Disappearing Act: Is Coffee Next on the Chopping Block?

Archive for the ‘lifestyle’ Category

Disappearing Act: Is Coffee Next on the Chopping Block?

There are already thousands of different tree species in the world, right? We’ve got the ones we need for wood, the ones for apples, the ones for cork. And you might think that through centuries of selective breeding, we’ve already produced trees with all the characteristics we need—not to mention the prettiest roses, the hardiest wheat and the most fragrant lilies.

So with this much control over biodiversity, it’s hard to believe that a plant as important to our everyday lives as (gasp!) coffee might actually be in danger of extinction. (And don’t worry if the word biodiversity sounds complicated—it can be. Read on to see how the case in point helps make it a little easier to understand.) (more…)

Fishing for the Facts: Is Flushing Meds the Safest Disposal Option?

What to do when it comes time to ditch old and unused medicine? Flushing old pharmaceuticals down the toilet may seem like a better option than simply trashing them. After all, the FDA recommends flushing some drugs in order to keep them from being accidentally ingested by others. Problem is, like everything else we flush, medicine we send down the pipes ends up in waterways…and potentially beyond.

That’s part of what has prompted organizations like the Alliance for the Great Lakes and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) to call for further investigation into the impact of chemical contaminants in our water, and to advocate safe disposal of medicines through local drug take-back programs. We talked with Olga Lyandres, PhD, the Alliance’s research manager, and Debra Shore, MWRD commissioner to find out why they think participating in drug take-back programs are the best option. (more…)

Garden of Eatin’: Is Sustainable Food Hard to Get?

Organic, locally produced, in season…or on sale? Without much time to mull over this age-old sustainability question in the produce aisle, each item you toss in the cart can seem like its own leap of faith.

Sure, many of us want to eat planet-friendly food, but figuring out just what that means can be its own challenge. Compounding the dilemma is the notion that sustainable inevitably costs more. A recent NPR-Thomson Reuters poll revealed that the majority of Americans who prefer to eat organic over non-organic cite price as the main deterrent.

But does eating sustainable produce have to be hard and/or break the bank? Nope, says Barbara Willard, an environmental studies professor at Chicago’s DePaul University. Before we get to why she thinks that’s one of the biggest EcoMyths around, let’s talk about what makes a fruit or veggie sustainable in the first place. (more…)

Beetlemania: Is Eating Bugs Actually a Good Thing?

EcoMyth: Americans Don’t Eat Bugs

Think eating bugs is gross? You’re not alone. To many Americans, bug eating, or entomophagy (yes, there’s a fancy word for it) belongs only on extreme TV and in remote corners of the world. But the truth is, most of us eat bugs on a daily basis without ever knowing it. And even if we swore off all the food and drinks that do contain them, everything we consume depends on arthropods in some way or another.

We chatted with a few experts (Margaret Thayer, PhD, associate insect curator at the Field Museum; Andre Copeland, interpretative programs manager at the Brookfield Zoo, currently hosting the Xtreme Bugs exhibition; and UIC professor David Wise, PhD) to find out how important these critters are to our diet. (more…)

A Ticket to Ride…or Otherwise Actively Commute

EcoMyth: Biking to Work Is Too Hard Core for Most People

Remember how much you longed for your first car? Whether it was a hot rod or a hot mess, it didn’t much matter—a car meant freedom, a passport to the endless road. Nowadays, though, driving is more often about convenience than thrill. We’re too busy to dawdle when we’re on the go, right? And yet there’s a growing movement away from the car culture, with close to 30 percent of Chicago households living car-free. And we suspect it’s not just because it’s cheaper.

From cleaner air to better health, more people are giving up the wheel…for a couple of thinner ones. Yes, biking, along with walking and using public transit, is the ticket to ride these days.

But does taking a more active form of transportation mean you’ll inevitably show up smelly and late to the party? Nope. Putting a little more legwork into your transportation routine can be pretty simple, rejuvenating, and also dramatically reduce your personal carbon output. (more…)

EcoMyth: One Person Can’t Make a Difference

Was your New Year’s resolution to make the world a better place? Probably not, if a) you’re one of the many people who think that one person can’t make a difference or b) you’re not 12 years old. Yes, sad to say, there are a lot of skeptical grownups out there. And for good reason—the world is pretty big, and the problems we’ve got are hard to keep track of for even the most voracious news junkie. It’s no wonder that so many of us feel helpless when it comes to protecting the environment.

But in Chicagoland, each and every one of us really can make a difference. The idea that one person cannot make a difference is one of the most damaging of the untrue EcoMyths—because it discourages people from exploring any of the others.

Does that mean we all have to swap out our cars for roller skates made out of recycled tires or quit our jobs to go live in trees with food buckets conveyed via pulley? That’d be a big no—with an expletive if we weren’t trying to watch our manners.

Making one small change in your routine can in fact make a world of difference (cheesy? Yes. But it’s still true.). We decided to chat with some of our partner experts about simple ways one person can make a difference in the effort—whether it’s at home, at work, or out and about. Take your pick: You can make a difference anywhere and everywhere. (more…)

Getting Outside Is Fun But Not Fundamental

Dear Nature, you were a great fling, but now that winter is here, I’m thinking I’ll stick to the inside world. —Sincerely, Your Summer Romance

When you think about it, nature can really seem like the perfect commitment-free relationship: no matter the season, you can have fun together whenever you want, for as long as you want. Especially in Chicagoland, where we’ve got 26 miles of open lakefront in the city, and 68,000 acres of forest preserve in Cook County alone. Even in the coldest, craziest “worst of winter” winters (hello, Snowmaggedon), there’s sledding, snow angel-making, snow cream ingredient gathering, and cross country skiing to be done.

But is getting outside more than just another chance to have some fun? We chatted with area experts to find out more about the broader benefits of incorporating nature into our lives. Turns out: a little nature goes a long way in terms of its impact on mental, physical, and community health.

First Look: Studies Show Nature Views Are Good for You

Anyone who’s ever spent more than five minutes in a college dorm or office built circa 1970 knows: brick walls do not make for a particularly scenic view. But what does it matter if we can’t see sky, trees, or other greenery from our windows? This line of questioning has inspired a movement in psychology and urban planning study, from government agencies to university labs nationwide. (more…)

EcoMyths

Archive for the ‘lifestyle’ Category