It’s mid-summer (already!). Whenever the sun comes out in Canada – no matter what the season – there’s a mad rush to go outside and play. Whether you’re heading to the cottage, a campsite or your own backyard, there’s lots you can do to give the planet a break while you’re taking yours.

We’ve even developed a special version of David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge just for vacations to help you out. Download a printable pdf here or paste this link http://www.davidsuzuki.org/files/NC/newsletter/nc_summer.pdf in your browser window. It’s a handy checklist of eco-friendly ideas that will see you through to Labour Day and beyond!

Before you bare your bod to the golden orb, consider this:  the US Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested and ranked 1,000 sun products and found that most are filled with chemicals that are hazardous to your health, dangerous to the environment, and do a poor job of protecting your skin from damaging UV rays.

Four substances commonly found in chemical sunscreens – parabens, cinnamate, benzophenone and camphor derivatives – are thought to be the culprits killing coral reefs around the world. Parabens (look for methyl paraben, butyl paraben, propyl paraben on the label) are synthetic preservatives easily absorbed by skin. They are estrogenic (ie they mimic the hormone estrogen) and have been found in breast tumours.

The EWG posted a ‘top ten’ list of the best sunscreens, many of which are easily available in Canada. Whatever product you pick, always read labels. The best choices are sun ‘blocks’ that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which actually bounce light off the skin.

And if you do stay out in the sun too long, Queen of Green Lindsay Coulter has recipes for non-toxic concoctions to cool the burn.

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