grassrootsblogger

BACK TO THE FUTURE ( of cities)

2006-06-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

How’s your town doing?

Updating our post about clean cities, (see below), a note about the World Urban Forum in Vancouver, June 19-23, 2006. By the way, the location is highly appropriate, since Vancouver is on the heels (with others) of Chicago - in leading the way in responsible stewardship, towards sustainability. People in every town should take note, and question their civic leaders’ degree of awareness and commitment. Even by phone, that can help; “Are they attending the forum? Are they awake at all? Helloooo?”

Back to the future (of cities). Under Mayor Richard Daley, Chicago has turned the corner in a remarkable transformation. The city has or has-in-planning over two million square feet of green roofs. No other center comes close. More than that, green-spaces are being created, clean-ups are underway, and hundreds of thousands of trees have been planted. As a result, people are moving INTO the city, bringing jobs and sustainable expansion on many levels.

“Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to befoul the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics, is the first task of the statesmanship of the day.”

- President Theodore Roosevelt

- — “Teddy Roosevelt for Pres! 2008! – He couldn’t do worse!”—

Thought provoking quote. But I digress. While federal governments continue to roll over for the oil and chemical voices on this continent, towns like Chicago, Vancouver, Seattle and Portland - and many others - are bypassing the corruption and getting things done. How is your town doing?

“Environmentalism makes sense economically and politically. Taking pride in your city, taking pride in your home. That is the key to success.” Chicago Mayor Richard Daley

GETTING ATTENTION

2006-05-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

Greenpease makes Tony Blair crack a smile

Say cheesecake! A Greenpeace activist who also happens to be an Argentine Carnival queen confronts heads of state over Uruguayan pulpmill pollution during a photo shoot at the IV Summit in Vienna.

Women, Health, Safe Cosmetics

2006-05-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

It's important. Women, Health, and Safe Cosmetics. In case you missed it, scroll down three or four posts. And please, mention the information to your friends, mothers, daughters, girlfriends, wives, etc.

Also, see our book GrassrootsRising by Ed Begley Jr., Rick McLean, and Dr. David Suzuki. It's all about why you need to be informed.

We're Gonna Clean Up This Town

2006-04-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

In North America, many of the current federal, state, and provincial politicians may be in corporate pockets, but here and there, there are still governments of, by, and for the people, and the common good. Check this out;

On February 16, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol took effect in the 141 countries that ratified it. That day, Mayor Nickels of Seattle challenged mayors across the country to join his city in taking local action to reduce global warming pollution. On March 30, 2005, 10 mayors representing more than 3 million Americans, joined together to invite cities from across the country to take additional actions to significantly reduce global warming pollution.

On June 13, 2005, the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement was passed unanimously by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Mayors inside and outside of the Conference continue to formalize their commitment by signing on to the agreement.

As of April 7 , 2006 224 mayors representing 43.9 million Americans have accepted the challenge.

Has yours? Are your city’s politicians awake? Are you in a healthy town? Clean water and air? Intelligent transit? Below are the top ten – not necessarily in order! Some of these might surprise you. You can check out the reasoning and criteria below.

The Top 10 Green Cities in the U.S.: 2005

Austin, TX

Boulder, CO

Chicago, IL

Honolulu, HI

Madison, WI

Minneapolis, MN

Oakland, CA

Portland, OR

San Francisco, CA

Seattle, WA

Runner-ups included; Boston/ Athens, Georgia/ Lawrence, Kansas.

See the details at http://www.thegreenguide.com

More grassroots at http://www.grassrootsrising.us www.grassrootsrising.ca

asthma and chemicals

2006-04-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

'atlantic america' posted a good comment here about chemicals and asthma, which absolutely has been dramatically on the rise in north america in recent decades. I wish the commentor was trackable. I have been involved in the completion of a ten year book project - that is out now - that would be of interest I'm sure.

I feel that it is not in the complex debates about any one substance or toxin that our common health will be protected - that hasn't been working well at all - but in a shift in what we allow to take place on our planet. http://www.grassrootsrising.us
rick

Blogscurity

2006-04-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

Clearly, my brilliant expose of which cosmetics companies our friends, daughters, wives, girlfriends, mothers, etc should consider avoiding ( see below) should be read and considered by everyone on the planet.

But, no comments yet, probably no readers, let alone billions of readers. The next challenge then: How to avoid blogscurity? www.grassrootsblogger.com

2006-04-07T20:44:00.000-07:00

GRASSROOTS BLOGGER & ENVIRO/HEALTH NEWS

Tuesday April 04th 2006, 9:09 am http://www.grassrootsblogger.com

Multinationals Refuse the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics

As of April 1, 2006, over 300 companies have signed the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics. However, according to the press release from : www.SafeCosmetics.org.

“Despite repeated requests, multinational cosmetics companies such as L’Oréal, Revlon, Estée Lauder, Gap, Avon, OPI and Proctor & Gamble have refused to sign the Compact, known as the “Compact for the Global Production of Safe Health and Beauty Products,” which requires that manufacturers meet several criteria, including:

1.) Meeting new EU standards banning chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects globally;Conducting an inventory of all ingredients to determine whether they use chemicals that pose health hazards including cancer, hormone disruption, genetic mutation, reproductive toxicity, developmental harm and neurotoxicity;

2.) Implementing substitution plans that replace chemicals of concern with safer alternatives; and

3.) Reporting on their progress in meeting these goals to the public.

Contrary to what many believe, the FDA does not review or regulate cosmetics products or ingredients for safety before they are sold to the public…”

The list of participating companies includes; The Body Shop, Burt’s Bees, Jason Natural Products, and Kiss My Face. The names of all signing companies can be found by visiting www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm.

GB says; check it all out at www.SafeCosmetics.org