The First Step in Reducing Pollution from Shipping

Pooling together their resources, environmental groups filed a petition today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requesting the federal agency to establish pollution rules and regulations for marine vessels. Shockingly, there are no pollution regulations for these large ocean-going marine vessels, and as a consequence, they are emitting a significant amount of global warming pollutants (3% of the world’s CO2).

With the shipping industry’s growth, emissions are predicted to double by 2020 and triple by 2030. Regulations are needed to take ‘the wind out of the sails’ of this rapid pollution increase. Thee large ships currently are responsible for the transportation of approximately 90 percent of the world's consumer goods. They burn what is known as bunker fuel. Compared to diesel by trucks and buses, this petroleum-based fuel is 1,000 times dirtier.

The resources for innovation exist and they need to be put into use. It is crucial that the shipping industry works to increase fuel efficiency and use cleaner fuels. If ships are not willing to go green on their own, the EPA needs to establish pollution rules that will pressure the shipping industries to change their practices. The EPA has remained far too inactive on this important issue by extending deadlines for the regulations. This slow response will only allow for more damage to be done by the unchecked levels of pollution from carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and black carbon (or soot). The petition filed by EarthJustice on behalf of Oceana, Friends of the Earth, and the Center for Biological Diversity, addresses their concern over global warming and its adverse effects on both the public and environmental health.

For more information:

http://www.oceana.org/north-america/media-center/press-releases/press_release/0/694/

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Canvas Bags to Stop Plastic Bag Pollution

The Earth has been facing immense pollution from our garbage and consumption. The latest deadly pollution is plastic bags that fill up the landfills. With plastic bags becoming a growing concern, canvas bags has become the new way to help stop the pollution.

With plastic bag pollution being a rising concern, many shoppers need to start using canvas bags in order to stop the pollution. There's a Youtube music video by Tim Minchin that was released a year ago that sings about canvas bags for shoppers. It did a good job in spreading awareness and the music video was a hit.

Plastic bag pollution is very deadly and takes hundreds of years to break down. Even if the component is broken done, the deadly chemicals will go into the ground and water system. By reducing the usage of plastic bag, Earth can recuperate. That's why canvas bags should be used world wide to help reduce the pollution.

It is our generation to stop the pollution and start using canvas bags as the solution. With global warming going out of hand from gas exhaustion, we don't need any more problems especially plastic bags that are harmful when broken down naturally. These broken down elements cause sickness and destruction to the air, soil and water system.

Use canvas bags starting today as a way to stop the plastic pollution that is becoming a major threat to the environment. Our lives are threatened ever more from the growing usage of plastic bags. It is time you bring a canvas bag to shopping the next time you go to a supermarket.

Tony Andrews is a NY writer. He loves games, animes and movies. With plastic bags becoming a new threat, it is wise to carry canvas bags whenever you go shopping to help Earth and yourself.

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Don't Be A Victim of Dirty Air

Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. Can be bad, but doesn't have to be, is easy to manage once you understand where it comes from. The World Health Organization reports that in 23 countries 10% of deaths are due to just two environmental risk factors: unsafe water, including poor sanitation and hygiene; and indoor air pollution due to solid fuel use for cooking. According to the EPA, Indoor air pollution is one of the five most urgent environmental problems facing the United States and among the 13 top environmental problems analyzed. Because of these reports, indoor air is now receiving a great amount of attention. Here are some Facts: Indoor air pollution may exist at levels 2 to 5 times more than outdoors, mostly toxic gases or particles that can harm your health.

The elderly, the very young, pregnant women, and those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments are often the first to notice these problems. Homes and offices has been studied extensively in recent years--with sometimes alarming conclusions that have led the building industry to rethink many aspects of design and choice of materials. General Accounting Office has called indoor air pollution "one of the most serious environmental risks to human health,'' yet no agency has authority to control pollutants in indoor air. It has been estimated that 15% of indoor air pollution comes directly from the humans inhabiting the building; the remainder is from non-human sources. That's because everything from pets to gas appliances to paint and cleaning products contributes to this fact. The effects can be costly in the work place too. Building-related illnesses, and "sick building syndrome" have received increased attention over the last several years.

Sources include attached garages, new carpets and furniture, water leaks and condensation, chemical storage, poorly operating heaters, and is worsened by inadequate ventilation. It also comes from a variety of man-made and natural sources including combustion, cleaning agents, and a variety of other substances such as paints, residual chemicals in carpets, and adhesives. Other range of household products that contain potentially harmful substances includes personal care items and candles particularly scented ones, so does cooking and heating with solid fuels on open fires or traditional stoves.

To eliminate indoor air pollution, there must be a good source of fresh air and sufficient air movement. Good ventilation is crucial to maintaining low levels of indoor air pollution as well as installing air purification system for the entire home.

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