legislation. You should know about it. Do a quick search on your state and deca ban. See what you find out. With all this talk on gross chemicals in our homes, knowing that there are people in your communities working to end it is pretty comforting.

Happy Saturday.

Renee  

 

Hi Everyone,

So I'm sure you are busy with your holiday plans. Maybe baking a little pumpkin pie? I've moved out to the west coast for a few weeks. I'm visiting a friend who just got married and is now 5 months pregnant. I'm reaching that age where friends are doing things like that now. Liz and I met when we were 14. And as I think back through all those years, I never thought either one of us would end up where we currently are. She in Seattle with her husband (I mean her kid won't even be a Floridian!!) and me at Greenpeace talking about superfund sites. The good news is we both feel right at home and are pretty darn happy.

So . . . I wanted to mention this website I just found about superfund sites. In case you didn't know they are disgusting and a huge problem for communities. Its pretty interesting to find out who the top 25 polluters are, though I'm not that surprised -- Dow and Exxon anyone?

Right now it talks mostly about places on the east coast, but places in Texas, Louisiana, and California are taking a toll on its residents too. In fact here is a list of sites in Louisiana. I just did a quick google search on Lafayette, Louisiana where I was born and where most of my family continues to live. I found 10. Broussard, Louisiana a city that has one stop light and about 10 relatives - has one. 

Anyways, just thought you might be interested in learning more. Check out the site and do a quick search of your town. 

 

Take care, Renee  

I always wake up to NPR and sometimes I have a hard time telling if what I am hearing is a dream or reality, especially with the current state of our nation. This morning I heard two things that kept me guessing.

(1) Our national debt hit a record high -- $7 Trillion. I just kept picturing little kids making up numbers . . . . I have 7 gazillionbillionmilliontrillion dollars. Its like  . .  what?!? . ... . .. We owe who what?

(2) Children toys contain the date rape drug GHB.  

 

Is it safe to get out of bed yet?

Renee  

I'm not sure how many of you have heard, but Target has been, um, targeted by dozens of environmental organizations over the past year to eliminate PVC from their product lines. And on Monday they announced that they be eliminating the amount of PVC, also known as vinyl, in their own products including infant toys, shower curtains, and fashion accessories. They also announced that they will begin collaborating with their vendors whose products are sold in their store in order to do the same. Just to give you a better understanding of what a large victory this is let me tell you that Target is the 5th largest retailer in the country with $59 billion in revenues.

In a world where doll manufactures are almost weekly recalling their products because they contain banned chemicals, this step shows that companies are listening to us. They are hearing that consumers want toxic free products. That they are demanding it. This victory and several like it tells the story of a world that is changing. Companies are beginning to take on the series threats that are facing our world and how their actions are contributing.

An International Herald Tribune article came out yesterday explaining how companies are starting to ask questions of their entire supply chain. The article even provides a quote from an executive saying that "if you are going to make a real difference, you have to let go of your corporate ego". Wow! Can you believe that statement? The world really is changing. They are listening and they are paying attention to us.

But it's easy to start letting up the pressure when you hear statements like that. This is not the time to stop demanding a toxic free future. This is the time to step it up. Remember the chemical industry spent almost $10 million more on lobbying Homeland Security to not protect us from chemical threats than the department spent on actually protecting us.

If you want to know more about the Target victory, read this.  

 Thank you Center for Health, Environment, and Justice to leading this campaign and the dozens and dozens of local and national groups for keeping up the pressure and creating a system where corporations are starting to take responsibility for their actions.

--Renee  

I am a long time Burma activist. I have spent some of each year for the past 7 years on the Thai-Burma border working with former political prisoners, refugees, migrant workers, doctors, lawyers, students, and 20-something backpackers for the freedom of the Burmese people. This issue, the freedom of a people, is not just a human rights issue, it is an environmental justice issue. Greenpeace, many years ago, worked on forest issues within Burma. It seems that American companies are very happy to make shady corrupt deals with the Burmese regime. If you do not know what is happening inside Burma right now, please check this out.

But what I really want to talk about this Monday morning, is how repressing human rights magnifies environmental degradation. Looking at the situation inside Burma is the easiest way to talk about this issue, though there are several cases within the United States where this also exists. Love Canal, Hurricane Katrina, superfund sites around Los Angeles, CA, refineries in Convent, LA, and chemical waste landfills in Port Author, TX --- to name just a few.

As many communities around the United States have seen, illegal dumping and irresponsible management of toxic substances leads to water and land pollution and the poisoning of our families and loved ones. One way to better understand the situation within Burma is by picturing the Love Canal and then adding child soldiers, slavery, and ethnic cleansing.

This weekend a couple friends and I spent an amazingly beautiful Washington DC early Fall afternoon walking around the city. As we were walking through downtown we saw about 100 birds flying in circles above a small round-about park in formation. We started discussing the simple complexities of eco-systems. We shared knowledge on how schools of fish react to predators and how bats understand community. We talked and talked and what we were really saying was that we are all connected. Everything we do effects the lives of people and animals and the giant complex eco-systems around us. A government can not suppress a persons freedom of speech without it directly relating to the way that government regulates toxic chemicals or the way that government turns a blind eye when foreign companies mismanage their waste systems within their country.

Supporting the Saffron Revolution is just one way to support the environmental justice activists within our own country. And what we are all doing by taking cyberactions, reading up on what is being done about the blown over oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, and better understanding the connection between building pipelines and child slavery inside Burma is realizing Aung San Suu Kyi's words, " Please use your liberty to promote ours."

Renee 

 

 

Yesterday, along with 48 other climate change activists, I stood on the steps of the State Department to make sure the world knew, that President Bush knew, that he does not represent my voice on climate change. Today is the last day in a two day sham of a meeting that President Bush called on climate change with heads of states from the largest greenhouse gas emitters. 

49 of us, including the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Greenpeace were arrested within just a few hundred feet of this meeting. We chanted "This meeting is a fraud" and "No More Hot Air, Clean Energy Now" for almost two hours before being given 3 warnings from the police to move our protest or face arrest. No one moved.

My blogs on this site are usually cheeky and full of odd info about issues surrounding the chemical industry, but today I'm talking about the single biggest, most devastating issue to face our generation. I couldn't be cheeky if I tried right now.

This afternoon I attended a rally on the opposite side of the State Department building that we stood early yesterday morning. One speaker said that it doesn't matter if we cured cancer today or if we had the ability to end all wars because the effects of climate change on humanity will cause food and water shortages, death of species and villages, and violence if we do not continue to act like our lives depended on it. Because it does.

I went to jail yesterday along side 48 other activists who believe the same things I do:

• President Bush does not represent my voice on climate change.

• The world needs to move on with real global warming solutions without the United States.

• and finally this issue is so important to my life that I am willing to put my liberty on the line until there is real action on climate change.

 

Renee.  

I forgot to say that there will be two hearings this week on the lead in toys story.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2007

Protecting Children from Lead-Tainted Imports (Day 1)
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Hearing
10:00 a.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Connect to the Video Webcast (100 kbps)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2007

Protecting Children from Lead-Tainted Imports (Day 2)
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Hearing
9:30 a.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Connect to the Video Webcast (100 kbps)

 

Renee. 

This lead in toys story will not go away. And it turns out its been going for like 10 years.

In 1996 Greenpeace published a report titled: Lead and Cadmium in Vinyl Children's Products. So we don't have the same PR cache for simple headlines as People magazine, but hey at least you know what it's about.  I'll summarize the summary for you.

 . . . or just write it out," A Greenpeace investigation revealed the presence of hazardours levels of lead and cadmium in a variety of vinyl consumer products, including items specifically designed and marketed for children. The study was spurred by the discovery of hazardous lead levels in vinyl blinds and associated lead poisoning of children in 1996. Since no government agency appeared to be investigating whether other vinyl consumer products might also pose a similar health risk, Greenpeace initiated a nationwide study of vinyl products." 

Here are some of the findings of our investigation:

• Lead- and cadmium-containing vinyl products are readily available from some of the nation's leading retailers, including Kmart, Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys R Us.
  
• Children are a marketing target. Products featured Barbie, Minnie and Mickey Mouse, 101 Dalmations, Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny, and various other Looney Tunes characters.
  
• Lead -containing vinyl products are common. The investigation began by testing vinyl children's products purchased in Chicago. Twenty-one percent of the vinyl consumer prodcuts examined contained greater than 100 parts-per-million lead (28 out of 131). Since all of the items were purchased at national chain stores, this high percentage may reflect the US frequency for lead-containing vinyl products.
  
• Lead- and cadmium-containing vinyl products are widely available in California, despite its stringent regulation fo carcinogens and reproductive toxins. A representative sample of items grossly exceeded limits for exposure to lead and cadmium set by the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65.
  
• Both lead and cadmium are readily available for ingestion by children. Lead and cadmium were released to the surfaces of products as they aged. Lead also became available under conditions that mimic swallowing.
  

And just in case you're thinking well of course it's not the same exact products, think again . . . a Barbie accessory tent pole was one of the products found to have high levels of lead. One product Matell is currently recalling  ---- Barbie accessories  . . alright I'll give this one to them the lead paint is on the dog and cat accessories, not tent poles. My mistake.

What the hell is going on? Why are families suffering today from a problem that was highlighted to this industry 10 years ago? What's wrong with these people? And why are these people completely satisfied with sacrificing children's lives for money? Sometimes I have a hard time wrapping my head around these things. Maybe they just do this stuff because they can.

 
Renee. 

 

Social Entrepreneurship is one of the most interesting part of the environmental movement for me. It allows people to be creative, powerful, and smart all while taking the health of their economy and society into their own hands. Environmentalists are often hammered with arguments that our stance on issues do not mesh with free enterprise, that we want regulation where if people left to their own devises will create fairer ways of doing business and therefore providing a more fair society. I think this is a complicated issue I'll admit I am not prepared to really tackle right now for several reasons. One because I just finished three days of training in Amsterdam with my international Greenpeace colleagues and don't have the energy. (I'm still in Amsterdam -- if you haven't been, take a look at any postcard of the city, that is exactly how it looks - I swear - it's incredible) Two because it is usually being spouted by executives who are trying to get away with poisoning neighborhoods that they don't have to live in and care nothing about and sometimes these people are just not worth replying to because everyone sees straight through them.

So briefly I'll say, I do think that people are creative enough to come up with businesses that are good for our communities, bodies, and land. I also think that organizations like Greenpeace are important to this system because we have the ability and knowledge to highlight when business is NOT doing this. When they are pumping obscene amounts of money into shady political campaigns and helping to write bad legislation. It is when business and society work together through a transparent relationship that the free market is able to truly benefit us all. In order for this to happen, we all need to keep up the pressure. Even though people are good, they often times need to be reminded how to do good.

On Monday Sept 10, Anita Roddick passed away. She is the founder of The Body Shop. A body health care shop that focused not only on looking, smelling and feeling good, but on making sure that our decisions do not harm the communities, bodies, and land around us. She participated in the WTO protests in Seattle, she spoke around the world on how business can and has the obligation to be environmentally responsible, and she wrote an amazing book that has inspired countless entrepreneurs to create businesses that make money and take responsibility for leaving this land in better condition than when we found it.

So . . cheers to one great environmentalist, woman, and business leader!

Take care, Renee.

I moved to Washington DC the semester I graduated college. I thought I would work in some big hot shot international development organization and make full use of my new International Relations degree. Well, things don't always turn out as planned. Instead I waited a whole bunch of tables, met and then eventually dated a number of bartenders, and five years later am still friends with the dude that walks around holding a newspaper (some people call him Everywhere Man, but his name is Mark). He always asked me how the people of Lafayette Louisiana are doing.

He remembers the time I told him I was born in Lafayette. I was born on a bayou. Yes, I do have several versions of that song on my ipod.  It's a good song! Mark always seems to pop out at odd moments when I had just forgotten that I was indeed born on a bayou.

I didn't realize when I applied to work at Greenpeace, that the organization had a deep history in Louisiana. I didn't realize that the people who work here felt connected to this place. It's one of the things I love most about the Greenpeace, it's interesting history and people.

Last week, NPR played a series of stories of DC natives visiting New Orleans, some deciding to move there and some raising awareness of what is still happening in the area by coming back to the district and telling anyone who will listen. I'm starting feel like Katrina is my generation's Kennedy assassination. We all remember where we were when the levees broke, when we saw the images of the Super Dome, when we heard the rumors of violence, when we saw Anderson Cooper wade in the water.

I'm not sure if everyone at this point feels oversatutrated by these images, the mainstream media (if you've noticed) seems to prey on our heartstrings with horrific images without providing any suggestions on action we can take.

So I guess . . .  what I want to do with this entry is introduce you to a few things in New Orleans that you might not know. Things don't always go as planned and if you find yourself wanting to take action to help New Orleans maybe these resources will help guide your kind efforts.

WWOZ - The best radio station on this planet (Not sure about the other ones). I know I recently rented a car that had satelite radio. This is better. And you get to hear Cajun accents all day! I mean really what more could you want during the work day?! I often spend the day reading about how CFO's of large corporations say going green is too expensive and try to make others believe that consumers think destroying ancient forests is just fine for their soft toilet paper, while listening to this amazing station online.

New Orleans Habitat for Humanity-  After moving from Lafayette to South Florida, I realized I am destined to live wherever hurricanes hit. Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida not long after my family moved. South Miami was devasted and similarly to what happened during Katrina most of the houses that withstood both hurricanes were made by volunteers at Habitat for Humanity. Look it up. It's true. Last Thanksgiving I visited Shylia Lewis and her family, GP staff helped build her a toxic free house in 2004 and we wanted to see how she was doing. During the day that I spent with Shylia and her children, we talked about why her house had survived Katrina when others had not. She said that Habitat houses survived because they were made out love. I think my heart stopped that very moment. It may just be that volunteers get nervous about not putting enough nails so there are about double the amount, but that doesn't mean she isn't right. Those houses are made out of love.

I guess this is a long paragraph to say, if you are planning a long weekend why not use it to volunteer at Habitat in New Orleans.

Louisiana Bucket Brigade-  Ever heard of grassroots organizing? This is it. The people who founded this organization were sick (literally) and tired of government agencies like the EPA standing behind big corporations instead of the communities they are suppose to protect and gave power back to the people to defend their homes and their families. This very small organization (3 full time staff people) teach community members how to test the air quality of their neighborhood. This is extremely important in Southern Louisiana (as in other places around the United States) because of the large concentration of PVC facilities.

Young Aspirations/Young Artists- "I was born a stick figure and with each person I meet and each action I take, I become a full drawing." I'm not sure who wrote that, but it is a reminder of how intertwined humanity is with art. This is an organization that brings art to the youth of New Orleans. Now N.O. has a strong rich history of art and artists, the city has once again entered a time when art and artists are helping to keep it alive.  

 
Alright, I'm going to stop here. I could continue the rest of my day writing about organizations we should all know and care about in New Orleans. Hopefully this has peaked your curiousity and you will do a little more research on the topics you are most interested. I feel there may be a running theme to my blogs, figure it out yourself. No . . its not that harsh. I guess I mean I want to be source of information where anyone who reads my writing will feel empowered to discover what their role is in this big ol' mess of ours. Am I doing that? Are you bored? Would you rather read about Nicole Richie or my LA Sophis-Hipster style I was recently told I have?

Well, at any rate, you are stuck with what I give you. Oh the power I have!

 

Holla.
Renee.  

 

 

 

I was totally going to wait until next week to blog again, but this morning I got 8 (EIGHT!!) Google Alerts on cats being poisoned by (get the dictionary out this is going to be a really big word) polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Alright, I'll get the dictionary out for you.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers: or PBDEs, are a group of chemicals that are used as flame retardants in a variety of polymer resins and plastics. They are found in many products in most homes and businesses, including furniture, TVs, stereos, computers, carpets, and curtains.

PBDEs are also used, to a lesser degree, in some textiles, adhesives, sealants and coatings.

So flame retardants. I think I talked a little about them when I was out in Silicon Valley running around with that giant skull made out of e-waste. Yes, this is actually my job. I know your jealous!

One more vocabulary word before I move onto the meat of this issue and why I got so many Google Alerts on this thing. I'm not spokeswoman for many things, but Google Alerts --- awesome! 

Feline hyperthyroidism (You have to see the little cat (ha ha) scans of these cats: is the most common endocrine disorder. Some of the signs are rapid weight loss, hyperactivity, and increased appetite as well as increased water consumption.

Ok, so, it turns out feline hyperthroidism was almost unknown until the 1970's and now its a total epidemic. The EPA is calling cats the canary in the coal mine for toxic chemicals in our homes. Scary.  And if your cat is getting sick from the unnecessarily dangerous and deadly chemicals in your furniture, think about your kids.  Young children have a higher propensity of putting random household items in their mouths and because of their smaller bodies chemicals accumulate at a faster rate.

In 2004 the European Union banned two types of PBDEs and this past spring Washington state became the first in the country to ban all uses of PBDEs.  

Keep up the pressure all you cat-lovers! and people lovers! We all deserve better a toxic free home.

 

Holla.  

 

 

 

And can you make it toxic free? 

A good friend of mine bought some junk of a house in NE (a lower income quadrant of the District of Columbia that is quickly becoming the IT area) two years ago and decided to gut the entire place and rebuild his very own house. Sounds fun, time consuming, and exhausting. It is. In the winter it's really cold and in the summer you have to stand directly in front of the air conditioner to cool down. Needless to say we usually hang out at my house.

Ben and I have been friends for about 5 years. He has slowly come around that non-violent direct action makes change and now I've moved on to the discussion that his new house should be green in design. He gives me the same old excuses that big companies like Kimberly Clark say, "it's too expensive and difficult to go green". I call Bullsh****.

And I'm out to prove it. So is Brad Pitt with Global Green and the New Orleans chapter of Habitat for Humanity by building their Musicians Village pvc-free.

Maybe you're asking yourself, what the hell is a 'green building'? And that's cool. I'm not a building expert or even an environmental expert of any kind (I just work here people).  So I did some research. Here's what I found:

Global Green defines a green building as a building that "saves energy, conserves water, protects natural resources, contributes to a healthy indoor environment, and reduces the building's impact on the community." Makes sense.

Now, how do you that?

My House is Your House is an organization that talks about this. It is a consumer education advocacy campaign that is tied to the award-winning documentary Blue Vinyl (our very own Toxics Campaigner Rick Hind is featured in the movie).

The Healthy Building Network says, "Green design and construction standards, materials policies and operating practices are an opportunity to decrease - and even reverse - the profound impacts of the contemporary building industry on the environment and human health" and is using their influence to help keep green builders true to their mission and stand tall against the toxic industry's bullying ways.

The Natural Resources Defense Council has an entire site dedicated to "Building Green: From Principle to Practice". 

I know this isn't that in depth, but it's a good starting point for you to do some additional research on your own. So there you go. Homework!

Alright Ben, let's do this!  

Holla . . .  

I'm admitting it. I'm a slave to fashion. I love shopping. I love shoes and bags and makeup. I'm the best target for marketing people. Yes, I work on issues that usually go against this type of consumerism, but the reality is in my personal life I love shopping.

So besides the whole toxics part of this, I'm loving the whole banning of plastic bags in cities. There are already bags being designed specifically for this issue and they are selling out everywhere. This cute one once sold for $10 and now aggressive shoppers might be able to get their hands on it for anywhere between $600-$1000!

I totally want to get my grimmy paws on one of those. Or maybe I can make my own, though I doubt that will actually happen. However, I was super creative this weekend when I turned all my hat boxes into my drafting table legs. So I guess you never know where a slow weekend will take you.

Besides seeing hippies take on more fashionable ways to shop for GMO-free, organic food (which is always nice), mainstream media has taken on this issue as well.

Here are some interesting articles:

NY Times 

Christina Science Monitor  

USA Today 

 

Here is some more information on what our office in Amsterdam is saying about chemicals in our homes.  

 

Holla.  

A new report came out this week about Matell, Inc (the largest toy maker in the world) recalling 1.5 million toys because of high levels of lead.

LEAD!

Who thinks it's ok for children to play with lead? I've seen the after school specials and the epsiodes of ER, where kids develop serious health issues related to interacting with lead in paint. And that's paint in lower income housing areas that were slapped up years before tighter regulation.

Come on, people! The dangers of lead is no longer a secret! I'm not from New York but for some reason I just felt a Brooklyn accent come through in that last thought.

In news articles galore, Mattell is saying that they are leaders in product safety. I'm not the expert in this subject, but it does make me think about the significance of supply chains. Look, I didn't study Finance and Economics either so stay with me.

Mattell is one of the most recognizable brands out there. I grew up watching Seseame Street, I know who Elmo is and so do millions of kids playing with their toys today. If this company, who has a public spotlight on them, isn't paying very close attention to their supply chain, I'm scared to think about what poisonous products are also on the market from lesser known companies.

So I did some digging and I found an interesting campaign where you can do something about all this shady-ness in our little people's play things. 

Remember Lois Gibbs -- the mother turned activists from New York (maybe that's who I was just channeling)? After she made enormous strives for her family and neighbors, she started this organization with a bunch of other passionate toxics activists.  

Center for Health, Environment and Justice: Check out this site and learn about how PVC packaging is breaking state laws and how it's not only lead but it is also PVC being found your children's toys. (maybe you don't have a child, but if you take my friends actions as a national trend, we have officially entered baby AND marriage season - stay safe!)  

 

Hope this blog thingy gives you some interesting reads and good information to be an educated consumer.

 

Holla.

Renee.  

 

 

 

 

I know. I know. It's been a long time. But being if you think being a Greenpeace activist keeps you busy, try being on staff full-time. I would like to think it's like being 2 GP activists all rolled into one, but I know how busy all of you are too.

 

So . . . I'm sure you have the latest Guide to Greener Electronics that came out at the end of June. If not, check it out here.  If you don't have time to read the whole thing, let me recap.

Nokia is now at the number 1 spot (no one is a 10 yet, which means don't stop pressuring the electronics industry to green up their act).

Apple is 5.3!! Yea!! This is because of all you! You greened Apple!!

 

Well more later. I promise. And it won't take weeks and weeks!

 

Renee