by David Steinman
There are many compelling reasons for caring
about our environment and greening our lives.
Whether you individually are in agreement with
the scientists who link industrialization with climate
change or whether you disagree, extremely convincing
scientific evidence tells us that these same
fossil fuels and petrochemicals are also leading to
rising rates of cancer, infertility, respiratory diseases,
and other maladies. The chemicals that are
sometimes recklessly used in so many consumer
products or in food production end up polluting not
only our water and air, but our very own bodies.
This strikes home in a personal way that would be
reckless to ignore.
For example, children’s rates of brain cancer
and leukemia and women’s breast cancer rates in
the United States and Britain are increasing at a
rate of one to three percent per year. Thirty percent
of U.S. women in their prime childbearing years are
now having difficulty conceiving, and asthma rates
are skyrocketing among America’s urban youth. It
would be difficult indeed, if not truly incredible, for
even the most skeptical scientists
to discount these linkages.
But this is only one reason to
green our lifestyles even more.
Christopher Limcaco, a professional
engineer in the field of wastewater
treatment and natural system engineering
and design, told me on
Green Patriot Radio that he was
inspired by nature’s ability to
develop the efficient cycles necessary
to maintain aquatic life. In 1996,
after several years of studying the
natural cycle of aquatic environments,
Chris designed the first
algaewheel to be used as an aquatic
filtration and life-support system.
From there, the algaewheel technology
has been developed for use in
wastewater treatment, carbon capture,
biofuels, and biomass for electricity
generation. In its simplest
form, the product line is merely an
algae-production system that has
the potential for multiple applications
in multiple industries. The algaewheel technology
applied to wastewater plants nationwide could
reduce our country’s energy needs by around five
percent. In Indiana, where the Algaewheel company
he founded is based, conventional job growth has
recently been at a net negative, but, thanks to companies
like his, green-job growth has gone up more
than 15 percent—and his company receives no
money from Uncle Sam!
These innovations in technology not only will
help to establish greater national security, but provide
well-paying manufacturing and green-collar
jobs and technologies that pay for themselves with a
cleaner environment and lessened dependency on
foreign oil; plus, we can export these technologies to
the rest of the world. And that’s good for all of us.
With green living in mind, this issue of Healthy
Living holds all sorts of promise and miracles. In
many ways, for me, it was the most exciting issue
that we have ever put together. I say this because
we were able to report on such a wide variety of
topics. We report on National Diabetes Month and
natural remedies, how cities in Orange County,
California, experienced devastating dioxane pollution
in their drinking water and how that might be
linked to what we pour down our drains. We rediscover
five classic skin care ingredients and report
on M.D. Anderson’s research supporting the use
of curcumin. Dr. Jonny Bowden tells us everything
we need to know about the amazing powers of
olive leaf complex, certainly newsworthy in an age
of the H1N1 swine flu virus, since this potent Biblical
tree supplies immune boosters and antioxidants
more powerful than almost any other food
found in nature.
I hope this issue brings you happiness and
healing. Be well!
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