by Joyce Marin We are hearing a choir of voices around the world rising in urgency regarding Climate Action. Many people, especially young people, are gaining the courage to look at, inform themselves about, discuss and ask for Climate Action. Why? “Because there is no Planet B,” a young friend of mine says. In my role as executive director of RenewLV, the regional … [Read more...] about Empowerment and Engagement for Sustainability and Climate Action
health
Peter Crownfield: ‘Synthetic Turf Q & A’
A number of questions arise when people are considering synthetic turf or synthetic playground surfaces or running tracks. Some of the most common concern health & safety claims, other health concerns, cost, and feasibility for high-use fields. (For additional information, please go to the Synthetic Turf section of this website.) Claims that synthetic turf has been proven … [Read more...] about Peter Crownfield: ‘Synthetic Turf Q & A’
Synthetic Turf Update – More reasons for concern!
Since we first raised concerns last winter, new reports have confirmed the presence of multiple carcinogens in crumb rubber infill — and that annual costs for artificial turf are much higher than for natural turf. Carcinogens — A June 2015 Yale analysis of crumb rubber infill & playground mulch shows dozens of carcinogens. Costs — Grass not cheaper on the artificial … [Read more...] about Synthetic Turf Update – More reasons for concern!
Synthetic Turf update
Because synthetic turf has been identified as a serious health concern that's present at almost every school, college, and university in the Lehigh Valley, we've added some additional material. If you have questions or want more information, email us at turf@sustainlv.org. Synthetic Turf – Overview First Aid for Turf Burns Health & Safety Guidelines for Synthetic … [Read more...] about Synthetic Turf update
PennEast Pipeline – a threat to communities
On Thursday, November 20, Nurture Nature Center held a program on 'Pipeline Science: Environmental Considerations for Communities'. Presentations by Dr. Dru Germanoski, Professor of Geology at Lafayette College, and Mark Gallagher, consultant with Princeton Hydro, outlined the risks presented by the geology in some of the areas on the route for the PennEast Pipeline and … [Read more...] about PennEast Pipeline – a threat to communities
‘April’, by Sarah Mantz
In 1994, this poem by Sarah Mantz, then a sophomore at Salisbury High School, was selected as a winner in an Earth Day writing contest sponsored by the Lehigh County Office of Solid Waste Management. (Her winning poem was also published in Echoes Magazine.) Her poem seems to fit not only this month, but the ecosystem-threatening times in which we live: April I am the fourth … [Read more...] about ‘April’, by Sarah Mantz
Food Matters!
"Food matters" is probably the understatement of the year. Some of us are vegan, and some are carnivorous; some strive for a traditional, nutrient dense diet, and others follow a macrobiotic regime. But I think we all want food that is tasty & nutritious, food that is produced without toxic chemicals so it doesn't harm us or others, and food that is produced without slave … [Read more...] about Food Matters!
‘Progress’, a poem by Lisa J. Parker
…on the human effects of coal mining and other resource extraction industries: Progress In a ton of black gold boring through the fatness of the Blue Ridge on the Clinchfield freight lines, three generations are trapped. The first generation talks in short bursts of emphysemic speech, trying to stand straight, coughing quietly while the second generation glorifies the … [Read more...] about ‘Progress’, a poem by Lisa J. Parker
Tar Sands Hell
The tar sands issue isn't only about the danger from pipelines crossing the U.S. so the dirty tar sands oil can be refined and shipped overseas, it's about the destruction of thousands of square miles of wildlands in Alberta, severe health impacts on thousands of indigenous people, and a major increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The Canadian government and regulators bow to … [Read more...] about Tar Sands Hell
A Sweet Problem: High Fructose Corn Syrup
by Julia Ward High fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, is something that I keep coming back to, time and time again. What is so fascinating yet horrifying to me is the fact that many consumers, if not the majority, know how bad high fructose corn syrup is for their body's and their health but continue to consume it. But why? Because it makes that soda taste that much better? In the … [Read more...] about A Sweet Problem: High Fructose Corn Syrup