Global Warming for Kids

This past weekend I spent the afternoon with my niece who informed me that she had recently learned about climate change in her science class. After discussing what climate change meant for her I did some research on climate change educational materials for children and found this video and noticed how informative it actually is for children.

I remember discussing in a sexual health seminar, the importance of teaching children about sexual health because they not only have an influence over their behavior, but that of their families. My niece is now what some would call "socially awake." Instead of gifts she wants an outdoor compost bin for the garden, and she has requested family volunteer outings to farms, and beach clean-up crews (programs that she learned about in school). She, like the other children in her class who wrote letters to Governor Brown are reminders of who we are supposed to be working for.

Link to Video: LINK

An Ocean of Problems (Ocean Acidification for Kids!!)

Learn about how climate change is impacting our oceans by watching this very entertaining and very child-friendly (who says learning about adverse effects needs to be hard!?). The Alliance for Climate Education is the nation's leader in climate science education and this short on ocean acidification is perfect. 

Link to Video: LINK

For more about ACE, visit their website:  http://acespace.org

Before the Flood (Movie Review)

Before the Flood is one of those documentaries that makes you think about a very unpleasant subject, our own demise. As a climate documentary, in a field that is quite depressing, it is well put together in the information that it provides its viewers around where we are now (doomed), how we got here (our own greed and denial), and how we can make changes (there might not be a chance). It's interesting to see in the film how human behavior has driven the issue, and who we are all in some way or another just victims of our own circumstance. 

Our own denial of the evidence of climate change parallels the approach used by cigarette companies all those years ago where bad science was used to put together arguments that can't really hold up under scrutiny, but the power players push through the agenda regardless. But what was the difference between Big Tobacco and the increasing of our global climate? What are the ramifications of continued warming? I guess the difference is that fossil fuels underpin entire economies, whereas cigarettes never did. The vested interests at play for short term political careers is a significant problem that can only be addressed at a grass roots level.

Before the Blood left me with many questions, as does anything having to do with climate change. There is a saying in French, "Après moi le deluge," meaning 'after me, the flood." I think of that saying every time I go to the store, or when I use my microwave. It doesn't matter anymore what level of consciousness I have because we have made it to the place where we are all just circling the drain the hopes that the stopper will just magically appear. I say that knowing I'm completely misguided in my attempt to just "give in." 

The truth of the matter is that it is not too late. It is not so late that all we can do now is just circle the drain, or wait on the corner with our kayak in hand (as many San Franciscans joke). There is still time to create true change that promotes our own well-being. 

Growing Anxiety in Agriculture

Growing Concerns: Trump's Immigration Rhetoric Sows Anxiety in Agriculture
Nicole Erwin; Resource
December, 2016

What does the new presidency mean for agriculture in the United States? For most, the uncertainty of the United States' future is too much to handle.  The promotion of anti-immigration policies leave many wondering about our food supply and what will happen should undocumented workers no longer be allowed to provide labor to the US.

It has been projected that the removal of undocumented labor would cause a $4 Billion+ loss in the US and that as a result, their will be a loss in supply and a natural increase in the price of produce.

So what does one do when the facing a possible of risk of increased food insecurity? The agricultural industry is one that affects everyone, especially those who's legal status has provided them a level of privilege in the backward argument of "who stays and who goes." Trump's ideology of immigration is not not that is realistic and while one can say, "make them go," it is very hard to imagine 70% of the agricultural labor not showing up for work.

The New Age

Catalyst: The New Age of Humans
Link to video: LINK

We are living in a new era. An era where we as human beings have finally been able to proclaim victory in the battle of Man vs. Nature. This geological age is one where human activity has been the dominant influence in environmental shift, which in turn has not only affected the climate (which is all everyone is talking about nowadays), but also our own behavior in acknowledging the now very present issue...our future as a species.

Caring About Your Meds...Wherever You Are

I recently began working with a homeless patient who reported that they would like to start taking their HIV medication. After being homeless for over 10 years, this was what I sometimes would call a social breakthrough only because many patients find taking medications while on the streets next to impossible. Whether this is due to their insecurity of being able to stay adherent to the regimen while not stably housed or if it's just a way to avoid their disease, I do not know. When I asked them what had caused this change, they responded that their living conditions were not going to improve and therefore they felt that it was time to take the next step in making sure that their health, as opposed to finding a stable home, became their top priority. After unpacking many of the profound statements made by the patient we ended our conversation on starting meds on the importance of caring for oneself in their own environment. When taking into account the fact that they are homeless, living under an overpass, and only accessing about two small meals per day via the homeless shelter and open kitchen a couple of blocks away, this patient had come to the conclusion that they were ready to take this next step in their health journey and that they could, in theory, reach viral load suppression in a very unwelcoming environment.

I have often counseled patients with various addictions on the importance of taking anti-retrovirals and that they with their addictions could take heir medicine with no issue. I provide them with stories of other patients, other substance users, who manage to reach viral load suppression and who manage to engage in the health clinic even though their behavior in one that is socially unacceptable and stigmatized by most of the health industry. The patient mentioned above is a substance user of many years, their addictions is what lead to the losing of their home, as well as the contracting of HIV. Overtime this patient has managed to navigate their way through their addiction, social services, and healthcare. The patient has managed, in the environment, to build the necessary network of support needed in order to accomplish their new goal, becoming healthy.

Their environment is not one that is welcoming. Their environment is one that causes pain and sadness and creates major hardship. The stress of having to be without a home is immense, and yet here they are. Two months after working with the patient they report 100% adherence and are demonstrating overall improvement in regards to their mental and physical health. They chose to care for themselves in a harsh environment, but the level of care was one that was thought of and profound because it was one that was self-adopted.

We Can All Prevent Forest Fires (Article Review)

Climate Change Behind Surge in California Wildfires
Climate Central
John Upton
October 10th, 2016

For the first time scientists can finally prove that human influence was the cause of  the "new normal" regarding the now constant presence of wildfires during California's dry season. What has always existed, wildfires that is, now seems to have constant presence during the state's dry months. Many veteran firefighters have wondered why; asking themselves questions as to why on earth are they suddenly seeing a change in the magnitude of the fires they are now working to stop-efforts which are just causing issues in regards to their own professional capacity and bandwidth.

The study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that more than a century of fossil fuel during, deforestation, and commercial farming has moved California to what can be called an "explosive climate." Which the exact rate of blame is one that cannot be measured, the acknowledgement that human influence has played a role has been made and is now a stable argument. In this regard the study primarily focused on the the states dryness and the relationship in the increase of fuel aridity, fires days, and fire extent. Their analysis showed that temperature caused rising levels of greenhouse gases have had a drying effect, which in turn has had an effect on over 10 million acres. Their review of the land affected concluded that 44% of it was associated to global warming (in acres that's anywhere between 6 and 16 million acres).

The graph below demonstrates their findings:



So what do we do now? What level of work is going to be needed in order to address this and the other issues that are marking global shifts in the ecosystem? For one there's the reminder that for every degree of warming there is an even bigger impact on the warming that has already negatively affected the environment.  It's also a reminder of the importance of ditching coal energy in favor of cleaner alternatives.

Link to Article: LINK

Caring for Others (On Environmental Racism)

Eight Horrifying Examples of Corporations Mistreating Black Communities with Environmental Racism
Atlanta Black Star
Nick Chiles
2/12/2015

"What exactly is environmental racism? It’s a policy or practice that differentially affects or disadvantages (intentionally or unintentionally) individuals, groups or communities because of their race and/or class. It has been well-documented around the world that environmental hazards often impact poor communities and communities of color disproportionately. Three out of every five African-Americans living well below the poverty line are also living in areas situated close to toxic waste sites, according to the federal government’s General Accounting Office. Living near these dangerous facilities has significant impacts on all aspects of their lives. Their air, water and food can all be affected; noise pollution and vibrations become a problem; the awful stench permeates everything; schools, workplaces and homes become unsafe places; and a multitude of different health effects can result."

The above paragraph is the opening for what was yet another disturbing look at how marginalized communities continue to be affected by cruelty and injustice.The horrifying examples provided in the article lead to incredible thought and discussion towards the poor treatment of human beings and the lack of support that vulnerable communities have received from the government. I do not have to look very far, living in San Francisco, to see environmental racism. The Hunters Point area was for years considered a waste zone and yet it housed many individuals who relied on government housing for themselves and their families. Richmond, CA was an example by Chiles and the long-term health effects experienced by the residents of the area proved that close proximity can be a very bad thing since many of the residents developed respiratory issues due to the poor air quality.

It was hard to see that larger communities abroad are affected and that they receive absolutely no support because global institutions like the World Bank have determined that it's in the best interest of the elite (we are the elite in this case). When considering social determinants I cannot help but think about the obvious fact that we as a species are responsible for our own demise, for our own misfortunes and while major effects have been the result of capitalist greed the truth of the matter is that as misinformed consumers we too (because we are all privileged in our own way) have a responsibility to act and right now we are not doing enough. This article reminded me of the video presentation by Naomi Klein on the concept of "other-ing in the warming world," and that it is the same behavior that causes us to not consider the lives of others in relation to the production of our own goods that is going to cause our coastal cities to be under water one day.

The same responsibility that I have to people of Richmond CA, is the same responsibility that the whole United States has to the people of Durban. What I found to be really important when reviewing the article and my feelings afterwards was that there has to be consistent work across the board. In the United States we are really lucky that agencies and foundations exist in order to provide support to individuals and communities at-risk and who fall prey to corporate mishandling- we just have to speak up and fight for them. The same goes for people and communities outside of the United States- we have to fight for them! Environmental racism will continue to be a problem because there will always be an "other" there will always be those who will just "have to deal" with the card that they were dealt-but it does not have to.

There can be change, there can be improvement in the health outcomes of individuals who reside in these hazardous zones, and there can be hope that one day one racial group won't be targeted and treated as second-class and non-human. The cruelty experienced is one that is dealt with because of the social structure that is in place. People need a place to live, they need jobs, they need to provide for themselves and their families, and it is in getting the basics taken care of that the opportunity for change is lost. Many people do not see injustice, and if they do, they're too tired from just trying to stay afloat to do something about it. Communities who reside in these zones, and who deal with these environmental stressors on a daily basis need support from those who are fortunate enough to acknowledge their own carbon footprint. After-all, we all walk together and in turn are susceptible to the same misfortunes when it comes to our global environment.

Link to Article: LINK

Into the Depths We Go (Deep Sea Mining)

Watch the Advent of Deep Sea Mining Unfold with this Big Data Tool
Vince.com
Becky Ferriera
October 5th, 2016

Deep sea mining while not new is something that will soon begin to reach major expansion as manufacturing on tools needed to extract precious minerals from within the earth have reached maturity and approval for use. The new tool, which was revealed at the Dreamforce conference uses the automated identification system (AIS) that is already used by large vessels in order to determine distance from other large vessels (to avoid collisions), and protection agencies who use AIS in order to track fishing vessels in protected areas. The tool would allow individuals to see where the mining is taking place and would work more for transparency on what action was taking place in the open waters, and more importantly where; tracking the mining vessels in order to promote responsible behavior.

The bigger question is should this (deep sea mining) be happening in the first place? The phrase "unchartered waters" holds a lot of truth in this situation and while those who reside above the surface will most likely benefit from the various resources that are to be extracted from the beneath the sea floor, the truth of the matter is that in doing such an extraction we will no doubt be causing major disruption to an incredibly delicate eco-system that we as a species know nothing about. What are the long term effects? What marine life will be lost? What will be the structural repercussions to diving in to the deep end?

Regulations for deep sea mining are happening as more and more companies emerge in order to extract resources. There is high demand for minerals like copper and while some can make the argument as to why there should not be mining, especially when considering global warming and the potential to disrupt the absorption methods of the ocean for carbon dioxide (which is does at a max rate) mining companies are not really experiencing a lot of "no" from authorities in regards to their actions.
Link to Article: LINK

Caring for Whales and other Sea Life

Darryl Fears
The Washington Post
What's the Best Way to Save Whales?
10/8/2016

What do you do when you know that you are in some way causing negative effects in a major way and that entire systems of living are disrupted and ruined? Do you stop what you are doing? Or do you simply continue under the guise that while you are causing such disruption, you are studying to see what your long-term effects are? While one answer could be as simple as "I just pull out and stop what I'm doing," others could be as complicated as "I acknowledge that what I am doing is wrong, but in the meantime that I prove what I am doing is wrong, I will continue to just cause disruption and chaos to those that are affected by my actions."

While the harvesting of whales has created some protection for them, they are still hunted and endangered creatures, in order to secure their place on the planet there has been little advocacy in relation to other methods of disruption to this group. And while there has been the acknowledgement that overfishing, climate change, pollution, and human created ocean noise have all affected whales negatively, there is no proof on which is worse and which one should be given the priority.

The article looks at the issue of sound, and that while there is an acknowledgement that manmade ocean noise is an issue, scientists cannot determine if by shutting the sound off they will be providing benefit. Marine life has had years to evolve, but the surge in ocean noise has altered their environment and there is not enough evidence that proves that they have not been affected by this (besides the obvious answer of YES it has affected them and all other ocean life).

Expansion in manufacturing has allowed for ocean traffic to grow, military ships are on rotation, and pollution has increased the amount of carbon dioxide that the ocean absorbs. So the answer is, yes, there has been a change to their environment and while there is little study on the subject matter, there is also proof that marine life has been negatively affected by mans manipulation of their environment. So what is needed? What can be done about this? As of now there is going to be very little change, but an area of research that is suggested is to focus more on the promotion of resilience for the marine life in the current underwater environment they live in- one that is filled with a multitude of stressors.

Link to Article: LINK

Tap'n In To My Water Quality

Every morning I make my way to kitchen sink and drink from the tap. In the 29 years that I have been on this earth I have always preferred to drink from the tap than anywhere else. Part of that is just based on the fact that I'm from San Francisco and have really just loved the taste, but also because it's free and really safe to drink. While at times I can find myself being the modern day conscious consumer at CVS or Walgreens buying a fancy bottle of water because of poor planning on my part, overall I try to carry a bottle of San Francisco's own with me in order to stay hydrated and happy. In reviewing the quality of San Francisco's water, I wasn't surprised at what I found to be in the water, after all the source is not next door, but at the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite. So acknowledging that the road to me is a great one, I was able to make justification for the San Francisco water commission and its efforts in providing residents of the City and County great drinking water.

What's Put In the Water? San Francisco follows state law by putting fluoride in the water that goes to all individuals who consume the drinking water. This practice has been proven to prevent tooth decay and has been approved by the CDC. Chloramine is also put into the water in order to disinfect it, thereby making it ready for consumption.

Run Off and that Fun Stuff! Some items that have been found in the water include: aluminum, chloride, and sulfate which all seem to naturally occur and make its way into the water supply as runoff from the natural deposits. Looking at the source in particular the Water Commission makes special note to inform consumers that the source water is vulnerable to viruses and other bacteria and other inorganic contaminates that are due in large part to pollution. While the water is treated and tested before it makes its way into the homes and drinking stations people use it is important to note that the presence of this organic and inorganic material can cause harm to individuals, especially those with compromised immune systems (HIV/AIDS is an example) therefore it is important to do personal tests on ones own drinking water and to consult with ones personal physician regarding next steps.

Filtration: I do not use a filter. I know it's bad, and it's something that I have always thought about especially when considering my home's history of not being updated. I live in a pretty old part of San Francisco's Mission District (right off of 24th) and while I know that the main water lines were updated in my lifetime (I will never forget a very dry summer as a kid), I have no recollection of the lines that go to my sink being updated. That being said, I most likely will not be using a filter anytime soon.

This Changes Everything (Media Review)

My love for Naomi Klein knows no limits. When I think of someone that could be the next Rachel Carson, someone that has opened the eyes of individuals to the truths of our society in regards to the environment and its current state of decline because of capitalist ideology and intervention, I think of Naomi Klein. This film struggled, in my opinion, as all climate change documentaries do, but where it shines is reminding people of the opportunities that we as a society have in creating change; to actually pay attention to what is happening in different parts of North America and around the world as a result of these capitalist ventures which tell us that "this is for us, and our advancement" but that really are adding to our own detriment.

While the book (with the same name) takes an investigative approach to the fact that man as a species feels that they have "mastered" nature in their ability to manipulate the elements in order to improve economic growth and living conditions for the privileged (even the poor), the film provides glimpses into the lives of individuals and communities who have been affected by these capitalist ventures. The term "environmental sacrifice" is used to describe areas where these individuals are located, areas that were taken over in order to fulfill the promise of creating more growth and human advancement. These areas are not only homes to individuals, but entire ecosystems which for millions of years had been self-sustaining, but that now are depleted of any ability to self-promote and provide benefit to its neighbors.

The film, as the book, looks at growth, primarily economic growth which has for years been continuing without limits. Economic growth, and its impact on the environment needs to change and while there has been efforts to put restrictions on production in order to spare the environment there is little that is actually being done because those restrictions would actually stall a lot of the precious conveniences of modern society. This is a challenge! What happens when there is no more growth? When there is more unemployment and there is not enough to eat? What is suggested through the film is that there needs to be a change in the growth model. A change to one that acknowledges where we are in terms of our environmental decline and that will promote structured improvement of not just social functioning, but also climate.

Growing Pains... YOLO (Review)

YOLO Economics: Growth on a Burning Planet
Foreign Policy in Focus: John Feffer
9-14-2016

"I'm not taking about the individuals who declare that "you only live once" (YOLO) before they splurge on the latest Harley-Davidson. I'm thinking more of the environmentalist take on YOLO, interpreting the "you" collectively: we, the human race, also online live once, and therefore this generation should take care to pass on the planet to the next generation in better shape than we received it. "

In the closing of his argument, Feffer brings to the readers attention the need for a new economic model that promotes growth and innovation. Considering the economic climate that we're in at this moment, in that that there has been no economic growth since 2010, and the climate of the planet and the new limitations on production Feffer states that new innovations must consider the environmental ability because of its current state of decline. What does this mean to the inventors and future innovators? What it could mean is that we are in a time of incredible opportunity. We are in a time when Earth's health is not well, as well the majority of the global economies; new innovations that could promote economic growth will have the ability to improve the health of the planet.

We as a species only have one opportunity to improve our own livelihood, and while the trend has been to only improve ones ability to do things easier, as opposed to more productively, in order to make time for other distractions (Feffer uses Facebook and Angry Birds), there is a chance that the trend could shift towards one that promotes productivity while also promoting environmental improvement.

Link to Article: LINK

Getting Environmental in the 94110

General Area: San Francisco’s Mission District

1. Who and what are the top polluters in your zip code?

• SF Drydock Inc.; releasing 28,942 pounds
• Chevron; releasing 13,311 pounds
• PG&E; releasing 29lbs 

2. What percent of the homes in your zipcode have lead-based paint? 

• 7% of the homes have lead-based paint. Many of the homes in the Mission have not had improvements since they were built. Some of the homes only receive improvements when they sell or when tenants move, or when they building is lost after a fire. 

3. Are there Superfund sites in your zip? 

• What is a Superfund site? A Superfund site is an incredibly polluted area which requires long-term cleaning up of hazardous materials that have been pushed into the area. 
• In your area? The Treasure Island Naval station in Hunter’s Point

4.  What can you tell us about the Superfund sites that are near where you live?

• The Naval station, which has not been used in decades continues to be targeted for clean-up efforts in order to make the area available for improvements and expansion. The area started operating in 1940, and was named “redundant” in 1994. As the area has been cleaned, parcels have been sold for development but activists still claim that the area is contaminated considering the amount of time that the shipyard was operating. The goal post clean-up is to develop the area in order to build more housing. A large project for area improvement and development has allowed for individuals and families to begin moving in, with the first group inhabiting the area in 2015. Individuals and families have lived around the area even before it was being used as a shipyard. Historically, those living in the area of Hunter’s Point have been the poorest in the city of San Francisco, where a large percentage is underserved in regards to their health and wellness. 

5.  What did you learn about the air quality in your zip code?

• San Francisco does not meet attainment status because the county fails to meet the national ambient air quality standard for the following criteria air pollutants: Ozone. The air quality is not great. Only 88% of the of days in San Francisco are considered “good air quality” days, and 12% is considered “moderate.” Thankfully non of the days in San Francisco are considered  “unsafe” for sensitive populations. San Francisco started Spare the Air days back in 1991 as a City-wide Quality Improvement project. During summer months buses and other forms of public transportation were free in order to help residents and people commuting into the city refrain from driving in order to minimize ozone pollution (smog). Residents were also asked to refrain from doing other pollution causing activities (using aerosol spray, for example).

6.  How about the water quality?

• While I always believed that the water in San Francisco was good, it’s not. San Francisco County’s water ranking was actually placed among the worst in the country moving past national averages and settling in the “dirtiest/worst counties” area of the Clean Water Act ranking. This is primarily based on the fact that the county is surrounded by salt water, and because the water source is actually outside of the county and it has to travel through a pipe system that runs 175 miles. The leading pollutants in the water surface is pesticides (76%), Sediments (24%), and pathogens (12%)- this is probably based on the total travel distance of the water, and that the pipes that run to private residences have not been updated since they were placed decades ago. That being said, San Francisco has excellent drinking water, in my opinion. 

7.  How did your zipcode fair on a social justice / environmental justice basis?

• San Francisco does well, but it’s not great. Overall people from underserved communities; communities that have been historically marginalized and have experienced disenfranchisement experience the worst in regards to the negative effects from the environment. Hunter’s Point, which is primarily an African-American and Asian American community, is the location of the closed shipyard which for years has continued to ruin the waterfront in the area-not allowing residents to enjoy the Bay the same way that residents in other areas of the Bay do (or example, Marin). The incidence of health conditions like diabetes, asthma, and other respiratory issues is very high in this community. In San Francisco’s Mission District, which was historically a Latino dominant area, the residences have not experienced any improvements which means that many of the homes still have lead paint, and rusty pipes. Acknowledging this, San Francisco is making attempts to change its resident’s future. With projects like Spare the Air, and Friends of the Urban Forest, and other programs that are being developed by the Public Utilities Commission there is opportunity for San Francisco to change its ranking-which is not bad- and provide opportunity to be a model for other cities in California and the US. 

Link to Source: LINK

Care or Get Out (Review)

Drop The Oxybenzone, Or Stop Swimming In Hawaiian Waters

Chad Blair

Civil Beat- 9/3/2016

I often struggle with "the cycle" and how in trying to prevent something for myself, I am actually causing harm to something else. I guess that there will always be taking to my giving; in giving myself the opportunity to protect my skin, I am in fact taking time away from the ocean. Everyday I am reminded of all the things that are "bad for me" or that can "cause me harm" or my personal favorite, that I'll "pay later for," and yet I am not reminded of all the things that I'm doing that is causing harm to the environment. Why is that? 

To think that something as basic as sunscreen, something that since infancy I have been using as a method of protection is something that I now have to think twice about. It is not major of course, just buy sunscreen that is coral safe- that is all I need to do! We are currently in a stage in our existence where we question and review everything and oh how beautiful it is, exhausting yes, but oh so beautiful when considering what we are trying to protect- our planet.

Oxybenzone, while not the sole cause for the increase in coral bleaching, plays a role  and what Chad Blair's article does beautifully is remind us that it's the little things that can cause great shifts in our future. The same way that we take preventative measures on ourselves (for example running, or thinking about running) in order to promote stronger health outcomes later on, the same that we should work to promote the well-being of our oceans and their future.

Link to Article: Link

Non-Caring Tides (Review)

The Oceans Can't Protect Us Anymore- Here's Why
Christine Dell'Amore
National Geographic- 9/5/2016

"Our waters have borne the brunt of global warming for decades, but dying corals, extreme weather, and plummeting fish stocks are signs that it can handle no more." 

The article describes the situation perfectly. What do you do with a sick patient when they present and are in fact, sick. What is the solution to a fever? A cold? Someone who is just beyond physically exhausted because for the last couple of hundred years it has taken on an immense burden brought on by a foreign species? One word, one syllable- REST. 

As of now the ocean is exhausted and while it has the ability to work and provide incredible benefits to the human race, and really all living organisms on this planet, it can only do so much, especially when it lacks the opportunity to relax. What are our options? Promote conservation efforts! What are the repercussions should we not? Well we are already experiencing them. A rise in temperature in the ocean, while great for swimmers, just plain sucks for the ocean in general. For example, hurricanes. Where there was hardly ever any before, there are now double. Hurricanes love warm water and do you know what else loves warm water? Bacteria. Warmer waters increase chances of bacteria, spreading pathogens that can lead to serious damage. 

Think of it as a horror movie. We are currently in that stage where there has been an acknowledgement of A killer and we can either leave the house, continue in the house (which is never a good plan), or leave and strategize. Considering we are surrounded by water, and considering all the harm that we are doing, it might be wise to "tap out" for a while in order to allow time for strategizing next steps, thereby giving the ocean the much needed rest it so deserves. 

Something important to think 
Link to Article: LINK

The Violence of Othering in a Warming World (Media Review)

"Once the 'the other' has been firmly established, the ground is softened for any transgression; violent expulsion, land theft, and occupation. The whole point is that 'the other' doesn't have the same rights or humanity." Naomi Klein, 2016


My only thought on this wonderful presentation by someone that I would probably walk through fire for is that there has to be an understanding that the lack of acknowledgement in our current racial war, is the same behavior that is going to lead to the drowning of our coastal cities. There is so much that is already known about the the current state of our planet and injustices faced by many communities, and while leaders of our communities have acknowledged these truths there is nothing being done to actively change the motion that the society-at-large is moving in. 

Link to Video: LINK

Chemical Connections: Troubling New Science (Media Review)

 Jane Houlihan's Chemical Connections: Troubling New Science allowed me to begin thinking about the long-term effects of the personal products that I use on a daily basis.

I thought about when she said "you want to look good, and you want to feel good," a statement that has so much truth when you're at the store and thinking about the perfect item to either make you feel "cleaner" or more "sporty," or even "sexy."

I looked back on all of those times that I had breakouts, or that my hair suddenly became dry, or even when I needed a quick remedy for dry skin. There are always those moments when the phrasing on the packaging is the only piece of the pie that I take into consideration before throwing down money on a lotion that is just going to save my life. Just breaking down that phrase "save my life" is causing me to shake my head just thinking about how little that product is actually doing in regards to saving, as opposed to damaging. While I now try to take active steps in researching that which is either going to go into my body or on it, I will admit that there were many times, and sometimes even now where the most effort I put into a product before buying is calculating the sales tax.

Thinking about all the new chemicals that enter the market everyday, and the growing long-term effects that are associated with exposure to these chemicals, it is insane to think about just how well I will be able to keep up with all of the new possible threats to my life (or after viewing this presentation, my sperm count).

Caring for My Home: Mrs. Meyers

I will admit, I LOVE the smell of clorox when I walk into a home. Usually when I walk into patients homes or SRO rooms it is a sign that the place has been cleaned and therefore not as likely to be hosting bedbugs. Often times I question my patient's safety when I sit with them in a counseling session surrounded by the items they found on the street or are holding for friends (because they were the lucky ones to get a permanent room). Either way, the discussion of making sure that their place stays "clean" always comes up. Studies have shown that unkept rooms are associated with poor health, and while that could mean something to a lazy teenager at home with their parents; it means an entirely different thing to someone who used to be homeless, has a compromised immune system, and may or may not have a hoarding problem: "if your environment is disorganized, chaotic and out of control, then your mindset, decision making, goal setting and motivation are likely also disorganized, chaotic and out of control."(Dr. Malone, 2013)

In my own home I have personally become a fan of Mrs. Meyers (I also may or may not have gone overboard one day while cleaning the bathroom with a bottle of Clorox which may or may not have caused me to faint). 

Mrs. Meyers prides itself as being the aromatherapeutic cleaning solution; which is really nice when you think about it while washing a pile of dirty dishes, or three weeks worth of laundry- I'm feeling calm just thinking about it right now! The company's goal is to create clean and happy homes, and that while it may be tough on grime, it will be gentle on the house. 

An item that I use quite a bite...if you can consider a bit everyday/all day is their hand soap (in particular the rhubarb scent). The ingredients, which are posted on the back do a wonderful job at informing what you can find in the bottle and what you won't find included. Active ingredients include: plant derived ingredients, natural essential oils, aloe vera extract, glycerin, and olive oil. What is missing from the hand soap you may be wondering? Items like artificial colors, formaldehyde, and triclosan are all not invited to this cleaning party, and why? Because not including those products is not only gentle on the house-but in this particular case it is incredibly gentle on the skin. BUT there is an issue here....so do not get too excited. 


Mrs. Meyer's does one thing badly...they lie about the ingredients in their product. A spin of the bottle shows you very difficult to pronounce words in a very small font. Here ingredients read like a recipe for Cheetos, and upon further investigation through a fellow bloggers like "I Read Labels for You," I came to find that Mrs. Meyer's is not so gentle- in fact, she is down-right harsh. 

The soap contains ingredients like Cocamidopropyl Betaine (a foam booster) and Sodium Benzoate (a preservative). It also contains PEGs which the soap has two of and while some “natural product” resources have determined that this is oay, the EWG has voted otherwise stating that the PEGs in the Mrs. Meyers products are not ideal for continued use. PEGs (Polyethylene Glycols) have been known to get contaminated as a result of the ethoxylation process used during production. Trace levels of 1,4-dioxane, which if you remember from the previous post is associated with cancer. Another item to look at on the soap is fragrance. While the company makes a note to state that rhubarb is one of the “first signs of spring,” the use of fragrance in the soap leads to search for signs elsewhere. Fragrance is an undisclosed mixture of chemicals, meaning that the company can pretty much just make a mixture and call it fragrance without having to report what it is they’re actually using. The EWG gave the Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap a rating of 8 because fragrance mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, and potential effects on the reproductive system. 

Overall I think I am going to pass on Mrs. Meyer's from here on out. While I have come to find myself growing as a conscious product consumer I still find myself looking back on the days of Clorox smelling bathrooms, but I have to keep moving towards the "Conscious Right" as I like to call it. Further investigation has lead to use Dr. Bronner's, they're ingredients not only being great for the skin, but also on the water going down the drain. When I help patients shop for cleaning products I won't advise them to buy the items that are going to get the job done (those 99.9% killing cleaning products), but instead I will work with them on being conscious consumers in regards to their cleaning products and that while it may not feel like it is getting the job done the way Clorox would, it is and it's actually a lot better for them and their new environment.