Plastics found to be clogging oceans, fish

A recent article reported by BBC News noted that plastic bags, those wonderful, non-biodegradable petroleum-based products, have been turning up in dead fish. "Mermaid's tears" (pieces of plastic resulting from physical break-down in seawater) have turned up on beaches and in marine life, where its chemicals are probably released. This could pose a real danger to the safety of our food chain. For the complete report, go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6218698.stm.

Given the fact that more and more cities (San Francisco, Boston) are banning plastic shopping bags, it would behoove us to find other alternatives. Of course, there are ethylene-based plastic bags, but why not carry canvas bags when we go shopping? Or we could ask for paper shopping bags from those who still carry them. In fact, let's encourage our city councilmen to ban plastic bags in our city.

Organic Valley family campaign against FDA ruling

Another "secret" ruling in the ongoing push to develop genetically modified organisms has gotten Organic Valley into the fray. Now, genetically modified alfalfa is being approved for mass production, which could upset the production of organic milk. Organic milk farmers rely on organic alfalfa to feed their cattle. The very meaning of "certified organic" may be jeopardized by this ruling. To read more about it, go to http://organicvalley.coop/newsroom/article.html?cat=1&id=447.

The truth about ethanol

Theories abound about the benefits about developing the biofuel ethanol. While developing alternative fuels is a good thing, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before going full speed ahead with mass production of corn and ethanol conversion. One argument against the mass production of ethanol is given here; http://www.energybulletin.net/28610.html.

This is really funny!!

Are you a Star Wars fan? Well, there's a great short film called "Store Wars" which stars our favorite vegetables. In it, the "organic revolution" is being led by the produce department! I highly recommend it. To view, please go to http://www.storewars.org/flash/index.html. You'll find links to other movies there. Who says organics lovers don't have a sense of humor?!

Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day is coming soon, on April 22nd. There are many simple, feel-good ways to celebrate it. Go to http://www.organic-nature-news.com/earth-day-celebrations. Or why not celebrate Arbor Day on April 27th? (http://www.arborday.org). You don't need to be a treehugger to plant a tree, become a sponsor, or read about those who are. We only have one planet.

Startling news about certified organic coffee growers

A recent article in Salon caught my eye the other day, and I found it disturbing. It was written by Samuel Fromartz, the author of "Organic, Inc: Natural Foods and how they grew" (very informative). In the article, he described a "quiet" change made by the USDA to change the way organic coffee coops will be inspected. The change will make it more costly and time-consuming for South American and African coffee coops to obtain organic certification. This came about as a result of an infraction by a grower in Mexico. The summary can be found at the following link at the USDA website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop, by clicking on compliance, and then the Appeals Summaries for Sept05-Mar07. Many feel that this decision is an extreme reaction to one grower's mistake. The public (this means us!) can send a response to this decision at the USDA's NOP webpage. If we don't speak up, the availability of organic and fair trade coffee may very well be in jeopardy.

Why not grow a little?

Yesterday, I yearned to get my "hands dirty." I trotted over to Home Depot, purchased some MiracleGro organic potting soil, and took it home to finally plant those oregano and curly parsley seeds I've been saving. The pot is sitting near my kitchen window, and I must say, it felt good. I don't know about you, but those dried, bottled herbs that you get in the supermarket are rather tasteless, to say the least. And as for the fresh ones they sell - who knows where they've been? I sure won't need to use pesticides on my kitchen counter.

For those of you adventurous ones who'd like some information, visit http://www.organic-nature-news.com/growing-organic-herbs.html. It may make a believer out of you.