Beth Fiteni

Gasland’s Josh Fox honored on Long Island

May 22, 2011 by Beth Fiteni

The Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment, a statewide New York based environmental organization, honored Josh Fox, creator of the Academy Award nominated film Gasland, at its annual gala this past week. Gasland was the film that shed light on the controversial issue of hydrofracking for natural gas in the shale under areas of the country including upstate NY and Pennsylvania. Due to the numerous chemicals used in the “fracking” process, which are unfortunately exempt from the Clean Drinking Water Act, this method of gas extraction has been the cause of numerous cases of poisoned drinking water wells. Land owners are paid by gas companies to drill under their property, often not realizing the dangers. Josh is a personable, creative and committed film-maker, and his courage in making this film has exponentially raised awareness on this issue. See gaslandthemovie.com.

josh signing — Josh signing copies of his film for guests, after receiving an "Academy Award" from CCE

Beth Josh — Beth Fiteni and Josh Fox, maker of "Gasland"

Veggie Pride Parade, NYC 2011

May 16, 2011 by Beth Fiteni

Having recently seen the powerful documentary Earthlings, which is a painful reminder of the animal abuse that goes on to bring us food, clothing, and entertainment, today’s Veggie Pride Parade in NYC was a joyful celebration of why I became vegetarian 20 years ago. The Parade, organized by the Viva-Vegie Society, gives me hope that more and more people are awakening to the cruel facts, and making changes to improve their dietary choices, for their health, the animals, and the environment. It was colorful and fun, with great speakers, and free vegan food!

cow pamela — Organizer, Pamela Rice (r) and friend (l)

Karen Davis, United Poultry Concerns, addresses the crowd

DSCN4757 — Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary, & Pamela Rice, Viva-Vegie Society, and friends lead the parade

radish necklace — True Eco-fashion; a necklace made of radishes : ) Creative!

Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center event

May 10, 2011 by Beth Fiteni

The Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC), run by esteemed environmental pediatrician Dr. Phil Landrigan, held its annual luncheon in Greenwich, CT on May 9^th, 2011. Dr. Landrigan helped get lead out of gasoline in 1978, and also advised the EPA in the 1990s, leading to the Food Safety Protection Act. Several hundred activists and young mothers attended this event, and they were treated to an organic lunch and an expo with organic baby products. CEHC is at the cutting edge of knowledge about chemicals that can negatively impact a fetus or baby. They are gaining increasing knowledge about hormone-disrupting chemicals such as BPA (bisphenol A) which is used in some baby bottles, and tends to feminize male fetuses. New York State recently banned the sale of BPA baby bottles thanks to work of breast cancer groups. CEHC notes that BPA is also found in tooth sealants but in low quantities, as well as in cash register
receipt paper.

Landrigan beth — Dr. Phil Landrigan and Beth Fiteni

Karen laura beth — (L-R) Laura Weinberg, Karen Miller, Beth Fiteni at the Greening Our Children expo, Greenwich, CT

“Bag Lady” Event Supports Breast Cancer Group

May 6, 2011 by Beth Fiteni

The Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition (HBCAC) held its annual Bag Lady fundraiser on May 5^th, 2011 on Long Island. Beautiful donated handbags were auctioned off to raise funds for the group’s ongoing work to help people with breast cancer and, more importantly, to raise awareness about prevention. It was a fun night that attracted hundreds. It also featured a young student who was given a scholarship by HBCAC to go do research with renowned scientists who are working on the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on breast cancer.

Karen Rhonda — The unstoppable survivor Karen Miller, Pres. and founder of HBCAC, and friend Rhonda Weinman

Urban Roots Film

April 29, 2011 by Beth Fiteni

I just saw the new documentary Urban Roots, about the growing interest in urban farming in the economically stressed city of Detroit, MI. It was made by a young film-maker from Detroit who wanted to tell the story of local people who are turning vacant lots into places to grow food and build back the community, where old and young alike can have a role. The most inspiring stories were of people in a drug rehabilitation facility who had to do community service hours. They worked at a local urban garden, and got so much out of it that they kept working there even after they completed the required hours. One said, “what I once took from the community I now am giving back.”

It also covered the obstacles faced by urban farmers in terms of cooperation from the city, even despite the benefits the urban farms bring. The city zoning laws aren’t necessarily keeping up with the will of the people to feel the empowerment of being able to grow their own food. See UrbanRootsFilm.com for ways to be involved.

Earth Day NYC 2011!

April 25, 2011 by Beth Fiteni

4/2//11 – Earth Day in NYC was fabulous this year, as always. There were celebrations in Times Square and at Grand Central Station. I’ll let the pictures tell the story! For more info see EarthDayNY.org.

There is also a “Re-green the World” campaign where by you text the word TREE to 85944 and you’ll be donating $5 for the planting of trees around the world.