Has anyone ever studied the environmental impact of discarded cigarettes? Im constantly appalled at the number of drivers I see pitching their butts out their car windows. — Ned Jordan, via email

Its true that littered cigarette butts are a public nuisance, and not just for aesthetic reasons. The filters on cigarettes-four fifths of all cigarettes have them-are made of cellulose acetate, a form of plastic that is very slow to degrade in the environment. A typical cigarette butt can take anywhere from 18 months to 10 years to decompose, depending on environmental conditions.

But beyond the plastic, these filters-which are on cigarettes in the first place to absorb contaminants to prevent them from going into the lungs-contain trace amounts of toxins like cadmium, arsenic and lead. Thus when smokers discard their butts improperly-out the car window or off the end of a pier or onto the sidewalk below-they are essentially tossing these substances willy-nilly into the environment.

Studies done by Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and even the tobacco industry itself show that these contaminants can get into soils and waterways, harm or kill living organisms and generally degrade surrounding ecosystems.

While individual discarded cigarette butts may be small, they add up to a huge problem. Some 5.5 trillion cigarettes are consumed worldwide each year. The non-profit Keep America Beautiful reports that cigarette butts constitute as much as one-third of all litter nationwide when measured by the number of discarded items, not volume. According to the Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit that advocates for stronger protection of marine ecosystems, cigarette butts are the most commonly littered item found on Americas salt and fresh water beaches according to feedback received by hundreds of thousands of volunteers taking part in the groups annual Coastal Clean-up event.

While the tobacco industry may have its hands full just trying to stay afloat in the maelstrom of ongoing bad publicity, critics say it should be doing more to prevent cigarette butt litter. “Just as beverage manufacturers contribute to anti-litter campaigns, and have invested in public education on litter issues, so too should the tobacco industry,” says Kathleen Register, founder and executive director of Clean Virginia Waterways, a non-profit that has spearheaded the fight against cigarette butt litter in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. She adds that cigarette manufacturers “need to take an active and responsible role in educating smokers about this issue and devote resources to the cleanup of cigarette litter.”

Register suggests a number of strategies including putting anti-litter messages on all cigarette packaging and advertisements, distributing small, free portable ashtrays, and placing and maintaining outdoor ashtrays in areas where smokers congregate. She also suggests putting an extra tax on cigarette sales, with proceeds going toward anti-litter education efforts and to defray the costs of cleaning up butts. “Picking up littered cigarette butts costs schools, businesses and park agencies money,” she says. “By taxing smokers for anti-litter educational efforts, some of the costs of cleaning up cigarette butts will shift onto smokers.” One way or another, Register hopes, smokers will learn that the Earth is not one giant ashtray.

CONTACTS: CDC, www.cdc.gov; Clean Virginia Waterways, www.longwood.edu/cleanva.

SEND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS TO: EarthTalk, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com.

1. Clean out your refrigerator and kitchen cupboards. Read the labels of every product in your home that you deem edible. If you cant pronounce it, or it has more ingredients than words in the bible, chances are your body isnt meant to digest it. Are there foods in your cupboards you feel guilty just looking at? Guilt is the greatest destroyer of emotional energy-therefore you dont need it, or the Snickers bar in your life. Nature provides some of the most delectable treats you could ever imagine. Head to nutritional expert David Wolfes website www.davidwolfe.com, for the low-down on one of natures most incredible gifts: raw cacao. The cacao bean is natures number one weight loss and high-energy food.

2. Clean out toxins and old waste with a cleansing detox. According to nutritional expert and Tree of Life founder, Dr Gabriel Cousens, research shows when intestinal toxemia is removed, symptoms such as fatigue, nervousness, gastrointestinal conditions, impaired nutrition, skin manifestations, endocrine disturbances, headaches, sciatica, low back pain, allergy, eye, ear, nose and throat congestion-and even cardiac irregularities-have been healed in hundreds of cases. Find out more at www.treeoflife.nu.

3. Download the Honest Food Guide from Mike Adams Naturalnews.com. This indispensable free guide was developed with you in mind, not big business. Unlike the traditional food pyramid (which is sponsored by major food corporations) youll find honest nutritional information, “not watered-down information designed to boost the sale of milk, beef and grains,” says Adams. Print out and post to your refrigerator for easy referral (and email the link to all of your friends!).

4. Make weekly trips to your local farmers market. Buying local is a great way to ensure your food is fresh, organic and free from scientific tampering. That is, anything genetically modified (genetically modified food is not as nature intended, therefore does not contain adequate nutrients and is considered by some to be unstable). The American Academy of Environmental Medicine recently issued a warning urging the public to avoid genetically modified foods. They also called for a suspension on GMOs until long-term, independent studies can prove their safety. Shopping at your local farmers market is also a way to become more connected to the food you eat, as youre buying directly from the person who put their hard work, love and energy into growing the produce. Theres also an added bonus of upping your essential Vitamin D intake as you wander (without wearing chemical-laden sunscreen!) from stall to stall. See www.localharvest.org or www.farmersmarkets.org.au to find a market near you.

5. Decrease or cease your intake of meat and dairy. Despite being told drinking milk is good for our bones and eating meat is a superior form of protein, its actually not true. Besides the fact that dairy causes iron deficiency, bloating, diarrhoea, gas and intestinal pain in most people, its consumption transfers drugs that have been administered to the animal, such as antibiotics, into the system of the person drinking it. And when you think about it, where do cows get their calcium? From the grass they eat. Leafy greens such as kale, broccoli, collards and cabbage are excellent sources of calcium-and no animals are harmed in the process, either. The same goes for meat consumption. Protein and iron is in abundance in a pure vegetarian diet. Eating meat also means youre putting antibiotics and any dis-eases from the animal directly into your own system. If you plan to move from a meat and dairy-based diet, be sure to transition into it by reducing your consumption over time. If youre unsure, seek advice from an informed wholefood nutritionist.

6. Educate yourself. By learning about the types of foods that create a healthy mind and body, you put the power back into your hands instead of big food industries whose primary interest is in creating dollars not health. A good place to start is with Dr Gabriel Cousens Conscious Eating. Also check out Don and Tyler Tolmans Conscious Lifestyler website.

7. Take a whole food cooking or raw food preparation course with friends or family. Knowing where your food came from and exactly how its prepared can not only create peace of mind, but also bring families together through creating meals together. Its also a way to meet like-minded people who are on the same path. Get Googling to find the right class for you. We love Rod Rotondis raw food classes (see www.leaforganics.com) and chef Julianos “uncook” book RAW.

Photo: Robyn Gallagher Flickr Creative Commons

From celebrity speakers and must-see movies to live music and gourmet food, Vegan Earth Day was celebrated in grand style on longest day of the year today-summer solstice.

The solar-powered event, held in Los Angeles, attracted vegans, as well as those curious about the lifestyle. Veganism omits meat and dairy from the diet (as well as leather products from the wardrobe) and is generally adopted because of its outstanding health benefits, its respect for animals and the positive impact it has on the planet.

Guest speakers included Earthlings’ Shaun Monson, “Peace Mom” Cindy Sheehan, heart specialist Dr Caldwell Esselstyn, professional triathlete Rip Esselstyn, award-winning actor Marianna Tosca, actor Chris DeRose and others.

The Green Dove ventured out for some sunny vitamin D, delicious vegan fare and tons of education.

Sunshine, nature, good food and great entertainment. Who could ask for more?

Loads of educational films and speakers to see.

Fueling up with vege power.

The plates say it all.

Who could resist?

Gourmet vegan food served up from the Bodhi Tree, Huntington Beach.

Who said vegan food is boring?

Keeping up with the latest in animal news.

Dogs and cats up for adoption.

The Earthlings booth.

Earthlings' Shaun Monson speaks to the crowd about the Joaquin Phoenix-narrated film.

A radio station for all things vegan: goveganradio.com

Animal rescue.

Recycling close at hand.

Shoes don't have to be made from leather: The Vegan Collection.

A rescued rabbit.

Actress, surfer and passionate earth-lover Tanna Frederick knows there’s more to being a celebrity than the red carpet. The flame-haired star of Irene in Time, who once declared to her parents that she wanted to be a garbage collector to pick up other people’s trash, is using her platform to get her environmental messages out to the masses.

One project Tanna initiated, Project Save Our Surf, is turning heads and making waves (pun absolutely intended) amongst surfies and surf lovers alike.

The Project is held annually in Santa Monica, CA, with the full support of Tinseltown types such as Dennis Hopper, Brandon Boyd, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff Garlin, Rosanna Arquette and others. Tanna says the event benefits Oceana, the international ocean conservation group in their work, which is specifically to “make our oceans as rich, healthy and abundant as they were in our grandparents’ youth.”

Tanna spoke exclusively with The Green Dove about Project Save Our Surf and how every single person can help – in small and big ways – to ensure the planet’s future is clean and green.

THE GREEN DOVE: How did Project Save Our Surf come about?

TANNA FREDERICK: I called up World Champion Surfing God (I added the God part, but Im sure a lot of people would agree) Shaun Tomson and asked him to Co-host Project Save Our Surf with me. Amazingly enough, he said yes… From there on out, it was like a €˜green-come-true (thats a joke) because Shaun is so well respected in the surfing industry that all of our local surfers jumped on board as well as other world champion and pro surfers such as the legendary Peter €˜PT Townend, Rob Machado, James Pribram, Jon Rose, Jeremy Sherwin, and a ton of local businesses joined in on putting this together as well. Nancy Christiano from Oceana and I came on together to try and get Project SOS up and running, and it ended up soaring right out of our hands into something bigger than we ever realized it would be.

TGD: Have you always been passionate about the environment?

TF: Absolutely. As a kid growing up in Iowa, as early as second grade I started organizing fundraisers for the environment… I was a huge Greenpeace fanatic, and would get in debates with other kids in middle school about why Greenpeace tactics were better or less effective than Sierra Club (we were quite ahead of our time – maybe a little too much). We would go to or organize our own environmental demonstrations, or run t-shirt campaigns to save acres of rainforests or adopt seals or whales or all that wonderful stuff thats available to kids. I think my parents really instilled that love of nature in me because I was always camping with my parents for our vacations – wed travel all over and sleep out under the stars… My parents have an audio tape of me when I was four in which I declared, €˜I want to be a garbage-man when I grow up, and pick up all the trash that people throw on the ground. Either an actor or a garbage-man were in the stars for me…

TGD: What green efforts do you put into your every day life?

TF: Of course there are all the simple little things that we can all do – turn off water, turn off lights, recycle, walk or ride bikes instead of driving, be hyper-vigilant in the products we choose to use and their packaging so were not adding to toxins or excessive waste in our environment… Then theres the bigger tasks, like working to garner more support and more people and more donations for next years Project SOS. The little things are a big help too, but I feel at this point in terms of where our world is at, we all need to be a little more aggressive in our participation of saving the planet. We need to speak out, organize, and teach, and support those like Oceana who have an expert team and actually get things done to counteract the damage thats been done on this earth.

TGD: How specifically has acting given you platform for your passion projects, such as Save Our Surf?

TF: Quite honestly, its given me access to other actors who people will listen to… I might be a small indie actress and its if-y if people will listen to me, but I was able to ask some artists of rock-star status be a part of Project SOS: Dennis Hopper, Brandon Boyd, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff Garlin, Rosanna Arquette, Judd Nelson, Greg Harrison, David Chokachi, Noah Wyle… I couldnt believe the number of renowned, brilliantly talented people who were willing and ready to step up to the plate and help save our oceans.

TGD: Do you have any eco-friendly tips for beach-goers?

TF: Oh, definitely. You have no idea how many nasty things Ive seen surfing in Santa Monica Bay. I stuffed so many Cheetos wrappers, plastic bags, water bottles, and pop cans – and worse unmentionables – into the sleeve of my suit in the last couple of years…Every weekend the beach takes such a beating by all the weekend beach goers, and its disgusting and sad. Put the trash in the trash cans. If someones turned the trash can over and its on its side and trash is all over the place, pick the trash can up, and put the trash back in it. And do it fast, before the trash gets into the ocean. Its not just the Citys responsibility to clean up, its ours. Theyre our beaches.

In an attempt to reduce the suffering endured by animals used for tourist entertainment, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has launched a new website, CompassionateTravel.org, which educates travelers on ways to make their trips animal-friendly.

“Many people may be aware that thousands of bulls are killed and maimed each year during bullfights, but most do not realize that donkeys, horses and elephants are sometimes forced to carry tourists for hours without food or water or that performing animals are often trained using cruel techniques,” says Dena Jones, WSPA’s U.S. programs director.

CompassionateTravel.org provides a list of dos and don’ts for animal-friendly travel. Here are five ways you can help animals on your next vacation:

1. Volunteer your time helping animals in need. Numerous opportunities exist for individuals, couples and families who want to volunteer some of their vacation time helping animals. WSPA offers a list of volunteer vacations in 30 countries on the Compassionate Travel website.

2. Avoid attractions like bullfights and roadside zoos but do visit nature reserves, animal sanctuaries or rehabilitation centres. There is nothing like the thrill of spotting an animal in its natural habitat or learning the story of a rehabilitated animal that will soon be set free. In addition, the reasonable entrance fees benefit the animals at the reserves.

3. Try wild dolphin or whale watching. These eco-friendly excursions enable tourists to become immersed in the natural world of marine mammals without threatening the health and welfare of wild species.

4. Avoid animal rides or transport that could cause suffering. Animal-loving tourists often inadvertently perpetuate the suffering of animals (elephants, camels, etc.) who may have been working for hours, with no access to shelter, food or water.

5. Don’t buy wildlife souvenirs or products that may have endangered animals. The purchase of illegal souvenirs such as ivory, tortoiseshell, fur and horns undermines the conservation efforts of local governments.

The site also offers free “I am a Compassionate Traveler” luggage tags and information, brochures, videos and specific actions you can take to end animal cruelty. In addition, the site’s companion blog, Compassionate Planet provides weekly updates on travel opportunities and continued advice on making animal-friendly choices while on vacation.

For more information about WSPA visit www.wspa-usa.org.

Nicole Richie (left), Amy Smart and Anna Getty teamed up in Hollywood recently to bring attention to a new project that is set to take students back to basics, by growing their own organic gardens.

Twenty-five schools will be paired with participating celebs including Lance Bass, Rosario Dawson, and Jake Gyllenhaal to create organic gardens and learn about healthy eating habits. The schools may also potentially earn revenue from the sale of flowers and vegetables they grow. Read more here

The Environmental Media Association (EMA) and LA Unified School District (LAUSD), with personal care brand Yes To Inc., has announced an ongoing partnership to support organic gardens and greenery in urban schools across Los Angeles. EMA and Yes To will directly support a number of school gardens through funding and celebrity mentoring from EMAs Young Hollywood Board.

Board members include Amy Smart, Nicole Richie (pictured left at the 18th Annual Environmental Awards), Maroon 5, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Rosario Dawson, Maria Menounos, Matthew Rhys, Lance Bass, Emily VanCamp, Anna Getty, Olivia Wilde, Carter Oosterhouse and others. Each member will adopt a school to raise awareness for the program and help kids with environmental education.

As the school gardens grow and evolve, student gardeners learn invaluable life lessons such as team work, problem-solving, service-learning, ecology and patience. The program will launch in early summer with a special event at one of the 25 schools.