Share & Voice: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Currently, in Copenhagen, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is taking place.  119 heads of state and government have joined together to make positive decisions affecting climate change.  It's said to be the largest ever of its kind.  Decisions being made include how to cut emissions and how much to cut them by.  Almost more importantly, they are making decisions on how to hold each country accountable for sticking to the decided policies. 

According to the UNFCCC, "The 119 heads of state and government represent countries that account for 89% of the world's GDP, 82% of the world's population and 86% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Included in the 119 countries are the 20 largest economies and the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters in the world."

This conference could make some pretty monumental changes in the way of reducing carbon emissions and slowing down (and hopefully eventually reversing) the effects of global warming!

I encourage you to all stay on top of the issues and make sure you check out what our world leaders decide!

Reflection: Weeks 13 & 14 & overal course review

The last two week of class have come and gone!


In week 13 we went to the Goodwill in west Duluth.  It was a very interesting experience.  I've already been there a couple of times.  I've gone on my own, and I've gone a couple of times with my clients at the group home I work for.  I wasn't expecting that I would learn so much.  I had no idea Goodwill was known for hiring individuals with disabilities.  I think what struck me the most is when we talked about the different jobs that the workers do.  I loved how they said they didn't really care about how efficiently things were done.  They would use several individuals on one task as long as it was beneficial to those individuals.  After we went on a tour of Goodwill we went to the store and did a little activity.  We were each given a task and we had to complete it with a budget of only $20.  My group completed our task by finding plates, bowls, silverware, glasses, and decorative items for a kitchen!  I will definitely be visiting the Goodwill again!  You will always find a treasure of some kind!

During week 14, our very last week, we shared our junking projects!  I made my project while I was at home for Thanksgiving break.  I used an old box that held thank you cards.  I turned the box into a jewelery box by making dividers out of cardboard pieces from a shoe box!  I also used paper and a photo to decorate the box!

 

After we each shared our projects we talked about the most significant things we learned throughout the semester.  I talked about the power of social change.  

Overall Course Review:  It has been an interesting and fabulous semester.  I'd say this was one of the most enjoyable classes I've taken in all my time at UMD.  It's just so relatable to my life. It's unlike any other course you'll take - teaching style and subject alike!  I wish everyone had to take this class.  I think there is value in knowing how to create and operate a blog.  I also think there is HUGE value to the subject matter.  This should be a prerequisite just to be a member of earth!  I feel like so much more educated on issues I knew the minimum about.  I also feel like a more educated consumer.  I'm now an eco-chic consumer!  There is real life value to this class and I would recommend it to anyone.  The work load was pretty substantial, but it was spread out and it was something you just got in the habit of putting in your schedule.  I'm glad I did because now I have this amazing blog that I've created that is storing everything I learned this semester and it's mine forever!  It's almost like your very own little electronic portfolio of a semester's worth of knowledge!  

Share & Voice: Plastic bags - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

By watching this video, I discovered that many places are taking steps to completely phase out plastic bags all together!  Some countries (and even U.S. cities) have banned plastic bags altogether.  Others are taking steps such as adding a bag tax, or requiring you to pay your plastic bags to cut down on bag production.  However, some of us may not be quite there yet.  If your household is anything like mine, then you undoubtedly have a cupboard in your kitchen somewhere almost popping open because it's so full of plastic bags (not that they're yours because you're so eco-friendly you only take reusable bags to the grocery store).  What do you do with this never-ending supply of bags?  You don't want to just throw them out because that would be wasting, but at the same time you can't fit one more bag in that cupboard!

There are numerous ways to get rid of plastic bags.  First, you can recycle them!  Well, not in the normal recycling at your house, but a lot of grocery stores offer places to recycle your bags.  Next time you go to the grocery store, look for these bins designated for plastic bags only! Second, you can reuse them!  I'm sure many of us already use these bags for garbage in our cars, or liners in our bathroom waste bins, but there are actually a lot of creative ideas out there.  I found a few websites with long lists of ideas! Some are obvious, but some are interesting and innovative!  Check it out!

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/reuses-plastic-bags.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Recycle-Old-Plastic-Bags

http://sayiamgreen.com/blog/2009/10/25-ways-to-re-use-plastic-bags/

I think my favorite way to reuse plastic bags is to make them into art!  Check out this street art using plastic bags!

Eye Opener: Response to the Online Learning Activities

Danielle's Discoveries: Response questions and answers to the videos

Danielle used videos to illustrate different sanitation issues in different countries and then asked us to anser a few reflective questions after watching.

Q: After seeing this video, how do you feel about the fact that this whole European program, creating better sanitation for all, is developed and carried out by women?

A: I found it pretty interesting that women cared more about sanitation and clean toilets, and clean drinking water than men did.  I think it's really awesome what the WECF are doing.  Clean drinking water and bathroom facilities is a human right that everyone deserves.  It's hard to imagine that there are places where the water is polluted by human fecal matter in Europe.  You really do think of Europe as always been on top of all the issues. 

Q: why is this happening so often? Don't we have policies, food inspectors? How do these recalls affect those selling these products?

A:  I am really interested to know how these products get contaminated in the first place?  I mean we can recall products, and tell people not to eat certain foods, but what can be said for taking preventative measures?   It seems like for the peanut factory there are policies on ensuring food safety and different procedures that must be done, but since they don't have anyone holding them accountable, who knows if they're doing what they say.  Something that I hadn't thought of before was how these recalls effect those who make a living from these products.  If there is a big salmonella scare in Florida because of tomatoes, I bet this affects tomato growers all over the US.  It's really unfair when you think about it.

These videos really brought home the point that there is still much to be done in the area of sanitation, even in developed countries.  It also showed that there are a lot of loop holes in the system.  There are clearly areas that need to be addressed.

Pam's Green Blog: Activity on FAS

Pam's asked us to identify which of the posted pictures of children exhibited physical signs of fetal alcohol syndrome.  I'm guessing that it's photo numbers 2, 4, and 6.  This is one of those things were you would feel bad if you guess wrong! 

Next we answered a few true and false questions.  1. False, 2. True?, 3. True, 4. False, 5. False 

I work at a group home and a number of the clients I work with have FAS.  It's really a sad thing because if the mother wouldn't have used substances while she was pregnant, then her child wouldn't be in a group home.  It's so preventable that it just makes me so upset that it even happens. 

Share & Voice: What do do with all those plastic bottles?

So, although I hate to admit it, I am a soda junkie.  I drink at least one soda a day.  Sometimes it's out of an aluminum can, and sometimes it's out of a 20 oz. bottle.  I hate looking in the recycling at our house and seeing all those bottles.  I didn't know what to do with them besides throw them in the recycling.  Then we learned about junking in one of our environmental health class and it got me doing some research.  I found a lot of different websites (and a lot of different blogs) that had many different ideas for ways to reuse plastic bottles and ways to create them into some pretty new and interesting things.  I don't think it would be the same if I just listed off the different things you can do with plastic bottles.  Instead, go to these sites and check out the many ideas (accompanied by pictures) of how individuals reuse their bottles!

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycled-bottles-photos-4604

http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/save-money/reuse-plastic-bottles-460709

http://www.greenstudentu.com/eco_lifestyle/10_ways_to_reuse_plastic_soda_bottles.aspx

http://condo-blues.blogspot.com/2008/05/12-ways-to-reuse-plastic-bottles.html 

http://ecoble.com/2009/04/27/extraordinary-reuse-projects-10-amazing-ways-to-recycle-plastic-bottles/

Advocacy Project: Smoking Takes Your Breath Away

I'm calling this activity: Smoking Takes Your Breath Away

The purpose of this activity is to give you a first hand feeling of how smokers feel when they're trying to breath. More specifically, it give you the feeling of what someone with emphysema (smoker's lung) feels when they try to breath.  This is important because it's a good reminder for why you never want to start smoking, or why you might want to quit.

Smoking is the #1 preventable cause of death in the U.S (MIT).  It's the leading cause of lung cancer, emphysema, hearth disease, and throat cancer (CDC).  Not only does smoking affect those who do it, but it affects those around you.  53,800 people die each year due to exposure to second hand smoke (ANR).  This activity illustrates the addictive nature of tobacco by showing you how it feels to breath when your a smoker, and yet many continue to smoke.

For this activity you will need a straw.  A cocktail straw is best, but you could also grab a straw from the food court if you don't have one on hand at home.  Here's how you begin:
1. Breath through the straw for 30 seconds.  Has breathing become harder?  How much more restricted do your airways feel? 
2. Take away the straw and recognize how easy it is to breath again.  Did you immediately desire to gasp for a deep breath?
3. For 1 minute either run in place or do jumping jacks.
4. Immediately following that minute breath through the straw for as long as possible.  How long did you last before gasping for air? Did you notice how such a little amount of exercise made breathing so difficult? 

If you felt the way you did after 1 minute of exercise and breathing through a straw all the time, do you think you would be less likely to exercise?  In turn, what effect would that have on health? 

Feel free to answer some of these questions when you post about this learning experience!

Share & Voice: "The Cove"

I found out about a documentary called "The Cove".  The documentary is about the harvest of dolphins that happens in the waters surrounding Japan.  They specifically document in a town called Taiji, which is played off to be a town that is devoted to the awe and wonder of dolphins.  In this town is where the very secretive operations of the dolphin harvesters occur.  Many of the Japanese people that reside there have no idea that these things are happening.

The video was directed by a National Geographic photographer and it's looks really interesting.  I think there is a lot more to this video than I described, but you'll have to watch it yourself to find out!

Read 'n' Seed 6: Final Review of "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight"

The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight was an excellent read.  The book is basically an overview of the critical breaking point at which we find ourselves today due to war, famine, overpopulation, deforestation, the oil crisis, the lack of clean water, and more.  The book described all of these issues in a way that was easier to understand than trying to do your own research.  Next the book described how we got to this devastating point.  How could these things all be happening right now?  What direction did we go in that took us down this path.  Lastly, the book to a lighter note by offering up many solutions to the problem.  The cool part of the last section of the book were that the solutions truly were things that we could all do.  They weren't like stop buying, and stop driving, and stop eating.

There are absolutely more than 3 significant things I can take from this book, but here are 3 that will stick with me.  First off, I learned how bad our situation really is.  I think that the media does a good job diverting our attention from it with their smoke and mirrors, but the truth is we are running out of oil, and oil is our way of life.  We need to start looking for alternative ways to live and invest the oil we have left into making those alternative sources into a viable reality.  Secondly, I learned that our culture and other westernized culture have a lot to learn.  We have to stop trying to be the dominators of everything (people, land, plants, animals).  We could really learn a lot of lessons from older cultures who lived in harmony with nature instead of seeing it as a take what you can and give nothing back opportunity.  We have to stop seeing ourselves as the highest life forms.  We have to get out of the mindset that everything was put here for us to use and for our purposes with no consequences related to what we choose to do with it.  Lastly I learned that the best solution there is would be to change our way of thinking because that is how you change a culture.  It's easier said than done because culture, just like nature, is something that surrounds us.  It is something we are submerged in from the time we are born until our death.  How do you change something you hardly even realize is around you anymore?  

I learned some pretty deep and important stuff from this book.  For example if we change our way of thinking, than maybe we could change the social norms.  It used to be that professors could smoke in the classroom, but now if a professor did that their would be outrage and disgust by many of the students and other faculty alike.  In a matter of 30 years, the norms changed.  What if we could do the same thing with recycling, or oil conservation, or numerous other things? What if the mass majority of people would be disgusted if they saw you throw away a bottle instead of putting it in the recycling?  I think these and many other like it are the ideas this book tries to instill in the reader.  Change is possible, not easy, but possible. 


Would I recommend this book to others?  Yes, absolutely.  I think this book is stocked with important information and it has the power to change your perspective of being helpless in all of this environmental crisis if you go into it with an open mind.  I don't think this book is for everyone, but I do think anyone wanted a pretty simple and to the point overview on all this eco-distress this is a  good book to read!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 10: Overall Project Reflection

My smart goal was to use reusable bags 100% of the time I shop.  I didn't change my goal during the project.  I just never had a reason to because it remained challenging.

To be successful, I had to first buy a few reusable bags.  Then I had to keep them in places I would remember to use them.  Therefore I decided to put one in my car.  I soon realized that I wasn't always in my car.  Sometimes I was with other people.  This lead me to buy a reusable bag that could be folded up and placed in my purse.  Then I really started to succeed at my goal!

I benefited from this project in the fact that I was successful at making a change that was good for the environment.  Once you've made one change and have it down why not make another?   Behavior change isn't easy, I definitely was reminded of that.  Although it isn't easy, you can take steps to make it easier on yourself until you're adjusted to it and it's simply part of your mind set.

The environment is improved by using reusable bags because there is less plastic in the world.  There are less landfills loaded with things that are not biodegradable.  Less animals will ingest these plastic particles.  Less oil will be used to make the plastic for the bags themselves, and for production.  Less trees will be used to produce paper bags.  Altogether, less life will be injured, and less fuel and other resources will be used.

  I will absolutely continue this behavior!  It's so easy once you have the bags and are used to using them, so why would I want to stop?!  Also, my parents have started to use reusable bags, so we have to stick together!


To others who are making a lifestyle change I would suggest making sure it's something they really are committed to changing before they began.  If they're not 100% ready to make the change it could lead to failure and failing may lead to not trying it again. Also, I would suggest that they do some kind of reflection or have some way to monitor their progress like we did.  If you don't it makes it easy to forget that you're even working towards a lifestyle change.  Also, I would say to just follow the SMART goal format and make it realistic, timely, measurable, and all of that.

Glad I was able to make a change and stick with it this semester! This may just be the start!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 10 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Advocacy Project: Letter to a Public Official

The Honorable Senator Amy Klobuchar
United States Senate
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2304

Dear Senator Klobuchar,

I am writing as a citizen to encourage you to vote yes to the H.R. 1432 bill.  The purpose of this bill is to reduce youth usage of tobacco products, to enhance State efforts to eliminate retail sales of tobacco products to minors, and for other purposes. This bill is also known as the "Stop Adolescent Smoking Without Excessive Bureaucracy Act of 2009".  This act would strengthen state laws relating to tobacco product sales to individuals under the age of 18 and would enforce public disclosure of ingredients on tobacco products.

Currently I am a 21 year old student at the University of Minnesota Duluth working towards my degree in Community Health.  I know that minors don't always have the necessary information to make healthy decisions like that of not smoking, especially when the tobacco industry targets that age group with different marketing campaigns.  Also, many minors who begin smoking think that they can stop at will, which is something that thousands of people fail at each year due to the extremely addictive nature of the drug.

Strengthening the laws related to tobacco product sales to minors would benefit many parties. Perhaps it could decrease the 49,000 deaths that happen each year due to second hand smoke (CDC).  Maybe it would decrease the $96 billion in health care spending attributed to smoking (CDC).  Lastly, perhaps it would decrease the number of minors who become the next life-long users and some of the tobacco industries loyalist customers.

Please support this important piece of legislature and make a difference in the lives of the citizens you serve.

I would also appreciate if you would let me know of the decision you make and the action you take regarding this bill.

Sincerely,



Abby Stocker
(contact information)

Share & Voice: No Impact Man

Watch this video first because it will make this post much better!



Have you ever heard of "No Impact Man"?  Colin Beaven is a man with a plan; a one year plan.  This self-proclaimed liberal felt guilty sitting around waiting for politicians to make things green so he decided to try a pretty extreme experiment.  He created a project in which for 1 year he and his family (wife and 2 year old daughter) would create zero impact on the environment.  This means they will produce absolutely no carbon footprint.  The family lives in the middle of New York, not the easiest place to go green.  This project means there will be no subways, cars, or planes, no trash, no elevators, no objects in plastic, no t.v., etc.  The Beaven family bought nothing, but food for an entire year (and even then it had to be locally grown). Is less more?  Can you be happier by reducing your impact on the environment? I haven't watched the movie myself, but it looks really interesting and I know this family gave up a lot.  I'm not sure how they showered, or went to the bathroom, or washed their clothes. 

"No Impact Man" also has a blog and a book published.  Here is the link to his website: http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/

Anyway, I just thought this was a really awesome experiment and I'm sure watching this video or reading his blog could teach us all little ways to be more environmentally friendly, even if you don't want to go to extremes.

Reflection: Weeks 11 & 12

Another two weeks has flown by and It's already the end of the semester!  With each class I'm feeling more informed and more prepared to be an environmentally friendly steward!

Week 11 was really informative.  We started class by defining environmental literacy, health, and one other word that I nor anyone else can seem to remember (sorry Dr. V!).  It was hard to define because our definitions had to be at the reading level of a ten year old.  I really had no idea how difficult that was, you would think it would make it easier!  That was honestly the most challenging part, that and revising other groups definitions.  Next we watched "The Story of Stuff".  This mini documentary described exactly where all our stuff comes from (like the resources needed to mine, manufacture, produce, and deliver the goods).  This was probably what stuck with me the most from the past two weeks.  I can't believe how corrupt many company's are.  How can they make products that are meant to break so you have to buy new ones?! I am PISSED! When will the earth become more important that making a profit.  It also sucks that although America only consists of 5% of the population we use 30% of the resources.  Does anyone else feel that stat is a little unbalanced?  Lastly we did JUNKING!!!!! How cool was that?! We looked at these 5 items that seemed to have no purpose and came up with different ways they could be used.  I don't think I've laughed that hard in a class since high school.  I think personally, finding a purpose for an object isn't the problem, but actually making your ideas into a reality.  It's one of those "oh, I use it when I have more time" or "I'll make it into a gift then the occasion rolls around".  Anyway, junking is gonna be a new hobby for me for sure!

Week 12 was a little more toned down I'd say.  We learned how to use blog hops, which are pretty applicable to many blogging situations!  In our class's case we used the blog hop to show off our PHOTO ESSAYS!  I really enjoyed doing my photo essay.  My friend from Korea has to go back after she graduates college in December because her Visa is up and Grand Forks has been her home and I've been her family for 9 years.  We even had our graduation parties together!  I took her around with me when I was on my "Green-Tour" and so I got homework done and she got to tour her home one last time.  It was a really good for both of us.  On a lighter note, it was really great to see everyone's photo essays.  Way cool!  Lastly, we talked about writing our advocacy letter.  I'm not gonna lie, it's kind of a step backwards after doing something cool like photo essays, but I understand that it's important.   We'll see how it goes!

My family! Me, Mom, In Young, Dad, Sister, Baby!

Can't wait for our next 2 (and last 2) classes together!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 9: Weekly Update

My SMART Goal: To use reusable bags 100% of the time I shop.

Success Rate: 100% success rate this week!

The Week: Well, this past week I was home for Thanksgiving and shockingly did not do ANY shopping.  This is highly unlike me, but I was busy with family, friends and homework.  Although I don't have much to report about my own reusable bags, I did notice that my parents have started to use them!  This was so awesome! I hadn't even talked to them about how great they are for the environment!

Lessons Learned: I learned that I don't think I give my parents quite enough credit.  While I was home and I did my photo essay on how Grand Forks is going green I realized that my household has always been pretty green.  My dad is the light master of the house, always turning off every light before we leave and only using the necessary lights in the house.  Ever since I was a kid we've been religious about recycling.  They're even on the ball about the reusable bags, which is something that's even relatively new to me!  Wait to go Scott and Jan! 

Next Week's Plans:  I think I'd like to keep my goal the same.  Only one more week, hope I can make it a success!

My Parents in Edinburgh at the Royal Museum of Scotland

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

 I love the idea of a photo essay.  It's personal, which makes it more interesting!  My first thought was to try and make homemade, non-toxic cleaning products and use them on my kitchen and bathroom; however, I've been home the past 5 days and my mom is some kind of cleaning Nazi who keeps our house looking spotless and immaculate (as you can see from a picture of my bathroom).  Since there is no point in cleaning what's already clean and even less of a point when I'm trying to prove the effectiveness of non-toxic cleaning products I came up with a new idea.  Take a green-tour of the greater Grand Forks area!

In 1997 Grand Forks and East Grand Forks suffered through a huge flood.  The water rose 54 feet out of the banks of the river and broke through sandbags and makeshift dikes.  It ended up destroying many homes, businesses, and other buildings. Piles of contaminated garbage, appliances, and the guts of houses lined the streets for months.  What a huge waste of materials! Since then, these two towns have done a lot to improve our community and build it up even better than it was at first!  In these two pictures I am on opposite sides of the river standing next to what now acts as a flood wall to contain the river if it ever decides to rise again.
 This picture illustrates the record high water level in 1997 along with other flood years. 




Now days along the banks of the Red River we have something called "The Greenway".  It was originally 1200 acres of floodplain, but has now been created into something useful!  There are over 20 miles of bike and running trails, 2 Frisbee golf courses (one on each side of the river), a dog park, numerous playgrounds, sports fields, and more. 
 

In this picture you can see a biker enjoying the use of the trails across the river.  I'm standing next to the statue with the water levels on it as I took the picture.  In 1997 the river was covering the road on the bridge just to give you an idea of how high it was.

<-- Here's one of the Frisbee golf courses.

Here is an information pillar in the Greenway.  It contained a map of the bike paths and "Fitness trails".    -->

There are solar powered street lamps that line a good portion of the trails, which solve the problem of getting electricity to a flood prone area along with really staying true to the idea of a "Greenway".













Along the Greenway is this town square.  It holds farmers markets every weekend during the summer and growing season.  You can buy all kinds of locally grown and organic produce along with other goods!  There is even a stage for music and other performances!

Something that East Grand Forks (EGF) has created since the flood is what we call our "Green Site".  Each resident of EGF is given a card that opens up the gate to the green site and people can recycle all kinds of things like yard wasts such as grass clippings, leaves, and tree branches.

 

 

Just doing some recycling at the Green Site!

Paper only!

Recycling is easy!

 

But please, no dumping.

Something that was new on this home visit to even me was our windmill!  A wind mill was recently constructed on the edge of town.  Wind energy is a green, renewable source of power.  It doesn't require the use of fossil fuels, or create water or air pollutants.

 

Lastly, there have been changes in how we recycle.  I don't remember a time when we didn't recycle at my house.  Everyone on our block did and we had to separate everything!  I remember dragging each individual bin out to the end of the driveway before school.  Glass, cans, plastic, and another bag for paper and cardboard!  Now the city has issued everyone a standard garbage can and recycling bin.  You can throw all of your recycling into one container and hull it out to your curb!

      

Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

What is the Issue?

My issue addresses the use of tobacco products by minors.  They are not legal to use these products and the products have many negative consequences on health.   Healthy People 2010 has been moving towards its target of reducing adolescent tobacco use (grades 9-12 ).
 

Here is a piece of current legislation proposed to address the issue:
H.R.1432:To reduce youth usage of tobacco products, to enhance State efforts to eliminate retail sales of tobacco products to minors, and for other purposes.

Who is Affected by the Issue? 


Minors along with the tobacco industry are both affected by this issue.  The CDC estimates that 20% of high school aged kids smoke and that 1,000 new persons under the age of 18 become regular smokers everyday (CDC).  It's hard to say who wins and loses because it depends on your stance on the issue.  From my perspective, since I think adolescent tobacco use is a negative thing, adolescents are losing when the tobacco industry targets them with marketing or when the clerk at a convenience store doesn't check an i.d. They are losing their health, and often gaining negative social stereotypes and stigmas.  The tobacco company are the winners in this situation.  They are making money off of those who are not even of legal age to purchase their products, and on top of that they are trying to make loyal customers out of these minors.

What are the Consequences?

The are many obvious health consequences related to using tobacco products, which many of us are well versed in by now. Although most individuals our age know about the dangers of using tobacco products, this isn't always the case with minors.  Also hooking younger and younger kids on smoking and creating more and more life-long users is a drain on our health system.  After all, tobacco use is the single most cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S (CDC).  Worldwide, smoking is the cause of over 5 million deaths a year (CDC).

What are the Social and Economic Impacts?

I touched on the economic impact a tiny bit when I talked about smoking being a drain on the health system.  It is estimated that annually $96 billion in health-care spending is attributed to tobacco use (MIT).  This cost doesn't even cover another important economic issue.  That being a loss of productivity.  That cost is somewhere in the neighborhood of $97 billion (CDC).  There are other related costs as well that are easy to forget.  Take the billions of dollars that are spent each year on smoking cessation aids like over-the-counter and prescription medications, counseling, and clinical treatments. The tobacco industry is also spending money, and a lot of it is spent on advertising.  In 2005, tobacco spending in advertising and promotions reached 13 billion dollars (CDC).  
Something that is responsible for 1/5 of the deaths in the U.S. each year has a colossal social impact (CDC). Those deaths not only represent smokers, but those who died from second hand smoke as well. Second hand smoke exposure is actually responsible for an estimated 49,000 deaths each year (CDC).  Second hand smoke has also been linked to SIDS.  For these and many other reasons our society has been making changes and moving toward more smoke free public environments.  You can no longer smoke in many bars, restaurants, or work places.

 

What are the Barriers?

The tobacco industry itself is the largest barrier on this issue.  It's an immensely wealthy entity and with great wealth comes great power.  They have lobbyist who can pay politicians huge sums for their campaigns and in return these politicians make decisions that bode well for the tobacco industry.
Another barrier to success is human behavior.  It is very hard to change human behavior and smoking is one of the most addictive behaviors you can think of.  Minors often begin smoking thinking that they will be able to stop at will (MIT).  These minors may end up to be life-long smokers and some of the tobacco industries loyalest customers.  An estimated 40% of smokers try to quit each year, but few are successful (CDC).  It's estimated that as low as 8% of smokers successfully quit long-term (MIT).

What are the Resources?


If you check out the CDC website there are a lot of cool resources.  you can find tons of information and facts about smoking in general, along with smoking risks for specific populations.  You can also find cool links to things like the Media Campaign Resource Center (MCRC) which give you access to a whole bunch of ads and other campaign materials.  The MCRC basically helps you develop a media plan that will be taylored towards your specific audience and localize advertising materials. 
There are endless amounts of resources of smoking cessation.  Look online. look on tv, look on a billboard and you will see them.  Here is a few really unique anti-smoking ads: click here!  Here is a really graphic ad campaign ran in Australia: check it out


Who are the Allies and Opponents?

The tobacco industry is the largest opponent. Although there are laws against advertising to minors they get away with it using Internet marketing on sites like Facebook and Myspace that are primary geared towards younger users.  The tobacco industry also has a lot of power and influence because they have to available funds to buy protection.  They buy protection from politicians when they give them campaign money insuring their best interests.
Politicians, those who have been elected to represent what "we the people" want and who are in charge of making changes for the better are supposed to be our allies. And yet states have billions of dollars available to them (from tobacco taxes) for preventing and controlling tobacco use and over 95% of it goes untouched (CDC).  In 2004 $24.9 billion was available to the states from taxes and settlements and only 3% was used (CDC). 

My Recommendation: 
 

My recommendation would be to support the piece of legislation proposed at the top of this blog.  It may be a small step towards eliminating the use of tobacco products by minors, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

Read 'n' Seed 5: Fourth Quarter of "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight"

A few months later and I can say that I'm completely finished with "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight".  The fourth quarter of my book consisted of pages 286 - 356 which contained 10 chapters.

I mentioned in my other posts that the book was split into three basic sections.  In the first section the author talked about what's happening to our world and where we're at today.  This included discussing all of out worldly issues like over-population, famine, war, global warming, the oil crisis, etc.  The second part of the book was about how we got this way.  This section covered a lot of historical aspects for how we've gotten to this critical point.  Lastly, the third section of the book is about what we can do to start to reverse of of this damage or at least stop it's continuation. 

The main idea that I got from this last section of reading was that there is no end-all be-all cure for the earth's current predicament.  The author offers many ideas of ways we can start to change things.  This includes "renouncing the destruction of life" meaning we have to understand that every living thing is just as important as the next and we are not the dominators of all life. Other ways we can change the path we're on include turning off the t.v., changing the focus of how we use technology, putting more belief into intentional communities, reinventing our daily life rituals, and transforming culture through politics. 

I think the most significant idea that I'm going to take a away from this section is that true change is not a simple process.  The author says that in this book he "presents as a solution something that many may think couldn't possibly be a solution because it seems unfathomably difficult:  change our culture, beginning with yourself."  This is so much harder to do than it seems on the surface.  I mean how do you change something that you've been submerged in since the second you were born?  It's ingrained in us and we're surrounded by it in every aspect of our lives.  It's what we eat, it's what we wear, it's where we sleep, it's how we speak, it's there when nothing else is around us.  Although this may be the hardest thing to do, it's the most crucial thing if we are going to change the outcome of the planet. 

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 8: Weekly Update

My SMART Goal: To use reusable bags 100% of the time I shop.

Success Rate: 100% success rate this week!

The Week: Not too much to talk about this week.  I was at work everyday except for one since my last eco-chic update so I only ended up going shopping once.  I did a little grocery shopping late Thursday night after my shift at work.  I just like to pop in my ipod and walk around the isles!  I almost forgot my bag in the car, but grabbed it at last second!  I ended up having to carry a few items because my bag ran out of room, but I'm alright with that!

Lessons Learned: I learned that it's easy to succeed at your goal when you don't have anytime to shop.  I guess it saves plastic bags and my bank account.  It's what I like to call a Win/Win.

Next Week's Plans:  I think I'd like to keep my goal the same.  I plan to do some shopping for Christmas gifts when I'm home for Thanksgiving so I'm going to have to remember to take my reusable bags with me and I urge everyone else to take reusable bags with them as they shop this holiday season!  That kind of sounded like one of those "The More You Know" commercials that you see on NBC.  Check it out: http://www.themoreyouknow.com/ 

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 8 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Reflection: weeks 9 & 10

Weeks 9 and 10 were a little different than past weeks in the way that instead of doing eye-openers we have been working on our advocacy projects. 

In week 9 we started out by learning about advocacy.  We did this by getting into groups and teaching the class different topics related to advocacy.  This was an interesting way to learn and an interesting way to teach as well.  Most groups did some kind of skit to illustrate their point.  I learned that advocacy is not a service and that it doesn't always have to be really confrontational.  It was interesting learning about the barriers to advocacy because they all made sense.  I think I'm most guilty of not knowing enough about an issue, but that is something I could totally change if I just took the time! 

We also found our political leaders online and all of their contact information.  Something that surprised me about this was they that they did their email.  Most representatives didn't have an actually email address, but more like this blank form you would go to their site and fill out.  I guess it makes sense considering how many emails they must get, but I was kind of just expecting to find an email address like any other individual would have. 

In week 10 we watched the first section of a documentary called "Unnatural Causes".  The section was called "In Sickness and In Wealth" and was about health and how it seems to be directly correlated to wealth.  It's pretty upsetting to see how life expectancy goes down with level of income.  It was also a really big eye-opener to see how much stress is put on people who earn less, or people who are in less control at their jobs.  I never expected that.  When I think about stress, I definitely was thinking that the hospital CEO must be under a lot of stress, way more than a janitor.  It was crazy to find out that that's not the case.  My book kind of ties into this as it's talking about how we are constantly stressed because we are constantly working for security.  I guess I can see that a CEO with more security than a janitor would have less stress.

 
We also discussed the upcoming photo essay.  This is a pretty cool idea!  I can't wait to see everyone's ideas.  Photo essays should be used for more projects in more classes.  It's way more interesting to not only the person completing the project, but also for those viewing it!  I plan on making naturally cleaning solutions out of things like baking soda and vinegar and testing how well they clean! Pretty exciting stuff! 

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 7: Weekly Update

My SMART Goal: To use reusable bags 100% of the time I shop.

Success Rate: 100% success rate this week!

The Week: This week I did not use any plastic bags!  I went shopping a few different times, but I was always prepared because I bought one of those fold up Superone bags that I now keep in my purse, and I also carry two reusable bags in my car.  Me and a friend went shopping at the thrift store and the grocery store and we were sure to use our reusable bags each time.  We also went to Caribou where I noticed they have those bags that fold up into themselves and look like hacky sacks!  They were like $9 so I think I can find one cheaper if I keep my eyes peeled.

Lessons Learned: I learned that it's easy to succeed at your goal when you come prepared and it feels good too!

Next Week's Plans:  I think I'd like to keep my goal the same.  I'm also still looking for cute bags for my mom and sister so if anyone sees any around town let me know!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 7 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

I looked under the goal "Reduce illness, disability and death related to tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke" and used the Healthy People 2010 objective 27-2: To reduce tobacco use by adolescents (grades 9 -12).

As of the midcourse review use of all different kinds of tobacco (cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco) has moved toward the target goal of change by 68%.  Black non-Hispanics have the best rate.  White non-Hispanics have the worst out of the group (with a 50-99% disparity from the best group).  Hispanics are in the middle (with a 10-49% disparity from the best group).  There is no data on other races.  Females were listed as the group with the best rate and males were listed as having a 10-49% disparity from the best group. 

 Although progress has been made towards the goal there are still some emerging issues.  Smokeless tobacco was listed as an issue.  This may be because sometimes these products can be seen as less harmful then other tobacco products.  However this is untrue because these products are known human carcinogens and they are still addictive and harmful to your health.  Another emerging issue is the use of the internet to market tobacco products.  It is very hard to police the internet and many sites use weak or non existent age verification methods.  This has set back the goal of reducing the proportion of adolescents and young adults who are exposed to tobacco advertising.  If that goal has setbacks it adversely affects the success of my goal. 


H.R.1432: To reduce youth usage of tobacco products, to enhance State efforts to eliminate retail sales of tobacco products to minors, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] (introduced 3/11/2009)      Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Energy and Commerce
Latest Major Action: 3/11/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Recommendation: Vote YES for H.R. 1432
My Political Representative(s):

Read 'n' Seed 4: Third Quarter of "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight"

The third quarter of "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight" had a different feel than the first half of the book.  I read pages 192 to 285.  This incorporated about 12 chapters.

In the first part of the book the author discussed all of the issues that earth and the world's population are facing such as the oil crisis, lack of clean accessible water, famine, war, deforestation, global warming etc.  In the second part of book the author describes how we got to this critical point on the verge of destruction.  Finally, in the third part of the book the main topic was what we can do about it.  

This third section of the book is probably my favorite.  It's much more upbeat than the other two for obvious reasons.  Instead of talking about the downside of our situation, it talked about what can be done to try and reverse what's happening.  It addressed more spiritual and cultural things we need to address verses tangible things.  One thing I learned is that we are all connected by something called  a "morphic field".  It's hard to explain, but as I understood it it's kind of like this huge collective unconscious.  This means if individually we start to change our way of thinking it can echo out in the larger world.  When enough people learn to think differently there will be a snap or shift and our culture will change.  The interconnectedness of all things is something I find somewhat difficult to grasp, but I love the idea of it and I want to believe that it's true.  The author also talked about practicing "small acts of anonymous mercy".  These have a synergistic effect.  The more random acts of kindness performed, the more people will be inclined to act in a kind manner.

The idea of the interconnectedness of all things gives me a feeling of equality to all living things.  Some humans believe that we are superior to all other living things and that it is our right to dominate over all of nature, but what does that mean?  That we have a right to use everything, in any amount, and however we would like with no thought or question as to how it effects other living things or future generations?  I believe that we are the earth's stewards, not the earth's tyrants.  I recently read a chapter out of a book called "What Color is Your Parachute" in which the author describes life as individual moments in which you have the power by the decisions you make whether or not to bring more gratitude, more kindness, more forgiveness, more honesty, and more love into this world.  Everyday we live these moments whether we are conscious that these decisions are being made or not.  I feel that if everyone believed that with each decision they made they had the chance to bring more or less love into the world we would all try a little harder.  I feel like this is sort of the point that the author of my book was trying to get across as well.    

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 6: Weekly Update

My SMART Goal: To use reusable bags 100% of the time I shop.

Success Rate:  I would give myself a 90% success rate this week.

The Week: Well, it would have been a perfect 100% but I went to the grocery store last night with a classmate because we have to bring snack to a class.  We took her car and I didn't even think to grab reusable bags.  She didn't have any either and we got quite a few items so we each ended up using a paper bag.  However, we each cut down on the amount of bags we might have used by carrying the jugs of juice instead of using another bag.  This was the only time I went shopping within the last few days.  I have noticed that now that I have a couple of reusable bags I tend to find a bunch of different ways to use them!  For instants, I will be carrying the snack for the health 4000 class in them.  I also use them as gym bags, laundry bags, and carrying my school stuff! 

Lessons Learned: I learned that the biggest barrier in successfully completing my goal is not having a bag on hand.  I keep a fold up bag in my purse now, but not in my backpack, which was why I was not successful this week.  It would be worth it to buy another fold up bag to keep in my backpack so I always have one on hand. 
Next Week's Plans:  I think I want to keep my goal the same (since I've only been successful once or twice).  However, I did have a brain storm here that I really want to get my family members using reusable bags.  I know my mom would totally be into the idea if I got her a cute little fold up one for her purse and my sister loves purses and bags so I think I could get her to use them at the grocery store!  Looks like I'm on the hunt for some cute bags!    

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 6 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

<--way cute

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 6 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy

Advocacy Project: My Political Representatives

President Obama  -   Democrat  -  http://www.whitehouse.gov/

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500   

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
You can fill our a form to email the president, but no email address is listed. 

Jim Oberstar - House Congressmen- Democrat - http://oberstar.house.gov/ 

 http://oberstar.house.gov/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC={AF74BAFF-6820-45D4-81A6-E450E544722C
The above website has all of Jim's contact information.
You can fill out a form to email him.  


Amy Klobuchar - Senator Congresswoman - Democrat - http://klobuchar.senate.gov/

 http://klobuchar.senate.gov/contactamy.cfm
The above link has like 10 different addresses and phone numbers in 10 different locations you can reach Amy at.  You can fill out a form to email her.

Toll free number:      1-888-224-9043

Al Franken - Senate Congressman - Democrat - http://franken.senate.gov/


http://franken.senate.gov/contact/
The above website contains Al's contact infromation and a form you could fill out if you'd like to email him.

Governor Tim Pawlenty  - Republican-  http://www.governor.state.mn.us/ 

Mailing Address:

Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Other ways to reach our office:

Telephone: (651) 296-3391
Toll Free:    (800) 657-3717
Facsimile:   (651) 296-2089
E-mail:        tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us

Legislators   -   http://www.leg.state.mn.us/

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/housemembers.asp
The above link has all the names, phone numbers, party information, and emails of the members of the house members.
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_list.php?sort=a&ls=#header
The above link has all the names, phone numbers, party information, and emails of the member of the senate.

St. Louis County Board    -   http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/slcportal/SiteMap/HomePage/ContactUs/tabid/552/SiteMap/HomePage/Departments/CountyBoard/tabid/554/Default.aspx

The St. Louis County Board does not list anyone as their president, however the board includes 7 members which represent the 7 different districts in the county.  Those board members contact information can be found on that link including name, address, phone number, and a link to email them. The site also includes times and dates that the board meets.

Mayor of East Grand Forks MN - Lynn Stauss -  http://www.ci.east-grand-forks.mn.us/city/mayorbio.php

600 DeMers Ave • P.O. Box 373 « East Grand Forks, MN 56721
218-773-2483 • 218-773-9728 fax

This was the most information I could find on my hometown mayor.  I couldn't find an email address or a political affiliation.  The website I provided is a lackluster attempt at a biography.  Oh, small town politics!  However, I do know where he lives (a few blocks from my house) and it wouldn't be hard to find his home phone number in the yellow pages I'm sure.

Reflection: Weeks 7 & 8

Weeks 7 & 8 brought up some very interesting subjects that I hadn't really been exposed to.

In week 7 we watched a video called "Green".  The video concentrated on cities that sat on the banks of the Mississippi in the southern part of the states, a place dubbed "cancer alley".  It received this nickname because of all the huge chemical production plants that also situated themselves on the Mississippi.  These chemicals are leeching into the water, and into the air, and dramatically decreasing the quality of life for the members of the communities surrounding them.  These communities face higher rates of cancer, asthma, and other negative health effects.  The people affected cry out for help from their local and state government, and from the companies producing the problems, but are ignored.  Their very legitimate concerns are pooh-poohed, and dismissed with hardly a thought.  Why?  Because the companies are making a profit, because the companies have the power, the wealth, and the voice, because they think of these communities as expendable.  Well I think these communities are people like everyone else and no one can put a price on a life.  No one can make the decision that a certain population is disposable.  This documentary highlighted environmental racism, that is the idea that those of lower socioeconomic status and living in minority communities are more exposed to harmful environmental afflictions.  This is in part because rules and regulations are loosely enforces at best for this industries of pollution.  This documentary really lit my injustice light.  How can these things be happening?  And on top of that, how can these things be ignored?

After the movie we were put into two groups: those representing the chemical production companies, and those representing the affected communities.  I was placed on the side of industry.  It was hard to do but when I started thinking as if I were in their shoes it's easy to see why they do it:  they get away with it, they aren't affected by it, and they make a profit.  I would think at some point morality and ethics would set in, but clearly that is not the case.  It's just so hard to change this cycle of injustice.  What can anyone do?  I feel just as powerless as those communities.  I honestly believe that before anything changes, our culture has to make some big changes.  Anyway, the video gave me a lot to think about, and a lot to be thankful about as far as the quality of air I breath and the quality of water I drink, things I would normally take for granted.

In week 8 we watched another documentary called "Thirst".  This film shed some light on the privatization of water issue that's taking place around the world.  I had no idea this was even an issue until this past Monday.  Although the video gave us a good idea of what's happening I still have so many questions!  How can anyone "own" the water supply?  Whose is it to sell off in the first place?  Why dose the world bank have their claws in EVERYTHING?!  It really sucks that water privatization is happening in the states, but it's even more under handed that it's happening in places like India.  How is it that companies like Coca Cola, and Pepsi are draining water right from under homes in India and then selling it back to them for profit?  Water being more expensive for these people than milk is out of control.  I just loved how the video showed individuals in higher positions saying things like "We will sell the water at affordable prices".  How do they determine what is affordable for some of the poorest people on earth?  I just get so ticked off when I see all these big figure heads from the world bank and such places making these decisions.  I mean they live a pretty cozy life, so they don't stand to lose anything from the decisions they make about water rights and rather are bound to make profitable gains.  I found a really comprehensive article on water privatization and in it, it says, "Fortune magazine has predicted that "water is the oil of the 21 century" and corporations are rushing to invest in the water business."  It also stated that, "The World Bank predicts that by 2025, two-thirds of the world's population will suffer from lack of clean and safe drinking water."  I think we all better start standing up for our right to water for life and not for profit before we have to pay an arm and a leg to boil macaroni noodles, or make kool-aid!  My favorite quote from the film was by the man from Bolivia. He said "The people united will not be defeated."  Considering the water crisis that may be in our near future these seem like appropriate words to take to heart. 

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5: Weekly Update

My SMART goal: To use reusable bags 100% of the time I shop.

Success Rate: If I had to put a percent on it I would say that I was 80% successful this week.

The Week: I had a few challenges this week among the successes.  The challenge was running out of room in my bags.  I only have 2 reusable bags currently and I went on a colossal grocery store journey this weekend.  This wasn't a problem until I was trying to fit everything I bought into two bags.  Needless to say it was mission impossible and I ended up needed to use 2 paper bags, darn :( At least it was a bag-your-own-food kind of store so I had the option to use as few bags as possible and we do often reuse paper bags at our house to contain our massive recycle pile so I know this bags will be put to use!  As far as successes go, I bought a new pair of boots and I made sure to tell the cashier that I could just carry the box so that's one less bag floating around out there!

Lessons Learned: This week I learned that it doesn't hurt to have a few extra reusable bags.  I'm still on the hunt for a fold up bag that can fit in my purse.  I also learned that sometimes it's okay to use paper bags if you have another purpose for them. 

Next Week Plans: Well, for next week I will continue on with this same goal.  I don't plan to modify it.  However, if anyone knows where to find a cute reusable fold up bag just send that information my way!

Just a little side story:  When my roommate Hailey and I lived in England for those 9 months we would often go get our groceries using our huge backpacks we used for traveling (pictured below).  It was easier to handle one backpack then several bags on the bus and much easier when you had to carry all those groceries for about a mile after you got off the bus!  Total bag savers!  

 Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy