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Article from www.examiner.com

3 Minutes 3 Trees: local organization improving environmental influence on children's health

Kellie TunbridgespacerKellie Tunbridge reporting

Parenting today raises a new set of challenges for parents of young children. Concerns over the environment leave parents questioning the effects it will have on today's children for tomorrow.

Concerns about the impact the environment is having on children's health sparked the Children's Health Act in 2000. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has been directed by Congress to lead a $2.3 billion longitudinal study of environmental influences on children's health and development over the next 30 years.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) states, "various environmental exposures are suspected to influence or even cause a number of chronic health and developmental conditions in children".
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) suspects various environmental exposures to influence or even cause a number of chronic health and developmental conditions. The environment is a prime suspect with increasing rates of autism, asthma, birth defects, pediatric cancer, and numerous developmental and physical disabilities. According to HHS, the cause is not known in 80% of cases.
USA Today's Smokestack Effect, identified schools in Alameda County, San Mateo County and Santa Clara County to contain high levels of cancer causing toxins and chemicals. The study was conducted to identify the quality of air children breathe while at school. Air quality ratings exposed high levels of mercury, formaldehyde, lead, chromium, antimony amongst other toxins.
3 Minutes 3 Trees, a local high school organization at Carlmont High School in San Mateo County consisting of 24 members, is working hard at changing these air quality ratings and the environment. The mission of the organization is to increase the amount of trees by decreasing waste created by "junk mail".
"I was always passionate about helping the environment and when I noticed how much waste is created by junk mail, I thought it was a perfect way for me to make a difference. I think other than stopping junk mail, this project is a good source for educating the community about waste and its effects on the environment," said Sabrina Eshaghi, founder of 3 Minutes 3 Trees.
Eshaghi plans to major in environmental science and will continue the organization in college.
"I hope to take this project to a higher level. I feel the environment will be a big challenge for my generation and will be the biggest issue our generation will face," said Eshaghi.
Trees are responsible for improving air quality, protecting water, saving energy and providing economic sustainability. Pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, ozone pollutants, carbon monoxide, pollen, dust, smoke and ash are trapped and filtered by leaves and branches. A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) concluded that trees in New York City removed more than 1,800 metric tons of air pollution; an estimated value of this service to society is estimated to be about $9.5 million.
3 Minutes 3 Trees has helped over 250 households eliminate junk mail waste which equals to saving 750 trees so far. The goal is to save 5,000 trees before graduation. The organization has been active in the community by helping people to reduce junk mail. Recent events included Belmont's Earth Day, Sunset Magazine Festival and Belmont Movie Nights.
3 Minutes 3 Trees will be at Whole Foods Market in Redwood Citythis Saturday, October 3, 2009. It takes only 3 minutes to sign up and start reducing waste created by junk mail. Signing up will save trees in effort to protecting the environment and today's children for tomorrow.
EVENT:
3 Minutes 3 Trees
Whole Foods Market
1250 Jefferson Ave.
Redwood City, CA
(650) 367-1400
 
For more info: 

cbs5.com

Reporting Wendy Tokuda
Wendy Tokuda

NEED SOME ENTHUSIASTIC
HELP GETTING RID
OF JUNK MAIL?

Sabrina Eshaghi and her friends at Carlmont High School in Belmont, have started a projected called "3 Minutes 3 Trees", to help people stop junk mail. "We go to events and to our neighborhood stores and talk about importance of stopping junk mail. We help them fill out the forms, answer their questions." Key concept here: they HELP you fill out all the forms, quickly. Sabrina and her friends believe the environment will be the biggest issue her generation will face. Their goal is to save 5,000 trees before they graduate from high school. One of the places they set up shop, is at the Whole Foods Market in Redwood City, every other Saturday.