EPA News You Can Use - August 2011
http://www.epa.gov/gogreen
IN THIS ISSUE:
Enviro-Tip of the Month
What You Can Do, What You Can Use
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
This Month in EPA@40
About This Newsletter
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ENVIRO-TIP OF THE MONTH
Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the soil naturally. Get more backyard composting ideas at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/catbook/tip10.htm
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WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHAT YOU CAN USE
Look for "Most Efficient"! When shopping for appliance or other products, look for the new Energy Star designation of "Most Efficient." Products with the "Most Efficient" designation demonstrate exceptional and cutting-edge efficiency performance, representing approximately the top five percent of models on the market in that category.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-7-14_energystarmostefficient
Be sun sensible! Learn more to protect yourself and your family from the sun's harmful rays. Sun overexposure can cause skin cancer and eye damage during any time of the year.
Check your UV index: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html
Get the UV Index mobile app: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile/
Reduce mosquitos! Around your home you can drain pools of standing water where mosquitoes breed. Drain water from plastic covers, old tires, or other objects. Empty and change birdbaths at least once a week. Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating. Read more:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/mosquito.htm
Summer is for ... renovating? Protect your family. Make sure you only hire a contractor who is in a Lead-Safe Certified Firm. At present, almost a million children have elevated blood lead levels as a result of exposure to lead hazards, which can lead to lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and behavior issues. Find a contractor near you:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_firm.htm
ONGOING:
Apps for the Environment. EPA is challenging the information technology community - students, colleges, professionals - to create applications that use EPA's data and be accessible via the web or a mobile device. Submittal deadline is September 16. C'mon, get appy!
http://www.epa.gov/appsfortheenvironment
Photo project. You can take a photo of the environment "as you see it" and submit it to the State of the Environment Photo Project. Selected submitted photos will be used in a display during Earth Day 2012.
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject
-Try the "Locations" challenge!
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject/locations.html
Join the Greenversation - share your thoughts as EPA employees share their unique perspective on environmentalism and personal experiences in protecting and improving our nation's water, land, and air.
http://blog.epa.gov/blog/
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
August
National Water Quality Month
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THIS MONTH IN EPA@40
In December 2010, EPA turned 40! Here are some key events and activities from years past that happened this month:
Aug 2, 1978 - Leaking chemical containers found buried in Love Canal, NY. Federal and state authorities respond.
Aug 2, 1996 - President Bill Clinton signs the Food Quality Protection Act to tighten standards for pesticides.
Aug 6, 1996 - President Clinton signs the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure that all Americans have access to clean drinking water.
Aug 8, 1977 - President Jimmy Carter signs the Clean Air Act Amendments to strengthen air quality standards.
Aug 28, 2005 - EPA monitors air quality in the Gulf after Hurricane Katrina to ensure air is safe to breathe.
More at http://www.epa.gov/40th
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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
America is shifting to a "green culture" where all 300 million citizens are embracing the fact that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility. "Go Green!" is a monthly newsletter from the US EPA with information about activities and events that everyone can use to make a difference in their homes, communities, and offices.
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