Legislation to ban plastic microbeads commonly used in personal care products from being used in products such as facial scrubs, soaps and toothpaste passed the California State Assembly Friday on a 58-11 vote. The legislation, AB 888, authored by Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) and first sponsored in 2014 by LA based environmental organization the 5 Gyres […]
Is it any surprise that the lotions, soaps and other products we use to make ourselves look younger or “better” might contain a nasty slew of chemicals? If you’re unsure or want to understand what these chemicals can do to your health, a recent report in The Guardian would be a good place to start. […]
On the surface, the fear and urgency of a new breast cancer diagnosis seems far removed from a huge international trade deal. And yet, as the executive director of Breast Cancer Action, I am acutely aware of how the highly contested Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) threatens the health and well-being of women. We must take a […]
One of the hidden costs of climate change is its health costs. As more pollutants are pumped into the air we breathe, the health impacts mount. They include asthma, which has been increasing steadily especially in poorer neighborhoods, and allergies. Now the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has released a report, Sneezing and Wheezing: How […]
Thinking about taking your bike out for a spin? Chances are your commute will be a lot smoother if you live in the western U.S. compared to, say, the south. The League of American Bicyclists has released their annual rankings of the most bike-friendly states in the U.S. on a 0-to-100 point scale. Washington sits first on the list […]
The most powerful tool you have to change your brain and your health is your fork. Food is not just calories or energy. Food contains information that talks to your genes, turning them on or off and affecting their function moment to moment. An optimal diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Photo credit: Shutterstock Food […]
It has long been known that exposure to toxic chemicals in many beauty products can lead to an array of negative health conditions. So when The New York Times released the second part of an investigative report on nail salon workers, it confirmed something that many of us know (and perhaps willfully ignore): the beauty industry […]
The makers of The Story of Stuff, The Story of Bottled Water and seven other short animated movies released their first new video in more than a year. It’s a two-minute animated “explainer” that tells the story of microbeads. The Story of Stuff Project′s previous videos have become viral sensations, garnering more than 45 million […]
Most commercial fisheries are in decline. Scientists and economists are concerned that commercial seafood harvesting may end within three decades. If the long-term trends continue, they predict there will be little or no seafood available for a sustainable harvest by 2048. Many commercial fisheries are on the brink of collapse, so it’s extremely important to know if […]