Why Everyone Should be an Environmentalist

Maybe you saw in the Star Tribune newspaper today the article about the link that researchers have found between air pollution and brain development of children... They looked at inner-city mothers-to-be and monitored their exposure to air pollution while they were pregnant. Then they tested the children's IQ at age 5 or 6 and found that kids who were exposed to higher air pollution levels in utero had significantly lower IQs than those exposed to less pollution. It was as if the kids had gotten lead poisoning - the effects were similar.

In addition, scientists are finding increasing evidence that when prescription drugs get flushed down the toilets, they are getting into the river water - which is often a source of drinking water in cities. These levels of drugs have a disruptive effect on hormones of living beings, including people... (Here is a link to how to properly dispose of these drugs.)

The way we live, design our communities, get to our jobs has an effect on ourselves, on our children, and on our children's children. There are things we can do about this - choices we can make. Getting involved in your community is one of those things.