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The FDA has announced plans to investigate the “Smart Choices” initiative, an industry-led nutrition labeling program, arguing that the labels may mislead the public by implying that sugary foods are healthy.

I’m amazed that the “Smart Choices” label has gotten this far, considering it was trying to suggest that Froot Loops are somehow nutritious, and happy that the FDA is taking decisive action to curtail the manipulative marketing scheme.  However, given that Kraft has announced that they are phasing out the label, and General Mills, Kellogg and Unilever plan to follow suite, I have a feeling the label will not be around for much longer regardless of what the FDA does.

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While there may be some question about who will attend the UN Climate Change Conference, and what they will accomplish,  you can be sure that the public will have an opportunity to discuss climate change in Copenhagen at the KlimaForum09.

Billed as The People’s Climate Summit, the free event will simultaneously take place only a few blocks from the UN gathering, and will feature guest speakers (including Naomi Klein!), over 150 open debates, 60 exhibitions, as well as music, film and art concerning climate change.  KlimaForum09 provides an open space for ordinary citizens, grassroots movements and organizations to develop constructive solutions to the climate crisis.  Special efforts have been made to invite people from countries that are and will be most directly affected by climate change, and who have limited opportunities to participate in the global discussion.  Read the rest of this entry >>

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Developing countries have threatened to walk out of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen if rich nations did not commit to greater reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and more funding for climate costs.

While I can understand being  frustrated by talk that the United States and other heavy emitters may not commit to a binding, enforceable climate treaty in December, I don’t think a walk-out is an effective way of dealing with the forestalling.  Read the rest of this entry >>

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Skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing may be considered rebellious activities by some people, but the Stoked Mentoring program utilizes these non-traditional sports to teach life skills to at-risk and disadvantaged youth and transforms rebellion into hope.

Currently operating in New York and Los Angeles, Stoked seems like a totally radical way for kids to develop confidence and perseverance from positive role models, while having fun and getting great exercise.  And if you happen to be in New York on November 12th you can show your support of the amazing work they do by attending the 2009 Stoked Awards.  Watch the inspiring trailer below to learn more about the program and this years awards, and use the Act link to find out how you can become a mentor or support Stoked in other ways. Read the rest of this entry >>

The Repower America Wall, a new multimedia campaign from the Alliance for Climate Protection,  invites you to join thousands of people across the country in voicing your support for action on clean energy and climate change.  The virtual wall is a stunning and powerful visual testament to strengthening national consensus that the time to build a green future is today.

With over 12,000 videos already uploaded you could spend days watching inspiring and thoughtful messages from workers, executives, scientists, military veterans, faith leaders, elected officials, entertainers, environmentalists, and your friends and neighbors.  According to David Boundy, Repower America campaign manager: Read the rest of this entry >>

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New research from Consumer Reports reveals that many canned foods, including soups, juice and vegetables, contain measurable levels of Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical that has been linked to a wide array of health issues such as reproductive abnormalities, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Here at TakePart we’ve discussed the dangers of BPA extensively, and hopefully this frightening new report will encourage the FDA to set stricter safety standards for BPA levels and ultimately strengthen efforts to ban BPA in materials that come into contact with food. Read the rest of this entry >>

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If the UN Climate Change Conference this December fails to produce a legally binding global climate deal, Norway and Sweden are pushing for a follow-up conference in early 2010 to finalize a new treaty.  While having a back-up plan seems like a good idea, especially considering the United States may unfortunately need more time, I’m reticent to shift focus from the significance of this December’s talks and I think we should continue to push for an agreement as soon as possible. Read the rest of this entry >>

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Climate change could kill 250,000 children next year alone, and the numbers are likely to rise in years to come as climate-related famine, disease and other dangers escalate, according to Save The Children.

The new report from the international charity is certainly one of the most devastating and heart-wrenching predictions concerning climate change, and should serve as a major wake-up call to the world that we need to take serious action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the ramifications of a rapidly changing planet.  Read the rest of this entry >>

The official Food, Inc. Discussion Guide is now available for download providing teachers with the resources to guide classroom conversations about the eye-opening documentary for student audiences, high school age and older.  The snazzy and impressively thorough 103-page guide was developed by the Center for Ecoliteracy, and offers questions and activities based around the film’s themes, including health, sustainability, animal welfare, and workers rights.

The lesson plans are designed to help students make more thoughtful decisions about food and participate in a meaningful dialogue about food and food systems.  I really wish I had been able to see and discuss Food, Inc. when I was in high school, as it would have challenged me to think more deeply about the significance of where our food comes from, and how the choices we make three times a day, can have a tremendous impact on the planet and our health. Read the rest of this entry >>

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Nepal’s Cabinet plans to hold a meeting at the base camp of Mt. Everest to highlight the threat of climate change and rising global temperatures, which is causing glaciers in the Himalayas to melt at an alarming rate.

The climate summit just below the world’s highest summit will hopefully draw international attention to the need to curb greenhouse gas emissions, just as the Maldives’ recent underwater meeting dramatically signaled the need for action at the upcoming UN climate conference.  Read the rest of this entry >>