One little two little three little milkshakes…

Cloneworthy?

So the FDA says cloned milk and meat products are as safe as conventional products because, as Rick Weiss writes in today’s Washington Post, the studies reviewed in its 678-page analysis found no “scientific reason to keep meat or milk from clones off store shelves.” Weiss reports public comments will be allowed through April 2, and the FDA must review those comments before making a final decision about whether to allow these products on the market.

Now in years past, like the 1990s when genetically modified food products were starting to enter the market, the FDA didn’t heed the majority of public comments. I can remember attending public hearings in Washington where critics challenged the FDA as to why, and failed to get a straight answer. Next thing you know, biotech foods are everywhere (especially in all the processed and packaged foods Americans eat), but public awareness remains low — most Americans still don’t realize they’ve been eating biotech foods for years! So I’m skeptical about how things will fare for people who follow food, health and nutrition issues here viz. cloned milk and meat.

The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology says consumer confidence in the FDA has declined substantially — from 41% in 2001 down to 29% in September 2006. But the Initiative also says Americans claim to have heard more about cloning than about GM food.

Even if such foods are labeled, or if other foods are labeled “clone-free,” much the way many products available at stores such as Whole Foods are labeled “GMO-free,” what bothers me is the long-term effects. After all, it was some 50 years before we knew that DDT was harmful to human health. And America had a love affair with pesticide application for decades before we realized the price we were paying.

Could that be in the offing for our food supply? Or will the so-called “yuck factor” prevail?

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Added 2/12/07:

The Center for Food Safety is one of a number of advocacy non-profits that has set up a link on its website to let consumers tell FDA this isn’t cool.

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Consumer Federation of America

Center for Science in the Public Interest

Pew Iniative on Food and Biotechnology

FDA

All I wanted for Chanukah was some fair trade gelt…

 

Chanukah 2007 update: Eureka!  Divine Chocolate has a great solution!  Buy!  Enjoy!  Mmm!  This is from the Ghana farmers’ co-op mentioned below.

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Only a few short weeks ago I became aware that Hershey and Mars, two of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world, purchase cacao (cocoa) from sources that in essence run child slave labor operations. Alas! I have a freezer full of Hershey’s Extra Dark bars — the new ones they introduced about a year ago, with cranberries, blackberries and almonds, or macadamia nuts. Mmmm! But no more for me, until or unless Hershey starts doing the right thing for the right reasons, i.e., purchasing fair trade cacao.Hope may be on the horizon. Hershey acquired Dagoba Organic Chocolate in October, and while this may appear to be yet another case of a creative small business being inhaled by the Big Corporation, one can hope Dagoba will be a positive influence on steering Hershey toward more socially responsible practices rather than profit for profit’s sake.Meanwhile, the National Havurah Committee reports on its Dec. 15-17 retreat in Cape Cod, which included a workshop on “Sahar Hogein,” A Jewish Approach to Fair Trade.Here’s how the retreat’s promotional text described this session:

Learn how to apply standards of fairness taught by the great Jewish sages in support of “fair trade,” an innovative approach to commerce that ensures that those who pick the coffee we drink at kiddush, who gather the cocoa in our chocolate Chanukah “gelt,” who harvest the sugar in our hamentashen, or who embroider our kippot, are paid living wages, given a voice in their work, and afforded an opportunity to improve their lives. Participants at this workshop will also be able to partake of the world’s first Fair Trade Chanukah gelt [enhancement by WebOfLife] via a farmers cooperative in Ghana.          

Pet safety over the holidays

Besides helping shelter and rescue organizations during this busy time of year, what about your furry friends at home? Are you giving one as a gift? (Not a good idea, but in reality, this is what many folks do so it’s better to take a few precautions to minimize the stress all around!) Are you trying to keep small animals out from under foot when company comes? Here’s what the Montgomery County Humane Society recommends:

Main Shelter Information: 240-773-5960

Pet Safety Tips for the Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner and special care should be taken to ensure that all pets enjoy a wonderful holiday too. The following tips show how to avoid some of the dangers that accompany this time of year.

• Beware of holiday plants. Mistletoe, holly, Christmas rose, and poinsettias are all poisonous. Keep them out of reach. [Web of Life note: The ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center says poinsettias are not poisonous -- for cats -- although they can cause upset stomach and related short-term discomfort. But why take any chances? Just keep your pets and plants apart to begin with.]

• Firmly secure the Christmas tree so that it is kitty/doggie proof and make sure that all the ornaments are secured and will cause no danger to pets. Remove fallen needles as soon as possible, and don’t let your pet drink from the tree’s water supply. Make sure all light and extension cords are out of your pet’s way. Whenever possible, unplug unnecessary cords.

• Ceramic ornaments with lead glaze or sprayed snow can be toxic. If you enjoy these ornaments, make sure to hang them out of your pet’s reach.

• Tinsel, icicles, ribbon, garland, angel hair, yarn, string and ornament hangers are especially dangerous. These seemingly innocent items can become tangled in your pet’s intestine and require major surgery to remove. Use lace, wide ribbon, tulle, homemade cloth or wooden ornaments instead.

• Keep a sturdy screen in front of your fireplace. Be sure candles and potpourri burners are out of reach of your pet, or they could burn themselves or knock them over.

• Human holiday foods are often inappropriate and dangerous for pets. Chocolate contains a chemical deadly to dogs and chicken bones splinter and are dangerous if chewed or eaten. [WebOfLife note: Especially true of DARK chocolate! Do not -- repeat, do NOT -- allow your pet to ingest dark chocolate! Can be fatal in a matter of hours! See the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control center for more info.] Other foods such as turkey skin or ham can be too rich for your pet’s digestive system and can lead to an upset stomach.

• Make sure to let guests know you have pets and the doors need to stay securely closed so the pets don’t escape.

• With strangers in your home, or if in a friend’s or relative’s home, your pet may feel safer and actually be safer in a quiet room away from the excitement.

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Helping animals over the holidays

While it’s not the best idea to give a puppy or kitten as a present this time of year what with all the commotion around the house, there are lots of things you can do to help animals. Or the organizations that help them. I’m getting more involved myself after all these years of being an addicted dog mom, combined with wanting to do more post-Katrina.

So for starters, here’s a list recommended by the Montgomery County (Maryland) Humane Society. Most of these actions are applicable around the country although a few are local, as noted:

ways you can help – service projects

wish list items

-host a drive for wish list items (new or gently used) at school or home

-ask for wish list items in lieu of birthday presents

-teachers: have grades compete with rewards of dress down days, free lunches, or prizes from MCHS. MCHS can provide posters and flyers.

towel and blanket drive

-coordinate a towel and blanket drive (new or gently used)

-bath towels, beach towels, bathroom rugs, sheets, hand towels, wash clothes, and blankets

fundraising

-organize fundraiser such as bake sale, lemonade sale, or garage sale and donate the proceeds

-create your own business with proceeds going to MCHS

baking

-bake APPROVED homemade dog treats for the homeless dogs- or- host a party so your friends and family can get involved

-list of approved dog treats available upon request

creating

-create happy socks for cats (sock, fiber fill and catnip)

selling

-sell ALL PETS ALLOWED 2007 CALENDARS

-$15/EA all proceeds benefit the animals under our care

volunteer

-volunteer at one of our events or help promote it

shop to care

-we are participating in Westfield’s Shop to Care Program (11/24/06-1/14/07)

-your group, family, and friends can either register at the Westfield Montgomery Concierge Center for MCHS or save receipts from Westfield Montgomery and bring the originals or copies to MCHS

-details: any store, any kiosk, any restaurant, gas station, etc. is fair game

-MCHS earns points from your receipts and the non-profit with the most points after 1/14/07 receives $5,000 from Westfield

Questions: 301-279-9677. mchumane@comcast.net

CFLs for Chanukah!

My congregation, Temple Emanuel (Kensington, MD), gets it! The Green Shalom environmental action committee is working with the kids in the religious school to construct the World’s First CFL Menorah, which was “lit” Friday night for the first night of Chanukah and again this morning for the religious school.

This activity was supposed to be accompanied by a song, a spoof of the Dreidel song adapted by Deborah Kornfield of Rochester, NY, but it ended up being just the traditional words. The words to the adaptation were published in the Nov. 30 issue of Washington Jewish Week:

“I have a brand new light bulb/
It’s a miracle you see/
It lights the room completely/
Using half the energy.

“Oh compact fluorescent light bulb/
I really have to kvell/
It’s just so energy efficient/
And it saves you gelt as well…”

I didn’t make this — other members of our Green Shalom committee did the construction. But you can see it’s pretty simple, essentially just the CFLs and a couple of surge protectors for the eight candles. The shamas — the bulb in the center that, if it were a candle, is used to light all the other candles — is a little more involved, but I’d guess anyone who has a basic knowledge of electric lighting can do it.

Temple Emanuel is participating in the National Climate Change Campaign sponsored by the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL). We’ve been selling CFLs monthly during peak traffic hours of the religious school. It’s one of many ways we’re encouraging congregants to make individual small steps toward reducing our carbon impact.

BTW, check out Hava Nashira’s numerous clever alternative verses for the Dreidel song.

Recycle the friendly skies…

The last couple of times I’ve flown anywhere I’ve been thoroughly frustrated by the airlines’ total disregard and lack of recycling. It would seem to be such a no-brainer before landing, as the flight attendants already are collecting trash from passengers.

But no!

Neither Delta nor American participates in the American way of separate bags for cans, plastic bottles, etc., and I’ve been lamenting what to do besides stuff my own recyclables into whatever space is left in my carry-on and then try to remember to dump them into the recycling bin after waiting for baggage claim and the long shuttle ride home.

Apparently, I’m in good company with my concern. The Natural Resources Defense Council released a report on Dec. 12 titled “Trash Landings: How Airlines and Airports Can Clean Up Their Recycling Programs.” NRDC has been studying the problem for a year and makes specific recommendations for airlines and airports, as well as other large municipal operations. Think about it — several airlines are in severe financial straits, and here’s an easy opportunity to pare back costs. Not enough, perhaps, to make them fully solvent again, but every “litter” bit helps.

And the benefit to the environment is significant. According to the report, “The U.S. airline industry discards enough aluminum cans each year to build 58 Boeing 747 airplanes, along with thousands of tons of plastics, magazines and newspapers. All of this waste represents unrealized potential for airlines and airports to save money, reduce global warming pollution and improve efficiency.”

Now my question is to the NRDC: How about some specific steps airline customers can take to pressure the airlines and airports to get with the program — sooner rather than later?

Tunes I can’t stand!

It’s a three-way tie!

1. The Little Drummer Boy

1. Pachelbel’s Canon

1. The traditional melody for Adon Olam (a popular closing hymn at many Jewish services)

Any of these could be a great piece of music with just a bit of ingenuity. Jazz versions help immensely. For example, a local group called the Beltway Brass Quintet does a highly palatable arrangement of that dang Drummer Boy, that had even me toe-tapping at the recent annual holiday concert by Coral Cantigas, a Latin American choral group in DC. But just a few days later, the overly sanitized mall-music version playing in Bed Bath & Beyond provoked me to plug up my ears until the dreadful repetition had passed. Grrrrrrr!

As for Pachelbel, it just puts me to sleep.

And Adon Olam has so many terrific new arrangements and variations (among them, Jon Simon on jazz piano, and a jazz vocal arrangement commissioned several years ago by a congregation somewhere in upstate NY), it’s frustrating to hear the same pedantic, marchlike tune over and over and over again.

So, is litter in space related to the butterfly effect?

Marc Kaufman reports in today’s Washington Post on the greenhouse effect’s impact on the thermosphere. That’s an upper layer of the atmosphere, from about 60 to almost 400 miles above the earth. Kaufman reports on work by Stanley Solomon at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, presented at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. The gist of Solomon’s research is that observations have confirmed predictions that carbon dioxide released into the thermosphere will have a cooling effect in that part of the atmosphere, not a warming effect. It’s also tied to solar activity, in predictable 11-year cycles. At the low point of that activity, the thermosphere cools further, which — when combined wiht the cooling from increasing carbon dioxide emissions — keeps space debris from falling to the lower atmosphere where it would be destroyed.

I like the quote Kaufman uses at the end, from Stephen Maran of the American Astronomical Society:

“This shows how interrelated things are in and around the Earth,” [Maran] said of the new findings. “The same thing that is melting ice in Greenland or raising sea levels around atolls in the Pacific is actually causing effects in the outer atmosphere that you might have thought was way above the fray.”

Read the full article:

Greenhouse Effect Could Cause a Space Problem
Marc Kaufman, Washington Post, Dec. 12, 2006

Inka dinka don’t

With apologies to Jimmy Durante…

Staples beats Epson in the inkjet recycling department. Lots of nonprofits used to accept Epson cartridges, along with other brands, until just the past few months. And Staples used to give those nifty $3 coupons per cartridge returned to the store, also until recently. So what’s an environmentally conscious user to do with the 11 cartridges she’s accumulated with no place to unload them?

Today I called Epson and was referred merely to an email address to send my query. No live person, right now. Not what I wanted to hear. Next I called Staples and actually spoke to a live human being who not only listened to my plaint but seemed to share my concern and even went so far as to be helpful! What a shock! Someone who knew the real meaning of customer service in the sense of The Cluetrain Manifesto, i.e., markets are conversations.

So what’s the solution? No more $3 coupons for Epson cartridges — they’re not in as great demand as Dell or HP, so it appears to be a supply and demand thing. But Staples does have a “Recycle for Education” program that’s spelled out on its website, and an express request to have all brands of inkjet cartridges returned to the store even if they’re not eligible for the coupon promotion. Staples recycles them for plastic and metal content.

Bouquets to Staples for doing the right thing for the right reason AND entering a conversation with a customer. Brickbats to Epson for just not being there.

Hmmm… wonder if there’s any correlation between this recycling abdication and the pending settlement of the class action suit against Epson for inkjet cartridges that supposedly were “empty” and suspended printer functions but in reality substantial ink still remained in them…

Litter rant

Couple of days after Thanksgiving, Cori and I were on our usual late afternoon walk over at the softball field adjacent to a nearby elementary school. I was horrified to see the remains of plastic water bottles, beer and soda cans, an empty pizza box and other trash carelessly strewn around the ground near the gazebo with the picnic bench. Animals! Pigs! Just because Montgomery County didn’t see fit to leave a trash can at this public space doesn’t mean you have the right to leave your trash to ruin everyone else’s enjoyment of the park! You deserve a citizen’s arrest to say the least! Alice’s Restaurant would be too good an outcome for the likes of you.