The movie Homo Toxicus is a Canadian documentary about the toxins now found in the human body, how they get there, and their effects. It is part of Pomona College’s Science and the Environment class. The documentary ranges from poignant cartoons to gripping interviews with real people, profiling their serious health problems caused by the man-made, toxic chemicals, such as fertilizer components and various heavy metals. These chemicals are in all our bodies, as a by-product of modern life. With an informal but informative style, this film does a very good job of illustrating the need to improve tracking and testing of chemicals used in everyday household products (such as cosmetics, cleaning products and food packaging) and also those which are released into the air and water. This film brings attention to an important and often overlooked environmental health issue—one that will continue without an oversight agency, as without regulation to monitor chemical usage, there’s little we can do to protect ourselves.—MC

Learn more: http://www.homotoxicus.com/english/index.htm

This Crazy Time is an autobiographical memoir of an effective eco-campaigner who has spent the past 18 years evolving from a student practicing civil disobedience to a key negotiator, leveraging vital policies and agreements with global corporations, government and environmental allies. Berman has been recognized by Utne Reader as one of 50 Visionaries Who Are Changing the World. This spring she assumed Greenpeace International’s co-head of the climate and energy campaign.

This Crazy Time has value just a good read, but it is also equal parts Northwestern Coastal history and activist training guide, as Berman describes in detail the development of her chain-supply research, understanding power dynamics and methodical goal setting. An effective negotiator who sometimes upsets folks on both sides of the fence, Tzeporah frankly states,“If you’re going to campaign, and protest, and blockade, and do direct actions, you have to be willing to talk to all the players and work out solutions. Otherwise that’s not campaigning, it’s just complaining.” —PB

Are you studying Urban Planning, then tell us what you love about? it

A friend of mine made one of these in high school for her Senior Culminating Project, and the result was delicious: fellow students were offered a chance to power a blender to make themselves a smoothie. I found the clear correlation between pedal power and electrical power intriguing, and it was obvious that more power could be made than was needed to power the blender, after one blender was supplied with far too much electricity and died. (The generator had no method of storing power in order to provide a steady flow of electricity, something which would have been a useful addition in the future).

If this is something you’re interested in, encourage your school or gym to install these machines, or look for a location which already has them, such as The Green Microgym in Portland, Oregon or The Greenasium in Encintias, CA: more than 80 locations in the United States have electricity generating machines installed. Or, for a more hands-on product, consider making a generator from your own bicycle. Plans and kits can be found online, such as this one from Amazon.com. -MC

Tell our readers which bloggers are your faves — Pam B.

If this is something you’re interested in, encourage your school or gym to install these machines, or look for a location which already has them, such as The Green Microgym in Portland, Oregon or The Greenasium in Encintias, CA: more than 80 locations in the United States have electricity generating machines installed. Or, for a more hands-on product, consider making a generator from your own bicycle. Plans and kits can be found online, such as this one from http://www.ecowiz.net/?p=1312 Save Our Schools: National Call to Action July 30th is a mobilization all over the United States in support of Public Education. -FULL equitable funding for education, in our state and nationally -End of High Stakes Testing for students, teachers and schools -Community involvement and collaboration in curriculum and school decisions

Continue learning about July 30th Wear Red for Education