Activism

Changes to Product Toxins Law Happening Now

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hazardous-chemicals

Sign the Petition for a Stronger Chemicals Law

You may not have heard about it, but there are changes about to happen to the way toxic chemicals in our consumer products are regulated, and it may not be for the better.

On 5/17 a “final draft” of legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) became public and a vote is expected in Congress soon. Both chambers have been meeting since February to reconcile the Senate and House versions. The bill is an improvement over a 2013 version that was favored by the American Chemistry Council (industry). The new version improves current law in some ways but still goes backwards in a few ways, so the public health community is not supporting it.

Key Issue: State Authority or “Preemption”

The states have led the way in taking action against toxic chemicals during the many years that EPA has been hamstrung by TSCA. California is most famous for policies like Prop 65 (product warnings about cancer and birth defects). In New York, NY advocacy groups including several Long Island breast cancer groups have been pushing for a Child Safe Products Act, and fear that this law will reverse years of progress. The Child Safe Products Act is seeking to address arsenic, lead, mercury, benzene, and tris (flame retardant) in children’s products in New York. Under current law, states are allowed to restrict a chemical as they see fit unless EPA decides to impose its own restrictions.

While this new final version does allow for State actions that have been taken as of April of this year to still stand regardless of what EPA does (“grandfathering”), future state actions are the issue. Unless they apply for a waiver, States are blocked from taking action early in the process of EPA’s review of the chemical, which can take up to 4 years. If EPA declares the chemical unsafe, states are allowed to step in and impose restrictions while the EPA considers its own restrictions. When EPA finishes its own restrictions, the state preemption takes effect again. Hard to follow? True! The complication reflects the chemical industry’s influence. Recent pending state policies – particularly around toxic flame retardant chemicals – are still highly likely to be blocked by the bill. That means millions of people, and fire fighters in particular, will be exposed to these chemicals for years.

Issue: Imported Products

This version makes it very difficult compared to current law for EPA to require notification when a chemical is getting into the country in an imported product including toys, shoes, clothes, etc. EPA will look at a chemical and might decide, for example, that a chemical is ok when used as part of an industrial process, but poses too much risk when used in the home. But how will EPA know if the use patterns of the chemical change in the future?  [Read more…] about Changes to Product Toxins Law Happening Now

Earth-friendly Fashion: a Movement, and a Mission

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When I walk into my local mall looking for a last-minute eco-friendly gift for a friend’s birthday, a wave of dread washes over me. I wish I could find natural hemp leggings or cute pair of fair-trade sandals—but instead I find an overwhelming selection of human rights and environmental horrors.

In one store there are racks of chemically dyed shirts. In another there are stacks of sweatshop-sewn blue jeans. I vow to next time to order an eco-friendly gift online. Frustrated and saddened, I leave the mall and instead buy her a Visa gift card.

Finding Earth-friendly fashion shouldn’t be this difficult. Clothing also shouldn’t be thought of as “disposable.” That’s why I’ve made it part of my mission to make it easier for people to access fairly, sustainably and beautifully made clothing. For the past several years, I’ve been working on a book explaining about sustainable and ethical clothing and where to find it (due later this year!), so people can appreciate more about what goes into making their garments.

Just last week Green Inside and Out co-presented its first film screening, The True Cost, an eye-opening (and tear-jerking) documentary that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look of the fashion industry. The film was shown at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, NY.[1] [Read more…] about Earth-friendly Fashion: a Movement, and a Mission

Film Review: The Human Experiment—Switch to Safer!

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Human Exprmnt

The Human Experiment is a new documentary by California film-maker Dana Nachman and narrated by Sean Penn, and is the manifestation of a film that I believe has long needed to be made. It focuses on the chemicals people are exposed to on a daily basis from common products such as plastics and body care products, and shows the history and policy decisions that have led to the current situation. It also shares some moving true stories of what has happened to several people who suffered direct physical effects of chemicals including a couple who had trouble conceiving and even lost a child due to impacts on hormones from plastic chemicals, and a house-cleaner who experienced skin rashes and respiratory effects from toxic cleaners and who now works for a green cleaning company. Friday’s showing at Cinema Village, NYC was followed by a discussion featuring Ansje Miler of Center for Environmental Health, Maida Galvez of the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center, and Ashley Orgain from Seventh Generation, a Vermont-based company that has been providing eco-friendly cleaning products for years. The groups involved are opposing the adoption of a current bill that weakens the Toxic Substances Control Act. Take action here: Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. For more info on the film or to organize a screening, see thehumanexperimentmovie.com.

 

Terra Madre 2014, Turin, Italy

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Quinoa farmer from Bolivia
Quinoa farmer from Bolivia

In October, I got to attend Terra Madre (“Mother Earth”), the international conference of Slow Food that takes place every 2 years in Turin, Italy since the 1990s. It is basically the United Nations of food, focused on sustainable food production, small scale farming, and preserving food traditions. The goal is “good, clean and fair” food. Thousands of people attended from all over the world, and most countries had a table displaying their native foods. I don’t know what was more interesting—meeting all the people –many dressed in their traditional clothing—or tasting all the diverse types of foods, many of which I had never seen before. The Slow Food movement was started by revolutionary thinker Carlo Petrini whose mission started in response to the expansion of fast food establishments that were changing the food industry for the worse. Italy was a beautiful place to have this conference, and I got to visit 2 local vineyards. My only comment is that there was still too much meat featured at the conference and I hope the movement continues to encourage plant based foods. For more pictures see the Green Inside and Out facebook page.

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My Top 15 Countdown of Favorite Signs at the Climate March

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No blogpost could do it justice–the Climate March in NYC (9/21/14) was absolutely fantastic beyond words! I was so happy to be a part of it along with 310,000+ others from all walks of life—many races, many religions, all ages, and multiple points of view from across the states and Canada, with marches taking place in other countries as well. It was inspiring to have such a diverse group come out and share their creative messaging, so I thought I’d give my top15 favorite signs:

15) Disrupt fossil fuels
14) The Climate Changes, Can we?
13) Windmills not Weapons
12) Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground
11) I don’t believe in climate silence
10) Your carbon is stressing me out
9) “Cool It” on a picture of a burning globe
8) Save spiders—stop cutting down trees (hand-made by a 7 year old)
7) Stop the war on mother earth (carried by veterans)
6) New Orleans: The seas are rising… and so are we!
5) Cook Organic, not the Planet
4) Change the System, not the Climate
3) There is no Planet B
2) It’s getting hot in here, so take off all your coals
1) I can’t believe I’m having to protest… is it not obvious?

And a special shout out to the vegans carrying the cow float saying “Do you have a steak in it?,” reminding us of the impact of our food choices. Let’s hope all this effort impacts UN & government decision-makers. For more on the March and what you can do, see 350.org. For more pictures, “like” the Green Inside and Out Facebook page.

Trashion Fashion with Skraptacular

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The lovely Dominique Drakeford and friends from Scraptacular at Earth Day, Union Square, NYC 2014
The lovely Dominique Drakeford and friends from Scraptacular at Earth Day, Union Square, NYC 2014

My friend Dominique Drakeford of Drake Natural has informed me of a fun and worthwhile organization that I want to share.

“Skraptacular is a grassroots, non-profit organization based in northern Manhattan. We inspire community and environmental awareness by teaching children how they can make the world cleaner and greener by transforming trash into art.” It educates about concepts of sustainability, waste reduction, and smart consumerism, while encouraging children’s creativity.

Founded by Michelle Del Guercio, Skraptacular recently celebrated its third anniversary and fundraiser “A Springing Affair,” and numerous activities for Earth Month. Coming up in May 2014 – two “Trashion” shows, one at the High Line on May 18th and one at the beautiful Brooklyn Grange on May 31st.

Skraptacular is always in need of craft items, funds, and volunteers. Visit their web site to get involved.