Consumption

Plastic Bags

June 1, 2008 by Michael Edwards
Last updated on: June 3, 2015

Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic bags annually, and only 0.6 percent of them are recycled.1 Plastic bags not only endanger wildlife by polluting land and water but also pose an environmental threat, as some plastic bags can take… [read]

Gyre

June 1, 2008 by Michael Edwards
Last updated on: June 16, 2014

Between California and Hawaii lies a gyre (jir), one of the five areas in the world’s oceans where the currents maintain a circular pattern. The North Pacific Central Gyre is nicknamed the Eastern Garbage Patch due to multiple “islands” of… [read]

Organic vs. Conventional

June 1, 2008 by Michael Edwards
Last updated on: June 3, 2015

Oh Organics, My Organics “Organics” have arrived. They are more popular than ever, but what exactly is organic food? How does organic farming differ from conventional farming? How does the organic labeling process work? And, what does it all mean… [read]

Grocery Store Guilt

May 1, 2008 by Michael Edwards
Last updated on: June 3, 2015

When I go grocery shopping, I feel guilty, especially in the produce section. When I see a bruised apple, I know it’s likely to be thrown away. Those ripe bananas, riper than all of the others, won’t find a home… [read]

What Really is a Healthy Diet?

May 1, 2008 by Michael Edwards
Last updated on: June 3, 2015

The typical American diet is rich in calories, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, sugar, artificial sweeteners, MSG, and trans fats. Let’s not forget pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. The media bombards us with information about a healthy diet, much of it contradictory,… [read]