2009.05.29
Is sunscreen green?
We've been warned for years to slather on the sunscreen any time we go outside, to protect our skin from the sun's UV rays. Now environmentalists are starting to worry that the planet might need protecting from the sunscreen.
The scientific verdict isn't in yet. But Nina Shen Rastogi writes in the Washington Post's Green column: "In the meantime, there are plenty of ways to protect your skin at the beach while going a little easier on the Coppertone. Wear a hat or a caftan and find yourself a beach umbrella. If you're feeling brave, you could always try one of those Darth Vader-style sunshades so popular with the women of Asia."
It's enough to make a body want to stay home. Almost.
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I knew it! All the environmentalists want us to revert back to cave-dwelling Neanderthals. The jig is up. Let's all grab our shovels and start digging.
Comment by Other John — May 29, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
Well the article makes sense in that sad, 'we are just not as smart as we think we are' kind of way.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — May 29, 2009 @ 6:51 pm
Wear a mirror on your head, reflect all that sunlight back into space.
Comment by Ed H — May 29, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Ed,
Skip the mirror...let's just paint our heads white.
US Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Tuesday the Obama administration wants to paint roofs white...let's just do our part to help!
Comment by Patrick — May 29, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
Mirrors would reflect more, I think. Shiny aluminum roofs.
Comment by Ed H — May 29, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
So long as we're living in those aves and speaking with grunts and snorts, I think a mixture of aluminum skull caps and white painted cave awnings ought to do the trick.
Comment by Other John — May 29, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
That should say caves, I think I'm reverting already. Argh, snort.
Comment by Other John — May 29, 2009 @ 10:18 pm
why paint roofs white when we can plant stuff on them? I saw an article in last month's National Geographic about how a town in Switzerland said all new buildings with flat roofs are required to plant trees/plants on the roof.
I like it. When I build my dream house, I will have a roof garden.
Comment by scott — May 30, 2009 @ 1:15 am
We could hook solar panels up to our scalps.
Comment by Kristen — May 30, 2009 @ 7:04 am
Other John,
If you read the linked article, you'd see it's a very balanced discussion of potential issues which are only beginning to be researched. It's not a luddite screed. The science is very limited so far, and much more research is necessary at this point to make any broad conclusions. I agree it would stink if sunscreen proved to be a problem for the environment, but ignorance is not bliss.
Comment by KevinL — May 30, 2009 @ 7:11 am
Scott my favorite part of that piece in Nat Geo was the picture of the roof of the Ford (?) plant. Maybe Roanoke could start small by greening the roof on the next bus stops that are built here.
Comment by Kristen — May 30, 2009 @ 10:03 am