Giving thanks for: water.

Thanksgiving is just a few days away and millions of people in the U.S. will be busy planning their Thanksgiving feasts with little thought to their water. Water is absolutely essential to the human body’s survival, yet this important resource is taken for granted by most people in developed nations.

Right now, approximately one billion people on this planet do not have access to clean drinking water. They must take water from polluted rivers and streams, contaminated water holes, and sometimes filthy mud puddles. Here are some of the facts:

• Each year more than five million people die from water-related disease.
• 30 % of water-related deaths are due to diarrhea.
• 84 % of water-related deaths are in children ages 0 – 14.
• 98 % of water-related deaths occur in the developing world.
• Less than 1% of the world's fresh water (or about 0.007% of all water on earth) is readily accessible for direct human use.
• A person can live weeks without food, but only days without water.
• A person needs 4 to 5 gallons of water per day to survive.
• The average American individual uses 100 to 176 gallons of water at home each day.
• The average African family uses about 5 gallons of water each day.
• 90 % of all deaths caused by diarrheal diseases are children under 5 years of age, mostly in developing countries.

One of the UN Millennium Development Goals of 2000 is to "Reduce by half, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water." The World Summit on Sustainable Development, Plan of Implementation (2002) states "... we agree to halve, by the year 2015, the proportion of people who are unable to reach or to afford safe drinking water (as outlined in the Millennium Declaration) and the proportion of people who do not have access to basic sanitation." Clean water is a global concern.

Many organizations are working diligently on the issue of clean water. Among them are:

Clean Water Action: an organization of 1.2 million members working to empower people to take action to protect America's waters, and build healthy communities.

National Resources Defense Council: Founded in 1970, its mission is to safeguard the Earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends.

WaterAid works towards achieving its vision of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.

GLOBAL WATER was founded in 1982 by former U.S. Ambassador John McDonald and Dr. Peter Bourne to help save the lives of people in developing countries that are lost due to unclean water.

charity:water is relatively new on the scene but has become a powerhouse non-profit dedicated to bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Founder Scott Harrison started charity:water a little over two years ago and, as of this posting, has raised over $7 million and completed 890 projects serving over 400,000 people in some of the poorest places on earth. Private donors, foundations, and sponsors cover the cost of running the organization so that 100% of all donations will fund direct costs associated with the construction and maintenance of freshwater projects. This includes fuel for the drill rig, cement for the casing of wells and community training programs.

There are opportunities galore to help these organizations in their quest to provide clean water for all. This holiday season give the gift of life: clean water.

Until next time...become the change you imagine.

The High Cost of Progress

We have become a world dependent on modern conveniences. No doubt this is in response to our fast-paced, stress-filled lifestyles. There simply is no time to do things the "old-fashioned way". We have become prepackaged, plastic-wrapped, instant-gratification-seeking humans. Some would call this progress. What makes all this progress possible?

Chemicals. Lots and lots of chemicals.

Worldwide chemical production increased by 3.1% in 2007. In 1997 the chemical made in the largest quantity was sulfuric acid or hydrogen sulfate (H2SO4). In the US, about 40 million tons were produced that year.

In its pure form, sulfuric acid is an oily liquid, also known as oil of vitriol. Pure sulfuric acid is very dangerous because it reacts quickly with water, releasing a large amount of heat. Sulfuric acid is usually sold in a dilute solution, which is much easier to work with. Sulfuric acid is used in a wide variety of processes in almost every major industry. About 65% of it is used to make phosphate fertilizers. It is also important in the manufacture of explosives, dyes, paper, glue, and lead-acid batteries. But sulfuric acid is only one of many we encounter in our everyday lives.

According to OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) 1,3-Butadiene ranks 36th in the most produced chemicals in the United States. Three billion pounds per year are produced in the United States and 12 billion globally. 1,3-Butadiene is produced through the processing of petroleum and is mainly used in the production of synthetic rubber, but is also found in smaller amounts in plastics and fuel. Exposure to 1,3-Butadiene mainly occurs in the workplace, including the following industries: synthetic elastomer (rubber and latex) production, petroleum refining, secondary lead smelting, water treatment, agricultural fungicides, production of raw material for nylon, and the use of fossil fuels. Exposure can also occur from automobile exhaust; polluted air and water near chemical, plastic or rubber facilities; cigarette smoke; and ingestion of foods that are contaminated from plastic or rubber containers.

Acute low exposures to 1,3-Butadiene may cause irritation to the eyes, throat, nose, and lungs. Frostbite may also occur with skin exposure. Acute high exposures may cause damage to the central nervous system or cause symptoms such as distorted blurred vision, vertigo, general tiredness, decreased blood pressure, headache, nausea, decreased pulse rate, and fainting.

Phthalates: This chemical is stored in the body fat where it can damage the kidneys, liver and reproductive organs, especially the developing sex organs in males. These are especially dangerous to pregnant women’s fetuses. It can also disrupt hormonal processes and increases breast cancer risk. These chemicals are widely used in beauty products such as lipsticks, hair sprays, perfume and nail polishes.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that DEHP may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. (Ref. 5.8) IARC designated DEHP to Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) (Ref. 5.9).

DEHP is principally used as a plasticizer in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride resins. Estimates are that at least 95% of the DEHP produced ends up in these uses. PVC is flexible and is used in many common items such as toys, vinyl upholstery, shower curtains, adhesives, coatings, and as components of paper and paperboard. PVC is also used to produce disposable medical examination and surgical gloves, the flexible tubing used to administer parenteral solutions, and the tubing used in hemodialysis treatment. Non-plasticizer uses include the use of DEHP as a solvent in erasable ink; as an acaricide in orchards; as an inert ingredient in pesticide products, cosmetics, and vacuum pump oil; as a component of dielectric fluids in electrical capacitors; to detect leaks in respirators; and to test air filtration systems. DEHP is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. The principal route of human exposure to DEHP is ingestion of contaminated food, especially fish, seafood, or fatty foods, with an estimated daily dose of about 0.25 mg. The highest exposures to DEHP result from medical procedures such as blood transfusions or hemodialysis, during which DEHP may leach from plastic equipment into biological fluids. Workers in industries manufacturing or using DEHP plasticizer may be frequently exposed to above average levels of this compound. (Ref. 5.8)

Sodium Laurel or (Lauryl) Sulfate (SLS) / Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): This harsh detergent is found in car washes, engine degreasers, and garage floor cleaners as well as in over 90% of the personal care products. It is used for its foaming action. It causes eye irritations, skin rashes and allergic reactions. SLS breaks down the skin’s moisture barrier and easily penetrates the skin allowing other chemicals to easily penetrate the skin as well. When combined with other chemicals, SLS can be transformed into “nitrosamines”, a potent class of carcinogens. The American Journal of Toxicology states that SLS stays in the body up to 5 days. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural personal care products as “comes from coconut”. It is believed to cause hair loss and scalp irritation similar to dandruff.

MANUFACTURERS MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET ON SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE
Ingredients: SULPHURIC ACID, MONODODECYL ESTER, SODIUM SALT; (SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE) Ingredient Sequence Number: 01
Unusual Fire And Explosion Hazards: EMITS TOXIC FUMES ON THERMAL DECOMPOSITION
Health Hazard Data
Route Of Entry - Inhalation: YES
Route Of Entry - Skin: YES
Route Of Entry - Ingestion: YES
Health Hazard Acute And Chronic: ACUTE: CAUSES MILD IRRITATION ON CONTACT WITH SKIN, EYES OR MUCOUS MEMBRANES. SKIN CONTACT COULD CAUSE IRRITATION OR ALLERGIC REACTION. MODERATELY TOXIC BY INGESTION.
CHRONIC: TESTS ON LAB ANIMALS INDICATE MATERIAL MAY CAUSE MUTAGENIC EFFECTS
Emergency/First Aid Procedure:
EYES: FLUSH THOROUGHLY WITH WATER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES
SKIN: WASH THOROUGHLY WITH SOAP & WATER.
INHALATION: REMOVE TO FRESH AIR.
INGESTION: IF STILL CONSCIOUS, INDUCE VOMITING.
GET MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ALL CASES OF EXPOSURE
Precautions for Safe Handling and Use
KEEP CONTAINER CLOSED. STORE AT CONTROLLED ROOM TEMPERATURE. DO NOT BREATHE DUST. DO NOT GET IN EYES, ON SKIN, ON CLOTHING. DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY.
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH/MSHA APPROVED RESPIRATOR APPROPRIATE FOR EXPOSURE OF CONCERN (FP N)
Ventilation: MATERIAL SHOULD BE HANDLED OR TRANSFERRED ONLY IN AN APPROVED FUME HOOD OR W/ADEQUATE VENTILATION.
Protective Gloves: NEOPRENE, PVC OR EQUIVALENT GLOVES.
Eye Protection: ANSI APPROVED CHEMICAL WORKERS GOGGLES (FP N).
Other Protective Equipment: EYE WASH & SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE.
Work Hygienic Practices: WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING.
Supplementary Safety & Health Data: NONE SPECIFIED BY MANUFACTURER.
Label Required: YES
Technical Review Date: 17MAY95
Label Date: 17MAY95
Label Status: M
Common Name: SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE, DX2495
Chronic Hazard: YES
Signal Word: WARNING!
Acute Health Hazard: Moderate
Contact Hazard: Moderate
Fire Hazard: None

Reactivity Hazard: None
Special Hazard Precautions:
ACUTE: CAUSES MILD IRRITATION ON CONTACT WITH SKIN, EYES OR MUCOUS MEMBRANES. SKIN CONTACT COULD CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTION.
MODERATELY TOXIC BY INGESTION.
CHRONIC: TESTS ON LAB ANIMALS INDICATE MATERIAL MAY CAUSE MUTAGENIC EFFECTS.
Protect Eye: YES
Protect Skin: YES
Protect Respiratory: YES
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Overexposure: May cause skin irritation. May cause burns to eyes.
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic overexposure: Prolonged skin contact my cause dermatitis and skin sensitization. May cause eye burns.
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Sensitive skin.
Ingestion: Relative to other materials, as single dose of this product is rarely toxic by ingestion. Irritation of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and stomach can develop following ingestion.

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a fact sheet developed by manufacturers describing the chemical properties of a product. Material Safety Data Sheets include brand-specific information such as physical data (solid, liquid, color, melting point, flash point, etc.), health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, handling, disposal, personal protection and spill/leak procedures. As required by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the target audience for information in a MSDS is the occupation worker who may be exposed to chemicals at work. However, much of the information is also relevant to consumers.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)

MCS is a condition medical science began to recognize in the 1950’s. At that time it was
exceedingly rare and initially had no agreed-upon name. Its name implies the presence of
synthetic chemicals. In 2003 approximately 80,000 synthetic chemicals existed which had
not yet been invented in 1950. DDT, a biological warfare agent declassified for
agricultural and garden pesticide use, was the most widely used toxic chemical in 1950. From
1960 to 2003, synthetic chemical production rose from approximately 10 billion pounds per year to an estimated annual release of about 35 billion pounds into soil, air and water in the US alone. Of these only about 600 are known to be carcinogenic, neuro-toxic and/or teratogenic because the rest have never been tested for safety.

By 1999 MCS was integrated into mainstream medical research and supported by animal
and human experimental investigations, theoretical explanation, therapeutic interventions,
and some statistical and epidemiological data. Below is a list of the signs and symptoms commonly observed with MCS according to the research done by the University of Toronto published in the Archives of Environmental Health , September 2001.

Central Nervous System
Increased sense of smell, problems with concentration, fatigue, confusion, headache,
temporary memory loss, dizziness, sleep disorders (some people can’t sleep, others sleep
14 hours every night), anxiety, hyperactivity, and generalized sense of disorientation and
confusion (following exposure) known as “brainfog”, a term coined by a famous MCS patient, the Chief Librarian of the United States Library of Congress (he was a patient of Dr. Randolph’s), intolerance to bright light and to heat and cold.
Musculoskeletal Symptoms
Joint pain, backaches, muscle spasms, swollen joints or limbs, muscle twitching, and
severe muscle weakness.
Respiratory System Symptoms
Frequent colds or bronchitis, asthma, heavy chest, shortness of breath.
Hematological System
High or low platelets (depending on status of immune function), easily bruised, anemia or
leukemia.
Genitourinary Symptoms
Water retention, frequent urination and urgency, inability to void, chronic infections of
urinary tract, enuresis, infertility.
Gastrointestinal Tract Symptoms
Nausea, diarrhea, bloating, constipation or all of these in rapid succession, often followed
by vomiting.
Cardiovascular Symptoms
Rapid heartbeat, irregular beat, hypertension, severe flushing of the face (sometimes
involving the whole upper body) when exposed to an offending chemical or reduced
oxygen supply), tingling in hands and feet.
Ear, Nose and Throat Symptoms
Chronic stuffiness and runny nose, earaches, frequent ear infections, watery and itchy
eyes, frequent sinus infections, intolerance to noise.
Dermatological Symptoms
Rough skin, sores, generalized itching, intolerance to certain fabrics.

It is important to note that MCS patients may have many of these symptoms at the same
time, not necessarily in the same order or combination, or progressing to the same
severity level. This makes them such a challenge for doctors not trained in environmental
medicine who attempt to treat all these many symptoms traditionally: one at a time, or
refer the patient to a psychiatrist – the doctor of last resort. Of course, each of these
symptoms could also, when presented in isolation and without a history of chemical
exposure at home or at work, be responsive to standard medical intervention. In the final
analysis, the history and the multiplicity of symptoms should alert the doctor to the
possibility of environmental illness.

I will be the first to agree that not all chemicals are villians. However, there is definitely a lack of sufficient testing before products are released, and insufficient labeling on products that have not been adequately tested. This is most prevalent with fragrances and fragranced products. There does seem to be a correlation between increased chemical production/use and increased health problems.

Once considered a minor ailment affecting only a small portion of the population, asthma is now the most common chronic disorder of childhood, and affects an estimated 6.2 million children under the age of 18. The fact that asthma runs in families suggests that genetic factors play an important role in the development of the disease, however, environmental factors also contribute to the disease process.

Although recent studies indicate that the number of autism cases is increasing dramatically each year, the causes of this disorder are not well understood. Twin and family studies suggest an underlying genetic vulnerability to autism, and a growing area of research indicates that the disease may be caused by an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. One hypothesis is that the disease may be triggered during early fetal development, and that environmental exposures during pregnancy could cause or contribute to the disorder.

According to the American Cancer Society, this chronic disease is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. with half of all men and one-third of all women developing some form of cancer during their lifetimes.

Research has shown that exposure to environmental pollutants may pose the greatest threat to reproductive health. Exposure to lead is associated with reduced fertility in both men and women, while mercury exposure has been linked to birth defects and neurological disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to endocrine disruptors, chemicals that appear to disrupt hormonal activity in humans and animals, may contribute to problems with fertility, pregnancy, and other aspects of reproduction. (From 1980-2005 there was a 41% increase in thyroid cancer in the U.S.)

Many immunotoxicologists say that exposures to certain chemicals can have a significant effect on immune function. Studies have shown that chemical exposures can affect immunity in two major ways: by causing hypersensitivity reactions, including allergy, which can be harmful to organs and tissues, and autoimmunity, in which immune cells attack self; or by causing immunosuppression, a reduction in the responses and activities of the immune system.

After all is said and done, we are left with an overwhelming amount of information about chemicals and their effects. As conscious consumers and concerned humans, we should educate ourselves as much as possible and limit our exposure to synthetic chemicals whenever possible.

Perhaps the answer is to pursue a simpler life.

Until next time...become the change you imagine.

What makes a company "green"?

According to Co-op America, “Green businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems. These businesses adopt principles, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities, and the environment.”

Companies like Whole Foods, the first major U.S. corporation to purchase enough wind-energy credits to offset 100 percent of its electricity use, and GE, whose sales of its Ecomagination products topped $12 billion in 2006, are considered "green". Tesla's Roadster—the hybrid for the environmentally conscious adrenaline junkie—rips from 0 to 60 miles per hour in four seconds without a puff of carbon-dioxide pollution. SC Johnson's innovative Greenlist process is a classification system that evaluates the impact of thousands of raw materials on human and environmental health.

And then there is Sharp.

As a winner of the 2007 Evergreen Award (in the Technologies and Electronics industry category) Sharp is reducing the negative environmental impacts of their production facilities, and is working to “lead the way into an era of clean energy” by expanding the use of solar power. Sharp has been in the forefront of alternative energy development since 1959 when it began researching solar cells. Mass production first began in 1963, and Sharp is now the world’s largest photovoltaic module and cell manufacturer. In July 2008 Sharp announced it would build the world's largest solar cell plant in Sakai, western Japan, by March 2010, along with an advanced liquid crystal display (LCD) panel plant.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Sharp its "SmartWay Excellence Award" for conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and freight activities. Sharp was one of the first members of the SmartWay Transport Partnership, which was created by the EPA in 2004 as a voluntary alliance that establishes incentives for fuel efficiency improvements and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Sharp has been in the forefront of alternative energy development since 1959 when it began researching solar cells. Mass production first began in 1963, and Sharp is now the world’s largest photovoltaic module and cell manufacturer. In July 2008 Sharp announced it would build the world's largest solar cell plant in Sakai, western Japan, by March 2010, along with an advanced liquid crystal display (LCD) panel plant.

There's “green” and then there's "super green".

Sharp has deployed a “Super Green Strategy” that aims to achieve the highest level of environmental consciousness in all corporate activities. This has resulted in such successes as plant-based resin paint, converting 10 factories to “super green” factories, achieving development goals for “super green” products and devices (for the last three years in a row), making all factories world-wide “green” factories, and developing a nation-wide environmental education program for elementary schools in Japan.

In 1997 Sharp established its Environmental Protection Group. The group has seven important elements:
1. Super Green Management
a. continuously making efforts to strengthen environmental sustainability management
b. raising employees' environmental awareness by building an Integrated Management System
2. Super Green Technologies
a. developing unique environmental technologies that contribute to environmental conservation
b. reducing environmental impact during production
c. developing superior technologies as an essential factor in the performance of products and devices
3. Super Green Products and Devices
a. establishing increasingly higher objectives with the goal of continuously improving the environmental performance of products and devices
b. increasing the percentage of net sales accounted for by Green Seal Products, Super Green Products, Green Devices, and Super Green Devices
4. Super Green Factories
a. certifying a factory with a high level of environmental consciousness as a Green Factory (GF), and a factory with an extremely high level of environmental consciousness as a Super Green Factory (SGF)
b. achieving medium-term plan to convert all domestic and overseas Sharp Group production sites into Green Factories or higher (2007)
5. Super Green Recycling
a. recycling used products effectively
b. recycling products that have reached the end of their service life based on three concepts:
i. improve the recycling rate and aim for zero landfill disposal
ii. improve the efficiency of the recycling system to reduce recycling costs
iii. incorporate recycling technologies into the development and design of products
6. Environmentally Conscious Logistics
a. creating a system to accurately assess environmental impacts in distribution
b. promoting initiatives to optimize transport methods and load efficiency
c. setting a goal of slashing annual CO2 emissions per sales unit by at least 1%
7. Environmental Communication
a. disclosing environmental information through exhibitions and various media, including Environmental and Social Reports, websites, and newspaper ads
b. promoting dialogue on environmental topics with local communities by sponsoring various events and holding factory tours

An excellent example of a Super Green factory is the Kameyama plant. The plant uses a variety of technologies to control the amount discharged then reuses and recycles as much as possible, thereby achieving zero discharge to landfill. (Sharp is already achieving zero discharge to landfill at all its domestic production sites.)

Through construction of a closed system that recovers and reuses all the wastewater from manufacturing processes (the largest wastewater recycling system in the industry) 28,300 tons per day of water used in manufacturing processes at the Kameyama plant is completely purified.
A photovoltaic power system covering a total area equal to three baseball stadiums, a 1,000 kW fuel cell system, and a cogeneration system (the largest of their kind in Japan), comprise an impressive array of alternative energy sources. Creating energy, reducing CO2 emissions, and reducing environmental impact are all accomplished with this integrated energy strategy.

The ISO 14000 environmental management standards exist to help organizations minimize how their operations negatively affect the environment (cause adverse changes to air, water, or land) and comply with applicable laws and regulations. ISO 14001 is the international specification for an environmental management system (EMS) and specifies requirements for establishing an environmental policy, determining environmental aspects and impacts of products/activities/services, planning environmental objectives and measurable targets, implementation and operation of programs to meet objectives and targets, checking and corrective action, and management review.

In keeping with their environmental policy, all Sharp plants worldwide are now ISO 14001 certified. In 2002 Sharp introduced its own Environmental Management System adding 49 additional control points to supplement ISO standards.

Sharp’s focus on building a sustainable society through environmentally-conscious policies is reflected in their expanding use of solar energy, environmentally-conscious product design, and reduction of negative environmental impacts in production facilities. A model of environmental and social responsibility, Sharp has raised the bar on standards for the rest of the business world.

Until next time...become the change you imagine.

You see weeds...I see wildflowers!

According to the American Heritage Dictionary a weed is defined as: "a plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted, as in a garden." The same dictionary defines a wildflower as: "a flowering plant that grows in a natural, uncultivated state." But honestly, aren't these one in the same thing? Almost every "weed" has flowers of some sort.

The Woodrow Wilson Foundation Leadership Program for Teachers 2000 Summer Biology Institute on Biodiversity lists these 10 common weeds:

Milkweed - An important nectar source for bees and other nectar seeking insects, and a larval food source for monarch butterflies and their relatives, as well as a variety of other herbivorous insects. It is not the most beautiful flower in the world, but it serves an important function in the environment.

Mullein - The down on the leaves and stem of the common mullein makes it burn quite readily when dried, so it was used for lamp wicks before the introduction of cotton; therefore, an historic name for the plant was “Candlewick Plant”. Today, a decoction of the flowers is still used as an emollient and treatment for ulcers, wounds and hemorrhoids and for relaxation of the digestive tract and mucous membranes. It also sooths the liver and gallbladder. The leaves have exhibited strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Plantain - Current use of plantain is the commercially significant extraction of its mucilage – a carbohydrate fiber that is used in gentle laxatives. Mucilage also acts as an appetite suppressant and reduces intestinal absorption of fat and bile. It reduces LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Plantain is commonly used as an astringent; its juice, when rubbed on an insect bite or bee sting, immediately sooths the area and begin the healing process. It can also stop poison ivy from blistering and itching if applied to the skin immediately after contact.

Dandelion - were actually brought to the United States from Europe to provide food for honeybees. Various clinical studies have demonstrated the legitimate use of dandelion as a diuretic, a bile production stimulant, a mild laxative, and an excellent source of potassium. Dandelions are still used as food; many enjoy the dandelion leaves boiled like spinach or mixed in salads. Baby dandelion leaves are often found in haute cuisine. The root, when dried, has been used in coffee substitutes.

Queen Anne’s Lace - Queen Anne’s Lace contains flavonoids, essential oils, vitamins B and C, pectin, lecithin, glutamine, phosphatide and cartotin, a vitamin A precursor. Chinese research has confirmed the function of Queen Anne’s Lace seeds as an abortifacient; other research has shown the plant to be a bactericidal, a diuretic, a hypotensive, and an effective treatment for parasites. It is said to have been named after Queen Anne of England, an expert lace maker. When she pricked her finger with a needle, a single drop of blood fell into the lace, thus the dark purple floret in the center of the flower.

Red Clover - Studies are being done in the use of red clover for combating AIDS, diabetes and the increased cardiovascular risk associated with menopause. Red clover is a member of the legume (pea) family. These are a group of plants that are able to take nitrogen from the atmosphere and make it biologically available to other plants. Nitrogen fixation is of critical importance in protein production in plants and makes the legumes a critical player in agricultural planning.

St. John’s Wort - St. Johnswort is undoubtedly one of the most heavily researched herbal remedies. People use St. Johnswort in capsule and tea form to elevate their moods. Research has verified its efficacy as an anti-depressant, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. Other studies have shown it as a potent anti-retroviral agent, making it a possible treatment for AIDS. It may also prove to be useful against other viral infections.

White Clover -A member of the Leguminosae family, which includes red clover and other plants such as peas, beans and peanuts that are nitrogen fixers. Native Americans used whole clover plants in salads, and made a white clover leaf tea for coughs and colds. It makes excellent feed, pasture, hay, and silage for livestock and poultry. Once established it serves excellently as a cover crop and in stabilizing soil and reducing erosion.

While it is true that there are some truly unwanted, unloved, and uninviting weeds in the world perhaps we should change our perception a bit. By educating ourselves and identifying noxious, invasive weeds, we might begin to see the beauty (and uses) in some of our wildest flowers.

Until next time...become the change you imagine.

Ozone Day 2008

The United Nations' (UN) International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated on September 16 every year. This event commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. The theme for 2008 is “Montreal Protocol – Global partnership for global benefits”.

In 1987 representatives from 24 countries met in Montreal and announced to the world that it was time to stop destroying the ozone layer. In so doing, these countries committed themselves, via the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, to rid the world of substances that threaten the ozone layer.

On December 19, 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed September 16 to be the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date when the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed in 1987. The day was first celebrated on September 16, 1995.

Ozone depleting substances (ODS) are those substances which deplete the ozone layer and are widely used in refrigerators, air-conditioners, fire extinguishers, in dry cleaning, as solvents for cleaning, electronic equipment and as agricultural fumigants. ODS cause higher rates of skin cancer, eye cataracts and damage to people's immune systems. It also diminishes the productivity of food crops and reduces levels of plankton in the ocean.

Ozone depleting substances include:

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) **
Halon
Carbon tetrachloride, Methyl chloroform
Hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs)
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
Methyl bromide ~~
Bromochloromethane (BCM)

**Trichlorofluoromethane, also called freon-11, CFC-11, or R-11, is a chlorofluorocarbon. It is a colorless, nearly odorless liquid that boils at about room temperature. It was the first widely used refrigerant. Because of its high boiling point (compared to most refrigerants), it can be used in systems with a low operating pressure, making the mechanical design of such systems less demanding than that of higher-pressure refrigerants R-12 or R-22.

• Because of the high chlorine content and the ease with which the chlorine atoms can be displaced when the molecule is subject to ultraviolet light, R-11 has the highest ozone depletion potential of any refrigerant, by definition assigned the value 1.0. U.S. production was ended in 1995.

~~Bromomethane, commonly known as methyl bromide, is an organic halogen compound with formula CH3Br. It is a colorless, nonflammable gas with no distinctive smell. Its chemical properties are quite similar to those of chloromethane. It is a recognized ozone-depleting chemical. It was used extensively as a pesticide until being phased out by most countries in the early 2000’s. Some use, notably in the United States, continues. Trade names for bromomethane include Embafume and Terabol.

• Because bromine is 60 times more destructive to ozone than chlorine, even small amounts of bromomethane cause considerable damage to the ozone layer. In 2005 and 2006, however, it was granted a critical use exemption under the Montreal Protocol. The most recent set of 'critical use' exemptions in the US include use of Bromomethane for tomato, strawberry, and ornamental shrub growers, and fumigation of ham/pork products.

A new study led by Columbia University researchers has found that the closing of the ozone hole, which is projected to occur sometime in the second half of the 21st century, may significantly affect climate change in the Southern Hemisphere, and therefore, the global climate. The study appears in the June 13th issue of Science.

"Our results suggest that stratospheric ozone is important for the Southern Hemisphere climate change, and ought to be more carefully considered in the next set of IPCC model integrations," said Seok-Woo Son, lead-author of the study and a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).

It wouldn't do for us to get complacent, however. This is a triumph, as yet, unrealized. There is much to be done to stop all air pollution. There are hazardous chemicals being used whose adverse effects still aren't fully known. At some point we will have to ask ourselves if the conveniences made possible by the substances are worth the risk to our future and that of future generations.

Until next time...become the change you imagine.