When you think of pollution, the humble light bulb probably doesn't come to mind. Instead, you might envisage smoke stacks belching clouds of smoke, or a sky heavy with smog.  Keep those smoke stacks in mind, though - they do have something to do with light pollution. Humankind's electrical illumination of the earth can be seen from outer space.  While the effect is stunning and beautiful, there is a growing movement toward lessening artificial lighting.  Called "light pollution," the excessive use of electrical lighting is said to have a significant environmental impact.  Here are some reasons why some people are concerned about light pollution. Fossil Fuels Electricity from "the grid" is produced by the burning of fossil fuels, usually coal.  The heat from the burning fuel is used to heat water.  As the water heats, it produces steam, and the steam is channeled into a generator.  The force of the steam turns a turbine in the generator, making - or generating - electricity. Remember those smoke stacks?  At large electric plants, the smoke from the burning coal is sent up and out via smoke stacks.  This sends large quantities of carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions (greenhouse gases) into the atmosphere. While technology is improving ...

Cosmetics are intended to enhance your appearance, but there are some dangerous chemicals that may be lurking in your make-up.  Here are some of the more common toxic chemicals and the cosmetics where they can be found. 1. Lead Once thought to be an urban legend, a recent study confirmed the presence of lead in some lipsticks.  However, the amount of lead present is very small - FDA regulations restrict the amount of lead in a particular red dye, for instance, to twenty parts per million.  Nonetheless, the lead is present, and cumulative effects from the daily use of lipstick should not be ruled out.  The health risks of lead exposure are fairly well known, and include neurological and reproductive disorders. 2. Antibacterial Substances If you use antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer, you have already put antibacterial substances on your skin.  But foundation, eye make-up, and concealers can contain these antibacterial additives as well.  While they are intended to prevent the growth of bacteria in make-up, antibacterial additives have some potential health risks.  For example, triclosan, an antibacterial and also a pesticide, is found in hand soaps and is now under investigation by the FDA as a possible endocrine disruptor. Antibacterials don't discriminate between beneficial ...

Sometimes it seems like we throw out more food than we eat.  While that probably isn't true, the average household does waste a lot of food.  Here are some ideas for cutting down your home food waste. Compost While you are still discarding the leftover food when you compost, you are recycling it into a useful substance that can be used to grow more food (or anything else you like) in the garden.  Only compost food that has no other use and can't be recycled in the kitchen anymore. Smaller Portions It's interesting to note that studies have shown that the size of the plate makes a difference in how much we eat.  Smaller plates mean smaller portions, and while going back for seconds is not taboo, it still holds true that smaller plates result in less food being consumed at a meal.  So break out the "salad plates" and other smaller dishes, and cook and serve up smaller portions. Larger Portions Yes, this is the opposite of smaller portions, but increasing the amount of food you cook in one session in the kitchen can actually help reduce waste.  If you double a recipe, for example, you spend the same amount of time and energy in ...

Are you concerned about the farming methods and other processes that go into producing and growing food?  More and more people are with you - there is a growing desire to know where our food comes from and to be more connected with it.  Concerns about potentially unethical farming practices have prompted many people to become better shoppers and eat more ethically.  Here are some steps you can take to make your table a more ethical one. 1. Find out where your food comes from.  Make phone calls, do a search online, and don't be afraid to ask questions.  If a store is not transparent and forthright regarding its food's origins, find somewhere else to shop.  Local, smaller stores are probably less likely to give you the runaround, especially because the store's owner is often readily available.  Ask for the name and contact information of the store's food supply sources.  That way, you can research and contact the source directly rather than just taking the store's word for it. 2. Organic food is produced without the use of synthetic, toxic pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides, making it a healthier and more environmentally-friendly choice.  Because of the lack of poisons, organic food should be ...

Did you know that some of the very first automobiles were electric?  The concept of the electric car is often considered to be the product of an oil-weary culture, but it is actually an original automobile concept.  Basically an electric carriage without the horse, these first electric vehicles were developed in Europe and evolved into efficient, high-capacity, battery-operated autos by the early 1880s.  These electric cars did not require gear-shifting, and were quieter and cleaner than the simultaneous gas-powered, internal combustion engine cars. So what happened? For one thing, American roads got longer and people needed cars that could be driven for longer distances.  Another factor was the decline in American oil prices, making gas-powered cars cheaper to run.  And Henry Ford developed the assembly line for manufacturing his gas-powered autos, making the gasoline car even more affordable. But the electric car was not forgotten.  We are still discussing it over a hundred years later, primarily because it is a great invention.  And it is making a comeback. Here are some advantages of the electric automobile. Advantages of Electric Cars * Better for the Environment - Electric cars do not emit exhaust, which makes for much cleaner air and fewer overall greenhouse gases in the ...