SIGNIFICANCE OF EARTH DAY

This week marked the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day. The idea for the original Earth Day was evolving for over seven years, and began as a grassroots operation to bring environmental concerns to the national political agenda of the Kennedy administration during the 1960’s. As the evidence of environmental concerns and issues began to mount, the idea gained strength for a national “teach-in” from coast to coast, at universities, and in the media. The final plans for the national Earth Day activities were spearheaded by Senator Gaylord Nelson who had championed environmental concerns for the preceding decade. The amazing success of the first Earth Day in 1970 was evidenced through twenty million demonstrators who protested for more stringent environmental protection policies and laws.

Earth Day has been celebrated every year since then with global participation and a plethora of events highlighting environmental concerns, issues, and climate control. It may seem at times that one individual may not be able to make a difference in preserving the environment, but the ideals and longevity of Earth Day observances have shown that to be incorrect. Here are some ideas for how you can help to preserve the environment and save yourself money.

1. Shower- Skip taking a bath and use the shower instead. A bath uses up to seven times the amount of water than a shower.

    

2. Buy in Bulk- Buying items that you frequently use in bulk will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the amount of packaging and consumables.

    

3. Use the dishwasher- Using the automatic dishwasher reduces by at least three times the water consumption over doing dishes by hand. Make sure you wait until you have a full load of dishes to maximize your savings and the water conservation.

    

4. Low-flow Showerhead- Most of the showerheads made before 1992 draw up to five and a half gallons of water compared to the modern versions used now that only draw two and a half gallons.

    

5. Cloth Napkins- Using cloth napkins and hand towels instead of paper napkins and paper towels can save billions of trees a year.

    

6. Recycle- Most communities have recycling as part of their waste management plan. Keep all of your recyclables available in matched bags, or for the curbside pick-up. You can also recycle your old clothes, media devices, furniture, etc. at charitable outlets like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and local shelters for the homeless.

    

7. Bring Your Own Bags- Whenever you go shopping, not just for groceries but for all products, bring your own bags. Recycle your bags for work lunches, gifts, organizing closets, etc.

    

8. Change Light bulbs- Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with the compact fluorescent light bulbs. The fluorescent light bulbs run on one third the amount of electricity and last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs.

    

9. Use Plates and Silverware- Using your glass plates and silverware versus using disposable paper or plastic plates and plastic silverware will save billions in global waste materials and hundreds a year in your expenses.

TEN HEALTHY REASONS TO DRINK MILK

    Perhaps your mother or grandmother told you to drink three glasses of milk a day to help you grow strong bones, but now research has shown other benefits to drinking milk. Please note that calcium gives even more benefits when combined with other nutrients and weight bearing exercise. The other nutrients that increase the health effects of milk are Vitamins K and D, boron, and magnesium. Fifteen minutes a day in sunlight can help to give the body natural Vitamin D, but this vitamin can also be taken as a supplement. Boron is found in almonds, avocadoes, and peanut butter. Magnesium can be naturally found in leafy greens, tofu, legumes, and potato skins. Good sources of Vitamin K are found in spinach, leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage. Eat these mentioned vegetables, walk in the sun a little bit every day, drink milk, and enjoy your healthy body!

Here are just a few of the benefits you can derive from drinking milk daily:

1. Helps prevent migraines

    

2. Provides as much restorative hydration and energy as vitamin drinks

    

3. Helps prevent osteoporosis

    

4. Helps in preventing hypertension

    

5. Works well as an antacid in the stomach

    

6. Helps in preventing colon cancer

    

7. Aids in developing strong bones

    

8. When milk is heated, it acts to induce sleep and as a muscle relaxant

    

9. Milk makes teeth stronger, and protects teeth from tooth decay and cavities

    

Aids in growing healthy and strong hair and nails

DID YOU KNOW NEW GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION WILL MAKE MORE MONEY AVAILABLE FOR STUDENT LOANS?

    A new law passed this week that will have far reaching and dynamic effects in how most people in the United States pay for a university or college education. In the past, both the federal government and private banks worked together to allocate student loans, but the loan rates and repayment schedules were determined by the loan processing banks. In recent years, many banks raised the interest rates on student loans and shortened the allotted time for repayment of the loans, thus making a university education impossible to access for many would-be students. Here is a brief list of the changes from the new federal law:

1. Shifts Responsibility- The federal government will end the subsidies previously given to private banks and assume responsibility for issuing cut-rate student loans.
   

    

2. More Loan Money- The government operated student loan program would be less costly, thus freeing much more money that was previously given as bank subsidies to be available for student loans.
   

    

3. Lessens Government Spending- It is estimated that the federal government will save at least $61 billion dollars over the next ten years by governing student loans and eliminating bank subsidies.

    

4. Lowers Monthly Payment Caps- The previous cap for student loan repayment was set by banks at 15% of monthly income, and that has now been lowered to 10%, thus making repayment of student loans easier over time.

    

5. Changes Debt Cancellation Time- The previous student loan system allowed for loan balances to be forgiven after 25 years. The new law would allow for student loan debt forgiveness to occur after 20 years.

    

6. Lower Rates- The federal government promised to lower the interest rates on student loans so more opportunities would be available for low-income and minority people to access a university education.

    

Continued Tax Benefits For Being A Student- There were many tax credits and benefits for students that went into effect in 2009, and those will be continued in the future. It is hoped that the tax benefits, combined with the lower interest rates on student loans, will encourage more people to seek a university education and re-education in fields currently needed in the employment sector.