10/24/05: While on business in Houston, I stayed in a hotel that did not have a linen reuse program in which you are given the option of reusing your linens instead of having them replaced every day. However, by simply leaving the "Do Not Disturb" sign on my door when I left in the morning, I ensured that no energy, water, or products were used in cleaning an already clean room that day.
10/25/05: I participated in an online survey for Oxfam America, an international development and relief agency affiliated with Oxfam International that is known for its global anti-poverty campaigns. Besides helping to shape their agenda, I was able to assist them in becoming more effective by giving them feedback on their campaigns and the organization as a whole.
>> Learn more about Oxfam America
10/26/05: I took three online actions as part of The Center for a New American Dream's anti-junk mail campaign: I wrote to AOL asking them to phase out their excessive direct mail campaign, I wrote to five of the nation's biggest catalog companies asking them to increase the recycled content of their catalog paper, and I wrote to my Senators and Congresswoman asking them to initiate a national junk mail opt-out list (similar to the "Do Not Call" registry).
>> Learn more about the volume of junk mail in the U.S.
10/27/05: I wrote to my Congresswoman asking her to oppose the so-called "gag language" in the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act, a provision that would restrict non-profit organizations who receive Affordable Housing Fund grants from engaging in any non-partisan advocacy or voter registration activities. Although I'm sure that the issue is not as clear cut as the ACLU made it out to be, in general I think it's important to err on the side of too much free speech rather than not enough, especially when dealing with political speech and engaging citizens in the political process.
10/28/05: After averaging over 12 hours a day at work for two straight weeks and focusing almost solely on work, I finally took some personal time for myself. A commitment to changing the world (through my job, this project, and everything else!) requires a commitment to not let myself burn out, and so my action for today was simply to recognize my personal needs and be good to myself!
10/29/05: When shopping for a trash can for my room, I bought one that is designed for use without a plastic bag simply to reduce my future consumption of plastic goods.
10/30/05: Over two years ago, the emergency contraceptive "Plan B" was submitted to the FDA for approval of its sale as an over-the-counter drug. Despite being proven safe, effective, and simple enough for over-the-counter use and despite the recommendations of the FDA's own drug advisory committees, the FDA has not yet ruled on its status. Plan B remains prescription-only while the FDA continues to debate issues such as potential age restrictions, all of which seems to me to be a political game designed to deter as many women as possible from obtaining emergency contraception for as long as possible. I submitted a comment to the FDA during their "public comment" period, letting them know my thoughts on this issue.
>> In the news: FDA director of the Office of Women's Health resigns in protest (CBS News 11/23/05)
>> In the news: Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports "unusual" practices in the rejection of Plan B (Boston Globe editorial 11/20/05)
>> Read the GAO report (summary or full report)