Monday, June 30
Today’s Tip is a Warning: Listen to what the Great Floods of ’08 are telling us.

Last month, Iowa experienced the largest flood in the state’s history. People lost their homes. Businesses shut down. Crops ruined. The deluge of rain that occurred in late May and early June created a slug of slow-moving destruction making its way down the Mississippi River. I’ll tell you one thing, I’d rather live in Des Moines than in New Orleans, at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, where this sludge of chemicals and bacteria is headed.

Floods happen. Big floods happen. Epic floods happen. But they don’t happen all the time. Scientists talk about floods of such magnitude they can be expected to occur every 100 years, every 500 years. Infrequently, in other words.

In Iowa, and on down the Mississippi River, that once-in-a-century event has happened twice in 15 years. Certainly cause for concern. Scientists are telling us the frequency of extreme rainfall increased 24% from 1948 to 2006, a consequence of global warming. It’s Earth Science 101: Warm air holds more moisture; it will drop out of the atmosphere somewhere.

Scientists are clear: Expect more extreme weather. So batten down the hatches.
Do your part to reverse global warming by decreasing your carbon footprint. Invest in energy efficient technologies. And fortify areas most vulnerable to extreme weather. Better to spend money that way, than to spend it on disaster relief.

Tuesday, July 1
Today’s Tip: Find out what your dentist uses for fillings before you agree to have work done.

After years of denial, the Food and Drug Administration recently acknowledged that mercury used in dental fillings could pose a health risk to fetuses and young children. Mercury amalgams are commonly used to fill cavities in people of all ages. The FDA promised to issue new guidelines for the safe use of mercury in dental fillings by the summer of 2009.

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. It can interrupt the normal development of the brain, causing permanent damage, like lowered IQ, and other developmental problems.

Another potent toxin in dental work is lead. As much as 20% of the crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, and other dental fixtures used by American dentists are made in China or other foreign countries, and there’s a good chance these products contain lead, according to Newsday.

So ask your dentist before work proceeds on your teeth. Find out just what is being used in your fillings, crowns, bridges, and other dental materials.
From the daily green, 6.6.08.

Wednesday, July 2
Today’s Tip: Don’t use antibacterial wipes to clean surfaces. Use soap and water, instead.

Public health advocates have warned for years that overuse of common antibacterial agents leads to build up of resistance in microorganisms, including those that can cause death and disease. Now, new research gives more evidence that even professional healthcare workers are part of the problem.

According to news reports, disinfectant wipes commonly used in hospitals may actually spread drug-resistant bacteria rather than kill them. It’s because many hospital workers use the same wipe to scrub down multiple surfaces, thus spreading bacteria around, rather than removing it.

In ordinary homes, antibacterial wipes aren’t needed at all. Soap and water does the trick quite nicely.

So ditch those antibacterial wipes. Again, the simple natural solution turns out to be the green solution.
From thedailygreen, 460604

Thursday, July 3
Today’s Tip: Use non-toxic bug repellant.

After the flood, the mosquito plague descends. This year they are worse than ever. How to combat them?

DEET is commonly known as the king of mosquito repellents, though not everyone is keen to slather it on their skin. A study conducted in the late 1980s found that a full one-quarter of the subjects studied experienced negative health effects that they blamed on exposure to DEET. Effects included rashes, skin irritation, numb or burning lips, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.

Studies on rats found that frequent and prolonged DEET exposure led to diffuse brain cell death and behavioral changes, leading scientists to conclude that humans should stay away from products containing it. But other studies have shown that while a few people have sensitivity to DEET, most are unaffected when they use DEET products on a sporadic basis according to the instructions on the label.
The upside of DEET is that it is very effective. But a number of new plant-based repellents are reportedly better than ever and worth a try. They use the botanicals, like picaridin, lemon eucalyptus, geraniol, citronella, and peppermint.

Some brand-name good-for-you products include:

• Cutter Advanced,
• Repel Lemon Eucalyptus,
• OFF! Botanicals,
• Fight Bite Plant-Based Insect Repellent,
• MosquitoGuard,
• Bite Stop,
• Natrapel,
• Beat It Bug Buster,
• All Terrain,
• Herbal Armor,
• Buzz Away, and
• Green Ban.

For kids, try Bite Blocker, a safe blend of soybeans and coconut oils that provides four to eight hours of protection.

So forego the DEET and try non-toxic bug repellents this summer.

Friday, July 4
Today’s Tip: Buy an Energy-Star air conditioner.

These days, every energy dollar counts. When the heat is sweltering, cooling costs really add up. So maximize energy efficiency with an Energy Star-certified air conditioner. You’ll see substantial savings in energy bills, decrease your carbon footprint, and relieve stress on our over-taxed power grid.

Room air conditioners must be at least 10% more efficient than typical models to achieve Energy Star status. Central air conditioning units must be at least 14% more efficient.
So save money, and still stay cool with an Energy Star air conditioner. In fact, any time you need a new appliance, large or small, make your choice Energy Star.

From dailygreen. 6.11.08