SAVE THE OCEANS
Global warming and pollution are becoming an increasingly serious threat to oceans and seas as well as the life they sustain. If you have decided to make greener choices, you are on the right path here, but there are still a few simple things we can do to minimize our own impact on the oceans.
Here are a few tips about what you can do for the seas and oceans:
- Conserve water—don’t waste the precious resource by letting it run while you’re brushing your teeth, for instance. Don’t let taps and hoses run while you’re washing your hands, cars, dishes (use a dishwasher but remember to load it to the fullest, unless you have one of the newer models, which allows for half the load) and remember to turn the shower off while you soap yourself.
- Use efficient appliances and fixtures—such as dishwashers, washing machines, shower heads and faucets that reduce water consumption and low-flow or double flush system toilets.
- Water your yard efficiently—you can do that by watering at the coolest time of the day and using the drip system and planting less demanding plants. Also, you can reuse the dishwater.
- Buy fish that is sustainably caught or farmed to minimize overfishing.
- Prevent water pollution—anything that goes down the drain, runs off the lawns or farms, spills from sewage or septic tanks, eventually ends up in the seas and oceans. Fortunately, there are a few things we can do to minimize the impact and these are:
1. keep cooking grease, oil (including motor oil), solvents, old paint and pesticides out of drains since they are a major cause for the spills. For safe disposal in your area call your local sanitation department
2. clean using natural or eco-friendly (e.g. Seventh Generation, Method, Green Works etc) products instead of the conventional ones containing toxins
3. use non-toxic home and yard pest control products
4. reduce runoffs by maximizing plants, bricks or gravel to absorb water and prevent it from running into storm drains
5. don’t wash pet waste down the drain since it has been discovered that cat feces cause toxoplasmosis in sea otters - Reduce debris in the sea—by not using disposable plastic items and helping to clean the beaches whenever possible.
- Preserve marine life—by not collecting items and jewelry made of corals, sea turtles or mammals, staying away from the reefs and using responsible cruise lines.
CORAL REEFS ARE IN PERIL
Global warming has been taking its toll on many species of fauna as well as flora, and it seems that the reefs are its latest victim. The reefs around the world provide habitat for up to three million marine species, protect low-lying islands from floods and high waves as well as generate good quality beach sand. However they have been harmed by the pollution, sediment, warming seas, ships and careless divers. It is estimated that up to 27% of world coral has died and 40% could be gone by 2010.
The tourism as well as inhabitants of the shorelines have a huge impact on the corals, however people living in the areas remote from the seas influence the reefs in as much negative way, e.g. nitrogen-rich sewage or fertilizers, which end up in the sea waters. The nitrogen and phosphorus increase the growth of macroalgae (seaweed), which eventually leads to dying out of corals. Combined with extensive fishing, this poses a serious thread since the fish feed on the seaweed therefore reducing its amounts. Other factors include deforestation, soil erosion, overgrazing, irresponsible industrial farming and sewage spills that all lead to the destruction of coral. Fortunately, the scientists state that the reefs can recover from the effects of the pollution and overgrown algae if protected.
The biggest threat however, seem to be the overall warming of the oceans, which is caused (similarly to the climate warming) by the burning of fossil fuels. Melting glaciers increase the sea levels 1-2 millimeters a year. Moreover, even the slightest rise in the water temperatures causes the algae to leave corals, thus causing them to loose their color and energy source and die. This is a widespread phenomenon known as ‘bleaching’.
Corals are extremely important not only for the oceans but many humans as well. The disappearing reefs pose a threat to the Pacific Islands since the demise of coral means the lack of protection against the land loss. Furthermore, as the sustenance of life, coral is an indicator of the state of the global environmental health. Hence, we should so whatever is in our power to preserve not only coral reefs but all kinds of live on Earth as well.
IS CHLORINE IN THE POOLS SAFE?
The heat is here to stay for a while and many of us find pools and beaches quite appealing right now. However, have you ever wondered what effects chlorine that all the pools contain has on our health? Granted, it’s not safe to swim in bacteria and pathogen-filled pools but chlorine isn’t necessarily safe either.
When chlorine comes in contact with organic matter, it may release harmful substances, such as dioxins, furans and trihalomethanes, known human carcinogens. They biodegrade slowly and build up in the bodies of animals and humans. Trihalomethanes (e.g. chloroform) increase the risk of cancer, may damage the liver, kidneys and the nervous system, and may cause miscarriages and birth defects. Moreover, they all can be inhaled and absorbed through skin. Likewise, pools with too much chlorine can cause eye and skin irritation as well as respiratory problems.
Unfortunately, giving up chlorine is not really an option for it does kill the harmful bacteria found in the water, for instance E. coli, Giardia, Cryptosporidium etc. Public pools are required to keep the water healthy and bacteria and pathogen-free, and the best way to keep them that way is to use chlorine. However, the residential pools follow slightly different regulations and therefore it’s up to the owner to decide what method they want to employ.
So, what can you do to keep your pool clean and make environmentally conscious decisions as far as its maintenance? Here are a few tips:
- Do not use too much chlorine and test your water to check its level frequently.
- Stay away from chlorinated tablets since they produce high concentration of chlorine therefore increasing the health risks.
- Reduce the organic matter in your pool by using covers, removing leaves and dead insects frequently.
- Try to swim in outdoor pools or indoor pools with good ventilation. Poor ventilation is said to create more harmful effects.
- Don’t swim in highly chlorinated pools every day since it can lead to an accumulation of trihalomethanes and chlorine by-products in your system.
- Avoid swimming vigorously. It enhances your chances of inhaling trihalomethanes thus developing respiratory problems.
Last, but not least, reduce your exposure to chlorine and chlorine byproducts by using filters on your kitchen faucets and shower heads, as well as using pitchers to hold your drinking water so some of the chlorine it may contain can evaporate.
WHAT CONSTITUES INSECT REPELLENTS?
Have you ever wondered what really goes into the chemical repellents available on the market nowadays and other products used to keep the pesky creatures at bay? Well, I recently read and eye-opening article and decided to share the information with you. So here are some of the most important facts you should take into consideration when searching the store shelves for the best and safest product :
Bug Sprays:
The common insect repellents contain the chemical DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide), which isn’t biodegradable. This suggests that it may end up in our water supplies. Moreover, there is a great amount of controversy surrounding the chemical. Organizations, such as CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics claim that DEET is safe when used properly. However, others have found that it can slow motor skills and damage central nervous system functions, among other things. Most of these problems were found in people using insect repellents with DEET on regular basis (once a day for five days or longer) and spanned from mild skin irritation and headaches to such serious health issues as restlessness, seizures, loss of consciousness and even death.
Chemically Treated Clothes:
A number of manufacturers began producing outdoor clothes treated with a chemical permethrin (a synthetic form of pyrethrin found in chrysanthemums) to ward off mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects. Military research has shown, however, that it can be absorbed through the skin, since it comes out of the clothes when you sweat. Permethrin can cause asthma, nausea, headaches and is thought to be an endocrine disrupter. Moreover, it comes out in the wash, thus getting into the water systems.
Municipal Sprays:
Local pest control agencies or health departments in the areas with huge population of mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects usually deal with the problem by spraying the neighborhoods. Most frequently used chemicals in such sprays are called organophosphates (Ops), the most common of which are malathion and naled. While the former is considered less toxic, they are both known to cause skin irritation and a prolonged exposure can trigger neurological problems. Moreover, these chemicals are highly toxic to bees.
Another method of mosquito control involving the use of ‘larvacides’ (chemical put in the water in order to prevent breeding) is somewhat questionable. Some of these ’larvacides’ are made with bacteria that kill insects when ingested (which is most likely the greenest way to go), however others use chemicals, for example methoprene. Although not toxic to humans, it causes deformities in some marine species and even remains in the fatty tissue of some types of edible fish.
ECO-FRIENDLY INSECT REPELLENTS
Nobody really enjoys outdoors while being eaten up by various insects, mosquitoes probably being most annoying of all of them. So, of course, we all reach for whatever insect repellents are available on the market, most likely the ones that promise to keep the pesky little creatures away from us and those around us for a very long time.
We all know that mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases, such as West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever or lyme disease. Thus, it is quite natural that we want to be protected from the insect bites as much as possible. However, the repellents containing the chemical DEET can give you headaches and even cause severe long-term health problems. Luckily, there are a number of products available these days that contain plant-derived ingredients, therefore using repellents with harsh chemicals is unnecessary. Besides, it is always better for both your health and the environment to choose more natural products.
For most of outdoor adventures, such as barbecuing, playing in the backyard or hiking trips, you can keep mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects with products containing plant oils (for instance geranium citronella, tea tree, catnip, marigold, lemon balm, lavender and peppermint), oil of lemon eucalyptus (which is recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention) or picaridin (considered as effective as DEET on mosquitoes found in the US).
Furthermore, mosquitoes and ticks (to a certain degree) can be eliminated by proper lawn maintenance (but remember to go green on the lawn products as well), introducing plants that repel insects or by using mosquito dunks (small disks, which slowly release bacteria that will kill the insects after ingesting).
And last, but not the least, stay away from insect repellents that also contain sunscreen. While you should reapply the sunscreen products often and use a fair amount of it, the repellents should only be used when needed. And remember that not all products that word off mosquitoes will work for ticks as well, so best thing to do is read the labels to a make sure you get the right products for the right circumstances.