Although today has just begun, my favorite quote of the day is from the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) ‘State of world population 2009′ report overview:
Climate change is about people.
People cause climate change. People are affected by it. People need to adapt to it. And only people have the power to stop it.
Source: www.unfpa.org
This month, join us on 27 November and buy nothing.
‘Take the Plunge,” urges Adbusters, the founders of this annual day of non-consumption:
Buy Nothing Day was a radical concept when we first introduced it 20 years ago. It struck a blow against the very heart of our consumer culture. For the first decade of its existence it had a profound and sweeping effect, shining a light on the dark side of consumerism at a time when the world was largely oblivious to its insidious effects. Year after year it fired up the world’s imagination – inspiring its fair share of sympathy and solidarity, resistance and mockery. I remember people laughing their heads off at the sight of my BND button. But somehow, as the years wore on (and despite the fact that last year it was celebrated in 65 countries around the world), the day seems to be losing its edge. Now, as humanity faces crises of ecology, psychology and faith, the time has come to rethink the day, to reanimate it with new intensity, purpose and scale.
This year we’re calling for a wildcat general strike. On November 27/28 we’re asking tens of millions of people around the world to bring the capitalist consumption machine to a grinding – if only momentary – halt. We want you to shut off your lights, your televisions and other nonessential appliances. We want you to park your car, turn off your phones and log off your computer for the day. We’re calling for a Ramadan-like fast. From sunrise to sunset, we abstain en masse. Not only from shopping but from all the temptations of our five-planet lifestyles.
Instead we’ll feed our spirits and minds with a feast of subversive activities: pranks, shenanigans, credit card cut-ups, bicycle swarms, mall invasions and all manner of culture jams and creative détournements … and some of us will take things even further with sit-ins, demonstrations, passive resistance and acts of nonviolent defiance, anarchy and civil disobedience. If we can create a big enough ruckus on November 27/28, then we may be able to catalyze what the Situationists tried to set in motion half a century ago: a chain reaction of refusal against consumer capitalism … a sudden, unexpected moment of truth … the first ever global revolution.
Take part:
On Facebook
Adbusters
www.buynothingday.org
According to a recent post on Grist, independent research has shown that high levels of Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, can be found in our canned food and drinks.
BPA is a main ingredient in most plastic, a material that currently dominates our lives. What’s unfortunate about the stuff is that it is a known endocrine disruptor. “Low-level exposure to BPA adversely affects male and female reproduction, thyroid function, metabolism, and could increase obesity,” according the a recent statement by the Endocrine Society. Prolonged exposure has been found to lead to increased likelihood of heart disease and diabetes.
However, what’s shocking is that manufacturers use the stuff to line our food and drink cans, and industry lobbyists are pulling the US Food and Drug Administration’s strings like puppeteers so that they can continue to expand this multi-billion dollar industry.
Besides canned goods, food substances that are actually packaged in plastic clearly contain more of the toxic substance.
In October 2008, the Canadian government issued a statement proclaiming it would draft regulations to prohibit the import, sale and advertising of baby bottles containing BPA (made of plastic). However, Health Canada still maintains that the amounts consumed by adults is within regulations. Nevertheless, retailers like Mountain Equipment Coop still pulled BPA-containing plastic water bottles off the shelves.
As a consumer, it’s hard to know what to avoid, considering all the different takes on the issue. Generally, the rule of thumb is if you must purchase products packaged in plastic, avoid ones with the recycling code 7 and containers that are unmarked, as they are more likely to contain BPA. Ones marked ’7 PC’ will always contain BPA.
Likewise, most plastic food containers are only meant for one-time use, as they are not strong enough to deal with cleaning, freezing and thawing. Eat Right Ontario states: “Do not use containers that are damaged, stained or have unpleasant smells and never use a container not meant for storing food.” While they tell you to recycle these containers rather than reuse them, I say avoid plastic products and packaging altogether.
I still find it hard to believe that any exposure is acceptable at all. Frankly, why would we take the risk when our health is concerned?
If you are still not convinced, you can read up on the topic via a few links below.
Related links:
Bisphenol A on Wikipedia
Endocrine disruptor on Wikipedia
Bisphenol A official website
Official BPA factsheet from the Government of Canada
Reports:
“Endocrine Society released scientific statement on endocrine-disrupting chemicals” on Endocrine Today
Concern over canned foods by Consumer Report
Chemical Fallout: A Journal Sentinel Watchdog Report by Journal Sentinel online
A Survey of Bisphenol A in U.S. Canned Foods by Environmental Working Group
Alternatives to plastic:
Klean Kanteen – reusable, PBA-free, stainless steel water bottles
Stainless steel lunch containers, available on www.grassrootsstore.com
Eden Organic Beans are packaged in BPA-free cans
Every day, in a city the size of London, 30 million meals are served. But where does all the food come from? In this fantastic TED talk, architect Carolyn Steel discusses the daily miracle of feeding a city, and shows how ancient food routes shaped the modern world.