The 90 Day Plan - Day 80 Natural Care Products

DAY 80

Choose one NATURAL CARE product to replace a conventional type.  Traces from Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) are beginning to appear in our drinking water across the country.

 

Challenge:  Do these products seem to work the same, better, or worse?  What are the benefits to using products with fewer artificial ingredients?  If you think the alternative care products are better, gradually begin replacing one for the other.

 

For More Information:

http://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/default.aspx

www.burtsbees.com

 

KPBS These Days talks about latest city water rate hike proposal

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/sep/09/another-water-rate-increase-proposed-san-diego

San Diego Coastkeeper Blog Entries

San Diego Coastkeeper uses the same water toxicity tests that researchers used in the Gulf oil spill:
http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/blog/toxic-waters-in-san-diego/item/30-phytoplankton-%E2%80%93-canary-in-the-coal-mine.html


We’ll be at the Center for Sustainable Energy’s Family Energy Day. We all know how much energy our state uses to transport water, or do we? Converse water now to save the polar bears:
http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/blog/environmental-education/item/29-save-water-save-energy-save-polar-bears.html


Do you see your neighbors overwatering and want to ask them to stop, but you don’t know how? Read about Jill’s firsthand experience and how easy it was:
 http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/blog/urban-runoff/item/28-won%E2%80%99t-you-be-my-neighbor-who-waters-less?.html

The 90 Day Plan: Day 79 - Build a Rain Garden

DAY 79

Rainwater replenishes groundwater and reduces runoff.   BUILD a RAIN GARDEN at home, work, or volunteer to build one in your community.  Also, design your landscape to capture rain, many landscapes are mounded like an inverted muffin tin… flip the tin over and you will capture more rainwater and limit pollution from stormwater runoff.

 

Challenge:  Organize volunteers and/or apply for a grant to help fund your rain garden.

 

For More Information:

http://www.standingupforillinois.org/cleanwater/rg_index.php

http://www.montysplumbing.com (San Diego plumber that specializes in rainwater harvesting installations)

 

Dolphin Season Opens in Taiji, Japan

http://animal.discovery.com/tv/blood-dolphins/dolphin-hunters/dolphin-hunt-pictures-04.html

The 90 Day Plan: DAY 78 - Don't Feed the Wildlife

DON’T FEED WILDLIFE—including waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans, etc).  Feeding wildlife is highly discouraged.  It causes animals to lose their fear of humans, makes them more aggressive and spreads diseases.  Plus, human food can make them sick and we don’t want that!  If you want to help animals, the best thing you can do is advocate for native plants and open-lands to promote biodiversity.  This will allow wildlife to the ability to feed themselves.

 

Challenge:  What are three harmful impacts of feeding waterfowl?  What diseases can large populations of waterfowl spread?

  

For More Information:

www.keepoceansclean.org

http://www.audubonportland.org/backyardwildlife/brochures/waterfowl

 

The 90 Day Plan: Day 77 - Try the Library

DAY 77

Next time you want to read a new book, TRY the LIBRARY.  It requires a lot if energy and paper to produce a book, consider reusing one at the library—it’s free too!

Challenge:  What community resources does your library offer?  What is America’s literacy rate?  What role does research play in conservation efforts?  Why happens if that research never makes it to the public?

For More Information:

http://www.ala.org/

For fun, read: The Lorax

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 76

DAY 76

Reuse is the second of the three R's.  GIVE YOUR CLOTHES ANOTHER GO by donating items that no longer fit or items you no longer wear to charity. 

Challenge:  Do you know of a local charity that supports efforts in response to natural disasters?  Why are wetlands considered storm buffers?

 

For More Information:

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf

www.goodwill.org

http://www.uniteforsight.org/

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 75

DAY 75

Physical exercise can help improve your focus and study habits, but time for recess and gym class is decreasing at schools across the country.  GET ACTIVE by promoting a fit lifestyle.  Good health is similar to clean water; it is easy to take for granted when you have it, but it's a problem when it is gone.

Challenge:  How many minutes of exercise do you get everyday?  How does spending time outside help you understand yourself and nature?  Do you like to exercise and spend time outdoors?

 

For More Information:

http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/

www.fitkidsact.org

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 74

DAY 74

 Pack a punch to pollution and PACK YOUR LUNCH.  Single servings use 10-times more packaging than buying in bulk; if you do go out for lunch, what are some ways to minimize waste? 

Challenge:  Generally, it is less expensive to pack a lunch from home than it is to buy it; how much money could you save if you packed your lunch (in reusable containers) everyday throughout the year?

 

For More Information:

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/education/lunch.htm

http://www.riseaboveplastics.org/

The 90-Day Plan

Please see attached.

--
Kristian Anders Gustavson

BELOW THE SURFACE, Founder & Explorer
A coast-to-coast exploration of America's waterways
760-277-3503
www.belowthesurface.org

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