Welcome to the eKos Earthship, your one-stop-shop for green diaries and series.
Beneath the fold you will find announcements, today's eco-diary roundup, news, and our environmental video of the day.
You can also follow us on Twitter!
Tonight's editor: ellinorianne
Want to Feel More Alive? Study Shows You Need to Go Outside
It's headlines like this from Treehugger that makes me think, of course. But as we become more and more isolated and disconnected from our environment we become less in touch with ourselves and our sense of humanity, I believe this with my whole being.
It's why when we see the environment, at least for many of us who still feel something, find it hurts, physically, somewhere in side us to see earth at such risk. It's part of what we are, not just who, we are part of this grand design, from the elements that make up our cells to the DNA that we share with everything that is and ever was. Without the air, the water and the sun, without this web of life, we would not exist.
Science Daily writes, "The findings, adds Ryan, are important for both mental and physical health. 'Research has shown that people with a greater sense of vitality don't just have more energy for things they want to do, they are also more resilient to physical illnesses. One of the pathways to health may be to spend more time in natural settings,' says Ryan."
The idea of getting out in nature to improve our spirits and therefore our physical health goes hand in hand with nature deficit disorder - the diminished use of the senses, difficulty with attention and higher rates of illness associated with an estrangement from nature, from the real world. Past studies have even shown that we're kinder, more gentle folks when we feel in-touch with the natural world.
It really should come as no surprise that as we pull ourselves away from the world in which we evolved, that sustains us and keeps us ticking, we're going to function less efficiently. Think about it - how often have we witnessed animals living in captivity just wither away from depression or unexplained illness? Well, humans are animals. We need our green scene.
And our "green scene" needs us to do more to protect it, honor it and serve it so that we may thrive as well. It's a relationship that us one of interdependence, there is no human life without our environment, the world however, will go on without us.
How much will we lose before we decide where our priorities are, where we can decide change must be made. And the change has to come beyond the individual, even though changes we make at home are important, it has to go beyond and be much bigger than what each individual can do.
We must change our very thinking, our way of being and it doesn't have to mean a lower quality of life, it doesn't mean less for people and it doesn't mean lost jobs, lost livelihoods, etc.
In case you missed it, it's World Environment Day and there was a diary today about a report that the UN Released in conjunction with the National day of awareness.
In conjunction with World Environment Day, The United Nations Environment Programme has released a new report. It reiterates what scientists, environmentalists and animal rights activists have been urging for eons - a world-wide reduction in meat consumption and a move towards vegetarianism and veganism.
"A global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world from hunger, fuel poverty and the worst impacts of climate change."
Just in case you missed it, the New York Times made an astute call on Friday and asked the President to push for the climate bill wake of the Country's largest environmental disaster that continues to unfold as I type. It's good advice, it's something many here have clamored for and hope that the President will push for, we will support him.
New York Times Editorial - The Spill and Energy Bill
As this page has noted before, persuading the Senate to act is not only a matter of leadership, but a matter of international obligation. At the Copenhagen climate conference in December, Mr. Obama committed the United States to a 17 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 — the minimum that scientists believe necessary to begin steering the world away from the worst impacts of a warming planet.
Delivering on that pledge is even more urgent now than it was then. As he demonstrated at Carnegie Mellon, Mr. Obama knows how to hit all the right notes rhetorically. Passing a comprehensive bill would be good for the economy, by creating new jobs; good for the environment, by reducing emissions; and good for national security, by reducing our dependence on unstable oil-producing countries. The president’s task now is to convert that rhetorical fervor into actual, filibuster-proof votes.
Rather than focusing on what we think Obama is not doing, we must focus on what Obama must and should do. There is a reason that Republicans are wanting Obama to take responsibility for this nasty mess, they want to prove that Government can't do anything right. The outcome from this, no matter what is done, will not be good. Laying this on Obama's doorstep is what Republicans would like to do, please, lets not let them make that possible.
We must, as Democrats and as environmentalists make this a victory for our common good, not for just us, for everyone. Our energy future depends on the best outcome from an awful situation.
And sadly, Alternet has more news about threatened ecosystems in, Meet America's Most Endangered River, Thanks to the Natural Gas Drilling Industry. Another tale of the cost of fossil fuels that impacts our environment and costs that are not built into the actual costs that we pay when we buy our fuels at point of purchase if it means when we pay our gas bill or buy at the pump. We pay for it in so many other ways, from health care to costs like this, costs that cannot be measured.
Massive natural gas drilling under way in Pennsylvania and imminent in New York makes the Upper Delaware the most endangered river in America, according to American Rivers, a major environmental organization, whose yearly report, America's 10 Most Endangered Rivers, focuses national attention on rivers that need immediate safeguarding for "the benefit of people, wildlife and nature."
On June 2nd, in a commemorative ceremony in Narrowsburg, NY, overlooking the majestic river, local citizens and leaders from government and advocacy groups gathered to hear the announcement, vowing to take action to protect the pristine river which provides drinking water for some 17 million people in New York and Pennsylvania.
...
The 2010 America's Most Endangered Rivers (MER) paints a picture of the dramatic river: "The Upper Delaware...winds through deep forests and farmland, past towering cliffs and historic towns." The river's 73 most northern miles, designated by Congress in 1978 as as one of the original National Wild and Scenic Rivers and a unit of the National Park System, provides sightseeing, boating, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, and bird watching to millions each year and a home to thousands of rare and endangered species.
The report explains that because the Upper Delaware River and its watershed are located above the Marcellus Shale, recently discovered to contain vast deposits of methane, "multinational energy corporations have acquired drilling rights to large tracts of land in the watershed." The report notes that two companies alone--Chesapeake Appalachia and Statoil--have announced their intention to develop up to 17,000 gas wells in the region in next 20 years."
How is this for a headline? Massive Orgy Tracked On Weather Radar In Wisconsin
Twin Cities MN Pioneer Press reports Diminutive mayfly makes big splash on radar. "About 9:13 p.m., according to an image posted by the weather service, the newly flying bugs could be seen in the pink, purple and white bands of the radar image along the Mississippi ..." (Andy Wahol's 10 minutes of fame extends to other species I guess.)
So many newly hatched mayflies that they showed up on weather radar! How is that for making an impression?
Summer is upon us and if you are as worried about me about what you put on your skin then you must be thinking about the sun screen you use, or if you are also a parent, as I am, you think about the sunscreens you put on your kids.
It's imperative that we wear sunscreen but there are also downsides to using chemical sunscreens and as consumers we have to weight the risks we're willing to take in buying and using such products. If you live in Southern California as I do, you decide based on information like this, The Environmental Working Group rates screens by ingredients and other factors.
Finding the best sunscreens
You know the drill: when the sun’s rays are fierce, duck and cover.
But sometimes, you’re going to be out there in it. EWG’s Sunscreen Guide to 1,400 sunscreens, lip balms and moisturizers tells you what you need to know to find safe and effective sunscreens. EWG’s exclusive scientific analysis helps you avoid red-flag ingredients like vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) and oxybenzone. EWG gives you straight talk about SPF.
Tired of the hype? So are we. The FDA should wrap up sunscreen regulations it started drafting in 1978. Americans have waited long enough.
Top Sunscreens
Our top-rated sunscreens all contain the minerals zinc or titanium. They are the right choice for people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor. None of the products contain oxybenzone or vitamin A and none are sprayed or powdered.
Best Beach & Sport Sunscreens
All Terrain
Aquasport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30
TerraSport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30
KidSport Performance Sunscreen, SPF 30
Badger
Sunscreen for Face and Body, Unscented, SPF 30
Sunscreen for Face and Body, SPF 30 Lightly Scented
Sunscreen for Face and Body, SPF 15 Lightly Scented
Beyond Coastal
Lip and Face Screen, SPF 30
California Baby
Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+
Sunscreen Lotion No Fragrance, SPF 30+
Sunscreen Lotion Everyday/Year-Round, SPF 30+
Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+, Citronella
Sunblock Stick Everyday/Year-Round, SPF 30+
Caribbean Solutions
Natural/Biodegradable SolGuard, SPF 25
Sol Kid Kare Natural Sunscreen, SPF 25
Desert Essence
Age Reversal SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen
Episencial
Sunny Sunscreen, SPF 35
Estion
Sunscreen with Zinc, SPF 38
Jason Natural Cosmetics
Sunbrellas: Mineral Based Physical Sunblock, SPF 30+
Sunbrellas: Chemical Free Sunblock, SPF 30+
Earth’s Best: Sunblock Mineral Based, SPF 30+
Kabana Skin Care
Green Screen Organic Sunscreen Fragrance Free, SPF 20
Green Screen Organic Sunscreen, SPF 22, Skin Tone Tinted
L’uvalla Certified Organic
SPF 20 Sunscreen Face/Body
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios 40 Sunscreen Cream
Little Forest
Sunscreen Lotion For Babies and Kids, SPF 30+
Loving Naturals
Sunscreen, SPF 30+
Miessence
Reflect Outdoor Balm, SPF 15
*All those listed here are the highest rated sunscreens, the numbers can be found on the website link provided.
For my family, we tend to buy badger, but I have bought from Aveeno the even the spray Aveeno, which has one of the worst ratings you can get. The whole brand is to be avoided because it contains oxybenzone which is a synthetic estrogen that is absorbed through the skin. I see Aveeno, I think, oh, it's natural!
Be informed, make choices at least knowing what you are buying. We know are a Badger Family.
Eco-series line-up:
(All times Eastern!)
Today's eKos diaries:
Author | Diary | Time | Tags |
---|
jamess | UPDATED: Some of the Oil is being Captured, and SOME, of it is NOT | 06/05/10 07:50AM Pacific | Recommended, BP, Oil Spill, Gulf of Mexico, Crisis Management |
Edger | The Sword's Edge: Obama And Big Oil | 06/05/10 11:37AM Pacific | eKos, Antonia Juhasz, BP, British Petroleum, Corruption |
Stranded Wind | Railroad ReModelers Club: Introduction | 06/05/10 01:03PM Pacific | Railroad ReModelers Club, transit, eKos |
Yesterday's eKos diaries:
Author | Diary | Time | Tags |
---|
Julie Gulden | Again, Rachel links to Fishgrease Booming School | 06/04/10 08:23AM Pacific | Rachel Maddow, Fishgrease, Michael Blum, boom school, eKos |
The Media Consortium | Weekly Mulch: Oil Spill Could Bring Mass Extinction to the Gulf Coast | 06/04/10 09:03AM Pacific | ALASKA, BIRDS, BP, BROWN PELICANS, DEEPWATER HORIZON |
adsdan | The oil spill is my fault. | 06/04/10 09:07AM Pacific | oil spill, blame, gulf of mexico, eKos, verse |
beach babe in fl | What Are You Gonna Do With All That Rage? | 06/04/10 09:09AM Pacific | oil, oil gusher, oil addiction, meat production, livestock production |
blue aardvark | Bill Gates owns BP (Updated) [Poll] | 06/04/10 09:10AM Pacific | BP, dividend, Gates Charitable Foundation, eKos |
incondite | WHERE THE F&*K IS THE REMORSE? | 06/04/10 09:49AM Pacific | BP, Oil Spill, eKos |
Vyan | Oil Worker Filled out his Will on Deepwater Horizon - because of Safety Concerns | 06/04/10 09:59AM Pacific | Deepwater Horizon, Oil Spill, BP, TransOcean, eKos |
soothsayer99 | The Oil We Eat | 06/04/10 10:34AM Pacific | UNEP, Veganism, Vegetraianism, Meat, Factory Farms |
Desmogblog | Fiddling in Bonn while the Gulf oil spills | 06/04/10 10:37AM Pacific | bonn climate talks, Climate change, deepwater horizon disaster, global warming, Green News |
mark louis | Renewable Energy Round-Up | 06/04/10 02:59PM Pacific | Renewable Energy Round-Up, eKos, geothermal energy, solar energy, biofuels |
jamess | The Florida Coral Reefs may be Next ... | 06/04/10 04:04PM Pacific | Florida, Coral Reefs, Coral, John Schalles, Creighton University |
Crashing Vor | Reconsider the Oyster | 06/04/10 04:54PM Pacific | New Orleans, Louisiana, Gulf of Mexico, oil spill, Deepwater Horizon |
zmom | Action on BP Disaster: Calling all the great minds here | 06/04/10 05:05PM Pacific | ekos, BP Oil, Action |
Gorette | I'm so sad. Floating doom, sign of things to come? (no pics) | 06/04/10 05:26PM Pacific | BP, grief, Gulf Oil Spill, Nigeria, ekos |
ArthurPoet | POEM/PICS: Gulf/Oil(Whales/Dolphins) - Humanity, what hast thou wrought ... | 06/04/10 06:10PM Pacific | Recommended, Gulf of Mexico, Earth, ekos, Oilpocalypse |
dov12348 | Oil spill - Related: Ocean Currents/Wind Currents/Hurricane Links | 06/04/10 07:06PM Pacific | oil, wind, currents, loop current, Florida current |
murrayewv | Gulf Oil Spill Mythbusters | 06/04/10 07:20PM Pacific | NIOSH, NOAA, EPA, Plume, Deep Water Horizon |
Groucho Marxist | BP Oilpocalypse ROV Diary #55 | 06/04/10 08:09PM Pacific | Oilpocalypse, BP, Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico, LMRP |
LaFeminista | Capping the Gaffe Gusher: Silencing Tony Hayward | 06/04/10 09:44PM Pacific | Tony Hayward, BP, wall of sound, ekos |
slinkerwink | OSHA Says Workers Don't Need Protection In Gulf Spill | 06/04/10 10:47PM Pacific | Recommended, OSHA, respirators, gulf, oil spill |
About eKos
The Idea
This project was inspired by the Earth Day @ DKos Blogathon. In case you missed it, we had 31 participating environmental diaries, all of which were linked to in the Mothership. During the event we had several requests for an eco-mothership diary series in the mould of the Earth Day effort.
The Mission
eKos is all about promoting community eco-diaries. Daily Kos already showcases several series, but sometimes the work of dedicated green diarists pass off the recent diary list hardly noticed. Our goal is to make these diaries more accessible. In the process we hope to build community and bring in a broader audience to the exceptional environmental writing here at DK.
How eKos Works
If you want a diary included in the list, please let us know by leaving a comment. We'll do our best to search out green diaries, but are bound to miss a few. For eKos to live up to it's full potential, eco-diarists should post a link to the Earthship, or place the widget at the end of their diary. This will provide readers with easy access to other recent environmental diaries.
Tag Rules
If you want to help out with tagging, here are a few simple rules to follow:
- If you see an eco-diary or front page story, tag it 'eKos'. and inform the diarist.
- Fix the tag if it is wrong (e-kos or ecos tags won't help).
- Watch out for tag abuse. eKos is meant to be inclusive, but if you see writing that is clearly not friendly to environmental causes, or which breaks site rules that has been tagged, please remove it.
- Don't tag diaries that call-out or in any way directly criticize other Kossacks or diaries. It is fine if it addresses a meme or argument, but it cannot specifically mention or link to any comment or diary.
- If someone removes the tag without justification, please put it back. If they persist, report them.
- If there are any issues, please e-mail ekos350atgmaildotcom.
Contact
You can follow us on Twitter
If you are interested in becoming an eco-ranger for eKos, or just want some more info, e-mail ekos350atgmaildotcom
eKos Rangers
In no particular order:
Regina in a Sears Kit House
boatsie
Hopeful Skeptic
RLMiller
patrickz
Earthfire
Ellinorianne
A Siegel
dRefractor
SolarMom
Please give them some mojo if you see them, they deserve it!
Get the eKos widget code!