globalbriefs


News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all. The International Day of Peace is September 21.


Gulf Update Citizens Move to Ban Toxic Oil Dispersants as Options


In response to British Petroleum’s use of toxic chemicals to disperse the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, American citizens are asking the U.S. En- vironmental Protection Agency to immediately delist products of concern from the National Con- tingency Plan Product Schedule. This would include removing such dispersants as an approved method of dealing with an oil spill.


Products of concern are defined as those that contain any


substances known to be a human health hazard or that have not been proven to be nontoxic to wildlife species relevant to the area where they will be used.


Sign the petition at ipetitions.com/petition/delist.


Mental Videos Daydreams Have Everyday Benefits


Scientific interest in daydreaming was kicked off a decade ago, when Marcus Raichle, a neurologist and professor with Washington University in St. Lou- is, discovered that several parts of the brain become unusually active meta- bolically when the brain is thought to be idling. His findings further showed that daydreaming is the mind’s default mode... and that’s not a bad thing. Today, researchers know that


daydream content pretty much maps onto people’s every- day goals, aspirations and apprehensions, rather than being exotic meanderings. For the average person, daydreaming typically represents a kind of mental rehearsal, maintaining the brain in a state of readiness to respond. As pioneering psychologist Jerome Singer pointed out, “You can engage in trial action without any consequences. Such fantasies may fulfill a psychic need.” In Psychology Today, author Josie Glausiusz reports that


daydreaming seems to be an essential human activity. Day- dreams help us generate our sense of self, hone social skills and serve as a font of creativity for those who pay attention to them, all of which make us feel vibrant, aware and engaged with life.


natural awakenings September 2010 21


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