Garbage Bags and Wildlife Don't Mix

 

Hi Green Planet, The average American uses 300 to 700 plastic bags per year. Only a tiny fraction are ever recycled. Billions of these single-use bags end up in landfills, rivers and oceans. The bags can take 1,000 years to decompose. A groundbreaking bill in California would ban single-use plastic bags. Urge California legislators to lead the nation on a path to ban single-use plastic bags » The bags are found in virtually every body of water on earth. Seabirds, turtles, seals, sea lions, whales and fish are all at risk of ingesting the bags or becoming entangled. Let's be real, the convenience of a single-use plastic bag is not worth the threat to our oceans. Take action and urge California leaders to pass the nation's first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags » Let California's legislators know the nation is watching and hoping they lead the way to ban the bag! Thanks for making a difference! Andrea W. ThePetitionSite Plastic Bags Kill Marine Wildlife - Help Ban the Bag »   Forward to a friend >> Read the petition >>

 

Help Developing Countries Fight Climate Change

 

Hi Green, It's tragically ironic that the nations facing the most disastrous effects of climate change are also the least able to lower emissions or to cope with the consequences. Make sure developing nations get the help they need to fight climate change » Aid for climate change is about more than cutting emissions. It's about fairness. Those countries that have contributed most to global warming must do all they can to mitigate its effects, especially in nations with low emissions and high risk of climate-caused disasters. Developing nations have been promised billions in climate aid. Now, a UN Advisory Group has to make sure these promises become reality. UN nations will meet in Cancun this fall. Tell the co-chairs of the UN Advisory Group to have a plan in place by the Mexico meeting to make sure countries get the aid they need » Thanks for taking action! Emily V. Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team Help Developing Countries Fight Climate Change    Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFZUg/zKbH/BacyR

Audubon Oil Spill Update: Two Volunteers Help with Bird Rescue

You may vote every week through August 21 to help Audubon raise money for Gulf relief and restoration efforts. Thanks! August 2, 2010 Dear Andrew, Even as efforts to fully choke the 100-day spill this week appearing promising, oil continues to impact birds and their habitats, and Audubon immediate response efforts continue. But the hoped-for halt to the immediate crisis in the gulf will also set the stage for its long term recovery. Two Audubon Volunteers Help with Bird Recovery They wait for hours under a canvas canopy in the broiling heat of Port Sulphur, Louisiana, ready to spring into action when a radio call announces a transport boat is arriving with bird and wildlife casualties. On this particular day in July, Dale and Matt played their part in Audubon's Gulf Oil Response by assisting with the transport of twenty birds to the Bird Rehabilitation Center. Eleven oiled birds made it safely to the Center, while nine others were recovered either DOA or died on their way to the docks. Audubon transport aides have a heart-wrenching, but essential role in the rescue process. They ensure accurate documentation of the number, species and condition of the birds being brought to shore, as well as the transfer of the birds from the boats to the transport vans. The vans then take them to the Bird Rehab Center where highly trained professionals focus on new "saves" and prepare them for release. Matt, a New Orleanian working in the music recording industry, feels the emotional strain from his time on the docks. "This isn't my first day to see this, and it doesn't get any easier each time I do it. It's hard to wrap your head around why this is going on and to not think that we're all partially accountable. I know it's got me thinking and acting a lot differently, more responsibly." A retired Wisconsin native with a background in soil and water conservation, Dale hopes that some good can come out this devastation. "I wish that all Americans would realize the role we've played in helping create this situation. It's our demand on this type of energy (fossil fuels) that's caused this. If others could see what I've seen here, maybe we'd all take conservation more seriously." For now, both are acting to make a difference. A Prescription for Long Term Recovery  On Wednesday, Audubon and its Louisiana Coastal Restoration partners released a plan to restore wetlands—a critical step forward that will benefit birds, wildlife and people of the region. The recommendations included in the report, entitled "Common Ground: A Shared Vision for Restoring the Mississippi River Delta," by Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society and the National Wildlife Federation, outlines the necessary steps to restore and rebuild an ecosystem that has lost more than 2,300 square miles of wetlands—an area larger than the state of Delaware—since the 1930s. The three environmental organizations came together to seek solutions to one of our nation's most pressing environmental challenges. According to the report," The loss of coastal wetlands to oil contamination may speed up today's alarming land loss, leaving an already weakened ecosystem even more vulnerable to storms and other man-made assaults." The good news is that the collaborative effort is bringing together the expertise, knowledge and supporters of all three organizations. Learn more. Audubon Gulf Response Volunteers Keep Things in Tune on Grand Isle In this small Louisiana community, human and avian inhabitants alike are reeling from the oil spill's impacts. But thanks to our terrific volunteers, last weekend's music fans at the Island Aid Concert—held to benefit the town —were able to enjoy a much-needed good time, while Least Tern colonies went about their business as usual. Beach concerts can sometimes by tough on birds who are trying to care for their young, but our volunteer beach stewards kept things harmonious for all. Read more. Audubon to Testify on Behalf of Gulf Living Resources Melanie Driscoll, Audubon's director of bird conservation in Louisiana, will testify on a panel convened by the federal government's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement in New Orleans Wednesday, Aug. 4. Melanie will speak on behalf of the living resources of the Gulf Coast—birds, other wildlife, habitats and people—and urge the federal government to impose the highest possible safety standards and containment requirements on companies like BP so that a disaster like this never happens again. Melanie was asked by government officials to participate in the hearing because of her expertise and Audubon's recognized leadership not only now, during the oil disaster, but across the Gulf Coast for decades. Latest Webcast Gives a Taste of Coastal Bird Survey Training Based on feedback from our first two webcasts, we took a somewhat different tack and provided a thumbnail of our coastal bird survey training and a good introduction to using ebird.org for recording observations. For beginners and seasoned birders alike, everyone can help with Gulf restoration efforts by recording bird sightings and adding to the body of information we have about breeding, migration and other bird data to help Audubon scientists and others with recovery plans. Knowing how the spill is affecting bird populations is critical to how we ensure their ultimate recovery from the disaster. Even data from outside the Missisissipp River corridor is useful, so whether you are on the East coast, the West coast or somewhere in between, your citizen science efforts are important. Listen to the archives for our first three webcasts. You will need to register for each webcast in order to access the archives. May 24, 2010 Webcast June 23, 2010 Webcast July 21, 2010 Webcast Audubon Names New President David Yarnold has been named the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Audubon, effective September 1, 2010, giving new momentum to efforts to connect people with nature and their power to protect it. A passionate conservationist, Yarnold currently serves as Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund and President of Environmental Defense Action Fund. Read more. Thank you for your continued support. Audubon 1150 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 861-2242 | audubonaction@audubon.org

Polar Bears Artic Deepwater Offshore Drilling Chukchi Sea

 

A Big Win for America's Threatened Polar Bears A six-month ban on exploratory drilling in the Chukchi Sea is expected to put Shell Oil's plans to drill in key polar bear habitat on hold… thanks to Defenders supporters like you who sent more than 118,000 messages! More Information Read our press statement Get the latest news about the Gulf oil disaster and offshore drilling on our blog Dear Andrew, I have some fantastic news about our threatened polar bears! In the wake of the largest oil spill in U.S. history, President Obama and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today took an important step toward preventing the next offshore oil disaster – one that could jeapordize the survival of America's already fragile polar bear population. Around noon Eastern Time, the president announced a moratorium on deepwater offshore drilling in the Chukchi Sea – offering these majestic Arctic hunters a much-needed reprieve from Shell Oil's dangerous drilling scheme in key polar bear habitat. Over the last few weeks, caring Defenders supporters like you sent more than 118,000 messages to President Obama, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke (who oversees the National Marine Fisheries Service). Today, your hard work paid off, as President Obama and Interior Secretary Salazar acknowledged the very serious threat that drilling activities pose to the sensitive ecosystems that sustain the Chukchi's polar bears, bowhead whales and other wildlife. Defenders' senior marine policy advisor Richard Charter put it best in a statement to the press earlier today: "President Obama and Interior Secretary Salazar should be commended for suspending Shell's plans to drill in the Arctic Ocean this summer. The Arctic environment absolutely could not stand an oil spill like the one we're now seeing in the Gulf of Mexico -- any spill, in fact, would have devastating effects on Arctic wildlife, and it's clear that we couldn't clean it up. Please read our statement and learn more about this important victory for polar bears. Today's announcement by the Obama administration is a HUGE victory in our fight to prevent the next offshore oil disaster, but make no mistake: our fight is from over. Defenders of Wildlife will continue to push for a broader, more permanent ban on dangerous offshore drilling activities that threaten our wildlife. We will continue our on-the-ground work to save the lives of sea turtles and other wildlife threatened by the Gulf offshore oil disaster. And we will keep fighting to ensure accountability in government agencies charged with overseeing drilling permits and hold BP accountable for the catastrophic ecological damage that their negligence has caused in the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. There will be plenty of work to do to protect and restore our natural treasures in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. But, for the moment, please accept my sincere thanks for taking the time to make a difference for our polar bears. For the Wild Ones, Jamie Rappaport Clark Executive Vice President Defenders of Wildlife P.S. For the latest news and updates on our work to protect sea turtles, polar bears, whales and other wildlife threatened by Big Oil's plans to industrialize our coasts, please follow our offshore drilling blog online at http://www.defendersblog.org. You'll find great videos of our work on the ground, expert analysis and easy-to-understand information on the impact of offshore drilling activities on our wildlife.

© Copyright 2010, Defenders of Wildlife

Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.

Defenders of Wildlife can be contacted at:
1130 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Protect Florida beaches from offshore oil drilling constitutional amendment ban

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From: Alex Sink

 

http://action.alexsink2010.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=15&tag=drillingban_petition_email

Yesterday, I took my third trip to Florida's Panhandle this week.  And as I spoke with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and local business leaders, I told them what I've been seeing and hearing from Floridians since the news of the oil spill began -- that we are worried about the threat to our economy, to many Floridians' livelihoods, to our way of life.

And like nearly every conversation I've had as we watch the oil move towards Florida beaches, this one also ended with the same resolve:

We cannot risk having another accident like this anywhere near Florida's beaches.

That's why I'm working for a constitutional amendment banning drilling off of our coast. It's the only way this will never happen again.

Click here to add your voice in support of a constitutional amendment banning drilling in Florida state waters.

I'm working around the clock to ensure Floridians impacted by this disaster are receiving the help they need -- and we still don't know just how bad things are going to get. I've also taken BP to task for their lack of responsiveness and helped cut some of the red-tape our coastal communities are facing.

But one thing is perfectly clear: Drilling near our beaches is not worth the risk to our businesses and our livelihoods.

I know you agree.

Join me in safeguarding our beautiful state, our coastline, and our economy for future generations: Support our call for a constitutional amendment to ban drilling.

I will continue to fight to make sure BP is held accountable, and that they take responsibility for the costs of this disastrous oil spill.

But while we're working hard to clean up this mess, we have to do everything we can to prevent the next disaster. We must work together to ban oil drilling off Florida's beaches now.

Time, as they say, is a-wasting.

Thank you for helping me protect Florida's economy and our future.
Sincerely,

Alex Sink

P.S. To find out what you can do to help, and for up-to-date information, visit www.AlexSink2010.com.

 

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Fw: Oil Spill Alert: Help Guide Clean Up Volunteers to Protect Birds

From: DRAPER, Eric
 
Oil Spill Alert: Help Guide Clean Up Volunteers to Protect Birds
 
Dear friends,
 
First let me thank everyone who has forwarded Safe Tips for Cleaning Litter off Beaches.  We have had numerous press responses and the word is getting out to leaders of volunteer efforts to clean up our beaches. 
 
If you have experience as a beach bird steward, we need your help. We just heard from the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, at www.mobilebaynep.com, that they could use volunteers to help with beach debris cleanup.
 
Their clean up is scheduled for today at 3 p.m. Central Time. 
 
The Estuary Program particularly wants Audubon volunteers who can help guide other clean up volunteers to avoid impacting shorebirds and shorebird habitats.

We are advised that the volunteers have our guidance but may not follow it to the letter.
 
This is not oil spill clean up and you are not required to have Hazardous Materials Training. 
 
If you are experienced, live within range, and can help, please report to one of the command post locations at 3 p.m. in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
 
Dolphin Island - Cadillac Square ½ mile east of water tower
 
Fire Station #1 near mile marker 12 west of entrance Bonsecsor
http://www.fws.gov/bonsecour/directions.html NWF on Highway 180. http://www.fws.gov/bonsecour/directions.html
 
Gulf Shores Public Beach Parking Lot on west side of lot
 
Cotton Bayou Public Beach 1/8 mile east of intersection of highway 182 and 161
 
We realize this is short notice but we just heard from estuary staff members, who were responding to our guidance about avoiding impacts to beach nesting birds.
 
If you do decide to participate in the debris clean up, please take your camera along and share your images and observations with us by sending them to flconservation@audubon.org
 
For your information, please follow these approaches and urge other volunteers to follow these tips:
 
Safe Tips for Cleaning Litter off Beaches:
 
For those who want to clean litter from the beaches in anticipation of oil coming ashore, Audubon recommends the following:
 
Use approved access points and avoid walking or hiking through marshes or seagrass beds.
 
Stay below the tidal line.
 
Leave natural debris in place because it provides nesting benefits to shorebirds and other wildlife.
 
Only remove man-made litter.
 
Do not place litter in the dunes or above the high water line.
 
Avoid use equipment such as rakes, shovels or tractors.
 
Do not bring ATVs or other motorized vehicles onto the beach.
 
Do not bring dogs onto the beach (dogs are a primary source of beach bird disturbance and mortality.) 
 
Thank You
 
Eric Draper, Executive Director
Audubon of Florida - edraper@audubon.org

Massachusetts Emergency Water Break - Boil Water

From: Sheila Decter

Emergency Water Main Break Affecting all
Massachusetts Communities East of Weston

A major water emergency has been declared for all communities east of route 128.  There has been a break in the MWRA system.  Thousands of gallons of water are flowing into the Charles River.  In order to keep up the pressure, water will now be used from a variety of other sources, such as the Sudbury Aqueduct, Chestnut Hill Reservoir and Spot Pond Reservoir.   Those sources are not treated for use as drinking water.  Therefore, all water to be used for drinking needs to be actively boiled for at least one minute.
 
The following communities are affected by the Boil Water Order 

Arlington 
Bedford
Belmont
Boston
Brookline
Canton
Chelsea
Dedham
Everett
Lexington
Lynnfield Water District
Malden
Marblehead
Marlborough
Medford
Melrose
Milton
Nahant
Newton
Norwood
Peabody
Quincy
Reading
Revere
Saugus
Somerville
Stoneham
Stoughton
Swampscott
Wakefield
Waltham
Watertown
Weston
Westwood
Wilmington
Winchester
Winthrop
Woburn

If you have ways to alert any communities, especially elder groups or communities including people with immune issues, please do so.