Environmental Warriors

Great American Backyard Campout.

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 05:20:00 +0000

It's a terrible fact: Due to the inactive, indoor nature of their childhood, today’s kids may be the first generation in U.S. history to live shorter life-spans than their parents.

What if you could help reverse this alarming trend by having a great time in the great outdoors? Register now for NWF's {Kids Site}Great American Backyard Campout at www.backyardcampout.org and spend June 25th catching fireflies, taking nature walks and singing campfire songs—while making a significant difference in the health of our nation's children.

Great American Backyard Campout raises much-needed funds for NWF's programs that connect kids and families with the benefits of nature, helping them lead active, happy, longer lives.

As soon as you register at you’ll receive a link to your personal online Participant Center so you can start planning your campout and have the opportunity to support our mission and fundraise. You’ll also gain access to recipes, activities and crafts to make your night under the stars one-of-a-kind.

One night can make a big difference for our nation's kids. Camp out this June 25th to help American kids get outside and get healthy!

Register today just cilck on title link at top of page.

Senator Cardin Introduces Bird Conservation Act

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:55:00 +0000

Senator Cardin

Last week, Audubon filled the great hall at the Organization of American States, joining conservation leaders from the U.S. and beyond to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Senior Interior Department officials were in attendance, as were Ambassadors from Brazil, Panama, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. Both the Interior Department and our international partners recognized the important contributions of this seminal act to hemispheric conservation and called for its continued support. Meanwhile, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), one of the most steadfast and outspoken champions for bird and wildlife conservation in the U.S. Senate, introduced his bill aiming to reauthorize the Act and increase funding. Look for an opportunity to voice your support for international bird conservation soon through our alert system.

Action Update

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:53:00 +0000

Important victory for Joshua Tree National Park

Last month, more than 11,000 of you sent messages urging the Obama administration to oppose a developer's petition to build the country's largest garbage dump on 3,500 acres of federal land surrounded by Joshua Tree National Park. All told, the administration received more than 106,000 comments from around the country, and we are thrilled to report that, on February 25th, the Interior Department reversed its decades-long position and opposed the dump developer's petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. This substantially weakens the developer's case and may persuade the Supreme Court to reject the petition, leaving in place lower court rulings that protect the park. Thanks (and congratulations!) to all of you who helped achieve such a remarkable victory for this iconic American treasure

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:41:00 +0000

Hello Everybody,

Victory!!!!!

Today the the Senate defeated Senator Murkowski's Resolution to cripple the Clean Air Act, and let oil and other corporate polluters off the hook.
By a narrow margin, the Senate voted 53-47 to uphold EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas pollution and put science ahead of politics when it comes to public health and putting our country on a clean energy path.
Thank you for sending emails to your Senators — more than once! It took a strong and concerted outcry from many Americans to defeat this resolution. Our work is not finished until we have comprehensive energy and climate legislation but we will continue to work toward that goal and we know we can count on your help.
Thank you!

Hydrokinetic Energy

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:54:00 +0000

Hydrokinetic technologies produce renewable electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of a body of water, the energy that results from its motion. Since water is 832 times denser than air, our tides, waves, ocean currents, and free-flowing rivers represent an untapped, powerful, highly-concentrated and clean energy resource.
Estimates suggest that the amount of energy that could feasibly be captured from U.S. waves, tides and river currents is enough to power over 67 million homes. Based on current project proposals, experts predict that the country could be producing 13,000 MW of power from hydrokinetic energy by 2025. This level of development is equivalent to displacing 22 new dirty coal-fired power plants avoiding the annual emission of nearly 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, as well as other harmful pollutants like mercury and particulate matter. The avoided carbon emissions in 2025 would be equivalent to taking 15.6 million cars off the road.
Last year, the Minerals Revenue Management department of the Mineral Management Service reported $9.9 billion in royalties from all mineral exploitation. Of that, MRM collected $5.8 billion for all federal offshore drilling of oil and gas.
Lets ask President Obama to begin using some of our billions of dollars worth of off shore oil royalties to stimulate this growing industry.

Sign Petition Here

"The American Power Act"

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Sun, 23 May 2010 12:27:00 +0000

Take the quiz below to assess where you stand on the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill, AKA "The American Power Act", announced last week.

The bill's intent is "To secure the energy future of the United States, to provide incentives for the domestic production of clean energy technology, to achieve meaningful pollution reductions, to create jobs, and for other purposes."

It sounds like there's something for everyone, right? At almost a thousand pages, there should be! But opinions vary. In trying to placate enough constituents to get a viable bill, a lot of trade-offs have been made. Can you accept them? Take this handy quiz and find out....and tell us what you think and how you scored! If you don't want to do the math by hand, an interactive version is available here.

The Quiz:

1. I Believe 350 is:
a. A great temperature for baking cookies.
b. A noble but unachievable goal.
c. The upper limit for a safe and just planet (e.g. 350 parts per million of CO2)

2. My View On Offshore Drilling:
a. States should be able to decide.
b. Three words: "Drill baby drill".
c. Two words: Deepwater Horizon.

3. Carbon Offsetting:
a. The best way to make an immediate impact on climate and support sustainable development.
b. A flawed tool, but with fixes should be part of the solution.
c. Is like paying someone else to not have an affair so you can.

4. Nuclear Power:
a. Three words: "Fission baby fission".
b. Ugh. Painful to consider but necessary.
c. Think Chernobyl, and where exactly do you plan on storing the waste?

5. International Cooperation:
a. If China doesn't do their part, what's the point?
b. If we lead others will follow.
c. The free market will sort it all out.

6. Agribusiness:
a. US agriculture needs help, not regulation.
b. Paying farmers/ranchers to follow better environmental practices makes sense.
c. "Sustainable agriculture" does not mean subsidizing beef and big farms.

7. Climate Change and Jobs:
a. Green jobs are the future.
b. Climate legislation is a job killer.
c. The free market will sort it all out.

8. Pricing Carbon:
a. Let's discourage emissions, but without punishing consumers or businesses.
b. Fossil fuel is a sin...it's time for a sin tax.
c. The free market will sort it all out.

Your Results:

Give yourself 3 points for each "a" answer, 2 points for each "b" and 1 Point for each "c".

19-24 : This bill fits you like your favorite pair of blue jeans.
15-19: Life's full of trade offs. You'll take the good with the bad.
0-14 : You take comfort knowing that the bill probably won't pass anyway.

If you scored 15 or more, you may want to encourage your senator to support the bill here.

More information on each question and how we based our scoring is listed out below.

How We Based Our Scoring:

1. 350:
The bill seeks to cut emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by more than 80 percent by 2050. These goals are consistent with what was promised by the President in Copenhagen, but fall well short of both UN targets and what is necessary to reduce CO2 concentrations to 350 ppm.

2. Offshore Drilling:
The bill encourages off shore drilling, but the states can opt out if it is within 75 miles of their coast. It gives states over 1/3 of the revenue to protect their coastlines, and money for land and water conservation.

3. Offsets:
Up to 2 Billion tons of offsets could be used for hitting reduction targets, emphasizing forest preservation and carbon sinks, and waste/agricultural changes both domestically and internationally. Includes additional oversight for offsets.

4. Nuclear Power:
A very heavy emphasis is placed on nuclear power. Increased funding for nuclear loan guarantees to $54 billion, and provisions for tax credits for construction of new facilities.

5. International Cooperation:
The bill stipulates that, in the event that no global agreement on climate change is reached, an international reserve allowance program would be implemented. This would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on emissions pay a comparable amount at the border in order to avoid "carbon leakage."

6. Agribusiness:
Farms are exempted from mandatory action. The bill would create agricutural revenue through a domestic program that lets agricultural interests receive credits if they make reductions in emissions, which could then be sold into the offset/permit market.

7. Climate Change and Jobs:
While proctionalism has been a concern, offshoring of emissions intensive industries (aka "climate leakage") is also a concern. If no global agreement on climate change is reached, the bill would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on limiting emissions pay a comparable amount at the border. In addition to protecting domestic jobs from climate leakage, the bill proposed spending on retraining of workers and developing "emerging careers and jobs in the fields of clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, and climate change adaptation."

8. Pricing Carbon:
The bill would set a price on carbon ($12-$25 per ton), but would give away plenty of permits to business, potentially send revenues back to consumers in the form of energy rebates (or use the money for defiect reduction), and protect low and middle-income families.

The full text of the bill can be found at http://kerry.senate.gov/americanpoweract/intro.cfm

You can support senate action at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/122/Support-the-climate-bill

Read more: global warming, climate bill, sustaintmc

The Clean Air Act is under attack.

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Sat, 22 May 2010 16:06:00 +0000

Hello Everyone,

Email your U.S. Senators today. Tell them you oppose efforts to weaken America's Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Act is under attack and we need your help today! The Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill that would dismantle one of America's most important environmental laws, the Clean Air Act. This attack, sponsored by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, lets big oil and big polluters off the hook by blocking efforts to hold polluters accountable for their harmful global warming pollution.
Please email your Senators now—it will only take a few moments, but could mean the difference on this critical vote.

As hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil surge into the Gulf Coast, threatening birds, wildlife and our coasts, Senator Murkowski is helping the oil companies and their allies by undoing the Clean Air Act and keeping America addicted to oil. This assault—the Dirty Air Act—would put public health at risk and reverse efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act.

We need to stop this attack on the Clean Air Act and make sure that Congress focuses on the task at hand passing strong climate legislation that will cut our dangerous dependence on oil, reduce global warming pollution, and protect our environment.
Help us keep America's Clean Air Act strong. Tell your Senators to reject the Murkowski Dirty Air Act.

Do you know someone else who cares about protecting our Clean Air Act? Help us to spread the word:
Tell-a-friend!

Trouble with the "Take Action" links in the message? Try cutting-and-pasting this link into your web browser: www.audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?id=860

Make Your 2010 Be Out There Resolution

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:09:00 +0000

In the last two decades, American childhood has moved indoors. The average boy or girl spends just four to seven minutes outdoors every day.

Studies show that children who spend regular time outdoors are healthier, happier and grow up with a love of nature.

We hope you will make this online resolution to get outside more in 2010! If you do, you'll get exclusive tips and activities to make the pledge a reality.

The National Wildlife Federation encourages all Americans to Be Out There™ and support its national campaign to give back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: childhood’s essential wildness and connection to the natural world.

Join the Be Out There movement in 2010 for the health of our nation’s children.

Here are the facts:

•The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of daily unstructured free play as an essential part of children’s physical and mental health and social development.

•Outdoor play increases physical activity levels and builds active, healthy bodies, an important strategy in addressing the obesity epidemic.

•Lack of outdoor time and inadequate doses of sunlight are creating a generation of children deficient in Vitamin D, setting them up for increased risk of bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.

Lets get the kids back outside!!!!

Nature Conservancy introduces the Climate Wizard – interactive online tool for tracking temperature increase projections under climate change

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:37:00 +0000

“To many, climate change doesn’t seem real until it affects them, or their backyards. From the food we put on the table to the animals that make our country unique, this study shows that none of us is immune if temperatures continue to rise as projected,” said Jonathan Hoekstra, Director of Climate Change for The Nature Conservancy. “In many states across the country, the weather and landscapes could be nearly unrecognizable in 100 years.”

With ClimateWizard you can:

•view historic temperature and rainfall maps for anywhere in the world
•view state-of-the-art future predictions of temperature and rainfall around the world
•view and download climate change maps in a few easy steps
ClimateWizard enables technical and non-technical audiences alike to access leading climate change information and visualize the impacts anywhere on Earth. The first generation of this web-based program allows the user to choose a state or country and both assess how climate has changed over time and to project what future changes are predicted to occur in a given area. ClimateWizard represents the first time ever the full range of climate history and impacts for a landscape have been brought together in a user-friendly format.

Civil Disobedience alive and well in Denmark.

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:28:00 +0000

COPENHAGEN - Danish authorities are bracing for a massive demonstration today in Copenhagen expected to draw tens of thousands of people on the sidelines of UN climate talks, fearing it could turn violent.
Police have beefed up security at Denmark's land and sea borders in a bid to prevent troublemakers from entering the country.
"We reinstated border controls a few days ago and we will turn back people we suspect of coming to Copenhagen with the sole aim of disturbing the peace,"said Copenhagen police spokesman Flemming Steen Munch.
Violent far-left groups have already threatened via Internet sites to join the protests against the climate negotiations, which they say do not address the concerns of the poor countries most threatened by global warming.
Police have warned potential agitators that they will respond "firmly" to acts of violence.

The demonstration is expected to gather between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on various estimates from police and organizers.

The six-kilometre (four-mile) march, organized by 515 organisations from 67 countries, will depart from the Christiansborg Castle where parliament sits, crossing the city centre to end up at the Bella Centre where the climate conference is being held.
"Our hope and goal is that this big demonstration will be a peaceful party, festive and without mayhem," Munch said, adding: "But we know from experience that some destructive elements will infiltrate the demonstration."
"We are ready to meet any and all situations, and will not allow the troublemakers to rule," he warned.

Police have informed shopowners and inhabitants on the demonstration route that the event may turn violent. Buses and trains packed with protesters are expected to arrive from other European cities, including Berlin, Kiel, Bremen, London, Amsterdam and Milan. "A number of Swedes have already been turned back at the border because they had a history of vandalism in Sweden. They also had paint bombs in their luggage," Munch said. "We've also stopped some buses in order to check passengers' identities and their luggage," he added.

On Friday, police were out en masse, some of them in riot gear, as smaller demonstrations were held throughout the city. Some 35 Danish and foreign protesters were taken into custody "as a preventive measure" as police suspected "they might commit illegal acts," another police spokesman, Rasmus Bernt Skovgaard, told AFP. Under Danish law they can be held for 12 hours without charges being pressed. They were part of a group of some 250 anti-capitalist protesters calling themselves "Our Climate - Not Your Business," demonstrating at various locations around the city and arguing that industry was turning the climate crisis into a business opportunity.

Meanwhile, civil society climate groups 350.org, TckTckTck and AVAAZ were also jointly organizing more than 3,000 candlelight vigils around the world on Friday and Saturday, said 350.org founder Bill McKibben. "They are in support of this AOSIS stand," he said, referring to a demand by the Association of Small Island Nations that the world commit to preventing global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

"These are tiny nations, but they have an army behind them, an army of civil society the world over who understand that these are the only people at this conference talking about scientific reality."

Watch Oceana in Copenhagen | Oceana North America

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:05:00 +0000

Oceana is making a splash at the Copenhagen climate summit. Watch the following videos of our work to get the word out about the effect of climate change and ocean acidification on the oceans.
Oceana presented a new Google Earth tour of the Arctic, narrated by board member Ted Danson. The tour highlights the impacts of climate change on Arctic people and ecoystems, particularly melting sea ice, ocean acidification and increasing industrialization.
OneClimate interviewed Oceana climate scientist Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb about corals and ocean acidification.
Finally, check out this video of Oceana chief scientist Mike Hirshfield answering questions about overfishing and ocean acidification in Copenhagen."

EW's person of the month. Ryan Newmen NASCAR's # 39

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Land conservation in America is about protecting wildlife and scenic areas and giving Americans great places to experience the outdoors. Racing for Wildlife is an exciting venture that invites millions of Americans who love NASCAR and the outdoors to help save America’s legacy around the country.

Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Stewart-Haas Racing Army Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cub Series car, loves being outside, whether he’s behind the wheel in a race or fishing off a dock. Ryan has teamed with The Conservation Fund – one of America’s top-rated land protection organizations – to launch Racing for Wildlife. Together, they are bringing a message to the NASCAR community and fans of all ages to protect, respect and enjoy America’s special places.

Across the nation, natural places are increasingly being lost to development. Woods and grassy meadows are giving way to shopping centers and subdivisions. As a result, families have fewer opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature. In an effort to help preserve America's special places, the Ryan Newman Foundation has teamed up with The Conservation Fund to launch Racing for Wildlife, a creative campaign to build an American land legacy for generations of race fans who share Ryan's love of the outdoors.

Together, The Conservation Fund and the Ryan Newman Foundation are leading the effort to preserve some of these special places—and are turning to the millions of Americans who love NASCAR and the outdoors to help. Each year, Racing for Wildlife will pursue a new conservation project that offers recreational opportunities near urban areas, so families can easily enjoy these protected places.

Save Colorado's Roan Plateau

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:12:00 +0000

Before leaving office, the Bush administration leased the entire top of the beautiful, wildlife-rich Roan Plateau in western Colorado for gas development, threatening its abundant wildlife habitat and trout streams.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has the opportunity to cancel these gas leases and write a better management plan for this unique landscape. Please join thousands of Coloradans in asking Secretary Salazar to take a fresh look at saving Roan Plateau.

The Grand Junction Sentinel noted in its November 13th editorial that the BLM's original plan was premised on the idea that only about 200 wells would be drilled there in the next 20 years; now Bill Barrett Corporation says the actual number of wells that could be drilled there is 15 times that number. This is a level of development that will destroy the Roan Plateau as we know it. Once these wild lands, rare wildlife and threatened plants are gone, they are gone forever.

I join with the large and diverse group of supporters that believe the public lands of Roan Plateau are too special to be drilled. I support the cancellation of the current drilling leases, and ask that you direct the BLM to complete a more thorough analysis and rewrite their management plan to protect the Roan's critical biological and recreational resource's

Click title to take Action on this Issue.

The Great Lakes Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:06:00 +0000

Imagine with me for a moment if you would. The year is 2030. The world is thirsty, and 30 Great Lakes Commissioners are meeting in secret to decide the future of the 8 states and 2 provinces bordering the Lakes which they represent. What’s on the table? Six quadrillion gallons of fresh water, 20% of the world's surface supply which is going for $2.00 per gallon, control of the shipping and commerce throughout the Great Lakes where canal and locks fees alone easily exceeded the GNP of most Third World Countries, and over 1.4 million square miles of real estate, which because of global climate change has become all but priceless. What brings them to the table? The depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer in the Great Plains, salt water contamination of the coastal water tables caused by rising sea levels and near dust bowl conditions all across the Deep South.

The Commissioners are gathered to devise a plan to protect The Great Lakes Compact and thereby maintain complete control of the world’s largest readily available fresh water supply. Hours of talk and debate bring them to one workable solution, succession, and the creation of The Great Lakes Republic which they believe will quickly become one of the richest nations on earth.

I’m not a conspiracy nut or an alarmist. The above exercise of the imagination is just my way of emphasizing the importance of good water resource management today, and to introduce my subject The Great Lakes Compact. (GLC)

Concerned about the risk of long-range Great lakes water exports, the Great Lakes state Governors and Canadian Premiers signed an agreement to defend against water raids in 1985. Known as the Great Lakes Charter, it was never fully implemented by the states and provinces. After an Ontario company received a permit to take up to 50tankers of water from Lake Superior in 1998, the Governors and premiers proposed to toughen the Charter with new agreements. The goal was to build a stronger legal and natural resource-based defense against harmful water use and exports. Almost 10 years later The Great Lakes Compact has become the law of the land.

The States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin as well as the Province of Ontario and the Province of Quebec have signed and adopted the GLC which now establishes five general areas of responsibility, that through means of joint or cooperative measures between the signatories will hopefully become the model for water resource management in the 21st century.
1. To promote the orderly, integrated, and comprehensive development, use, and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes Basin.
2. To plan for the welfare and development of the water resources of the Basin as a whole as well as for those portions of the Basin which may have problems of special concern.
3. To make it possible for the states of the Basin and their people to derive the maximum benefit from utilization of public works, in the form of navigational aids or otherwise, which may exist or which may be constructed from time to time.
4. To advise in securing and maintaining a proper balance among industrial, commercial, agricultural, water supply, residential, recreational, and other legitimate uses of the water resources of the Basin.
5. To establish and maintain an intergovernmental agency the end that the purposes of this compact may be accomplished more effectively.

The GLC also in effect bans the diversion of Great Lakes water to areas outside of the basin (With few exceptions) and sets responsible standards for water use and conservation within the basin.
The newly empowered Great Lakes commission will now be able to consider adaptive management principles and approaches, recognizing and providing adjustments for the uncertainties in the evolution of science concerning the basins water resources, watersheds, and ecosystems, including potential changes to basin-wide processes such as lake level cycles brought about by climate change.

The full text of the Great Lakes Compact reads like a constitution it is a very complex yet well thought out document that gives the member states/provinces near sovereign control over the Great Lakes. Here in my home state of Ohio, we think of the GLC as an experiment in water conservation and management, one that we hope will help to forestall many of the world’s water woes by setting an example of how intelligent science based water resource management can lead the way to a future where water problems, will be problems solved.

A little history, there were 3 important measures leading up to the GLC.
1. The Boundary Waters Treaty is the 1909 treaty between the United States and Canada which sets forth guidelines for sharing the lakes. An interesting point, this treaty was one of the 1st to include environmental wording, in article IV of the document it is stated :
"It is further agreed that the waters herein defined as boundary waters and waters flowing across the boundary shall not be polluted on either side to the injury of health or property on the other".

2. The creation of The Great Lakes Commission established by joint legislative action of the Great Lakes states in 1955 (the Great Lakes Basin Compact) and granted congressional consent in 1968.

3. A Declaration of Partnership established associate membership for the provinces in 1999.

Sign The Official Whale Man Petition

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:23:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:14:00 +0000

As we approach the summer months, we see the blooming of plants that were only buds a short time ago. It reminds me of a Native American proverb, "walk lightly in the spring, for Mother Earth is pregnant." I thought this was a cute reminder to respect the planet, especially as the grass is growing and the flowers have become in bloom. The smell of wild roses along the ocean front mixed with the sea air gives such a refreshing feeling of closeness to the earth. I am reminded of connecting with nature, enjoying the warm weather and spring air. As the longest day of the year approaches, it is important to appreciate and take advantage of this beautiful time of year.

It is important to dedicate some time in our schedules to appreciate our environment in order to avoid being bogged down by the endless news about the state of our earth. We are bombarded by the atrocities that our natural environment is enduring through general observation and through the media. All we hear about is how the environment is being affected: the mountains are being over-mined, sea life dying from warming climates and water traffic. Why don't we hear about solutions and what we can do to improve the state of the earth. One great thing about the Information Age is the access to wonderful websites giving helpful hints on how to improve our lifestyles to save the environment while also save money.

Don't let Dirty Coal hijack the Clean Energy Bill!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:23:00 +0000

From The Desk of Jessy Tolkan, Power Shift '09'

Here's the deal: After weeks of discussion, Congress is ready to release the Waxman-Markey climate bill. Based on early reports, it's safe to say that while some parts of this bill are good, a whole lot of it is not.What's more, Dirty Coal and Big Oil are spending millions of dollars on lobbyists who are fighting hard to weaken this bill as much as possible -- and it's working . As I sit at my desk trying to figure out how to react to all of this, my emotions are mixed. I am so disappointed that once again, Big Oil and Dirty Coal have hijacked what should be a game-shifting piece of legislation. This bill should create millions of clean energy jobs, a huge investment in renewable energy, and transform our economy. But the dirty energy industry is fighting tooth and nail to make sure that doesn't happen. And at the same time, I am so proud of the progress we have made. We've come a long way, climate movement. We are more powerful than ever before, and can take this fight to the finish line.http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=L85mlcfyiFdb47K9fSWZf0WQXTTBnrxm
Call your Member of Congress TODAY and tell them to listen to YOU, not Dirty Coal and Big Oil.Big Oil and Dirty Coal are demanding free giveaways and giant loopholes so that they can keep on polluting, just like they've always done. But we have worked hard to build a movement big enough to take them on. Dirty energy may have more money and more lobbyists, but we have passion, people, and the truth on our side.We also need to make sure that our Members of Congress know that we are for real. We need to be there every step of the way, calling for a bill that will create clean energy jobs, set aggressive pollution reductions targets, and make polluters pay for their mess. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=P3S9hbU%2F1yg3Ao7vAzvBx0WQXTTBnrxm
Call Congress and tell them that you want a clean energy future, not giveaways to polluters!It may be summer vacation for some of us, but we need to keep the pressure up. In the next weeks, we'll be in touch about ways to stay involved, and to make sure that our positive vision of a clean energy future wins. We need to be active in every Congressional District, shouting from the rooftops that we want green jobs and a clean energy future.Are you with us?To drowning out Dirty Coal and Big Oil,Jessy TolkanExecutive Director, Energy Action Coalition
Energy Action Coalition is a youth-led coalition of 50 organizations working together to fight for a clean, just and renewable energy future. For a list of Energy Action Coalition partners, please visit our Energy Action Partnerspage.

EW's Person's of the Month.

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:50:00 +0000

This month we salute,
Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich, and Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio

LEVIN AND VOINOVICH INTRODUCE GREAT LAKES LEGACY ACT OF 2009.

WASHINGTON – Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio, co-chairmen of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, today introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2009, which would increase by threefold the level of funding for cleanup of contaminated sediments in the Great Lakes. The legislation would also increase funding for research into new technologies for sediment cleanup.
“Meeting the challenge of stewardship of the Great Lakes requires concerted and continuing action,” Levin said. “While we’ve made progress on cleaning up the contaminated sites in the lakes, much work remains. This legislation will bring us closer to our goal of restoration and protection of the lakes for future generations of Americans.”
“Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes has been a top priority of mine throughout my political career,” Sen. Voinovich said. “As co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, I am focused on working with the Great Lakes delegation to advance restoration efforts in this critical region. This bill will provide the Environmental Protection Agency with the tools and resources to remove contaminated sediment and cleanup Ohio’s Areas of Concern which include the Maumee, Black, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula Rivers. The Legacy program is a vital piece of a comprehensive strategy that is absolutely necessary to protect the Great Lakes for generations to come.”
The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2009 would increase the authorized funding for cleanup of contaminated sediments from $50 million per year to $150 million per year for five years. The act would also increase the authorized funding level for research on new technologies for sediment cleanup from $3 million per year to $5 million per year.
In 2005, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy Report recommended the increased funding based on the widespread need for additional cleanup in the Great Lakes in the Areas of Concern. In that report, participants calculated that $150 million per year would be needed to clean up the contaminated sediments at the Areas of Concern within 10 years. Forty-three Areas of Concern have been identified in the Great Lakes, 13 of which are in Michigan and four in Ohio. These sites do not meet the water quality goals established by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, mainly because of contaminated sediments from historic industrial activity. This contamination results in several detrimental consequences including fish advisories, degradation of fish and wildlife populations, taste and odor problems with drinking water, beach closures, and bird and animal deformities or reproductive problems.
The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 contributed significantly to the effort to clean up Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes. Almost 800,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediments have been removed since the program was created in 2002. This material has been safely removed from riverbeds so that it no longer poses a threat to human health or the wildlife.

The History of the Conservation Movement PART 3: Awareness to Action

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:46:00 +0000

A pervasive theme throughout this series has been the related opposing ideas: interconnectedness and the illusion of separateness. As we move on and reflect upon the efforts that brought us to where we are, it is important to think about this theme that reoccurs. In actuality, the earth, the ecosystems, the species, and the elements all depend on each other. The illusion of separateness that infects the perception of many people hinders progress on the conservation efforts. We must move past the idea of separateness to really advance forward in all areas of life.

After centuries of turmoil and atrocity in North America, the "New Americans" faced a dilemma of ecological damage. The damage from ecological invasion to the natives and their land was devastating. The reckless deforestation, slaughtering of native animals, introduction of new domesticated animals, and sicknesses carried from Europe lead to conditions that called attention for change. Columbus became aware of the impact that deforestation had on the decreased rain patterns. Even before the genocide of many Native Americans, cultures around the world understood the importance of their impact on their surroundings. People understood the importance of soil quality and erosion through practicing the rotation of crops, using natural fertilizer, and terracing. People eventually learned the importance of clean water and preventing pollution. People also switched to coal after realizing the devastating consequences of deforesting.

Many Europeans and New Americans began circulating their writings and photography to draw awareness to the need to protect nature. Congressmen began speaking out, the Department of Interior was created, and National Parks began to be established - change was emerging. People began taking part in preserving the land. I think it is very important to look at the progress that was implemented by the people, not the ones with power. People must question the flaws within society and be weary of the accepted perceptions that are not challenged. If we do not know what is right, how can we stand up for what we believe? It is important that each of us know what we believe so we can fight for it. Otherwise, we are just passive observers that have no right to complain about the conditions we struggle against.

The era of the hippies, seen by many as the start of the conservation movement, was a time calling for change much like today. Today we have more knowledge from massive failures and increased awareness and acceptance of the impact humanity has on the earth. As we journey through the twenty-first century, I would like to see that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past, but learn from them. Moving ahead with the knowledge and perseverance to accomplish what others may think is impossible. I think we are already witnessing a true revolution in how humans view their impact on the earth and their mission to change it. "Green" has become a very trendy term for describing natural living and returning to our roots, trying to live with the ideals that the Native Americans have imbedded in their culture and beliefs. The Native Americans have so much to offer us about how to live sustainably. We must be thankful for the lessons that have taught us and can continue to teach us as we strive to protect Mother Earth.

Although this series, perhaps improperly titled, became more of reflection than an actual history recall, I feel that it has been helpful in thinking a little bit about where we have come from. I purposely did not call this entry a conclusion because I know that I will return to this topic again and again. Action does not end. We must always be willing to participate in the act of life. Remember the triple A's: awareness, acceptance, and action!

Happy Earth Day :)

Our Children Want To Help!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:52:00 +0000

With Earth Day coming up soon here's some great books that offer fun ways the little one's can get involved.

1. "S is for Save the Planet" (Sleeping Bear Press, ages 6-10) by Bard Herzog, illustrated by Linda Holt Ayriss.

2. "Insiders: Rain Forests" (Simon & Schuster, ages 8-12) by Richard C. Vogt.

3. "The Butterful and the Grasshoppers Feast" (Candle-wick Press, all ages) by William Plomer, illustrated by Alan Aldridge.

4."101 Ways You Can Save the Planet Before You're 12!" (Sterling, ages 6-up) by Joanne O'Sullivan.

5. "Earth Day, Ready-to-Read" (Simon & Schuster, ages 4-6) by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by Mike Gordon.

6."We are Extremely Very Good Recyclers" (Penguin, ages 6-9) based on characters created by Lauren Child.

7. "Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug" (Worthwhile Books, ages 4-8) by Eille Bethel, illustrated by Alexander Colombo.

8. "Earth in the Hot Seat, Bulletins from a Warming World" ( National Geographic, ages 9-12) by Marfe Ferguson Delano. ***** Highly recommended.

One more thing Please have your children visit and bookmark " Kids for Saving the Earth!!"

The mission of KSE is to educate, inspire, and empower children to protect the Earth's environment. KSE Worldwide provides action-oriented educational materials to kids, families, groups, classrooms and schools. http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/

E.W.'s person of the month.

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:46:00 +0000

Hello Friends,

Each month E. W. will endeavor to bring you to your attention someone that we feel has distinguished themselves by their advocacy work.

This month we chose Mr. Isaac Wanasolo, Principal Director of "Youth Coalition For Development."

From Mr Wanasolo: It is absurd that the Millennium Development Goal Act # 2 didn't emphasize the "Quality" Universal Primary Education. Among Indicators of UPE the goal emphasized numbers, which totally downplays the importance of the quality of Education offered in schools. The M.D goal is to "Achieve Universal Primary Education." In our commitment to social Transformation among the youth we are currently operating in Mukono, Wakiso and Kayunga districts working currently with 25 rural primary and secondary schools, and we have inspired and transformed over 500 youths to date; through career guidance and counselling, education movie shows and Drama. we shall continue to expand our coverage to needy districts all over the country. We need your support to propel this good work.

The Youth Coalition was formed in 2007 to fight social injustices of Nepotism, Favoritism, Tribalism and Bribery that are being looked as acceptable norms by increasing awareness among the less privileged youth in rural areas due to limited job opportunities. was formed by a group of five youth to avert this trend of events and bring about social transformation and redemption among the rural youth and children.

VISION:To have an informed and creative future generation, with greater opportunities for life in terms of employment, health and education.

MISSION:To create a Global Youth Partnership for Development via networking for effective information sharing to increase literacy in entrepreneurship and enhance creative thinking among the less privileged youth for job creation , through needs based research, training and advocacy.

Although this mans work is somewhat off topic here at E.W. we feel that his devotion and persistent determination to see this cause flourish has been outstanding.

Please visit the Youth Coalition For Development's site today (LINK)

Send your nominations for E.W.'s next person of the month to sextonrobert54.enviwar@blogger.com

From Earthjustice, Because the earth needs a good lawyer.

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:34:00 +0000

Thank Congress for 2 Million Acres of Wilderness

Bridger-Teton National Forest, in the Wyoming Range, is among the lands now protected.
Take Action Today!
Dear EW Readers
Please join with us in applause for what Congress has done to permanently protect millions of acres of American wildlands—including such special places as Mineral King, Mt. Hood and the Wyoming Range.
Signed by President Obama earlier this week, the powerful Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 is one of the great wilderness preservation acts of our time, and Congress deserves our thanks for passing it.
Take action now by sending your members of Congress a message of gratitude.
And while you are at it, take time to thank yourself for helping make this happen. The Earthjustice legal team—empowered by your support—fought for years to keep two of these remarkable land areas free from destructive exploitation.
Earthjustice, and the right of citizens to use court action in defense of the environment, were born in the 1970's during the fight to keep Mineral King from being turned into a ski resort by Disney. Congress now has assured that development of this Sierra jewel will never occur.
Nor will the Wyoming Range be turned over to oil and gas development, as the Bush administration tried to do during its reign. Located in the Rocky Mountains just south of Grand Teton National Park, the range was threatened by a plan to unleash drillers on 175,000 acres of national forest lands, including 90,000 acres of pristine roadless areas. Earthjustice attorneys stalled this onerous plan long enough for the new Congress to enwrap 1.2 million acres of the Wyoming Range with protection.
If you are grinning like we are at the happy ending to this story, please take time now to thank those members of Congress who made it come true.

PROTECT MARINE WILDLIFE - SAY NO TO ARCTIC OCEAN DRILLING!

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:44:00 +0000

In the closing days of the Bush Administration, the federal Minerals Management Service (MMS) rashly pushed a last-ditch plan to expand and accelerate oil and gas leasing in a vast area--73 million acres--of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas off the coast of Alaska.
***TAKE ACTION*** Please urge the Obama Administration to halt this precipitous plan and protect America's Arctic:http://audubonaction.org/campaign/arcticdrillingcomments/8585ui59vij3mk6?As the climate warms and sea ice recedes, the Arctic marine environment is already undergoing rapid change. This region is home to America's entire threatened polar bear population, the endangered bowhead whale, threatened Spectacled and Steller' seiders, walrus, and several species of "ice seals". New oil and gas leases could bring significant, lasting, and adverse impacts to this sensitive, already changing Arctic marine environment.The new plan is simply too much, too soon, too fast. Scientists still do not have enough data on the Arctic marine ecosystem and the potential impacts from climate change, let alone the cumulative impacts of oil and gas development coupled with a changing climate.And the leasing plan is just too risky. The MMS estimates a 40 percent chance of a large oil spill resulting from development in the Chukchi Sea, yet MMS readily acknowledges that we do not have adequate technologies to clean up oil spills in ice-laden waters. A large oil spill would be devastating to polar bears, whales, other marine mammals, and the millions of seabirds that rely on the Arctic Ocean.
***TAKE ACTION*** Ask the new Administration for a time-out on oil and gas related activities off the coast of Alaska until critical habitat is designated for the polar bear, additional research is conducted, and the potential impacts of development in the Arctic are better understood;http://audubonaction.org/campaign/arcticdrillingcomments/8585ui59vij3mk6?

The History of the Conservation Movement PART 2: The Fight for Land

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:23:00 +0000

Respect for the land shared among so many species really is the underlying factor that ensures a healthy planet. Unfortunately, our planet has a history that demonstrates the disrespectful side of humanity. Native Americans inhabited the Americas several thousand years before the Europeans visited the continent. Native Americans are a people with a history of high adaptation to their environment. It is so unfortunate that the Europeans were so arrogant to their different ways of living. The technological advances in Europe had plagued their perspectives and distorted their view of what should have been truly important - respect.

As documented in Christopher Columbus's personal diary, the firsts thoughts upon encountering the natives were how to take advantage of them. This typical frame of mind was persistent through the centuries until the cultures of the Native Americans were nearly nonexistent. Fortunately, some culture has been saved over the years. But the numbers of people and the numerous cultures that were eradicated from their home land are impossible to reestablish. The Europeans greedily took the land from the natives with force and without remorse. The Europeans claimed land that was not theirs and ravaged the land and wildlife after killing thousands of Native Americans. As mentioned in Part 1, the Native Americans lived sustainable lives and did not understand the ways of the Europeans. Likewise, the Europeans did not understand the ways of the natives.

My intention is not to excuse the Europeans' behavior, but perhaps try to draw some insight into why they chose to behave so poorly. They were coming from a culture where status and greed were very common and accepted by many, especially the wealthy. These were the customary ways of their culture, complete opposite to the natives they encountered. Understanding where this divide originated can help provide insight and understanding into the ways of different groups of people. The Native Americans respected their land, their people, and the Great Spirit. The Europeans respected their own egos.

Let us use the knowledge of the present to reflect upon the actions of the past. Neuroscience helps to explain the profound underpinnings of the brain that have been philosophized for centuries. They have been able to demonstrate how rationality cannot exist without healthy emotion management. What dampens emotions? Stress does. So without effective coping techniques, people are irrational beings. Perhaps the stress from a used up environment contributed to the Europeans distorted viewpoint of what their needs were. Understanding European culture and its history may help to remove the lenses from our eyes of the horrible atrocities that took place upon their arrival to the "New Land."

I would like to move on to how it contributed to the conservation movement. As the Europeans wiped out the majority of the very people they could have learned the biggest lessons from, they continued their old ways of using up the land. After multiple centuries of killing and conquering, the ways of the Native Americans were almost extinct. As the Europeans began settling and taking over the land, they established control over the reclaimed country. Fortunately for the land, the European Americans began to understand their impact on the land and began to make reforms. Slowly, awareness of the needs for conservation efforts was raised and the government of the United States began to take action. The ways of the Native Americans would unknowingly and unintentionally become a part of the European American culture.

Roadless Area Conservation Rule

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Sexton) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Please take a minute to complete this important action "Thanks"

Dear Luke,
After eight years of the Bush administration's efforts to undo the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, our country's last wild national forests are at risk of logging, drilling and other development.
But with a new administration, we have a chance to reverse this terrible legacy and restore the protections for our pristine national forestlands. Send a quick letter to Secretary Vilsack and urge him to initiate an immediate "time out" on road-building in our wild forests »
The Roadless Area Conservation Rule is an environmental policy that protects nearly 60 million acres of wild national forests – including Alaska's Tongass National Forest. Some species, such as the bald eagle and the brown bear, are endangered in other parts of the United States, but thrive in this untouched and wild forestland.
We need to return to America's legacy of conservation, rather than allow these policies to slip into ineffective oblivion.
Roadless areas are some of the most beautiful and ecologically significant lands in our national forests, and it is time for our country to start protecting these areas again so we will have wilderness and wildlife in the future. Please take a moment to send a letter today, and speak up for the roadless areas in our national forests »