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Paintings and prints by Marlene Bell

Environmental Concerns

Articles

2007 Dec 19 U.S. News & World Report, FAQ: The End of the Light Bulb as We Know It, by Marianne Lavelle . New U.S. energy law mandates phasing out of incandescent bulbs starting 2012. Article answers frequently asked questions about compact fluorescent bulbs (cfls), such as costs, longevity, color, mercury, recycling, and alternatives to cfls.

"Beware the Life Cycle of 'Recycled'" by Kumar Venkat
Article points out information that is lacking on labels and needed for consumers to make informed choices. The history of a product, such as pollution caused by its transportation and environmental impacts of original materials, as well as contents of its packaging, are as important environmental concerns as the amount of recycled content. The author argues that a "life cycle assessment" label would be as feasible as the nutrition information on food products.

Environment in Crisis

This website summarizes, in very readable form, the author's concern with the environment, the interconnection between the environment and living things, and her desire to be proactive. Many helpful suggestions and resources are provided for individuals wanting to do their part. On the Contact page, visitors are invited to submit their own suggestions.

"It's Not Easy Buying Green" by Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World

It's hard to find information on environmental impacts of materials used in computers and other electronics, the article says. Manufacturers tend to market their efforts on behalf of the environment to other businesses, which must cope with rising energy costs and government regulations, rather than to consumers. Consumers as well as businesses, however, can take advantage of a great tool called EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool), a tool of the Green Electronics Council, to search EPEAT's database for hundreds of PCs and other electronic products, using a rich variety of environmental criteria.

Presentation on Smart Growth by Kristina Egan
Kristina Egan is the Director of Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance. This talk was delivered to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, Massachusetts on 2006 August 5. Ms. Egan maintains that development that limits sprawl and is based on regional planning can be a part of the solution to our need for more environmentally friendly and socially just communities, rather than a part of the problem.

Guide to the Climate Change

BBC Guide with text, diagrams, and a video shows how greenhouse gases contribute to global warming. Most scientists blame human behavior for significant warming of the earth. Many predict disastrous effects on life as we know it unless we take steps in the very near future to dramatically reduce emissions that cause greenhouse gases.

Organizations

Cape Cod Center for Sustainability
Based on premise that the health of Cape Cod's economy, environment, and social system depend on how we deal with the interrelationships between them. Sustainability Indicators Council produces sustainability indicators reports and considers where to go from there.

Cape and Islands Self-Reliance Corporation
Non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA that promotes eco-friendly, sustainable practices and provides a buying co-op whereby members can save money on energy.

Consumers Union Guide to Environmental Labels

This guide from the publishers of Consumers Reports provides a wealth of information on  the meaning of environmental labels  and processes involved in applying them. You can search for information on a label to get detailed information about it. For example, entering  "fair trade" in the "Search by Label" box and pressing the Enter key takes you to a page that tells you the organization, program, and category associated with the label. Clicking on the label name then takes you to a page that gives you a label report card, type of products that use the label, explanation of the label's meaning, evaluation of the label by Consumers Union, and more. You can also search by product or certifier. The criteria Consumers Union uses to evaluate labels is on What Makes a Good Label?

Co-op America
Non-profit organization that provides information and news about the environment and conservation, as well as human rights and socially responsible investing. A link to Responsible Shopper allows you to compare many companies and industries on the bases of workplace, environment, and willingness to disclose information to the public. Responsible Shopper also notes things companies have been criticised and praised for, such as environmental practices, sweatshop labor, community and labor relations, diversity in the workforce, and charitable contributions.

Environment News Service
Comprehensive, up-to-date, international coverage of environment news. Many of the articles relate to animal welfare as well as other facets of environmental concerns.

Envirolink
Comprehensive, well-organized, attractively designed Internet clearinghouse for environmental organizations. News headlines, many links to environmental resources, link to Animal Concerns Community, interactive maps, discussion groups.

Environmental Ethics
Valuable study tool, recipient of an academic excellence award. Links to information pertaining to environmental ethics and philosophy, education, funding, associations, and publications.

EPR Working Group
EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility. The group promotes environmental responsibility on the part of producers throughout a product's life cycle. They are concerned with sustainability, safety, and social justice. Many products end their lives in landfills or incinerators that are often located in neighborhoods of poor people or people of color, and many are exported to developing countries where environmental safeguards are lacking.

Share the Technology
Database of people offering good, used computers to schools and nonprofit organizations, plus organizations seeking donations. Donations and requests are organized by region. People are encouraged to pick up donations rather than have them shipped. The site also provides links to other environmental sites and a link to a program for recycling printer cartridges and cell phones.

Sierra Club
Grassroots environmental organization with information on issues, politics, ways to take action, ways to enjoy the outdoors. The site has a store that sells books, note cards, calendars, clothing, bags & packs, and watches.

Sustainable Business.com
Information on green business, such as recycling, renewable energy, environmentally friendly building, forest management, and socially responsible investing. Produces the online magazine, "Sustainable Business Insider," an extensive job listing service, "Green Dream Jobs", and a networking service for environmental businesses.The site also has a link to a page that lists shareholder resolutions concerning socially responsible business practices.

Union of Concerned Scientists Provides news, action alerts, a variety of publications, and programs for improving our lives through scientific knowledge. For example, the Clean Vehicles Program provides information on technology such as hybrids and ethanol, and helps states adopt vehicle emissions standards similar to the California standards, which are tougher than the federal standards under the U.S. Clean Air Act.

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