Top Eco Stories Week of 3/28/12

MARCH 28, 2012

by Lindsay E. Brown

Michelle Obama Joins Kids for White House Garden Spring Planting
Michelle Obama got her hands dirty on Monday planting vegetables and various other plants with schoolchildren at the fourth annual White House Kitchen Garden spring planting. The effort is part of her broader initiative to promote healthy eating.

Passing on Gas: Driving Rates Falling Across the Board
This is good news for the environment and the wallets of those who forgo cars, but not-so-great news for carmakers and big oil companies. (I have far less sympathy for the latter.) Recent figures show that driving is continuing to decline, not just among the youth, but across the board.

EPA Imposes First Greenhouse Gas Limits on New Power Plants
The EPA issued the first-ever greenhouse gas limits on new power plants, in a move that could presage the end of conventional coal-fired facilities. “Today we’re taking a common-sense step to reduce pollution in our air, protect the planet for our children, and move us into a new era of American energy,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson in a statement.

The Continent Where Climate Went Haywire
“From floods to cyclones to fires of unimaginable ferocity, climate change has unleashed a host of plagues on Australia,” writes Linda Marsa in her report from the land down under.

Toward a Drug-Free Burger: Ruling May Curb Antibiotics in Meat
The FDA must act to address the growing human health threats resulting from the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed, according to a New York federal court ruling issued last week. The court ordered the Obama Administration to tell pharmaceutical companies that the government might be moving to ban some popular antibiotics for use in meat production. The decision stems from a lawsuit filed by the NRDC, Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT), Public Citizen, and Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) last year.

“This victory will help protect American families against superbugs and other drug-resistant bacteria,” wrote Peter Lehner, the executive director of the NRDC, in a post (worthy of a read) after the ruling.

Both Coasts Watch Closely as San Francisco Faces Erosion
U.S. coastlines are taking a beating, with waves and rising seas from climate change and strong storms chipping away at locations like San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. Now, everyone is waiting to see how San Francisco will respond: spend millions trying to rescue the beach, or retreat, and let the ocean fall where it may.

The Brilliant Economics of Green Buildings
Green buildings have gone mainstream! There’s been explosive growth in green building, with a third of all commercial construction being green in 2010. This amounted to a $54 billion market for commercial green buildings, and by 2015, green buildings in the commercial sector are expected to triple. Find out what’s driving the change.

McDonald’s to Replace Styrofoam Cups with Paper
The fast food chain announced plans to swap out styrofoam cups for paper cups at 2,000 of its stores. If customers respond well, they’ll do everyone the favor of using paper cups at all of their 13,000 plus stores. Not only is styrofoam no friend of the environment, but it can also release potentially toxic breakdown products, particularly when heated.

McDonald’s is doing this because 29.3 percent of their investors indicated they wanted stronger environmental policies for the restaurant chain’s beverage containers.

Now, we’ll cross our fingers that investors and customers of other fast food companies, like Dunkin Donuts (ahem), demand that styrofoam be phased out as well.

Have a tip you’d like included in our next roundup? Tweet @LauraSeydel and @LindsEBrown using #EcoRoundup

Heroines for the Planet: Green Drinks NYC Founder Margaret Lydecker

Before Margaret Lydecker founded Green Drinks NYC in 2002, there wasn’t a place for Manhattan’s like-minded, eco-conscious professionals to get their networking on. Margaret changed that, and now many of us wouldn’t know what to do without her monthly events.

Whether you’re a dedicated monthly green drinker or not, you’ve in all likelihood heard of Green Drinks NYC, even if you don’t live or work in the Big Apple. Over the years, Margaret has aided in the launch of 200-plus chapters globally (there are now 800-plus chapters worldwide). She’s helped build the global Green Drinks brand, in the coolest way imaginable: by connecting green businesses and professionals at the local level.

I went to the most recent Green Drinks NYC, and observed Margaret calmly and graciously working the room. She’s the face of Green Drinks– never letting a name or a face slip her, which is highly impressive considering she has literally met thousands of individuals at her events over the past 10 years. But Margaret also runs the show, delegates to her staff and Green Drinks volunteers, and ensures every minor detail goes off without a hitch.

I wanted to get to know the woman behind Green Drinks NYC who has effectively connected so many people. Margaret revealed the challenges she’s faced, how her passion for sustainability began, her thoughts on greenwashers, and how she manages to keep it all together.

Lindsay: You were way ahead of the game back in 2002 when you founded Green Drinks in NYC, and now you’ve expanded internationally. Is there a particular feat you’re most proud of?

Margaret:  I am most proud of having the opportunity to create something of value and meaning to people in the professional green field in New York City.  We have a tremendous community of incredibly diverse people!  Our networking events are lively and friendly and built around being open to new ideas, making introductions, giving people access, beefing up their rolodex of contacts, sharing ideas and being inspired by other people.  In 10 years, I’ve helped Green Drinks expand to 200-plus new cities and now we are in over 840 cities total worldwide.  I have also had the good fortune to travel to several chapters abroad – a real treat to drop into a local community of green comrades anywhere in the world and have them be just as excited to meet you.

Margaret with Sylvia Earle

Lindsay: Has Green Drinks surpassed your wildest imaginations, or did you always believe it would evolve into something so great?

Margaret: I had no idea it would grow into something so big and have such a far-reaching impact on people!  I think the turning point was when we were getting over 300 new subscribers joining our mailing list every month for a couple of years, we knew something was working.  It originally evolved out of my own interest in connecting with other-liked minded people. I felt, if I was this passionate about environmental issues, there must be others out there that feel the same way. … I wanted to surround myself with those people. I heard that voice, “If you build it, they will come”, and they keep coming.

Lindsay: What were some of the challenges you’ve faced since launching the business?

Margaret: The biggest challenge has been finding a balance between Green Drinks being a charitable activity I do in my “free” time vs. taking it on full time. There is so much to do! We are an all-volunteer organization, but because of our size (largest of the 800-plus chapters world wide) and location, we have unique challenges and higher risks and costs than most of the other Green Drink chapters, which present more time-consuming problems. We also want to keep the events relevant, interesting and fun every month, so balancing all of the details of the monthly events along with my consulting work, exercise, and having a personal life, is challenging.

Lindsay: Can you tell me more about your consulting firm, Brite Green Sustainability Advisors? It must be thrilling to help companies evolve into more environmentally and socially conscious businesses.

Margaret: Brite Green grew out of the need for specific research and focus on greening specific things from my clients; whether they are designing a new consumer product and need ideas on green materials or packaging options, chain of custody research or retail challenges, I have been able to guide them to better options. My work also includes greening large scale television productions, award shows and red carpet events.

Green Drinks NYC event at Environment Furniture

Lindsay: What sparked your passion for sustainability? Did you grow up very environmentally conscious?

Margaret:  My spark came from several different points in my life growing up. First as a young child, having a resourceful family as my example who encouraged reusing, recycling, using hand-me-downs, with a strong focus on sports, gardening, nature and being outside. Then later when I was 20, I went on a 97-day NOLS backpacking semester, which influenced me greatly, and changed the course of my life! Hiking outside everyday, taking classes on glaciers, while sitting on a real one, sleeping under the stars every night, you can’t help but develop an intimate relationship with nature. You simply see things differently. I returned from that trip wanting to share what I had learned with everyone I knew. I was fiercely protective about conserving our National Parks, and beautiful places for future generations to enjoy. A few years after that, I rode my bicycle across America for 3 months, biking 4500 miles, biking each day through the changing landscape and colors of the sky, camping on farms, city parks and churches along the way. I really connected with farmers and rural communities. This also had a big impact on my life.

Lindsay: You must be a pretty organized person. How to you keep it all together, and find balance in your life?

Margaret:  I can always be more organized! I didn’t find my balance right away, and was frankly overwhelmed at time with all the people I was meeting on a daily basis in NYC, but over time you realize that no matter how much good you are trying to do for your community or the world, without regular exercise, healthy eating, drinking water, decent sleep and taking time for your friends and family, it won’t be worth it unless you can take care of YOU.  Balance is critical. I love to garden and cook, really helps me relax and be creative. Last summer I enrolled in an artisan cheese-making course at UVM! I volunteered on a farm making cheese, hanging out with cows and getting connected with more “real” things – not just life on the computer.

Lindsay: Over the years, you’ve met thousands of green businesses. Have you noticed an increase in companies “greenwashing,” or purely painting a picture that they’re eco-focused simply for marketing or even networking purposes?

Margaret:  Unfortunately yes. There is a disconnect between the marketing aspect of green products and the actual problem companies introducing these green products are trying to solve. Americans are heavy marketers, and despite the good intentions, they are often, instead, contributing to the problem. It is easy to use language to sell “values.” We need to work closer with our scientific community, non-profits, and other groups to get to the heart of the problem we are trying to solve, and be honest about it.

Lindsay: If you had to choose one motto with which you live by, what would that motto be?

Margaret: Oh so many good ones, but I love this quote: “What we think, or what we know, or what we believe, is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.”  —John Ruskin

Interview originally published at Eco-Chick.com.

{Wednesday Roundup} 3/21/2012 This Week’s Top Eco Stories

Frozen Planet Premiers to Rave Reviews

Discovery Channel’s new documentary series, Frozen Planet, premiered this past Sunday to stellar reviews. Here’s one more. If you’re a fan of 2007’s Planet Earth, then this is a must-see, as it was filmed by the same acclaimed documentary team. Narrated by Alec Baldwin, Frozen Planet explores what rising temperatures could mean for the people and wildlife living in the coldest regions of the world.

Watch Frozen Planet this coming Sunday with the family. I promise the series’ never-before-filmed sequences and stunningly beautiful scenery will blow your mind.

May-Like Weather in the East, While Snow Slams the West

While the eastern half of the United States is experiencing May-like weather, the West is dealing with what the National Weather Service is calling “an unprecedented onslaught” of heavy winter storms for this time of year. You’ll want to have a look at this bizarre weather map.

Brazil Bars Chevron Executives from Leaving Over Spill

Chevron oil execs are being held accountable by a Brazilian court for an oil spill which occurred off the coast of Rio de Janeiro back in November. 17 American executives from Chevron and Transocean Ltd. were barred from leaving Brazil while a federal court considers criminal charges against them for the nearly 3,000 barrels of oil spilled.

Ray Mabus, U.S. Navy Secretary Defends Biofuels Investment

By 2016, the United States Navy aims to obtain 8 million barrels of biofuel to power a strike group that’s being called the “Great Green Fleet.” But this initiative is ruffling some Republicans’ feathers in Congress. Alternative fuels require no drilling, and can be produced in the United States, but perhaps its greatest benefit comes straight down to simple economics. “The only way we can afford to get the number of ships, the number of aircraft that we need is to change the way we get fuel,” Mabus said.

#OWS Call for Occupy Earth Day, Global Month of Action

OWS efforts have mostly targeted banks and corporate greed but now, the Occupy movement is focusing in on climate issues. The movement has issued a call to ‘Occupy Earth Day,’ beginning March 23rd and continuing through April.

Is it Safe to Play Yet? Going Extreme Lengths to Purge Household Toxins

A new trend in parenthood is the purging of toxic chemicals in the home, at all costs. Might some parents be taking their toxic fears a bit too far? Read this article and let us know what you think.

Germany’s $263 Billion Renewables Shift Biggest Since War

Could Germany become a role model for economies all over the world? According to this article, time will tell. Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is planning to build offshore wind farms that would cover an area six times the size of New York City and erect power lines that could stretch from Baghdad to London. The plans call for 17 of Germany’s nuclear reactors to be replaced with renewable energy such as solar and wind.

This post was originally published on LauraTurnerSeydel.com. Have a tip you’d like included in our next roundup? Tweet @LauraSeydel and @LindsEBrown using #EcoRoundup

DIY Removable and Reusable Wallcovering: A Renter’s Dream

Removable and reusable vertical stripe from CasartCoverings.com

I’m sort of obsessed with the entryway to my modestly sized Brooklyn apartment. Sure, it’s pretty small, but there are so many good things about it — a high ceiling and two large closets among them.

There’s just one thing that has really bugged me about my entryway since the moment I’ve moved in: the walls. They are just so … white.

I am somewhat comforted knowing I’m not alone. Boring white walls are the conundrum every renter faces: To paint the walls (and then have to paint them back) or not to paint them.

My entire apartment has white walls, and my boyfriend and I have found a way to make them work by adding colorful pieces such as mirrors, photos, shelves, and paintings. But the barren walls in my entryway were really bothering me; they just needed a little more drama.

And then Casart Coverings entered my life, and my dull entryway issues were resolved. The company creates really beautiful and reusable wallcoverings that are easy-to-remove, so you can peel them right off when it’s time to pack up and repurpose them at your new place. They come in all patterns, colors and styles, and they’re recyclable and made in the United States.

Removable and reusable horizontal stripes from CasartCoverings.com

I love the look of stripes on a wall, so I decided to order them for my entryway from Casart Covering’s nature-inspired, Karen Robertson Collection. The stripes are available from 3 to 24-inches wide, and there are 35 colors to choose from!  Each stripe can be installed vertically or horizontally, depending on the look you’d like to achieve. All without needing to tape, measure or paint, and you can even reposition them easily.

Black stripes available at Casart Coverings

I’m going to go to town with my stripes, and install them vertically and evenly-spaced. But there’s no limit to what you can do with them, which will make a striped DIY wall project in your home great fun.

They’ll be a part two following this post, as I plan on sharing how my striped entryway turns out! Now I’m just anxiously awaiting the arrival of my stripes; and counting down the days until I don’t have to look at white walls upon entering my place.

 

Originally published at Eco-Chick.com. Like this post? Follow Lindsay on Twitter: @LindsEBrown

Black and white bathroom image via Elle Decor. All other images courtesy of Casart Coverings.

This Week’s Top Eco Stories

by Lindsay E. Brown

Scientists See Rise in Tornado-Creating Conditions
Scientists believe that the 80-plus tornadoes which wreaked havoc across the United States last Friday are an indicator that man-made climate change has caused tornado season to begin earlier.

How the Grinch Stole the Lorax
Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” topped this past weekend’s box office, taking in $70.2 million. But Lou Dobbs and the Fox Business Network aren’t impressed; they claim that the film is part of a left-wing conspiracy to promote a liberal agenda. Is the Lorax really trying to brainwash America’s children into hating capitalism and hugging trees?

5 Things That Actually Determine the Price of Gasoline
The painful, month-long streak of increasing gas prices seems to have finally subsided. But it’s left many Americans fretting about the instability of prices at the pump, wondering what actually causes the spikes. This article examines the factors which influence gas prices.

Campbell’s to Ditch BPA from Soup Cans
The chemical BPA is a widely known hormone disruptor that mimics estrogen, and it has been blamed for growing public-health problems such as heart disease, early onset puberty, obesity, hyperactivity, diabetes and breast cancer in women. Campbell’s finally announced plans to eliminate bisphenol-A from the lining of its soup cans. Our question for the soup giant: Why wasn’t this done sooner?

Chloe Coscarelli’s Top Ten Vegan Alternatives From Her New Cookbook
Chloe Coscarelli is the award-winning vegan chef whom you may have seen on TV when she earned the top price on the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. Since then, she has been bringing mouth-watering, meatless dishes to the mainstream showing families across America that vegan cooking is easy and delicious. In this post, she shares her top 10 vegan ingredients to incorporate into your cooking!

High Price Soured Chevy Volt Sales
GM recently announced it was shutting down its Volt production for five weeks, and many speculate the car’s sticker price of $40,000 is to blame.

Preschoolers in Surgery for a Mouthful of Cavities
There’s been a huge rise in extensive dental decay in children. This article offers reasons for the increase, (the endless supply of sugary snacks and juices making up kids’ diets these days is one), as well as tips for parents to help their children have healthy teeth.

Ohio GOP Breaks with Republican Presidential Field on Regulation of Hydraulic Fracturing
Ohio Republicans disagree with the GOP presidential nominees who believe there’s no need for special taxation and regulation of fracking. Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to release natural gas inside. We recommend you watch the film “Gasland” (available through Netflix) which investigates fracking across the United States.

 

Post originally published on LauraTurnerSeydel.com

Photo Credit – Universal Studios The Lorax

{Wednesday Roundup} This Week’s Top Eco Stories

by Lindsay E. Brown

Occupy Our Food Supply!
On February 27th, thousands converged for Occupy Our Food Supply day of action to creatively confront corporate control of our food supply and take action to build a healthy food system. The global event brought together the Occupy, sustainable farming, food justice, buy local, slow food and environmental movements. Said Dr. Vandana Shiva: “ The biggest corporate takeover on the planet is the hijacking of the food system, the cost of which has had huge and irreversible consequences for the Earth and people everywhere.”

Livia Firth Turned the Red Carpet Green with Meryl Streep’s Help
Livia Firth talks to Lindsay Brown about the eco Valentino number she wore to the Oscars, how she recruited Meryl Streep to her Green Carpet Challenge, and how she defines sustainable fashion in this exclusive post-Oscars interview.

TransCanada Begins Construction on Keystone XL
Since we shared Ted Tuner’s eloquent op-ed condemning the Keystone Pipeline, TransCanada has decided to begin construction on the part of the pipeline that doesn’t cross international borders, from Oklahoma to Texas. Not surprisingly, the corporation also announced that they will re-apply for a presidential permit allowing them to build the pipe across the US-Canadian border. 350.org said it well in an email sent out yesterday: “This is an important, iconic fight—big oil knows that, which is why they are pushing so hard. And you know it, which is why so far, for once, they haven’t gotten their way.”

Battery Breakthrough Could Bring Electric Cars to All
Most people love the concept of an electric car, but will then say that they just don’t think it’s practical or affordable. Well, a new start-up might just have the answer. At the ARPA-E summit, Envia Systems announced it had achieved an energy density of 400 watt-hours per kilogram in electric car batteries. In other words: an electric car that could have a 300-mile range and cost around $25,000.

Judge Dismisses Organic Farmers’ Case Against Monsanto
A New York federal court judge dismissed a lawsuit against Monsanto by 83 plaintiffs representing more than 300,000 organic farmers. The farmers sought protection from potential lawsuits by the agribusiness giant for patent infringement. Most of the soy, canola, corn and cotton grown in the United States is genetically modified, and corn happens to be the most likely to cross-pollinate with plants in nearby fields. Genes from genetically modified crops can drift into organic fields which concerns organic farmers, since GMO contamination can damage the value of their crop.

Alliance Seeks Vast Marine Reserves in the Antarctic
The Antarctic Ocean Alliance, a coalition of high-profile individuals like Richard Branson and leading environmental groups, proposed that 19 areas be set aside as marine protected reserves. This would be considered the world’s largest network of marine reserves in the Southern Ocean. Many fisheries scientists believe that reserves offer the best hope for restoring ecosystems taxed by pollution, overfishing and global warming.

Bill Gates Calls for More Accountability on Food Programs
In a recent speech in Rome, Bill gates called on the United Nations agencies that deal with world food supply to set a global target for the productivity growth of agriculture.  “The world’s agriculture and food system is now outdated and inefficient,” Mr. Gates said in the speech. “Countries, food agencies and donors aren’t working together in a focused and coordinated way to provide the help small farmers need, when they need it.”

 

This piece was originally published at LauraSeydel.com.

Heroines for the Planet: Exclusive Interview with Livia Firth Fresh from the Oscars

To say Livia Firth is passionate about greening the fashion industry would be an understatement. Sure, she fancies walking the red carpet sustainably on the arm of her Oscar-winning husband Colin Firth, like she did just yesterday, but she’s more concerned with helping others transform their approach to style — causing a ripple effect felt throughout the fashion world.

Indeed, Livia’s Green Carpet Challenge is shaking up the red carpet in all the right ways. For this year’s Oscars, she recruited Best Actress winner Meryl Streep, who wore Lanvin’s first-ever custom-made eco gown. Academy Awards Supporting Actor nominee Kenneth Branagh and Academy Awards Leading Actor nominee Demian Bichir also welcomed Livia’s challenge, as did Colin, of course, who reused the Tom Ford suit he wore when he won Best Actor Oscar last year.

Fresh off the green carpet at the Oscars, and after a night dancing away at Madonna’s after party, Livia opens up about her new designs under her own name; goals for Eco-Age.com and the Green Carpet Challenge; the bright red stunner she wore to this year’s Oscars; and how she thinks about fashion in a very Italian way.

Lindsay:  I must ask about your bright red gown made using recycled polyester from plastic bottles. You were stunning. Why did you go with Valentino? Who were your accessories by?

Livia: Valentino is another Italian fashion institution and I always loved his work. When I was in Paris for Haute Couture week, sitting on the front row of his show, I felt like Cinderella when she goes to the Palace for the ball. And I felt like Cinderella when I walked the Oscars’ red, or should I say green, carpet as well!

Another wonderful GCC story is that of the jewellery. It was designed by Anna Loucah who did the Globes and Oscars jewellery for me last year as well. Anna only works with Fairtrade certified gold and ethically sourced gemstones and diamonds, so it has excellent traceability. Few jewellers put as much passion into what they do as Anna does. My shoes and bag were by Roger Vivier. I have a soft spot for Bruno Frisoni, the Creative Director, who has also enrolled in the Challenge – we have been working on materials for a while now and hope to unveil his first dedicated GCC pieces soon!

Credit: Jason Olive

Lindsay: How exciting! In recent posts on Eco-Age.com and Vogue’s blog, you wrote, “The GCC this year is not just about turning red carpets a bit greener, but opening doors for and to the fashion industry.” How are you and the Green Carpet Challenge accomplishing this?

Livia:  Our team is amazing – I am the “face” of it and the “ball breaker” (this is my nickname, apparently) but behind the scenes there is the very detailed and  serious work of Lucy Siegle and Jocelyn Whipple, and the rest of the team at Eco Age. We have also recently joined forces with Giusy Bettoni at C.L.A.S.S. and are in the process of creating a big GCC fabric library- it will be the first in the world. We are building bridges with the big fashion designers and working together on this process.  Also I couldn’t have done it without American Express- this year’s sponsors, as without them all of this would not have been possible and I cannot thank them enough.

Lindsay: What other celebrities and friends have caught the Green Carpet Challenge bug?

Livia: The ones who have done it already are Viola Davis and Michael Fassbender at the Baftas’ in London, and Meryl Streep, Demian Bichir, and Kenneth Branagh at the Oscars this year. We are hoping that many more will enroll in the next few months.

Credit: Will Whipple

Lindsay: You just launched your first-ever design under your own name. Congratulations! Where have you sourced all of your materials?  Did this feel like a natural step for you?

Livia:  I am a creative person but never had the courage to embrace it completely. It was Gary Harvey (the designer who did my Oscar dress last year) who really pushed me. One day he said: “You should do it Livia! You know exactly what you like and this is the most important thing for a designer!”

Last year I played with the idea a bit, designing a limited edition shopper bag for Whistles and a heart necklace (produced in Nairobi again with recycled brass and natural soapstone). This year I decided to try harder and produce pieces which I would want to wear and were missing from my wardrobe. We kick off with a skull necklace (on sale now on Eco Age) which is made in the UK from recycled bronze. Each skull is made individually, by hand. It wasn’t easy to go through the sourcing process but after few months, we made it! We will launch LFD (Livia Firth Design) brand in September with few more pieces to add to your sustainable cupboard – there are few surprises in store…

Lindsay: Have you always been so passionate about sustainable fashion?

Livia: I think so. Or at least I have been thinking about fashion in a very “Italian” way – at a slower pace, with an eye to quality and durability and not paying such close attention to trends. I would say “sustainable’ in a classic way rather than “sustainable” in a green way, per se. If you buy quality pieces and are not too extravagant, chances are they will be in your wardrobe for a long time. Obviously when we started the Eco Age adventure, I had to study, research and learn a lot. Meeting Lucy Siegle, Jocelyn Whipple and Orsola De Castro and starting to work with them changed my fashion life forever. You can’t read a book like “To Die For: Is fashion wearing out the world?” which Lucy wrote, without seriously reconsidering your entire attitude towards fashion forever.

Credit: Jason Olive

Lindsay: I’ll have to read that one. How did your Eco-Age shop in London, which Starre has visited, evolve into your site, Eco-Age.com? What are your goals for Eco-Age?

Livia: This was a natural process as well. Life changes, markets change, people’s habits change – and as a businessperson you need to keep your eyes wide open. People nowadays shop mostly online and we wanted to reach as many people as possible. We did not have the resources to open tons of shops all over the world, so we decided to open a big one online. It will be launched at the end of April and it is going to be wonderful I hope! At the same time though, when you have a shop on the high street, you can engage with your customer, talk to them, tell them the stories behind the products. Without a physical shop, we decided to move the stories online –and that’s how the new phase of eco-age.com came about: a dedicated magazine for the curious consumer and a global online shop stocking lots of gorgeous eco brands. It starts from the end of April this year!

Lindsay: Our Facebook and twitter followers were thrilled to hear we were going to be chatting. One of our readers would like to know: What pieces in your closet can’t you live without right now?

Livia: I should say my skull necklace as I am obsessed with it! But also a piece which is not entirely green – my Joseph black leggings, which I bought 2 years ago and have been wearing almost every single day of my life since. I consider this pretty sustainable no?!

Lindsay:  I’d say so! Now here’s a question I’m dying to know: Who do you idolize in — and out — of the fashion industry?

Livia:  Many people and it would be hard to name few. I mostly idolize the people with whom I work (Lorna, Lucy, Jocelyn, Miranda, Hannah, Warly and everyone at Eco Age) but also anyone who has the curiosity to look a little bit further. In this instance, I idolize all the designers who have joined the GCC so far…

Lindsay: What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

Livia:  It was someone on rollerblades on Venice beach, two years ago, who handed me a sticker that said: “Stop bitching and start a revolution.”

Lindsay: That’s a classic. So when you’re not spending time with your children and husband, meeting with designers, designing yourself, gliding down the green carpet, running Eco Age, or writing, how do you relax and take care of your mind and body?

Livia: I meditate every morning and while I do so, I stretch and do some yoga. 15 minutes max, but it charges my batteries completely.  And when I have the chance, I love dancing and will shake it all off to Shakira’s music!

 This exclusive interview was originally published at Eco-Chick.com.

My Visit To a NYC Holistic Dentist

Dentists visits were easy, breezy for me as a child, but on into my adult years and a few bad experiences in the chair later — which I’d rather not relive — I found myself filled with anxiety about going to the dentist.

My fears were exacerbated by the media coverage paid to the harmful effects of amalgam or ‘silver’ fillings (which leach mercury into the body) that are commonly used in many practices. Mercury is the most poisonous naturally occurring, non-radioactive, substance on our planet. Mercury accumulates within the body over time and concentrates in fatty tissues, especially in the brain, which is made mostly of fat. Although the controversial ADA still considers amalgam fillings safe, many health professionals disagree, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) even considers old mercury fillings that have been removed from the body toxic waste that has to be disposed as such.

And so I avoided the dentist right up until I simply couldn’t anymore. When your tooth starts aching, no amount of brushing will come to the rescue. I resolved that I’d face my fears and go to the dentist. But this time, I wanted a very different experience. I set out to find a holistic dentist who not only didn’t use mercury, but someone who actually cared about my health.

After doing some serious research, I discovered one of the best holistic dentists out there, Doctor Reid L. Winick, D.D.S. of Dentistry for Health NY.  Not only did he surpass all of my criteria, (and hates mercury even more than I do), but his practice is deeply committed to patients’ overall wellness and to the health of the environment. Dr. Winick’s practice even has a cable show “A Better Way. A Sustainable Approach to Dentistry.” I called and made an appointment the next morning.

In the waiting room taking in the space.

Dr. Winick’s friendly staff greeted me as I walked into their cutting-edge, green office and immediately put me at ease. As I filled out a few simple forms, I took in my surroundings: books on holistic health and nutrition sat on a reclaimed wood table that looked like a tree, a vibrantly-colored office, and charming staff who glided by me.

I was walked back into a bright and cheery examination room with a nice view.  Dr. Winick graciously greeted me and we started things off with a nice, long conversation. Although he was getting to know me, he knew that I was feeling him out too. We chatted about my overall health and history, what specific foods I was eating on a daily basis, what the basis was for my fear of the dentist, what my health goals were, and so on. One of his goals for me as he said was to “recondition you so you’re comfortable being here.” The practice takes on fewer patients during the course of the day so they can spent more individual time with each patient.

Dr. Winick explained his practice’s holistic approach to dental care: there is a systematic connection between oral health and overall body health. The practice views the condition of one’s mouth as a barometer of bodily health and an indicator of potential disease in the future. The fact that I was suffering from tooth aches meant that something else in my body was off balance.  Dr. Winick’s practice refers to this as the Oral Systematic Link.

Dr. Winick broke down his philosophy down in layman’s terms by comparing the health of humans to the health of a tree. “A tree’s health and growth is dependent on rain. If you give a tree acid rain and then look at its branches, the tree may appear healthy from ground level but the leaves from the top branches start to turn brown. If you don’t give your body the proper minerals and nutrients, the leaves at the top of the tree is your teeth.”

We talked quite a bit about the importance of good nutrition, and what specific modifications to my diet I should make to help me get healthier. Dr. Winick even gave me the location of his favorite shop where he gets wild, mercury-free salmon shipped to his home.

My view from the chair

The Doctor shared a life-changing experience that sent him down the holistic dentistry path. In 1980 he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and consequently went through four rounds of painful surgeries and heavy medication. “I found myself being treated like a machine; I was being treated for my symptoms and mainstream medicine didn’t look at what was causing my problems. I knew I had to find a better way, ” said Dr. Winick.  In 1994, he began seeing a holistic doctor all the way in Seattle (progressive stuff at the time); he changed his diet, stopped eating gluten, got rid of his mercury fillings, and he cured himself of the disease that plagued him for so long. The experience of self-healing through nutrition inspired him to apply those very same principles to his work. And judging by the fresh-pressed Organic Avenue juice that he’d sip on from time to time during our conversation, Dr. Winick still clearly values his own health.

After taking and reviewing my x-rays with a digital machine that uses up to 80 to 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays, Dr. Winick took me into a private room for my microscopic examination. Using the samples he has taken earlier from my gums, he placed my slide under a microscope which projected on a screen for he and I to review together, as he assessed the level of bacteria in my mouth. Since bacteria doesn’t lie, this particular examination shows the true health of the mouth and body.  Dr. Winick pointed to the healthy white blood cells and cocci, but then showed me the critters like rods and spirochetes appearing in my slide which meant he and I had our work cut out for us to get my mouth and body healthy again. But the Doctor reassured me that we’d work together and I’d eventually have a healthy slide again.

The Doctor introduced me to Tammy Kohlschmidt who performed an assessment of my teeth called a bio-survey which identified my food and environmental sensitivities, hidden stressors in my body such as bacteria, viruses and heavy metals, and even pinpointed the specific, all-natural remedies I should take to help bring my body back into balance and speed up my healing.

The experience was far from your typical visit to most dentists.

I was then given the grand tour and saw firsthand all of the sustainable elements incorporated throughout the office such as formaldehyde-free, FSC certified wood products; bamboo flooring; recycled fabric furniture; recycled denim insulation; no-VOC paints;  linseed oil and wheat linoleum flooring in dental operatories; a sanitized and charcoal filtered water system; a feng shui designed space, and so on! The healthy office environment perfectly complimented the practice’s entire ethos.

As the end of my visit drew near, Dr. Winick sent me on my way with several all-natural remedies and vitamins he referred to as my “Healthy Mouth Protocol” which would help ease the pain I was experiencing until my next appointment, which happens to be tomorrow. I’m pleased to report it’s been nearly two weeks since starting Dr. Winick’s natural remedy regime, sans painkillers, and I haven’t experienced any pain whatsoever.

If you’re series about your health, or simply want to have your toxic amalgam fillings safely removed,  I strongly urge you to switch to a holistic dentist who values your health and well being. You’ll feel comforted knowing your health is in the hands of a dentist who is looking out for your best interest. At least I do now.

Images in dentist’s office by Lindsay E. Brown.

Lead-Free Lipstick

Most of us pull a lipstick tube from our bag and freshen up several times a day, year round. Before we walk out the door in the morning, after lunch, before a meeting, or a hot date, even while driving, we seem to be forever applying. Even if we’re going for a natural look with minimal make-up, a touch of color on our lips makes our faces appear lively, and we feel more pulled together.

Here’s the conundrum: Your favorite lipstick could be poisoning you.

A recent study by the Food and Drug Administration found that over 400 shades of popular lipstick on the market contain trace amounts of lead. Five lipsticks made by L’Oreal and Maybelline ranked among the top 10 worst offenders. Two Cover Girl and two NARS lipsticks landed in the top 10 as well. I strongly urge you to have a look at the list (scroll down the page to “Exapanded Survey”) if you’re a lipstick lover.

This story isn’t a new one, since reports about lipsticks containing lead date back to the 1990s. In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 33 red lipsticks and found that two-thirds of them contained lead — and that one-third had levels above what the FDA allows in candy.

But the FDA asserts that comparing lipstick to lead isn’t quite fair.

“It is not scientifically valid to equate the risk to consumers presented by lead levels in candy, a product intended for ingestion, with that associated with lead levels in lipstick, a product intended for topical use and ingested in much smaller quantities than candy,” the FDA said in its online comments.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics disagrees. Per a statement made by the campaign, “Lead builds in the body over time, and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels.”

“Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral problems. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure, because lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain where it can interfere with normal development,” said Sean Palfrey, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and public health at Boston University and the medical director of Boston’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Most health experts agree that there is no safe level of lead exposure for human beings, even as the FDA does allow for small amounts in our food and doesn’t regulate it in beauty products, even those, like lipstick, that are ingested.

The accumulation of toxins, such as lead in the body, is also known as bioaccumulation, something we’ve talked about many times here on Eco Chick.

This all begs the question: Is wearing potentially toxic lipstick worth the risk? Here are better alternatives for your lips (just in case you decide to throw away that long-lasting, lead lipstick of yours.) I’ve spoken to each of these companies personally to ensure that they are lead-free.

Jane Iredale’s PureMoist LipColours

Gabriel Cosmetics’ ZuZu Luxe Lipstick

ILIA Pure Lip Care from Spirit Beauty Lounge

MUD’s Sheer Lipstick

Lavera’s Beautiful Lips Lipstick

Nvey Eco Advanced Care Lip Colour from Spirity Beauty Lounge

Originally published at Eco-Chick.com.

This Week’s Top Eco Stories

by Lindsay E. Brown

Chipotle Ad Upstages Some Grammy Performances
Chipotle’s anti-factory farming ad first appeared across the Internet last year. The chain officially debuted the two-minute commercial during the Grammys to a national audience, and it has since received rave reviews. The commercial follows a local farmer who takes up factory farming in pursuit of the big bucks, before an epiphany reverts him back to his, well, roots — organic farming. Between Nelson’s charming rendition of Coldplay’s wistful classic and the deftly packaged narrative, this commercial packs quite an emotional punch! See for yourself.

24 Hours to Stop Keystone XL: Activists Launch a “Signature Bomb” to Stop Congress from Forcing Tar Sands Pipeline
Senate Republicans have put forward an amendment to the transportation bill to try and reverse President Obama’s Keystone XL rejection and revive the pipeline. In the next few days, the U.S. Senate will vote to determine the fate of the Keystone. A coalition of environmental organizations have rolled out a “signature bomb” in an attempt to get 500,000 citizens to tell Senators to stop trying to force a decision on Keystone XL. They beat their goal and have now received over 700,000 signatures!

Eco Fashion Designers at New York Fashion Week
Eco fashion is a force to be reckoned with, and a category that’s gaining clout during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Starre Vartan gives you sustainable style highlights from her front-row view at the New York Shows.

Court Rules Monsanto Guilty of Chemical Poisoning in France
The American biotech giant Monsanto was found guilty by a French Court for poisoning a French farmer. This judgement could lend weight to other health claims against pesticides. If you’re interested in learning more about how Monsanto has affected the health of humans, honeybees, and Mother Earth, readMaryam Henein’s blog; she’s the Director of the must-watch documentary Vanishing of the Bees.

No, You Weren’t Hallucinating: January Was Really Warm
You’ve probably noticed warmer temperatures than you’re used to for this time of year. Maybe you’ve even gone outside without a jacket which is typically unheard of for this time of year in your area. Well, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released U.S. weather stats recently and reported that January 2012 is the fourth warmest January since modern record keeping began in the late 1800s.

States Sue E.P.A. Over Delayed Soot Rules
Eleven states, including New York and California, joined forces to sue the federal Environmental Protection Agency over the EPA’s failure to comply with federal clean air act and adopt air quality standards that protect the public’s health.

DOL Publishes Green Jobs Guide for Women
The U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau just released a new (free!) green jobs guide titled, “Why Green Is Your Color: A Woman’s Guide to a Sustainable Career.” “Many occupations in the clean energy economy remain virtually untapped by women,” said Sara Manzano-Díaz, director of the Women’s Bureau. Hopefully women of all ages in America who are searching for a job will download this guide.

Bill McKibben Discusses His 700,000 Anti-Keystone Emails on Colbert
350.org’s founder, Bill McKibben appeared on the Colbert Report Monday night to discuss his anti-Keystone email campaign to the Senate. The funnyman got a few satirical digs in, and McKibben patiently explained why it isn’t accurate when mining advocates argue that “everything we’re extracting from the ground is natural.”

This piece was originally published at LauraTurnerSeydel.com.