Recent studies confirm what scientists have long suspected: that air pollution kills about 250,000 people in the United States—every year! And that's in addition to the hundreds of thousands with strokes, respiratory infections, and other diseases caused by air pollution. The cost in life and in dollars is enormous, but we don't see our so-called leaders doing anything to save … [Read more...] about More deadly than COVID
environmental health
Science on fracking harm
Health Professionals of NY and Physicians for Social Responsibility have released a newly-updated compendium of the medical and scientific evidence of the great harm done by fracking, a widely used and trusted resource. Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking [PDF] From the introduction: Public health harms now … [Read more...] about Science on fracking harm
The slower crises continue
I hope you're doing well as we hunker down to weather the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, the other, slower crises don't go dormant just because there's a pandemic raging. The climate emergency has slowed down a little while factories and shops are shuttered and people aren't driving nearly as much — but that respite will end when they 'reopen the economy'. Coronavirus … [Read more...] about The slower crises continue
american soil
by Eden Bailie there were only elements and planetary breaths, water cooling magma, birth, creation-eating-creation, fungi feeding from a purer deathno cathedrals for praise, only treetops, trees for everyonewith swaying leaf steeples reaching up and out to touch a creator’s fingertipand early-age worshippers led home in quiet night forests by shaman oaks. then theft, … [Read more...] about american soil
Environmental Pros & Cons
In addition to the health & safety concerns for athletes, synthetic turf raises environmental concerns: Both the grass and the infill are made from toxic products and will wind up in landfills when the fields need to be refurbished (10–12 years); they are not biodegradable, so they will continue to leach toxins into the environment for centuries;The infill material … [Read more...] about Environmental Pros & Cons
Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic Turf
In March 2015, we saw stories in the Express-Times and Morning Call reporting that almost all of the high schools, colleges, and universities in the Lehigh Valley have synthetic turf fields (also known as artificial turf), or were planning to replace natural grass with synthetic turf in the near future. In addition, at least two municipalities are … [Read more...] about Open Letter to Anyone Considering Synthetic Turf
Sustainable Campus Dining Resources
The Alliance has had a strong interest in food issues since its formation in 2004, and food is a major concern in our initiatives on campus sustainability and the strong connections of food and health; a number of interns have completed projects on the sustainability and health impacts of food and campus dining services. If you want to see sustainable food on your campus, … [Read more...] about Sustainable Campus Dining Resources
Organic Is the Answer for Healthy Food, Healthy People, and a Healthy Planet
by Maya Rodale The idea that our health is connected to the food we eat isn’t really a shocking concept. It just makes sense: you are what you eat. What matters to our health just as much—if not more—is how our food is grown. When it comes to healthy food, healthy people, and a healthy planet, organic is the best and most sustainable way to go. The way we … [Read more...] about Organic Is the Answer for Healthy Food, Healthy People, and a Healthy Planet
Precautionary Principle for Marcellus Shale
Health and Environmental Experts:Follow the Precautionary Principle on Natural Gas from the Marcellus Shale Since 2007, Pennsylvania has witnessed a dramatic increase in unconventional development of natural gas from the Marcellus shale formation using high-volume hydraulic fracturing, also called “fracking” or “fracing”. Hydraulic fracturing uses known toxins and … [Read more...] about Precautionary Principle for Marcellus Shale
Signers: Precautionary Principle for Marcellus Shale
Experts working in environmental or health field Patricia T. Bradt, PhD Environmental Science, Muhlenberg College John A. Cigliano, PhD Biology; Cedar Crest College Joseph C. Colosi, PhD Natural Science & Plant Ecology Chrysan Cronin, PhD Biology & Public Health; Muhlenberg College Dru Germanoski, PhD Geology; Lafayette College Doug Heath, PhD Geography & … [Read more...] about Signers: Precautionary Principle for Marcellus Shale