Posted by Frances Beinecke in Health and the Environment , Living Sustainably
Last week brought welcome news to anyone concerned about the prevalence of toxic chemicals in our everyday lives. Senator Frank Lautenberg introduced legislation and Congressmen Bobby Rush and Henry Waxman unveiled draft legislation to reform the grossly inadequate Toxic Substances...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Living Sustainably
Today NRDC announced the winners of our second annual Growing Green Awards. These awards honor the farmers and food pioneers across the country who are helping us rethink the food we eat and its impacts on the environment. Just last...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Health and the Environment , Living Sustainably
I don’t remember exactly what I did on the first Earth Day 40 years ago, but I remember exactly how I felt: deeply relieved. You have to realize, the spring of 1970 was a tumultuous time. I was a junior at...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Living Sustainably , Solving Global Warming
I spend a lot of my working hours fighting to pass clean energy and climate legislation that will reduce America’s global warming pollution. But I also take steps in my personal life to cut down my own carbon emissions. I...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Curbing Pollution , Health and the Environment , Living Sustainably , Moving Beyond Oil
Tomorrow night NRDC will do something it has never done before: give out the inaugural Growing Green Awards to leaders in the sustainable food movement. Selected by a panel chaired by Michael Pollan, the best-selling author of the Omnivore's Dilemma,...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Living Sustainably , The Media and the Environment
Last night, in New York City, NRDC's held its 11th Annual Forces for Nature benefit, where we honor those who have made significant contributions to environmental causes. This year's benefit, which was hosted by 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin -...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Living Sustainably , Solving Global Warming , U.S. Law and Policy
Once again, I greet another cabinet appointment by President-elect Obama's with respect. Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is a strong choice to lead the Department of Agriculture. His guidance will be essential on a host of issues facing the department, from restoring...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Health and the Environment , Living Sustainably
I had breast cancer almost ten years ago, and I found chemotherapy to be more trying than I could have imagined. I prefer to leave it in the past, but recent reports brought it all back and triggered an alarming...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Green Enterprise , Living Sustainably , Solving Global Warming
Winston Churchill wrote that “All great things are simple.” Yet in their simplicity, they are often overlooked. I have been thinking about this common blind spot since the Senate began considering the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act recently. When we talk...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Living Sustainably , Solving Global Warming , The Media and the Environment
My day-to-day work life focuses on relatively concrete notions: passing global warming legislation, getting more energy efficient appliances into the hands of consumers, pushing automakers to produce more efficient cars. These are the tools I believe we must use to...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Curbing Pollution , Health and the Environment , Living Sustainably
In the past week, there have been a lot of news reports and blog chatter about BPA, also known as bisphenol-A. Finally, government agencies, consumers, and manufacturers are starting to take this toxin seriously. But BPA is only one member...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Living Sustainably
Okay, so it’s Earth Day and time to reflect on personal practice. I’m at a Fortune Magazine conference called Brainstorm Green. There is a lot of talk here about innovative solutions, but also about how some of the key environmental...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Health and the Environment , Living Sustainably
It’s been a bad week for bisphenol-A, and that’s a good thing. Not one but two government agencies came out for the first time publicly saying that this chemical--found in plastic water bottles, canned food, and numerous baby products--could harm...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Living Sustainably , Solving Global Warming
Like millions of New Yorkers, I ride the subway all the time. I view it as one of the small steps I can take as an individual to help curb global warming, since fewer cars on Manhattan streets mean fewer...
Posted by Frances Beinecke in Health and the Environment , Living Sustainably
I had breast cancer nine years ago. I have a strong constitution--and a strong will--and those carried me far during my diagnosis and treatment. But still it was a difficult time for me and my family. One thing that brought...
