Learning a new instrument or language may help  keep your mind sharp.

According to Can Memory Loss be Prevented?, from the New York Times, recent cognitive study suggests that learning a challenging new skill, such as a new language or musical instrument, “may be even more effective than mental games [think Sudoku] at keeping the brain sharp.” While crossword puzzles alone can aid in very specific types of mental agility, such as word recall, you may get more significant results with “mental cross-training” — specifically, trying a variety of activities, especially those that will challenge your brain in “entirely different ways, preferably for years.”

“One problem with aging is that you develop expertise in a few things and do them over and over,” said Dr. Carstensen [director of the Center on Longevity at Stanford University]. “Proficiency is good, but it’s probably not growing new synapses.”

The benefits of taking up a new activity aren't limited to good brain health (though that's certainly worthy on it's own). As part of one recent study, participant Bob Branham, 78, was randomly assigned to take up quilting — and discovered he loved it. In addition to staying sharp as a tack, Branham found a new passion, is making new friends and developing new skills, and might even start a new business. Not a bad list of side effects.

Have you taken up a challenging new hobby or activity recently?

Photo by iStockphoto

On Tuesday a White House commissioned research panel released its report saying climate change is affecting the U.S. The group, which is overseen by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, is required to report finding on climate effects on the environment ever 10 years.

The group reported that the average U.S. temperature has risen 2 degrees in the last 50 years and is expected to continue to rise at an increasing rate. The group findings were not revolutionary, but the announce comes at a key time when President Barack Obama is supporting a Congressional bill that would cap U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and when top United Nations climate officials concluded meetings Friday about the upcoming treaty negotiations at the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December.

The Congressional bill written by Representatives Henry Waxman, Democrat from California and Ed Markey, Democrat from Massachusetts, passed in the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is expected to be voted on before the Congressional Fourth of July break.

The United Nations Climate Summit in December has been highly anticipated for Kyoto Protocol supporter. After last weeks meetings many climate officials are optimistic that a new better plan will emerge that gets more major countries such as the U.S. and China to sign the treaty.

On Monday President Barack Obama announced his plans for the next round of stimulus money to create 600,000 jobs.

“There are some who, despite all evidence to the contrary, still don’t believe in the necessity and promise of the recovery act and I would suggest to them that they talk to the companies who, because of this plan, scrapped the idea of laying off employees and in fact decided to hire employees,” Obama said.

Some of the newly proposed initiatives in the $787 billion Recovery Act are environmental. Politico reported that some of the new jobs will be in the Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The new wave of stimulus will create 107 jobs for National Parks, 200 jobs for new waste and water systems in rural areas and begin clean up work at 20 superfund sites from the national priority list.

The purpose of the stimulus is job creation but environmental gains are being made at the same time, keeping the campaign promise of new green jobs.

In an effort of transparency, Obama also announced the start of a new Web site WhiteHouse.gov/Recovery. The Web site makes it easier for people to track stimulus spending.

Did you know that about 25 percent of the world’s insecticide use and more than 10 percent of the world’s pesticide is used on cotton crops? According to statistics from the National Cotton Council of America, through the years 2006 to 2008, cotton was harvested across 10.3 million acres of farmland in the United States alone. Organic cotton production uses no toxic chemicals, but employs natural methods such as beneficial insect releases to protect crops. By opting for organic cotton, you're not only choosing a healthier alternative for yourself, you're also contributing to a cleaner, chemical-free environment.

Click the link to read Why Organic Cotton is Better.