Work in Progress

Blogging for change at Care2

2009-09-11T11:57:35Z

This week, well last week really, I began blogging at Care2. You might know them for their ecards or their petitions. For more than a decade Care2 has been building a community of online activists. Last week I reported for them on dire news about the coral reefs and global warming. This week, I tackled a resurgence in use of a voluntarily phased out toxic flame retardant and veterans drawing links between terrorism and energy security.

On Eve of 9/11 Anniversary, Veterans Lobby to Stop Global Warming

More than 150 veterans converged on Washington DC on Thursday to make the case that the United States should fight terrorism and increase security by capping carbon emissions. A coalition of veterans and national security organizations has identified U.S. dependence on fossil fuels ... read more.

Voluntary Industry Bans Don't Protect Children From Toxic Flame Retardants

Revelations Tuesday that a toxic flame retardant we thought was gone is still being used in furniture and baby products illustrates major problems with U.S. toxic chemical law. Tri-dichloropropyl phosphate, abbreviated TDCPP, was once used ... read more.

Catching up on green living posts

2009-09-11T11:54:55Z

Last week, I continued to follow developments in the story about how Sigg failed to reveal the presence of BPA in the expoxy linings of their aluminum bottles. By the end of the week I reported: Update: Sigg to take back BPA-lined bottles. If you've been staring at a Sigg bottle you are no longer using because of BPA, you can either ship it back for credit in their online store or take it to a major retailer to exchange. Read the story for more.

After reporting on the weekend resignation of Green Jobs Czar Van Jones, I expected to write a couple stories on climate science but got side tracked.

So here we are: emf radiation from cell phones and scary chemicals in your soap.

Two reports raise questions about cell phone radiation and cancer
For most Americans, the cost of their cell phone contract is a much bigger worry than the potential effect of cell phones on their health. Two recent...
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Green living 101: How can I avoid the anti-bacterial chemical triclosan?
Triclosan, an anti-microbial substance classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide, is used in thousands of consumer products...
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Planning on being near the P Street Whole Foods tomorrow? Ditch your triclosan-containing soaps there.
Food & Water Watch, Whole Foods host drop-off event to dispose of anti-bacterial triclosan
Triclosan: It's classified as a pesticide, yet it's in thousands of consumer products Americans use every day ... and apply to their faces, and their...
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Cash for appliance clunkers and BPA in Sigg bottles

2009-08-28T15:07:51Z

In addition to some offline freelance writing projects that have been keeping me busy, I'm following a couple new stories as the DC Green Living Examiner.

Cash for refrigerator clunkers, new federal program offers appliance rebates

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 2 comments

A new energy efficiency program rolling out this fall could give you cash for your old fridge. Already being called Cash for Refrigerators, the...

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Sigg reveals BPA in bottle lining prior to August 2008

Thursday, August 27th, 2009 2 comments

The Swiss manufacturer of a popular brand of reusable aluminum water bottle revealed last week that the coating on the inside of the bottles contained...

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All About Clunkers

2009-08-07T11:21:13Z

I'm all about cash for clunkers these days at the DC Green Living Examiner. Check it out and and wish me more variety in green news soon.

Is Cash for Clunkers evidence that Americans want more efficient cars?
USA Today is reporting that top cars relinquished under the wildly popular Cash for Clunkers program are all...
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Cashing in your clunker? Don't miss this web site for researching fuel economy
Now that the Senate has voted to add an additional $2 billion in funding for the popular Cash for Clunkers program, are you planning to go out and...
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Cash for Clunkers still making trades
Cash for clunkers continues to make headlines this week with reports of auto sales nearing pre-recession levels....
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Cash for Clunkers nearly out of cash
Drivers planning to wait until next month or even this weekend before trading in their gas-guzzler for a more fuel efficient model under the Cash for...
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Green Moms Carnival: Back to School Edition

2009-08-01T18:06:12Z

This month's Green Mom's Carnival topic is Back to School/Green Schools. So, I explore energy efficient and environmentally friendly building practices used to build certified green schools in the DC region on both Puddle Jumping in DC and on my DC Green Living Examiner page.

Approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population spends 6 hours of every day in a school building. As the summer rapidly comes to a close, millions of students are preparing to go back to school. Some of those students will attend schools with environmentally-friendly features that reduce energy costs to the school district, reduce the pollution and carbon footprint of the schools, and improve learning environments for the kids.

Continue reading "Green living 101: What is a green school?" at Examiner.com »

Travel Tips: 12 Free Things to Do in Washington DC with Kids

2009-07-30T19:48:07Z

This month's About.com Parenting and Family blog carnival theme is Cheap Fun, so I explored the many free things to do in Washington DC that aren't always at the top of tourists lists, but should be, on my personal blog Puddle Jumping in DC and on Type-A-Mom.

12 Free Things to Do in Washington DC with Kids

Every year, 16 million people visit Washington, DC. While travel and accommodations can sometimes be pricey, once you are in DC, you will find there are find hundreds of free things to do in and around the nation's capitol.

All 19 museums that make up the Smithsonian Institution, including the National Zoo, are free for admission. The Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorials are free. The Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol tour, and White house tour are all free, though require tickets or advanced appointments.

But there are more free things to do in Washington, DC that you may not have thought of. Not only that, many of free things to do in Washington DC are kid-friendly and easy to get to by public transportation...

Continue reading "12 Free Things to Do in Washington DC with Kids" on Type-A-Mom »

How to find a safe and effective sunscreen

2009-07-24T23:18:39Z

Beach Boy by Flickr User chimothy27,
CC BY 2.0.

"We need more sunscreen," calls my husband as I'm leaving for work the other morning. "What should I buy?"

Oh, dear, thought this DC Green Living Examiner. I don't have time to figure out which sunscreen brands are safe, effective, and don't contain unnecessary ingredients in the two minutes I have left before I must be out the door.

... three out of five sun blocks don't work or contain hazardous ingredients according to a recent study by the Environmental Working Group.

Read the rest of my latest Green Living 101 post at the Examiner.com.

DC Green Living Examiner farmers markets guide

2009-07-18T20:50:27Z

Examiner.com is running a special project over the next several weeks requiring all writers to draft a weekly 101 for their area of expertise. My first 101 is on making the most of your farmers market experience.

Market baby (Takoma MD, 2004) by Jen Mueller

Green living 101: How can I make the most of DC's farmers markets?

Shopping at your local farmers market is quite simple. Just go sample the wonderful produce, baked goods, cheeses, and more available from farmers in the region.

If you want to make the most of your trip though, this guide will help.

Know where to go

The Washington DC metro area has dozens of great farmers markets to choose from. If you're not sure of your options, there are several good websites to get you started. The Eat Well Guide and Local Harvest each maintain directories of local food, including farmers markets...

Read the rest at my DC Green Living Examiner page.