At Non-Toxic Kids, we’ve been all about activism this week. There is a lot of action that needs to happen, and the world needs to hear from you green parents out there. Here is a quick summary (because I know you are sleep deprived and have lots to do) of some current environmental actions that could use your support.

Last week you probably heard about the big BPA lobbyist and manufacturer meeting. You know, the one where they discussed scaring parents into buying BPA lined food containers, and using a young, pregnant women to sell us on the benefits of BPA. So thanks to the Environmental Working Group for supplying us with our first action about this debacle. Call Coke and Del Monte to demand that they remove BPA from their food and drink containers and lay off the sleazy PR and marketing strategies.

I heard from Greenpeace and learned that major shoe companies like Nike, Timberland, Clarks, and Adias are buying leather for their shoes from mega-corporate cattle farms which are deforesting the Amazon at alarming rates. And according to Greenpeace, “Tropical deforestation accounts for one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the transportation sector worldwide.” So this is a double whammy for our world’s climate and remaining rainforests. Watch this eye opeing video, then send an email to these companies to ask them to stop deforesting and contributing to global warming in such a large degree.

Lastly, the EPA is gathering feedback about air quality and cement kilns. Cement Kilns are largely unregulated and emit a toxic stew into the air including mercury, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter (which increases asthma), and hydrocarbons (some of which are carinogens). They are in many urban areas, and the EPA is considering regulating their pollution. Doing so would save 1,600 lives a year according to Earth Justice, and would save countless cases of asthma in children and adults. Information about the hearings taking place in Washington D.C., Dallas, and Los Angelos can be found at the Earth Justice website. If you can’t attend, send in your comments to the EPA. We know the cement kiln industry will be speaking up to support their bottom line. We need to speak up for cleaner air for all of us.

Go, green parents, go. Together we can make a difference in corporate behavior and make our world safer and greener for everyone.

[This post was written by Katy Farber]