Happy 2012 from Arlene

Dear Friends,

Our best wishes for a happy and healthy 2012. I am recently back from leading a trek in wonderful Burma at a hopeful time. Photos of Burma’s beloved leader Aung San Suukyi were prominently displayed throughout the country, a huge concert was held in her honor our last night, and investors are coming in — much positive change. In the spring, Annalise and I travelled together in Thailand and Nepal where our holiday photo was taken. Annalise’s photos of her adventures are at http://picasaweb.google.com/annaliseblum/

Annalise worked with the Border Green Energy Team on the Thai-Burma border last winter. In June she began working as a research assistant at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and spent the summer helping with research projects on water and health in Kenya and Uganda. She now lives in Boston and is applying to graduate school programs in environmental policy.

In August I led a group trek around Mt. Blanc through France, Italy, and Switzerland. Before the trek we put on a Science and Policy meeting in Brussels that was attended by about 50 scientists and 10 chemical industry representatives leading to a most exciting meeting. After the trek we put on a smaller meeting in Rhodes Greece.

Can you believe? The UK Guardian included me in a list of 100 of the world’s most inspirational women to mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

During our Green Science Policy Institute summer research and policy program, 14 UC Berkeley undergraduates carried out independent research and learned how to use their results to impact policy decisions. We wrote a journal article about this class, some of which is being replicated in other universities. Our research finding toxic flame retardants in 85% of baby products tested and that the flame retardants do not provide a fire safety benefit were covered in the NY Times, CNN, CBS evening news etc. With better leadership in DC and Sacramento, we are optimistic about policy changes to protect our health and environment from unneeded toxics in consumer products.

Please join us on May 19-20, 2012 for the 29th annual Himalayan Fair which brings the food, music, crafts and dances of the Himalayas to Live Oak Park in Berkeley

Annalise and I wish you a peaceful, happy, and healthy 2012.

Love,
Arlene and Annalise
Arlene@arleneblum.com annaliseblum@gmail.com

Arlene Blum PhD
Arlene@arleneblum.com
Visiting Scholar, Chemistry
University of California, Berkeley
Executive Director, Green Science Policy Institute
Telephone: 510 644-3164 Mobile: 510 919-6363
Web: www.greensciencepolicy.org, www.arleneblum.com