People are fascinated by the exotic.  This has led to the importation of non native, invasive species of plants and animals which have damaged, and in some cases destroyed, natural habitats.  In an effort to prevent habitat destruction from non native snakes, the US has proposed on ban on the importation of nine species of giant constrictors.  The ban would include the Burmese python, North African and South African pythons, boa constrictors and anacondas.

After the Bush administration substantially reduced air pollution standards, it is refreshing to see environmental concerns being addressed by the current administration.  The only fly in the ointment is the cost of cleaning up the air, especially in high pollution areas like the Northeast, Southern California and Houston, Tx.  The cost to industries and local governments will be high and will of course, be passed on to consumers and taxpayers.  In these already economically strapped areas, these proposals may result in additional job losses and even higher taxes.

Texas is currently leading the nation in the amount of renewable, sustainable electricity produced.  Solar plants and wind farms will soon account for one third of the electricity produced in the state.  Texas has some advantages in this area since sun and wind are resources the state has in abundance.  They don't have a lot of environmentalists in Texas.  Texas isn't concerned much with the environment, it's concerned with good business and money, which is putting them way ahead of other states in going green.

In one of the Batman movies, the Joker, played by Jack Nicholson, added toxic chemicals to personal care products to kill people.  The truth about personal care products is that the toxic chemicals are already in them.  Before you buy personal care products, read the ingredients.  You may be surprised by what you find.

The Roan Plateau in Colorado is the site of an environmental controversy.   At the end of his term, President George W. Bush granted a number of land leases to energy companies.  The leases were in Utah and Colorado and involved the search and development of oil and natural gas.  The Utah leases have been overturned in court, but the court refused to overturn the lease for the Roan Plateau.  The company holding the lease believes there are enormous deposits of natural gas under the plateau.

Bottled water is bad for the environment.  Everyone knows the plastic bottles that water is packaged in aren't biodegradable and usually don't get recycled.  Not only that, but recycling plastic uses a lot of energy.  So you have a reusable water bottle and you know where to fill it up with good drinking water at home and at work.  If you're not at home or at work and you run out of water, what do you do?

New York Fashion Week was a bit of a disappointment to many environmentalists.  There were only two eco fashion events, The Bodkin Brooklyn show and the launch of summer Rayne Oakes new book, Style Naturally.  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations declared 2009 the International Year of Natural Fibers.

Halloween is this week and for the environmentally conscious it can be a very scary day. Lots of plastic decorations that will be discarded after the holiday, candy wrappers and costumes that will only be worn once and thrown away. Waste, waste and more waste on a holiday that should be fun for all without damaging the world we live in. Think before you buy and try to use greener alternatives in your decorating, your costumes and in your treats (don't forget the packaging).