I frequently receive information from companies, PR firms and other organizations requesting that I share their green message with you guys. So I wasn’t too excited when I recently opened (what I thought) was just another request for promotion. Boy was I wrong.
The following email is quite honestly surprising and could represent a ray of hope from the US Government and their approach in dealing with harmful chemicals in the United States. This could be the start of, what I hope will be, an open dialogue with our government which will lead to changes in our health and the health of our planet. Of course the following message could just be a benign effort to quiet the masses without the idea to develop any real legislation to address our concerns. You tell me which it is…
Below is the message I received from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and let me just say, they get points in my book for getting my name right and quite frankly for starting this conversation.
“Dear Ms. Shirley-Smith,
We all expect to live in a world safe from harmful chemical exposures, and, as a nation, we can do a better job of protecting our families, our homes, and our communities. The thoughtful perspective you bring to healthy living through your blog Environmental Health-Wellness-Beauty suggests that your feel the same.
For that reason, we invite you and your readers to participate in the National Conversation on Public Health and Chemical Exposures, an ongoing virtual and real-world dialogue happening through 2010 and beyond.
Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the National Conversation on Public Health and Chemical Exposures is a unique and unprecedented collaboration of federal, state, and local, and tribal government agencies; concerned citizens nationwide; community, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations; scientists, researchers, and leaders in public health and environmental issues; and, representatives of private industry. Everyone who cares about the issues of chemical safety and public health is encouraged to lend his or her voice and learn more HERE.
The goal of this National Conversation is to develop an effective, efficient, fair, and collaborative action agenda with recommendations for strengthening our nation’s efforts to protect the public from harmful chemical exposures.
The National Conversation is hosting the first of three facilitated Web dialogues to begin gathering public input from Monday, April 5 through Wednesday, April 7. Two virtual conversations will be conducted each day, and the public is invited to participate in one or all six. And because the National Conversation is committed to transparency, archives of all conversations will be available online for public review for five years. Our agenda for the first Web dialogue includes:
• Monday, April 5: “Understanding the National Conversation” and “Achieving the National Conversation’s Vision”
• Tuesday, April 6: “Involving People in Decisions that Affect their Health” and “Improving Research & Information Collection & Management”
• Wednesday, April 7: “Preventing Harmful Exposures” and “Responding Effectively to Exposures.”
We invite you to participate personally in and blog about this first Web dialogue, and we hope you will invite your readers to do the same. For more information and to register for this event, please visit The National Conversation Home Page.
This dialogue is just the first of several upcoming opportunities for the public to participate in the National Conversation. In the coming months, we will also be launching:
• The Community Conversation Toolkit, a downloadable resource to encourage real-world conversations. This toolkit will provide background information on chemical exposure issues, a discussion guide, and directions for providing input to the larger National Conversation.
• Two more facilitated Web dialogues to garner public input on developing National Conversation efforts as well as the draft action agenda.
As we look at how our nation can better protect the health of our homes and the people we love, we need to hear the voices of committed individuals like you and your readers. Should you need additional information on the National Conversation for Public Health and Chemical Exposures, we again invite you to visit the Website http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/nationalconversation/, which is hosted by CDC and ATSDR.
Additional requests for information can be directed to Dagny Olivares at CDC (dvp2@cdc.gov). You can also help keep the conversation going by following us on Twitter and Facebook.
Let’s talk—we’re listening.”
Guys, I know I am exceedingly gullible. Just ask my college boyfriend who cheated on me like a bigillion times. I may be gullible, but this plea reminds me of the faithful husband I have now; he’s not perfect, but he is certainly trying. I think I will stick around, get involved in this conversation and see how much we can accomplish together.
Click HERE to join our green living, online community!
No comments:
Post a Comment
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead