“It’s really important to get our children involved early and educate them about their connection to the planet, how things work, and what they can do to help. If our children grow up thinking that carrots come from a bag and milk comes from a carton, we are all in trouble.”
What are we going to do about the national crisis of childhood diabetes?
I have a special announcement today. If you are worried like me, about children’s health issues such as the high rates of chronic diseases - try to tune in and get more information on sources of toxic exposure. Knowledge is power!!! This weekend CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta will be airing the beginning of his two act story – Toxic Schools on CNN Presents. CNN Presents airs Saturday & Sunday at 8pm & 11pm. Below is a brief description -
Schools are supposed to offer a healthy place to learn, but an investigation by CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta found that’s often not the case. Dust, mold and other indoor air problems serious enough to trigger respiratory symptoms in children are present in an estimated one third of all schools nationally. Dr. Gupta’s investigation also took him to a Bronx school, where city tests showed potentially dangerous levels of a cancer-causing chemical – but administrators kept the results secret for months.
Dr. Gupta reports on toxic schools on CNN Presents, Saturday, January 14, at 8p and 11p Eastern (re-airing Sunday at 2a, 8p and 11p). These stories follow his award-winning Toxic America documentaries, Toxic Towns USA and Toxic Childhood. (more…)
When you hear the word “fluoride,” you might associate it with good dental health – not tooth discoloration or decay.
Nearly 50 years ago, the United States government began putting fluoride chemicals in our drinking water, with the goal of preventing cavities and tooth decay. Now, decades later, a staggering 41 percent of adolescents ages 12-15 have some form of dental fluorosis defects on their teeth. Fluorosis is caused by overexposure to fluoride and can cause white streaks or specks on the teeth, tooth discoloration and pitted or rough enamel. (more…)
Are you an environmental teacher? Do your children have a teacher you believe has been outstanding in environmental education with innovative approaches? The EPA has recently announced the 2011 Presidential Innovation Award Program for Environmental Educators. The award is a reinforcement of the newly launched Green Ribbon Schools program .You can either apply or nominate a teacher until Friday, Dec. 30. The winning recipients will be awarded $2,000 and the institutions where they teach will also receive $2,000 to further the recipients’ environmental education efforts. (more…)
Many of you have probably already heard the good news about Gov. Jerry Brown signing into law a ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups sold in California. The Environmental Working Group has backed The Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act from the very beginning and was instrumental in its passage. (more…)
I recently had the honor of serving as a panelist and event co-chair with my husband Rutherford for Usher’s New Look Foundation’s World Leadership Conference. This conference provides youth leaders with an opportunity to develop and display skills as leaders and work with their peers from around the world to develop global solutions to local problems.
This week, my husband, Rutherford and I have the honor of co-chairing the World Leadership Conference and Awards 2011, hosted by Usher’s New Look Foundation. (more…)
We should all remember Earth Day should be every day! There are so many small actions you can take to not only help the environment, but also save money, improve your children’s health and achieve a better quality of life. I spoke to Brenda Wood about two things parents can do today to get their children on the path to a cleaner, healthier lifestyle.
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In celebration of Earth Day 2011 I participated in a PSA for 11Alive News. Gardening at home is a great way to reduce the impact on our landfills, as well as inspire children to eat healthier and take an active interest in an eco-friendly lifestyle. In case you miss it check it out here! (more…)
