ENN: Environmental News Network -- Know Your Environment

In America, summer is the time for traditions like BBQ, fireworks, and trips to the beach. One of my favorite summer traditions is going to yard sales. Yard sales (also know as garage sales, stoop sales, tag sales, estate sales etc…), are a great way to buy household or personal items for a cheap  price. So far this summer I bought myself a new summer outfit, a new pocketbook, some vintage earrings, gifts for my cousins birthday, and a bunch of books to read at the beach all for under 10 dollars.

You must be wondering why I am sharing my shopping exploits on a environmentally themed blog. The answer is easy, yard sales are a great way to extend the life of household items.  Instead of sending unwanted items to the landfill, yard sales allow the items to find a new home (and also allow the seller to make a few extra bucks).  Of course, not everything sold at yard sales should be reused. When shopping it is important to consider sanitary issues before you decide to bring something home. Some things, like clothes, plastic toys, and jewelry can be cleaned at home while items like makeup, mattresses, and  stuffed animals can’t.

I usually find out about yard sales through my local paper in the classified section or by going onto Craiglist and clicking on “Garage Sale” under the section titled “For Sale”.  Many people don’t place advertisements announcing their yard sales and instead rely on posting signs on cars parked on main roads. If you are looking for furniture or antiques it is important to start  earlier in the day rather then later because you will be “competing” against  professional dealers. 

There are a series of large scale yard sales that take place every year.  A few coming up in the upcoming months of July and August include the 100-Mile Yardsale, the Fifty-Mile Garage Sale on Route 90, the Antique Yard Sale Trail, Bargains Galore on 64, Highway 127 Corridor Sale, Highway 141 Garage Sale, Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sale, and the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail Sale. I have never been to any of these sales, so I can’t give an opinion on the goods available at these events but I can say that I have heard that there are people who make vacations out of attending them.

One last important piece of advice I would give to any person planning to yard sale is always think twice before you buy something, even if it is extremely cheap. If you end up buying something you don’t like at a yard sale you can’t return it like at normal store, which means it will most likely end up in the trash or landfill. If your not sure about an item, leave it for someone else who is more likely fully appreciate it. 

Happy sale- ing!

Sign via Shutterstock

Courtest of: bbc.co.uk

The first thing that comes into mind when I think of sharks is a silly camp song called Baby Shark. It is a hilarious attempt to try to explain an animal’s life cycle to kids of all ages. Some people might also think about the movie Jaws, a trip to their local aquarium or even Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story (for all of the musical theatre buffs out there). But the shark population is also steadily declining.

Even though there are over 1,100 species of sharks in the open water, their numbers are sharply declining as they become one of the world’s most vulnerable animals. Sharks take a long time to conceive children as sharks grow slowly and produce few offspring. Overfishing also diminishes shark populations, but it’s what humans are specifically fishing for that is really reducing the amount of sharks in the ocean: shark fins.

Shark fins are mainly used for shark fin soup, an extremely popular delicacy in Asian cultures. The Wildlife Conservation Society says that the fins are what drive global shark fisheries. The fisheries produce shark solely for the fins and to make a profit—up to $100 per bowl of Shark Fin Soup. Because of the shark fin trade, the WCS believe that anywhere from 26 to 73 million sharks are killed per year.

States such as Hawaii, California and New York are pursuing legislation to prevent shark fin trade. They are also working animals’ rights organizations to promote the vulnerability of the cartilaged marine animal.

Sharks are definitely a unique species with a lot of traits that are well-known to the general public. Because they are always in the limelight, the public should do what it feels is right and let the species become larger by not buying shark fins and eating them. Quoting Bruce the Shark from Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo, “Fish are friends, not food.”

Bed Bugs-just the words make most people shudder and unconsciously scratch at their skin. For those unfamiliar with this unpleasant creature, the term bed bug refers to tiny (they range in size of a poppy seed to a apple seed) insects in the genus cimex that feed on human blood(they have not be known to transmit disease). Bed bugs usually live in household crevices during the day and then feed at night. Adult bed bugs can go up to a year without feeding.  Because of their living habits once an infestation occurs it can be very hard to fully get rid of them.

Over the last few years there has been an increase in bed bug outbreaks in the United States. Re emergence is believed to be associated with greater travel and pesticide resistance.  As a result of the resurgence there has been a lot of coverage in the media. Below I have collected some interesting/helpful information I have come across in the news lately:

New York is No Longer the Bed Bug Capital of America. According to the pest control company Terminex, New York City is no longer the bed bug capital of the United States. Based on service calls and confirmed cases received by Terminex, Philadelphia is now the bed bug capital of America. The rankings include 1. Philadelphia 2. Cincinnati 3.New York City 4.Chicago  and 5.Detroit.

Over The Counter Bug Bomb Foggers are Ineffective on Bed Bugs. According to new research published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, over-the-counter bed bug foggers are ineffective against bedbugs. While Bug bombs/foggers are effective for other household insects like cockroaches, because the bed bugs habit to hide in crevices and protected areas, they are more likely to build resistance to the pesticide then to be killed by it.

Bed Bugs Found To Carry Drug Resistant Bacteria.  A study from Canada found bed bugs to carry MRSA and VRE , but further testing still needs to be done to determine whether bed bugs can transmit these infections to humans.

Bed Bug Registry Allows Travelers To Check Hotels Bed Bug History. Founded in 2006 The Bed Bug Registry is a free public database that allows users to view and report bed bug sightings and infestations.

 For Information/Resources relating to bed bugs click here.

Scratching Woman via Shutterstock

Summer is when a lot of people around the world vacation or just like to have a little more fun than normal. Coincidentally, summer is a chance to catch up on taking a proper gander at the world around you and capturing that moment. No matter how you capture it, (whether it is a mental picture, actual photography or video) take advantage of the crazy things going on around you.

Some of those out-of-the-ordinary things may include a new craze called ecotourism. It basically is

Image Credit: sunsetbeachestates.ca

vacationing in the outdoors—so now when you go camping, hiking or fishing, there is a special word for it. But having your family become ecotourists (or just regular tourists for that matter) doesn’t specifically mean you have to go camping, hiking or fishing. There are a million things you can do, here are some examples:

• When you go into the outdoors or somewhere you have never been before, bring a camera to capture the moment in a physical form. This might seem a little cliché, but let’s say you’re out in the middle of Oklahoma and all of a sudden, a funnel cloud forms and the coolest and most interesting clouds you have ever seen are right in front of your face, you definitely want to have a record of that. Who knows what you’ll see when you’re out exploring (maybe something like this).
• Go do something different! If you’re always out in the city, drive eight or nine hours and go hike in a cavern or drive up New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. Go check out another country’s natural wonders like Iceland’s glaciers and Eyjafjallajökull volcano or Japan’s Mt. Fuji and rice-growing regions. Experiencing something you have never done before is an enriching way to spend time with your friends and family as well as just being outside of the box.
• Eat! Whenever you go somewhere, do not go to McDonald’s or Burger King because you can get that anywhere. If you go somewhere you are unfamiliar with, the best way to get involved in that place’s culture is its food. Whether it’s fair-trade ice cream in Vermont or farm-raised, grass-fed beef in Texas, eating off the beaten paths and away from the tourists is a great tool to get to know the locals and immerse yourself in the local culture of where you are.

As I learned from movies like “Grease”, “The Notebook”, and “Dirty Dancing”, summer is the time for love. Unfortunately not everybody has the time, or money, to go to a summer get-away where they can meet their opposite and fall in madly in love.  So in honor of summer I decided to put together a list of eco -friendly and sustainability themed dates that require limited financial cost and travel.

1.       Take a Trip to the Local Farmers Market

Going to your Local Farmers Market can turn into an enjoyable date. At the market you can take in the sights, smells , and tastes of local produced products and produce. Vendors tend to be very friendly and helpful in helping you choose ingredients and giving suggestions on what to do with them. Afterward you can cook a romantic dinner together.

2.       Have Dinner at a Sustainable Restaurant That Uses Local Products

If you’d rather go out to eat then cook for your own food, try to order locally. According to the National Restaurant Association Chef’s Survey, the top 2 menu trends for 2012 are locally sourced meats/seafood and locally sourced produce. Don’t be afraid to ask your waiter about the ingredients used.

3. Take A Walk Around Your Neighborhood Together

Walking and talking is a great way to get to know each other. It also gives you time to take in the sights you may not notice during buisy day.

4. Picnic in your Local Park

Picnicking is a relaxing way to experience the outdoors. All you need is a blanket and a basket of food and you can spend the day talking and enjoying nature (or a sports if you choose a recreational based park). Just make sure to clean up your trash afterwards.

5. Watch a Sunset or Sunrise

Truth be told I have never seen a sunrise but I have seen my fair share of sunsets. Wether it be over the ocean, mountains, or reflected from the windows of the city, it’s always a special sight to share with someone special.

6.  Turn Off The Lights

Take a break from the electricity grid. Instead of spending the night at the movies or in front of the television turn off the main lights and instead light some candles.  If you have a backyard you can set up some chairs and take in the sounds of the night or look at the stars ,or if you want to stay indoors you can play board games by candlelight.

*On another note,  while doing my research for this article  (yes, research was involved) I came across  a series of dating websites where you can meet people with similar eco friendly values. I did not have the time to check out these websites but I have attached some links. Here, and Here*

Couple Via Shuttestock

With the United Kingdom honoring Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne this week, people all around the globe are becoming British for the week. The Diamond Jubilee has people from all over the world celebrating by canoeing on rivers, playing croquet, drinking tea and speaking as if they were in England. However, some real British citizens are celebrating their Queen’s anniversary the same way, except they are having iced tea.

British researchers at Halley Research Center on the southern continent of Antarctica are dealing with the icy and snowy conditions while still having the opportunity to celebrate a British holiday the only way they know how. The group of 14 staff members had their cup of afternoon tea in subzero temperatures after their work day was complete. The bonding experience for the British citizens, complete with homemade Union Jack flag Battenberg cake, was one that the scientists will remember

Image Credit: www.antarctica.ac.uk

for a long, long time. The scientists dressed up to a “Mad Hatter” theme where they dressed up like characters from the movie, Alice in Wonderland. They also decorated the science laboratory’s dining room with British flags and bunting.

After the costumed researchers finished their tea and crumpets, the team went outside into the Antarctic darkness. The scientists went out and played exemplary examples of British sport: cricket and croquet. This was no ordinary sporting match: the scientists played outside with no light and fought off 40 miles-per-hour winds where it reached a temperature below negative 35 degrees Celsius (negative 31 degrees Fahrenheit).

To me, this sounds like a very interesting way to honour one of the most ideal public figures of my generation. As the Queen would say, keep calm and carry on.

Reality television seems to be going downhill, at least in the United States anyway. Coming this summer, celebrity based shows like MTV’s “Snooki & JWoww”, and Fox’s “The Choice”, celebrate vanity and narcissism.  Fortunately, in other parts of the world celebrities are using their influence to spread knowledge on sustainability and farm management.

One example is “Shamba Shape – Up” (Shamba is Swahili for ‘small farm) is a reality show based in Kenya. Every episode the team visits a new farm in need and over 4 days,  remakes the farm to be more efficient and a more comfortable and healthier environment for those who work there. The show stars soap stars Tonny Njuguna and Naomi Kamau, and a team of experts that includes vetrinarians, soil analysists, and crop specialists. 

Based in Kenya, the reality show Shamba Shape-Up puts a new spin on reality television.

The show is not your typical makeover show where a makeover is done purely for the entertainment of the viewer, the advice given in the show can be applied to any shamba.  At the end of each episode, viewers can SMS their names and addresses to receive free leaflets on the topics covered in the show. The show is produced by Mediae, a ‘edutainment’ company, who develop media for education and development. The show also has numerous partners, including the Africa Soil Health Consortium, and many other organizations focused on developing business and innovation in Africa.

The show, which began airing in March, will end its first season in June. The show reaches about 4 million people in Kenya and hopes to expand  its viewership to Tanzania and Uganda. The show, which  is broadcast on Citizen TV, is receiving a positive response with up to 3,000 messages requesting information after each show each episode.

I watched the pilot episode, which is available on the “Shamba Shape – Up” website and Youtube, and found it very educational but also entertaining. Some of the issues addressed in the episode included : providing healthy food for cows during the dry season, creating sustainable stoves for indoor cooking, efficiently growing crops to create the best yield. As someone with a background in entomology, I found the pesticide free push-pull technique as means to prevent loss of crop to the maize stalk borer moth very interesting.

“Shamba Shape-Up” provides a much needed dialogue between agricultural researches and East African farmers.  The rural audience for television is rapidly growing and “Shamba Shape Up” is a show that not only satisfies the need for entertainment but also addresses issues that cna increase farm productivity and income .

Photo Via Shamba Shape-Up Website

When people go to their local hospital for an MRI or something of that nature, I know I, like the average human being, cringes when the nurse comes out with the needle kit for their blood test. However, there is a new study out of the Israel Institute of Technology to eliminate the physical pain which usually comes with getting that little procedure.

This new health-related innovation will be loved by many people because it involves no needles and barely any blood. Israeli biomedical engineers have discovered a way to measure blood not through a blood test, but through a high-resolution image of the blood. The researchers said that this is done through a high-definition microscope which shines a light through the epidermis of the skin. This ground-breaking piece of medical technology is about the size of a small picnic basket and does not involve any dangerous dyes or skin punctures.

Image Credit: NoCamels.com

This new blood testing equipment is also very efficient. According to researcher Lior Golan, this new method can gather blood test results quicker than the average needle test by hours. This extra time allows doctors to see potential medical problems—such as counting white blood cells and measuring the diameter of blood cells—before the crises get out of control. Golan said that the new portable technology is able to capture the image of the blood coursing through a blood vessel.

Golan also said that the new imagery is produced through a new type of microscope technology. The new imagery is made through spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM), which creates images by dividing a beam of light into its primary colors. She also said that during the process, a medical probe is pressed against the skin of an individual and the rainbow-like line of light is directed across a blood vessel near the surface of the skin. Golan said that when the blood cells come across the light, the SECM collect and analyze the data within the blood.

“An important feature of the technique is its reliance on reflected light from the flowing cells to form their images, thus avoiding the use of fluorescent dyes that could be toxic,” Golan says. “Since the blood cells are in constant motion, their appearance is distinctively different from the static tissue surrounding them.”

So the next time you go to your local emergency room and the nurse brings out the needle, don’t get upset. Just think to yourself, “Pretty soon, this will be replaced by a camera!” When that happens, going to the hospital will be SO much easier!

Like many Americans, the last time I cooked over a fire I was outside and cooking marshmallows for smores. Unfortunately 2.5 billion people worldwide depend on indoor fires fueled with wood, coal, or charcoal to cook their meals. Biomass fuel consumption by the rural poor accounts for approximately ¼ of global CO2 emissions.These fires are not only bad for the environment (deforestation, co2 and methane emissions) and  but they also pose serious health risks.

In many parts of the world the burden of taking care of the fire is the women’s responsibility. Collecting wood (sometimes taking greater than 30 hours a week), and maintaining the fire can be extremely time consuming and dangerous. In one part of Kenya, women often walk 10 or more miles to gather wood in areas that put them at risk for attack or capture. When the women return they are then put at risk for respiratory illness and burns.

Unfortunately 2.5 billion people worldwide depend on indoor fires fueled with wood, coal, or charcoal to cook their meals.

According to estimates by the World Health Organization more than 1.6 million people die a year from respiratory disease relating to indoor cooking smoke, most of them women and children. Indoor air pollution is also a risk factor for chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and possibly lung cancer. The reliance on biofuels like charcoal and wood for open fires is extremely inefficient and expensive (families can spend over 35% of their annual income), yet those who are poor do not have the resources to obtain cleaner or more efficient resources. Fortunately, in September 2010, the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves was formed.

The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves is a public-private initiative to save lives, improve livelihoods, empower women, and combats climate change by creating a thriving global market for clean and efficient household cooking solutions. The alliance includes a range of partners including country governments (including the United States), distributors, environmental and sustainability focused organizations, and innovators. The alliances current goal is to have 100 million homes adopt clean and efficient stoves/fuels by 2020.

BURN Design Lab is one of many innovative partners designing and producing efficient and affordable stoves. BURN Design Lab currently has projects in Kenya, Haiti, and the Democratic Congo. Though the organization is based out of Washington, the majority of the stoves are built in factories within the country of distribution.Each project’s stove is different and designed to best fit the cuisine and resources in available in the region. For example their stove designed for use in South America has a metal plate for cooking quesadillas and meat.

Though BURN Design Lab did not eliminate use of biomass fuels, it greatly reduces the amount needed to create the heat needed to cook. Most of the products reduce fuel consumption by 30 to 50%, which is a start. Added incentive is that after the cost of the stove, which is around $25 dollars, the owner can still save $150 a year on fuel costs.

Hopefully in the future stove usage among the poor will be widespread and the risks of indoor fires will be a thing of the past.Until then, engineers need to continue designing cheap and efficient stoves.

Indoor Cooking Fire via Shutterstock

With the summer months approaching us faster than we think, most people want to head to the beach or at least somewhere they can cool down. Many people are much busier during the summer months: people are driving more and going on day trips, the kids are off from school, and Snooki (or many people trying to imitate her) is out and about on the Jersey Shore.

Everything that is going on means that people are eating fatty foods like zeppoles, cheesesteaks, and frozen custard and drinking cola, and other kinds of “beverages.” Instead of exercising, some people are sitting down in front of their couches or just tanning on the beach. It is this time of year where many people want to enjoy themselves, however, people should also be prepared for unexpected sickness that comes out of not doing your usual routine. Here are some tips to make your summer friendly towards your body:

Image Credit: wellsphere.com

• Keep Hydrated! According to the Mayo Clinic, men should drink roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. The adequate intake for women is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day. During the summer, it is extremely important to keep hydrated because heat and humidity are known to dry your body out without your consent!
• Bring your own food! During the summer months, many people are prone to eat what is available to them at theme parks or boardwalks, and that usually means fried, hand-held food. However in most “fun” locations, such as New York Yankees baseball games, you are allowed to bring your own food if it is in a clear plastic bag. That means you can raid your own refrigerators and bring whole-grains, fruits and veggies to wherever you and your family are for a fraction of the cost.
• Go Play! Summer is the perfect time of year to go out and play! Instead of catching the winners of your favorite reality show, cardiovascular activity is the way to go when the weather is nice. On 75-degree and sunny days, you can always find someone in the park to play some pick-up basketball or throw a Frisbee with. Be active this summer!