Remember How Bush & Co. Totally Flailed on the EPA Smog Restrictions? Now They’re Being Sued
By the American Lung Association, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Environmental Defense Fund (among others), for not protecting public health.
Somewhat Related, Newsflash From Bush & Co: Global Warming Will Hurt Poor Folks
Just another example of the two terms-long trend to eventually admit what health groups have been telling us all along. I guess I should be happy they’re finally quoting actual science rather than continuing to practice wishful thinking, but in the end I’m just sad over a president who spent eight years ignoring the link between the environment and public health and had to be forced to release this report.
Secondhand Smoke is Even Worse for Kids than We Thought
Ups the asthma risk?
Check.
Ups the risk of respiratory infections?
Check.
Now known to up the risk of all kinds of nasty, severe infections no kid should have to experience?
Check.
I Discuss Asthma and Air Quality Over at My Celsias Gig
It sums up a few things I’ve written here, with a little more development:
May is Asthma Awareness Month, and while advocacy groups have published their newest annual reports about U.S. air quality and asthma rates these past few weeks, this year also brought one that links childhood asthma to the need for community-based action on respiratory health risks. PolicyLink’s Breathing Easy for Home to School: Fighting the Environmental Triggers of Asthma calls on advocacy groups, parents, and community members to work for local government policies that will clean the air and help protect asthmatic children.
(Read the rest of the article through the link above.)
And just for fun because it’s Friday:
Joshua Klein Video: Incredibly Clever Crows
TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) videos are the best. This one’s got some amazing crow footage and asks, shouldn’t we consider creating “mutually beneficial systems” or “equilibrium” instead of extermination with so-called nuisance species (read: crows, rats) that have adapted to human behavior? (via Allie)
Something to chew on.
(If you missed it, check out Al Gore’s recent TED video.)
Armchair Travel: Venezuela’s Angel Falls (World’s Highest)
Breathtaking photo essay.
Edited to add one more:
Congressional Amendment on Toxic Kids’ Toys Needs Your Help
The Feinstein Amendment aims to restrict 6 toxic phthalates, and you can send a letter of support. Click the Healthy Child Healthy World link above, or go straight to the source.
