The 2011 APHA Annual Meeting theme "Healthy Communities Promote
Healthy Minds and Bodies" gives APHA members an opportunity to build on
the 2009 and 2010 themes of Water and Social Justice as public health
priorities.
Green Goals. The APHA Food and
Environment Working Group, the Environment Section's 100th Anniversary
Committee, and APHA are setting goals to reduce waste and promote a
sustainable, just, and healthy food and water system. Got Trash? We encourage everyone
at APHA 2011 to increase efforts to reduce trash, especially paper and plastic.
The Diversion Rate (the
recycling/trash ratio) in D.C. the 2007 APHA Annual Meeting was 34 percent. The Diversion Rate in Denver the 2010 Annual Meeting was 52.75 percent. Can we achieve a Diversion rate of 75 percent at APHA 2011?
-- The D.C. Convention Center’s
water fountains and food service sinks provide filtered water! Bring your own
refillable bottle to the conference to cut down on plastic waste.
-- Plan events using local
resources and services that encourage wise use of water and other resources. If
you need advice or suggestions, contact us: apha.fewg@gmail.com
-- Buy food sourced from sustainable
producers and distributors.
-- If using disposables, use compostable products and use the facility
compost program. Label containers so
compostables do not go into the waste stream.
-- Take advantage of the D.C. Convention Center's Green Initiatives:
http://www.dcconvention.com/Planners/Large/GreenInitiatives.aspx
-- Learn more about APHA 2011 Environmental Initiatives:
http://www.apha.org/meetings/highlights/environment.htm
Be an ambassador of public health and social justice in your own
community. Share information about the social justice, public health and
environmental problems caused by bottled water and water privatization,
especially disposable plastic water bottles.
Use the "Resources and References" below and on the Food and
Environment Working Group’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=134564799935654&topic=6959
Share ideas for waste reduction at the 2011 APHA Annual Meeting's programs, scientific
sessions, events and exhibits. Send your
questions and suggestions to Ellie Goldberg at ellie.goldberg@gmail.com and join
the conversation on the Food and Environment Working Group’s Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/APHA.food.and.environment.
The APHA Food and Environment Working Group is a multi-disciplinary
collaboration across APHA Sections, housed in the Food & Nutrition and
Environment Sections. Colleagues work together to protect public health by
promoting and cultivating a safe, healthy, just and sustainable food system.
If you would like to work with us toward these goals, contact Rebecca
Klein, rklein@jhsph.edu, Working Group membership is open to all APHA members.
Resources and
References
Bottled Water Myths
http://www.storyofstuff.com/pdfs/storyofbottledwater_myth-v-reality.pdf
Bottled Water: Get the Facts
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/bottled/
Blue Gold, Maude Barlow
Book:
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Gold-Fight-Corporate-Worlds/dp/1565848136/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302634088&sr=8-2
Film: http://www.bluegold-worldwaterwars.com/