Share & Voice: Duluth & Superior Sustainable Eating

This YouTube video was created here in Duluth, Minnesota by the University of Minnesota Duluth Anthropology Senior Seminar students in the spring of 2010!  I would like to share this video because not only does it suggest great tips for healthy and sustainable eating, but the tips are centered around Duluth, Minnesota so we can all use these tips and visit the stores suggested. Some of the sustainable and local stores they suggest visiting are Whole Foods Co-op, Great Harvest Bread Co., and The Farmer's Market at UMD. This video is both educational and informative and is a great example of how anyone, even students, can advocate for what they believe in.  I hope you enjoy this locally created video as much as I did and can use some of their great suggestions!

Advocacy Project: Letter to Elected Official

December 11, 2011

Senator Amy Klobuchar
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3244

Senator Al Franken
515 W 1st St Suite 104
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-2390

Vote YES for S.875 -- Drinking Water Right to Know Act. A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require additional monitoring of certain contaminants, and for other purposes.

I am writing to request your support in The Drinking Water Right to Know Act; a bill to ensure that our water is closely monitored for contaminates and pollutants.  Water is an essential need for daily life.   According to Healthy People 2020, 7 outbreaks per year during 1998–2008 developed from water intended for drinking among persons served by community water systems.  The Drinking Water Right to Know Act is aimed at reducing this number by requiring public water systems to detect and monitor contaminants on the Environmental Protection Agency's unregulated contaminants list and report findings to the national drinking water occurrence data base.  This act will also require water monitoring at determined frequencies.

Millions of Americans enjoy public water daily.  However, many of these American do not know what may be in their water.  According to Senator Frank Lautenberg, since 2004, more than 62 million Americans have been exposed to drinking water that meets EPA standards but actually contains potentially harmful contaminants, including some that are toxic.  The EPA does not regulate 140 chemicals that may be in our drinking water. Large cities have found gasoline additives, pesticides, fracking chemicals used to produce natural gas, and chromium six which is a carcinogen linked to stomach cancer, leukemia, and other cancers.  Some of these cities include New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Washington, DC; cities with some of the largest populations in our country.

Opponents may disagree with this bill because of the additional costs of  testing and reporting.  However, medical costs are much higher for illnesses.  In extreme cases, carcinogens found in water can be deadly.  Testing is much cheaper than a the price of a human life.

Health issues have been on the rise recently and I appreciate everything our senators are doing to ensure health of all individuals despite their age.  However, water is essential to life and a major component of our daily lives.  Our friends and family consume this water daily and the last thing we want is our loved ones to consume toxic and harmful contaminants.  I am hoping you will considering voting yes for this bill and ensure safe, clean drinking water for everyone.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this health issue.

Sincerely,
Alyssa G.