The planet gets a great Earth Month gift. 

April 2009 marked an exciting time for environmental progress. The EPA took a big step toward reducing carbon pollution by acknowledging that greenhouse gases pose a danger to public health and welfare, paving the way for the agency to begin curbing this pollution under the Clean Air Act.  And regulating greenhouse gases just might offer huge energy cost-savings, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. They released a study claiming the U.S. can dramatically cut global warming emissions and reduce consumer and business energy bills at the same time.

Following UCS’ guidelines, the average U.S. household would enjoy a net savings of $900 on its energy bills, $580 on transportation (fuel, vehicle and driving) costs, and $320 on electricity, natural gas and heating oil, after investing in home efficiency improvements. Businesses collectively would realize net energy bill savings of $130 billion. Nice to know that taking care of the planet offers environmental, health, and economic benefits.

 President Obama gets his hands dirty.

Just after signing the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, President Obama, along with First Lady Michelle and former president Bill Clinton, picked up a shovel and joined volunteers from EarthShare member Student Conservation Association (SCA) in cleaning up the Anacostia River. Check out SCA's Blog for more coverage, check out photos from EarthShare’s own Anacostia cleanup event, and if you’re inspired to pick up a shovel yourself, visit our volunteer page to find an opportunity near you.

Your floor may be bad for your health. 

The Center for Health Environment & Justice (CHEJ) has launched a new campaign to rid schools of vinyl flooring. The effort comes on the heels of a first-of-its-kind study linking vinyl floor coverings, which can emit phthalates, to a doubled risk of autism in children. This adds to a growing body of scientific evidence linking phthalates in PVC flooring with asthma and other respiratory problems in children and adults. Swedish researchers made the connection while questioning families as part of an unrelated study on allergies and indoor air pollutants. CHEJ has worked successfully with leading companies to develop PVC phase‐out plans and has helped enact state and federal legislation to ban lead and phthalates in kids’ toys.

Concerned about poison plastics in your home or school? Find alternatives with CHEJ’s Safe Products Guide. Want to learn about protecting our kids from other potential environmental health hazards? Visit our Issues section.