Earth Friendly Shopping

Anyone who considers his or her pet a part of the family knows how hard it is to pick a good pet food from the overstocked displays at their favorite neighborhood or online pet supply store. At first glance, it seems like one has a myriad of great choices—that is, until you actually read the fine print and begin to understand what label terms mean and wonder which claims to trust.

If you’re reading this, you probably know about the benefits of organic products (e.g., healthier, more nutrient-dense, less agricultural and other synthetic chemical residues and toxins), and it’s likely that you restrict your survey of various products to organic pet foods. Nevertheless, it’s probably difficult for you to discriminate between marketing fiction and labeling facts, even in this pet food category. Such confusion is understandable, given the general lack of regulations that allows the abuse of descriptive terms for pet food ingredients in general and organic pet food ingredients in particular.

Currently in the pet food industry, only USDA certified organic claims are regulated and enforced by U.S. law.  All other non-certified organic claims are not regulated or enforced by the U.S. government and therefore may or may not be true, as they have not been verified by an unbiased third-party.

As a State compliance officer at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) wrote in 2008:  “It is buyer beware of any pet food product that does not show that it is certified by one of the National Organic Program (NOP) certification agents.”

At present, USDA organic certification for pet foods follows the NOP standards set for human food products. However, new organic pet food policies are being developed which will likely—and unfortunately— water down these standards to the point where they will be not much better than those set for organic livestock feeds, setting the bar very low indeed.

Specifically, these new standards will probably allow the inclusion of more synthetics in USDA certified organic pet foods than are currently permitted in the so-called ‘National List’ of allowed non-organic ingredients and manufacturing processes (details of may be viewed at (http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5068682&acct=nopgeninfo)

The organic certification process for a given organic pet food manufacturer includes a review of all products made by that company, organic certificates for every ingredient used, and non-GMO (genetically modified organism) statements for every ingredient used, where applicable, as well as regularly scheduled inspections of the production facility.

All ingredients included in any USDA certified organic pet food must be fully traceable back to their origins. This is critically important in any cases of pet food recalls that may arise. This requirement automatically prohibits the use of any ill-defined pet food ingredients, such as so-called ‘rendered’ ingredients, fish meals, or generic animal fats which can’t even be traced to individual source species, let alone their origins.

Organic certification through an unbiased USDA-accredited certifying agency is also the consumer’s best assurance that all ingredients are fully disclosed and that the manufacturing site is free of the toxic chemicals that are commonly used in both non-certified organic pet food and human food manufacturing facilities alike.

In general, this certification is the only credible verification for the claims that are often made by pet food companies (i.e., ‘organic,’ ‘antibiotic-free,’ ‘hormone-free,’ ‘no GMOs,’ ‘no by-products,’ etc.).

Although some less desirable synthetic ingredients will probably be included in the ‘National List’ that is now being developed in connection with the planned organic pet food policies, both current and future standards will guarantee that claims made about USDA certified organic pet foods are true.

Fortunately, pet food manufacturers will be able to choose not to include any synthetic ingredients, even if they will be allowed to do so under the law. Exclusion of such ingredients will certainly be another worthwhile label claim to look out for in the future.

Use of the USDA organic seal is reserved for certified organic products containing at least 95% of certified organic ingredients; conventional ingredients cannot be used in this class of USDA certified organic products if organic versions are currently available. Pet food products that contain at least 70%, but less than 95%, organic ingredients cannot display the USDA organic seal; however, they can carry the label, ‘made with organic ingredients’ and, as in the case of products containing more than 95% organic ingredients, they must disclose the organic certifier which assured that the listed organic ingredients are indeed organic and that the chosen processing methods comply with current standards, as well as that the products do not contain any GMO ingredients.

Among the better known of these organic certifiers are Quality Assurance International (QAI), California Certified Organic Famers (CCOF), and Oregon Tilth (OTCO).

USDA certified organic pet foods are not only healthier and intrinsically safer for your pet, they are also the only ones that are currently considered to be ‘green,’ i.e., supportive of sustainable and ecologically balanced manufacturing practices.

A Green Seal certifying agent confirmed in May 2008 that, “USDA organic certification is the best and most credible label for pet and human food products, also in respect to any green claims.”

Green Seal is a third-party certifier that uses stringent processes to verify green claims. Due to the availability of a rigorous organic certification process through the USDA, Green Seal currently does not have any standards, either in place now or planned for the future, to certify food products for both humans and pets.

So, the next time, you’re looking for a good pet food product for your animal companion, play it safe and choose one that’s USDA certified organic. Not only will you support your pet’s health, you’ll also help protect the health of our environment. Moreover, when you make this choice, you won’t be supporting unethical pet food manufacturers that routinely use false claims to the maximum extent allowed by law to push sales of their inferior products.

P.S.: An OTA (Organic Trade Association) or Green America (formerly ‘Coop America’) membership does not guarantee that a given pet food is either USDA certified organic or green.

Posted by Heidi Junger, Ph.D., President of Onesta Organics (www.onestaorganics.com), the first both certified organic and officially ‘green’ (i.e., approved by Green America, formerly ‘Coop America’) pet food company in the US.

Enter our drawing and win this amazing set of Earth Friendly Cleaning Products from Better Life.

These products are GREAT – They are effective, and even better they really are Earth Friendly.   A lot of people are calling themselves “Green” these days, and we are always on the lookout for greenwashing, but we’re convinced that Better Life is the real deal.

Better Life is giving away four bottles of cleaner – Even the Kitchen Sink, What- EVER,   I Can See Clearly WOW, and Simply FLOORED.  More details on these great products after the details on the drawing!

How to Enter the Drawing

Visit Better Life’s Website then come back here and leave a comment telling us which product you are most interested in, and why.  To gain entry in the contest you MUST answer this question.

Each of the following will earn you an extra entry in the giveaway

• Linking to this blog from your blog or website. Be sure to leave a comment telling me you have done this
• Posting a Message about this giveaway with a link back on Twitter. Make sure you leave a link to the Twitter message in your comment.  You can do this ONCE EACH DAY.
• Blogging about the giveaway on your blog.
• Following me on Twitter (LeeAmon) Please make sure to leave your Twitter name in the comment.

The giveaway runs through April 30, 2009 11:59PM Pacific Time.  Open to residents of the United States and Canada only.  The winner will be chosen randomly, using Random.org.

I will contact the winner by Email only, so you must provide a valid Email address to win. (see privacy statement at the bottom of this post)  The winner will have 48 hours to respond with their complete mailing address.  If the winner does not respond in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

Products included in this giveaway are:

Even the Kitchen Sink - This naturally powerful gentle cleaning scrubber works wonders on tubs, tile and grout, toilet bowls, shower doors, stovetops, glass cooktops , stainless steel sinks, porcelain, ceramic, enamel, stone, cultured marble, non-polished solid countertops, and laminate. If concerned, test in an inconspicuous area first.

what-EVER (Scent free only) Use this safe cleaner on any washable non-porous surface, including: countertops, appliances, sinks, toilets, baseboards, walls, floors, tables, chairs, showers and tubs

I can see clearly WOW! I Can See Clearly, WOW!™ glass cleaner is solvent-free (no ammonia, alcohol, or ethers) and pH neutral, so it’s safe to use on acrylic and tinted/treated windows and glass.

Simply Floored. Spill some wine. Go “oops” with your soup. What’ll drop most is your jaw, because Simply Floored!™ will do a shiny number on tile, wood, stone, laminate, linoleum and even cement. It’s a cleaner, not a wax, so no worries about waxy build-up on your floor (or feet, for that matter).

Privacy Policy – We absolutely respect your privacy!  We will not sell, share, rent, exchange, or loan your address to anyone.  Our parent company (Kate’s Caring Gifts) will add you to their mailing list.  Kate’s Caring Gifts sends about 1 email each month.  You may unsubscribe at any time.

Conventional cotton agriculture is among the most pesticide intensive farming done in the world.  According to the World Wildlife Fund,  cotton agriculture accounts for 11% of all pesticides used, and 25% of all insecticides, even though cotton accounts for 2.4% of the worlds arable land.

These toxic chemicals are hazardous to workers,  foul drinking water through runoff, and poison migratory animals. Residue form these chemicals on cotton can cause alergic reactions.

This is why we strongly recommend organic cotton products, particularly for babies.   The Wynken organic cotton baby sleeper from    Castleware is available at Kate’s Caring Gifts for $29.95.   It is soft, luxurious, and made from 100% certificed organic cotton and low impact dyes.  Available in Pink,  Blue and chocolate, and made in the US

Kate’s Caring Gifts has a wide range of organic and natural baby care products, accessories and clothes.

We love Easter.  Flowers are coming out.  Days are getting warmer and longer

This year, we have found some wonderful organic and vegan easter chocolate at Kate’s Caring Gifts.

Let’s start with the yummy and oh sooooo cute organic and fair trade  Milk Chocolate Bunny in a basket.   Thus adorable little milk chocolate basket is filled with an organic chocolate bunny, and organic chocolate eggs. It is a 100% fair trade certified, and totally delicious.  (and oh they are so tempting – how long can those ears last?)

And they also have easter fun for Vegans, with this yummy organic Vegan Chocolate bunny in a basket, and organic, vegan chocolate Easter eggs.

Or one of our favorites, the Double Bunny Basket also from Kate’s Caring Gifts.  In the basket, you will find this adorable plush bunny filled with organic lavender from Rock Hill Estates, and a delicious organic Chocolate Bunny and chocolate eggs from Sjaak’s

This Easter, don’t give a live bunny.  Instead GIVE CHOCOLATE

Scientific American has an article titled “Renewable Energy Might Be Slow to Spur U.S. Economy“- basically makes the point that even with the stimulus bill, and the focus on renewable power, perhaps even with a renewable energy standard, it could be a long time before the renewable energy industry adds significantly to employment in the U.S.

The stimulus package provides numerous incentives for renewable energy manufacturing, but there are ambiguities and roadblocks.

There is a lack of clarity in stimulus provisions, companies said, particularly those dealing with “Buy American” requirements

In addition, state and local regulations can slow down implementation, and there may not be enough skilled workers

Clearly, hard work is ahead of us.  But it is necessary hard work.  Thomas Friedman talked about our being at an inflection point, where the only way to rebuild is to put sustainability upfront.

We have created a system for growth that depended on our building more and more stores to sell more and more stuff made in more and more factories in China, powered by more and more coal that would cause more and more climate change but earn China more and more dollars to buy more and more U.S. T-bills so America would have more and more money to build more and more stores and sell more and more stuff that would employ more and more Chinese …

We can’t do this anymore.

“We created a way of raising standards of living that we can’t possibly pass on to our children,” said Joe Romm, a physicist and climate expert who writes the indispensable blog climateprogress.org. We have been getting rich by depleting all our natural stocks — water, hydrocarbons, forests, rivers, fish and arable land — and not by generating renewable flows.

There will be roadblocks, but this is something we have to do

A Renewable Energy Standard  – a law requiring that utilities use an increasing proportion of renewable energy has long been a goal of environmentalists.   With an administration that actually shows concern about the environement, and a stronger Democratic majority in congress, the chances of such a bill are better, but it is certainly not a slam dunk.

Looking at the house

The House easily passed an RES in 2007, which would have required 15 percent of electricity in the U.S. to come from renewables by 2020. It’s likely to act soon on a new, tougher version — probably the RES bill from Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Todd Platts (R-Pa.), which calls for 25 percent renewables by 2025.

Markey sums it up

“With our economy in crisis, renewable energy can create hundreds of thousands of new green jobs, revitalize declining manufacturing sectors, and decrease global warming pollution,” said Markey, who chairs the Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming  and the energy and environment subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

The Senate however, is a different story.    As with so many other issues,  we need 60 votes in the Senate to make any progress.  The good news is that Reid is behind the bill.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) plans to steer a major energy bill through the committee in roughly the next month.

The bad news is that getting to the needed 60 could be problematic.  The first problem for Bingaman is getting it through his committee.

If Bingaman goes through the committee — where Democrats hold a 13-10 majority — the Democratic swing votes are believed to be Sens. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Evan Bayh of Indiana and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana. Bingaman would need to carry two of these three, or at least win over one if he also has backing from some GOP members.

Bayh has not committed his vote either way. “I am all for helping promote the use of renewable energy. Whether this is the appropriate mechanism or not remains to be seen,” he said. Asked whether he would vote for Bingaman’s proposal specifically, he replied: “I have not endorsed it yet. That is not a yes or a no. It remains to be seen.”

Bingaman has floated a bill that requires power providers to obtain 16 percent of their supply from renewables by 2019, and 20 percent in 2021 and for almost two decades thereafter. The plan allows 25 percent of the target to be met with utility demand reduction programs.

If he can’t get it through the  committee, there is another option.  It could be introduced as an amendment to another bill already on the floor.  Either way, it needs to get to 60 votes, and that’s not going to be easy.

Democrats have 59 votes in the Senate (if Al Franken ever gets seated … ). The bill would need 60 votes to get cloture and surmount a filibuster threat. Republicans like Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and Chuck Grassley of Iowa could swing in favor of the bill. But Democrats like Evan Bayh of Indiana, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas have expressed misgivings about an RES. These senators are the ones to watch.

Unfortunately, it appears that to get the bill through, it may have to be watered down.  Energy savings could be included, and Landrieu is going to push hard for nuclear.    Still,  we are closer, and should push those swing Senators to get it done.

We frequently hear that there are trade offs between the environment and the economy.  But how true is that?  It has long been our belief that improving the environment and supporting the economy go hand in hand.   Here is a great example.

A report from Duke University (h/t Grist) outlines a strategy for recycling industrial waste energy to generate electricity. The report, chapter 7 of “Manufacturing Climate Solutions” describes the benefits of such a program

Together, various forms of recyclable waste energy represent an estimated 100 gigawatts (GW)
of potential electric capacity—an amount roughly equal to 10% of the current U.S. grid—
requiring no or little additional fuel. The resulting reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (C02)
would be an estimated 400 million metric tons.

Aside from the inherent efficiency gains for our entire society (such as less pollution and less imported oil)  implementing these technologies will  make our manufacturers more efficient, and more profitable, which could  help to revitalize our manufacturing base, and create badly needed jobs

There are obstacles to overcome, but the obstacles are not technical.. We have the technology today to do it.  The obstacles are regulatory and financialm and they can  be overcome.

Recycling waste energy is not a silver bullet. Not for the economy, not for the environment.  But it is one step that can help both.