Ceramic or paper or polystyrene?

UPDATE:  Through Neighbors for Neighbors, a group in Boston organized local coffee shops to support a bring-your-own-mug concept.  It's called The Mug Project and I think it's wonderful.  Thanks for the tip, Em!

Consuming less seems to be one of the primary mantras of the "green" movement. "Reduce, reuse, recycle." So, when it comes to your morning beverage of choice (be it coffee, tea, hot cocoa), surely a ceramic mug is more environmentally friendly than a paper or polystyrene (read: 'styrofoam') cup. Not necessarily, claims the Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment. Way back in 1994, this study suggested that ceramic mugs must be used numerous times before the environmental impact equals that of a similar number of paper or foam cups. Large amounts of energy are required to manufacture and clean a reusable mug, thus it must be used many times to spread out that impact over a large number of uses. According to their findings, a ceramic mug must be used 40 times to equal paper, and hundreds of times to equal foam. So, does this mean that foam-cup-wielding lunatics are greener than thou?

Don't fret. Think: "reduce." Surely, if you are a ceramic mug hoarder and go through them like water, you're relatively wasteful. But, if you're like me and hold onto a select few mugs for years and use them repeatedly, things might not be so bad after all. If you can't stomach the idea of pressing your lips to the same mug year after year, at least put your unwanted mugs back into the ebb and flow of the universe. Donate them to a second-hand store. At some point, your orphaned mugs will be considered vintage and be worth a lot of money, to someone else.

And, in the spirit of not being able to determine anything with certainty, consider the hidden features of polystyrene.

• “Acute exposure to styrene in humans results in respiratory effects, such as mucous membrane irritation, eye irritation, and gastrointestinal effects” -Environmental Protection Agency

• Styrofoam is “possibly carcinogenic to humans” -World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer

• Styrofoam cup takes 500 years to decompose. -University of Washington

• “In the categories of energy consumption, greenhouse gas effect, and total environmental effect, [expanded polystyrene's] environmental impacts were second highest, behind aluminum” -California Integrated Waste Management Board

Image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Coffeee_img451.jpg

Wash your hands clean of anti-bacterial soap

Antibacterial soap became quite popular within the past 10 or so years. Some people suggest that antibacterial hand soap can contribute to resistant strains of bacteria. The website of one popular brand even goes as far to state on their website:

The FDA and European Union, after extensive studies over 10 years, have concluded that there is no convincing evidence that the antibacterial ingredient used in _______ liquid soaps pose a risk to humans or to the environment by inducing or transmitting antibacterial resistance under current conditions of use. (Eu-SCCP, 2002, 2006).

A meta-study by Aiello, Larson and Levy (2007) reviewed papers from 1980 to 2006. They found two pertinent pieces of information.

• Soaps containing triclosan within the range of concentrations commonly used in the community setting... were no more effective than plain soap at preventing infectious illness symptoms and reducing bacterial levels on the hands.
• Several laboratory studies demonstrated evidence of triclosan-adapted cross-resistance to antibiotics among different species of bacteria.

As with most things, this is not a clear-cut situation. Regardless, it seems proper hand washing is best. The CDC offers tips of the best way to do it.

Image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Soap_P1140887.jpg

Meat = oil

The New York Times published an article asserting that meat equals oil. While we are becoming aware of the issues surrounding fossil fuels, the meat industry poses some similar concerns.

Like oil, meat is subsidized by the federal government. Like oil, meat is subject to accelerating demand as nations become wealthier, and this, in turn, sends prices higher. Finally — like oil — meat is something people are encouraged to consume less of, as the toll exacted by industrial production increases, and becomes increasingly visible.

Here are some ideas to chew on:

• livestock production generates nearly a fifth of the world’s greenhouse gases — more than transportation
• 2.2 pounds of beef is responsible for the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the average European car every 155 miles, and burns enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for nearly 20 days
• it [routine antibiotic administration] can result in antibiotic-resistant bacteria that threaten the usefulness of medicines that treat people
• grain-fed animals, in turn, are contributing to health problems among the world’s wealthier citizens — heart disease, some types of cancer, diabetes
• as the horrors of raising meat in confinement become known, more animal lovers may start to react

And I could go on. But why don't you read the article for yourself, think carefully about it, then act. You might start acting by clicking here for your free vegetarian starter kit. There's no need to go 'cold turkey,' but each pound of meat you DON'T eat can mean big change.

Image: http://www.nytimes.com/

Now that you are drinking filtered water...

In light of the drought and in an effort to keep my blogs focused on water, it seems important to consider the container in which you should place your filtered tap water. How about one of those indestructible Nalgene bottles that have become oh-so-popular in recent years? Though officially denied, the material from with many of these must-have bottles are made contain phthalates. It acts as enendocrine blocker which can pose to various health risks. Check out some of the research if you're sufficiently bored.

How can one tell if they're drinking from one of these poisonous bottles? Flip it over and check out the bottom. If you see a #7 and PC, it is time for a different bottle. 'PC' stands for polycarbonate. Though popular, it leaches bisphenol A into the water. Again, potential health risks.

How can one avoid these issues? Look for plastic bottles with recycle codes #2, #4 or #5. These plastics (High density polyethylene, Low density polyethylene, and Polypropylene) are not known to leach harmful chemicals. Nalgene is now offering some HDPE options, but you need to look closely for these letters. Even better, grab yourself a metal water bottle from GreenFeet. Metal won't leach any harmful chemicals into your water. I ordered mine today and am anxiously awaiting its arrival.

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:U%2B2674_DejaVu_Sans.svg

Meat: It's what's for dinner no longer

Americans certainly do enjoy their meat. A meal isn't complete until 90% of the plate is covered with a slab of charred flesh. Vegetables merely play a supporting role by making sure the meat doesn't slip off the plate. Here are a few more things you're getting with that heap of dead animal, according to Sustainable Table:

[industrial farm] activity was identified as a source of pollution for 48% of stream and river water, and for 41% of lake water.

grain-fed beef...requires thirty-five calories for every calorie of beef produced.

one study of 34,000 pigs found that 65% of the animals had "pneumonia-like lesions" in their lungs.

roughly 25,000 square kilometers or 6 million acres of the Amazon rainforest is cut down every year for grazing cattle and to grow soybeans that are used for animal feed.

To learn more, watch The Meatrix, a Matrix-style expose on the meat industry.

Because of what I learned these and other sources, I decided to cease eating meat of any kind and to try to consume eggs and cheese produced through sustainable methods. I don't necessarily ask everyone to take this route; you need to find what works for you. I'll have more information about animal agriculture in future posts, so be sure to check back regularly.

If you find these issues appalling as I did, I suggest ordering a FREE vegetarian starter kit.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Jersey_cow.png

Dear global warming skeptics

Chances are if you're reading this blog, you probably believe that global warming is real to some degree. There are, however, a few people who think climate change is made-up. They constitute a small percentage of the population. I am certain this group is highly correlated with the tiny group of people who still support President Bush. Regardless, let's assume (based on data) that global warming is real. What's the big deal?

I try to focus my blog entries on things that people can do to become more sustainable. This entry, however, is dedicated to 100 things you won't be able to do if climate change continues.

The Center for American Progress complied a list of 100 things that will be effected by global warming. Here are some that jumped out at me:

• less guacamole
• fewer polar bears
• more giant squid attacks
• melting glaciers
• more heart attacks
  
• more malaria
• reduced national security
• wasted money

Image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Avocado.jpeg