Archive for May, 2011
Is Climate Change Aggravating Your Allergies?
According to researchers, rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are causing an increase in the release of ragweed pollen and mold allergies. This LA Times article references the new national study, which also identifies cities where allergies to mold and ragweed are most common, including San Francisco: “The sneezing, eye-watering, itchy-throated misery that comes with allergies [...]
New phone application maps public drinking water fountains
The Ecology Center has long been committed to educating the public about the hazards of drinking from plastic water bottles. Not only do one-time use plastic bottles create waste, they can also leach chemicals into the drinking water. East Bay residents transitioning away from bottled water might find the Ecology Center’s fact sheet on water quality [...]
Call Your Senator! Ag Bill Keeps Crop Subsidies While Killing Programs for Sustainable Agriculture
Yesterday afternoon, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee adopted a government funding bill that if passed would turn back decades of progress to achieve a more sustainable and just food and farming system. This 2012 bill makes a second round of steep cuts to conservation, extension, research, renewable energy, and rural development programs. And just like in [...]
Would You Help Us Improve Our Website?
We’re working to improve our website, and we could use your help. We would love to: 1) ask you some questions, and 2) have you do a small activity. Both parts will be online, and each will take between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on how detailed you decide to be. As a thank you, [...]
80% of Baby Products Contain Toxic or Untested Flame Retardants
According to an article on SFGate.com, eighty percent of baby products contain toxic chemical flame retardants, some of which have been linked to increased risks for thyroid impairment, reproductive problems, endocrine disruption, cancer, and other health issues. These chemicals are now found in products such as baby carriers, changing pads, and rocking chairs. So how [...]
Coca-Cola to continue use of BPA
Bisphenol A (or BPA) is a chemical compound used in the composition of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. The Ecology Center has been following the topic of BPA and its health effects on humans (in our Summer 2007 issue of Terrain Magazine, we covered some of the health concerns of BPA in canned foods. According [...]
Natural Building Lecture: Plasters and Paints 5/17/11
Join us this Tuesday (5/17) for a lecture by Merritt College on “Plasters & Paints: Formulas, Techniques, Chemistry, Lime Production, Casein Paint, Pigments, Oils and Simple Ways to use Natural Finishes in an Apartment”. Part of a lecture series by Merritt College’s Natural Building class, you can sign up for the class or sit in [...]
Story Of Stuff Wants To Tell Your Tale
This summer, the Story of Stuff Project will begin a series of short, solutions-focused, and inspiring podcasts. From kids working to ban bottled water in their schools to communities creating zero waste plans to scientists redesigning chemical compounds to make them green and safe, there are so many examples of how we can do things [...]
Scenes From The Albany Farmers’ Market Grand Opening
Shoppers and vendors alike were thrilled with the first ever Albany Farmers’ Market last Wednesday. There were almost 1,500 people that came out on a sunny day to launch a new neighborhood institution. Let these photos tell the story!
Author Event: Climate Capitalism, with Hunter Lovins 5/12/11
Join us as we welcome L. Hunter Lovins, coauthor of the bestselling Natural Capitalism, to the Ecology Center to speak about her new book, Climate Capitalism. In it, Lovins and sustainability expert Boyd Cohen prove that the best route to rebuilding our economy, our cities, and our job markets, as well as assuring national security, [...]
Books on Beekeeping
We at the Ecology Center are thrilled to see so many friends getting into the ancient art of beekeeping, especially in light of the serious challenges that industrial honeybees are facing. To support this renewed movement, our Store stocks a large selection of beekeeping books. We invite you to check out “Natural Beekeeping: Organic Approaches [...]
Food Justice: A Brown Bag Lunch Talk 5/9/11
Join us as the Center for Ecoliteracy, Ecology Center, and Berkeley Office of Energy and Sustainable Development host a brown bag lunch talk with Robert Gottlieb, co-author of Food Justice, and the Berkeley Food Policy Council Monday, May 9 at 12pm, at the Tamalpais Room of the David Brower Center: 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley. Visit [...]
Join us for iMatter March
This Sunday, May 8 the Ecology Center is cosponsoring iMatter March in San Francisco. Beginning at Justin Herman Plaza and ending at Civic Center Plaza, participants will be part of an international call to awareness about climate change. Join us at Justin Herman Plaza near the Embarcadero BART at 12:30pm for sign-making. Come by for [...]
Grand Opening of Albany Farmers’ Market this Wednesday 5/4/11
Come by this Wednesday to the grand opening of the Albany Farmers’ Market on the 1100 block of Solano Avenue, west of San Pablo Avenue. Join us for the ribbon cutting ceremony with Albany Mayor Farid Javandel at 3:30, followed by music by Dewayne & Maurice (jazz duo) and more. The Albany Farmers’ Market, operated [...]
