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Sink or Swim: Is your beach safe?

In 2006, there were 25,000 beach closings and advisory days nationwide at ocean, bay, and Great Lake beaches. This article discusses beach water quality standards, health effects of contaminated water, and the Natural Resources Defense Council’s report on the best and worst water quality at vacation beaches in 2006.

School Bus Safety Concerns: Seat belts and Pollution

The big, yellow school bus is the safest form of transportation for getting your child to school. Yet every ride poses safety and health risks. This article discusses the gaps in safety on school buses—namely lack of seat belts and diesel emissions—and the health risks these pose to children. The article offers practical advice on what parents can do to improve their child’s safety on the school bus.

Party ‘Til the Earth is Saved: How to Accomplish an Eco-Friendly Birthday Party

Do you want to provide your child with a truly memorable birthday party while maintaining ecologically sound practices, grounding consumption expectations and keeping to a reasonable budget? This article describes how one Real Mama and her family did it all, providing readers with lots of eco-friendly birthday party ideas.

You Can Stop Global Warming! Take a Carbon Neutral Vacation

Each year, air travel is responsible for ten percent of the carbon emitted from the average two-person American household. Planning a carbon neutral vacation where you cancel or buy back the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from your air travel will likely decrease your carbon output more significantly than any other change you make in your life. This article discusses the environmental effects of air travel, the option of carbon neutral vacations and compares various online retailers who offer a platform where you can purchase carbon credits.

Paper or Plastic? Information to help you answer what was once a common question.

The environmental footprint left by our grocery bags is huge, and neither paper nor plastic treads much lighter than the other. This article discusses the paper or plastic dilemma, comparing statistics on the energy use and environmental impacts of paper and plastic grocery bags. It concludes that reusable totes are the most environmentally-sound option, and offers practical advice on what to look for when purchasing reusable totes, and what to do when you accidentally leave the totes at home on grocery day.

Let the Sunshine Down on Me (and You): The case for solar power as the solution to global warming.

As the threat of global warming looms overhead, some scientists speculate that a 2% cut in carbon emissions per year may be enough to stave off the negative impacts predicted to accompany the ensuing climate change. Switching to solar power is one way we might drastically cut our carbon emission output. This article discusses the technology needed to turn sunlight into solar power that is currently available, and how solar power is quickly becoming an affordable option for many homeowners.

Nature Has No Recalls: Getting Joy Beyond Toys

The recent recalls and news about toxins in toys manufactured in countries around the world have put parents into a frenzy, making them think twice about their children playing with the latest must-have toy. While toys can bring joy, they can also bring the pitfalls of over-consumption and safety concerns. This article discusses the pitfalls of toys and the alternative of playing in nature, which offers many benefits from reduction of symptoms of hyperactivity and attention-deficit disorder to stress reduction and increasing better self-discipline.

Activities to Encourage Environmental Stewardship in Kids (and You!) This Fall

This webpage provides ideas for activities, websites, books and products that are sure to be fun and encourage environmental stewardship in your kids and you this fall.

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