Protect Forests from Illegal Logging!

Lumber Liquidators is in hot water, reportedly facing criminal charges -- and for good reason. Tell President Obama to crack down on illegal logging!

Why This Matters

The nation's leading hardwood floor retailer has allegedly imported illegally harvested wood from critical habitats, including the Russian Far East. The Lacey Act, a landmark law passed in 1900, is our best defense. If adequately enforced, the law would ensure that wood products have been sourced legally and violators like Lumber Liquidators would face fines or jail time. 

Source: Read More: Take Action!: 

  https://www.addup.org/campaigns/protect-forests-from-illegal-logging

Protect the Natural Beauty Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Preserve the beauty of Ozark National Scenic Riverways by closing illegal roads and horse trails.

Why This Matters

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is Missouri’s largest national park and one of our state’s greatest treasures. With a rich array of wildlife and free-flowing rivers, it provides one-of-a-kind outdoor experiences to millions of visitors each year.

Illegal vehicle use and horse trails have put the park’s natural beauty at risk, making it difficult and even dangerous for people to enjoy it. The National Park Service just released a plan to protect this scenic gem by closing these illegal roads and trails, but it needs $2.2 million to put its plan into action.

Tell Senators Blunt and McCaskill to add National Park Service funding to the national budget and keep our Ozark Riverways clean and safe.

Source: Read More: Take Action:

 https://www.addup.org/campaigns/protect-the-natural-beauty-of-ozark-national-scenic-riverways

Tell Governor Wolf to Close Pollution Loopholes For Dirty Coal!

Close the loophole that exempts the Brunner Island Power Plant from Pennsylvania's proposed smog rule.

Why This Matters

The Brunner Island power plant is the only large coal plant in the state without modern pollution controls. In fact, this plant alone is responsible for almost one-third of all smog-causing NOx pollution from stationary sources in southeastern Pennsylvania, and it would be allowed to continue to pollute downwind areas that already violate federal safeguards for smog levels.

About two-thirds of Pennsylvanians live in areas with unsafe levels of smog pollution. The loophole exempting Brunner Island from the state's plan to reduce pollution needs to be closed to protect the health of millions of Pennsylvanians.

Source: Read More: Take Action:

 https://www.addup.org/campaigns/tell-governor-wolf-to-close-pollution-loopholes-for-dirty-coal

Protect America's Wolves!

 

 

( https://pixabay.com/en/wolf-torque-wolf-moon-cloud-sky-547203/ )

Save these beautiful creatures! They are very important to this planet. Look at the FACTS and NOT the cruel "fairy tales" and horrible anti-wolf propaganda .. The wolf is NOT an evil creature, but a beautiful creature that is very vital, relevant and has a very important impact and place on this planet.

Sign Petition Here:  http://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/protect-americas-wolves.fb50?source=s.fb&r_by=13602249

Quote:

"Petition Background"

"Wolves are native, ecologically vital and beautiful members of the North American landscape. Wherever they live, wolves are remarkable, natural predators that keep their prey species healthy and strong. Wolves have been persecuted and massacred for centuries due to human ignorance, intolerance and cruelty. It is the very opposite of the respect, admiration and protection they deserve. Wolves are highly social and very intelligent beings and, like all canines, they are loyal and loving to their families - their wolf pack.

Brutally persecuting and killing such ecologically vital, sensitive, intelligent and family-oriented beings should be labelled what it is: heartless animal abuse and criminal slaughter. To perpetrate such brutality and unjustified killing of wolves and other natural predators, in this modern era with our deeper knowledge and understanding of ecology and wildlife science, is pathologically and ecologically criminal.

Shame on Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Alaska. The ignorant, anti-ecology wolf haters in these states are a disgrace to the entire country, as are the politicians who are in bed with them. For example, corrupt and backward Idaho state officials have allowed a wolf killing contest there and have also hired a wildlife killer to slaughter two wolf packs living deep in the vast Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Are Idaho wolf haters and politicians telling God that He made a mistake by creating wolves? Vital and beautiful, wild and free wolves are not safe anywhere in Idaho, and that is a great sin against Creation. Idaho caters to animal abusers, wildlife persecutors and destroyers and provides one of the best examples of why America's wolves must be placed back on the Endangered Species List everywhere in the country.

Too many cattle ranchers perpetuate deadly, hysterical myths and ridiculous exaggerations about depredation of cattle by wolves, which is statistically insignificant in every state. Wolves much prefer their wild prey. For instance, in the huge state of Montana there are 2,500,000 non-native cattle. Tens of thousands of cattle in Montana die every year due to weather, disease, birth complications and from eating poison plants, for which ranchers receive zero compensation. In 2011, the US Fish & Wildlife Service confirmed only 74 cattle taken by wolves in the entire state. 74 out of 2,500,000... that is statistically zero! And Montana ranchers are foolishly compensated for such tiny losses. The depredation statistics are similarly tiny in nearby Idaho and Wyoming. Yet, so many cattlemen constantly scheme and pressure federal and state politicians to kill wolves.

Cattlemen should no longer dictate federal wildlife policy out West, as they have for so long. Many ranchers refuse to adopt proven, non-lethal methods to control the very tiny losses they experience from wolves. Instead, cattlemen are addicted to a culture of killing and having control over whatever it is they want to destroy. It's the same arrogance and brutality that earlier destroyed Native American people and massacred native wildlife throughout the continent. Decent Americans should no longer allow such brutality to be the American way anywhere. It is shameful and unacceptable that any supposedly decent American politician would listen to such destructive schemers and then serve their cruel, unjust, and immoral demand that innocent wolves be condemned to death.

Isn't it time the United States finally atoned for causing such brutal destruction to both native people and native wildlife, instead of allowing such monstrous cruelty to continue? Instead of more persecution and killing, this country should create, without delay, a Peace Corps initiative to help heal Native Americans who suffer greatly from ill health, suicide and despondency; and to heal and restore native wildlife, all of whom deserve to live in peace, at last, in what is their native homeland, too.

Until this needed change comes, past mistakes are repeated again and again within a broken system. To add massive insult to injury, the ranchers' non-native cattle graze on federal taxpayer subsidized public lands that belong to all Americans, land that should be a haven for America's vital wolves and other native wildlife, including native bison, grizzly bears, mountain lions, prairie dogs, wolverines, coyotes and so many other amazing members of the continent's rich natural heritage. The massive numbers of non-native cattle grazing unsupervised throughout the arid West cause tremendous damage trampling across fragile ecosystems where they do not belong. The cattleman's reign of terror against the wildlife and wild lands of the United States must permanently come to an end. And let it begin now by saying 'No More' to the federal tax payer subsidized 'welfare ranchers' unrelenting campaign of the demonization and slaughter of America's wolves.

There are decent ranchers who respect native wildlife, including wolves, and who have adopted proven, responsible and humane measures to co-exist with them. These good and decent people are to be commended and supported, it's just that there are not enough of them.

Ecologically ignorant hunters, selfish hunting outfitters and sadistic trappers relentlessly demonize, persecute and slaughter natural predators that belong in every ecosystem. Wolves, like all natural predators, are miracles of evolution and keep every ecosystem they inhabit vibrant and healthy. Where wolves are present on the landscape, there are often more elk and deer, and these prey animals are healthier. For instance, according to the Montana Division of Fish & Wildlife, there were 90,000 elk living in the state before wolves began returning to Montana, on their own, in the 1970's and 80's. Now, with wolves living across the state, wildlife officials estimate the elk population at over 140,000! Elk populations have risen similarly in nearby states. It is quite easy to refute the unfounded propaganda that wolves decimate their prey.

When wolves returned to Yellowstone after a seventy year absence, it didn't take long for a cascade of positive change to occur across the land. Stream-side vegetation, which had been stripped bare by an unnatural over-abundance of elk, started to grow again and, as trees rose up, stream and river waters were cooled by the shade, fish and beavers and songbirds returned. Coyote populations were reduced by wolves, which allowed more smaller mammals to survive and thrive. Birds of prey had more to eat, as did many other animals that depend on the presence of wolves.

No one would know such scientific facts by listening to the anti-wolf propaganda nonsense from hunter lobby groups such as the dishonest Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Most hunting organizations are focused on killing with little or no regard for ecological balance and ecosystem health or the ethical concerns of the non-hunting majority. Where are the ethical hunters who respect ecology and natural predators and who understand they should not be hunted?

Without respect for ecology, without honoring the right of all native wildlife to live free in its native habitat - free from demonization, persecution and abuse - by disregarding the rights of the non-hunting humane majority, hunters will at some point discover that hunting itself has lost public support. As the national media finally awakens from its long slumber and starts reporting the horrific abuse of America's vital wolves and so many other innocent wild beings, hunters will find that the tables have turned against them. The time for positive change is now.

There should be no hunting or trapping of wolves and other natural predators. They are simply too important as living beings that create balance and ensure biodiversity within every ecosystem, just as nature intended. Nature controls their numbers very well without any help from wildlife managers and sport killers.

Wolves are not just being killed in the US. Many, including pups, are being tortured. Why does the modern United States still allow barbaric wildlife trapping, with steel torture traps and strangling cables? This horrific torture of wild beings is outlawed in 89 countries as out-dated and cruel. It is certainly time to outlaw barbaric wildlife trapping in the US. Wolves, as sentient, intelligent and family-oriented beings, feel intense pain and fear and suffer horribly just as humans would when caught in a torturous steel trap or snared by a strangling cable. In the 21st century, no animal of the wild should be subject to such cruelty and torture.

Are you a dog lover? We have wolves to thank for the precious gift of our loving dogs. From the tiniest chihuahua to the largest Great Dane, every single dog comes from their living ancestors, wolves. That is why wolf and dog DNA match up nearly 100%. The affection, devotion, playfulness and intelligence that so many of us cherish in our dogs are the very same qualities of wolves, even more so. How can we allow ecologically vital, sensitive, intelligent and family-oriented wolves to be demonized, abused, tortured and massacred any longer? Dog lovers should be among the most passionate and active of wolf defenders!

Imagine your family dog (your family wolf), alone in the night, caught in a painful steel trap by a delicate paw or snared by its neck to slowly strangle or shot in its gut while a gleeful sport killer watches it suffer an agonizing death. And all this animal wants is to be free and get back to you, to its family pack. America's wolves are being persecuted, tortured and killed in this and other horrible ways, as you are reading this, in the "land of the free and home of the brave." Free to be what? An evil animal abuser and serial killer?

In Wisconsin, home of ecology hero Aldo Leopold, state wildlife "officials" and a small "citizens board" (packed with hunters and trappers) recently voted to allow the tiny minority of bear hunters there - who are already allowed to chase, harass and kill gentle and intelligent black bears using attack dogs - to use these same dogs to chase, persecute and kill wolves. These wildlife abusers and killers have even been given permission to use their attack dogs on wolves during denning season when female wolves give birth to their pups. Out of sight cannot be out of mind. Such monstrous cruelty should be outlawed as unacceptable, out-dated and criminal behavior. It is not fair chase hunting; it is animal abuse and persecution. Such brutality and suffering of innocent wildlife in Wisconsin should not be allowed by the decent and respectable people of any 21st century state or country.

Federal and state wildlife agencies that are now facilitating this shameful persecution and massacre of America's wolves are full partners in the deaths of thousands of innocent wolves. The rising death toll from these corrupt state government sanctioned wolf massacres is in addition to the annual slaughter of hundreds of wolves by the US Department of Agriculture's hideous Wildlife Services division. Wildlife Services is a federal tax payer-subsidized, paramilitary-like agency devoted to the mass killing of America's native predators and other wildlife that belong across the landscape, even though they are deemed unworthy of life by earth-destroying cattlemen, industrial agribusiness and the sport killer lobby. This brutal federal agency created almost a century ago is a festering scar on the country's soul. Most Americans are unaware of this perverted agency of wildlife killers, as powerful cattle and agribusiness interests have succeeded in foiling any Congressional oversight of Wildlife Services for decades.

When wolf defenders finally succeed in stopping this latest American wolf massacre, serious reform of these corrupt agencies must be implemented without delay. Wildlife Services must be defunded and dismantled. The mission of all state wildlife agencies must permanently shift away from serving cattlemen, agribusiness and the sport killer lobby. It's time that these corrupt state agencies evolve and change to reflect the compassionate and respectful values of the majority of American citizens, who have themselves evolved and learned to treasure the country's natural heritage. Their primary mission must be the restoration, conservation and protection of the continent's native wildlife and their habitat. That is an honorable and life affirming mission for the United States and for all nations across the globe. We are supposed to be a democracy and an ethical country, after all.

A humane and wildlife-loving majority of Americans and wolf friends from around the world, demand an immediate end to the unjust demonization, persecution and slaughter of America's wolves. Wolves must be placed back on the Endangered Species List and permanently protected from further hateful propaganda and malicious fairy tales. More and more Americans believe wolves should be a proud symbol of the United States, alongside the bald eagle, a living symbol of strength, perseverance and beauty.

Wolves are vital, beautiful and amazing beings. To love wolves is to love life. Please help defend and protect them."

________________________________________________

"TAKE ACTION!!!
PICK UP THE PHONE AND CONTACT YOUR US REPRESENTATIVE AND BOTH YOUR US SENATORS. REQUEST A MEETING WITH EACH OF THEM, OR, IF THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE, WITH THEIR CHIEF AID. BRING ALONG A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ARTICULATE FRIEND OR TWO, OR MORE. BRING PHOTOS OF WOLVES AND WOLF PUPS AND INTELLIGENT EDITORIALS (GOOGLE: NEW YORK TIMES, HUFFINGTON POST, WOLVES...) BRING A FEW COPIES OF THIS PETITION, INCLUDING THE BACKGROUND TEXT. BRING THESE MATERIALS TO REVIEW AND SHARE TOGETHER AT YOUR MEETING AND COPIES TO LEAVE BEHIND. AND THEN FOLLOW UP.
I DID THIS WITH MY OWN US REPRESENTATIVES' CHIEF AID. SHE LISTENED AND LEARNED THE TRUTH ABOUT WOLVES... AND IT WORKED! MY US REP SIGNED A CONGRESSIONAL LETTER CALLING FOR FEDERAL PROTECTION OF WOLVES, WHICH SHE HAD BEEN UNWILLING TO DO BEFORE OUR MEETING.
YOU CAN DO THIS, TOO!!! DO IT FOR AMERICA'S WOLVES AND FOR ALL OUR NATIVE WILDLIFE."

End Quote

Sign Petition Here:  http://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/protect-americas-wolves.fb50?source=s.fb&r_by=13602249

 

Coal Ash Chronicles - Spread Awareness - Serious Issue! - Time For Action!

 Coal Ash Chronicles - Spread Awareness - Serious Issue! It is time to pay attention and take action! 

QUOTE SOURCE: (https://www.facebook.com/CoalAshChronicles?pnref=lhc)

"Coal ash regulation is a hot topic in Washington D.C. and in the communities it effects across the nation, but has anyone connected all of the dots and told the whole story? Not until now.


What is coal ash?

Coal ash is what remains after coal is burned to generate electricity, but it’s so much more than that for many people and businesses.

Why should you care about coal ash? It could be in your water.

Coal ash is full of heavy, often toxic metals like arsenic, hexavalent chromium, selenium and more. It's often stored in slurry ponds that contaminate groundwater and drain into rivers and lakes that often serve as drinking water sources for large populations.

It's jokingly regulated federally and only barely by some states, and it's a favorite play thing for Congress and lobbyists who are actively working to prevent regulation. (The U.S. House of Representatives has passed more than one bill that would prevent the EPA from regulating coal ash, and though they stall in the Senate the House keeps trying despite the fact that the Congressional Research Service released a report stating that Congress' bills won't do enough to protect people and the environment and the EPA estimates appropriate regulation could save the country $290 billion annually in healthcare costs.)

The ponds that hold coal ash can collapse, leak, breech and contaminate the groundwater beneath them. See the Tennessee Valley Authority spill of Dec. 2008, the breech in Wilmington, N.C., in 2009, the Lake Michigan spill of 2011, and the Little Blue Run leak that's happening now. And let's never forget the totally preventable Dan River spill of 2014. ... and there are more.

But, those aren't the only issues with coal ash. The biggest issues are the constant and invisible water contamination it causes and the power behind the push to keep it unregulated.

Why is it a big deal?

After a Tennessee Valley Authority coal ash basin burst days before Christmas in 2008, spilling nearly a billion gallons of coal ash slurry over about 300 acres in Kingston, Tenn. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, vowed that the agency would regulate coal ash — something it’s tried to do for decades — by December 2009. That didn’t happen, and when it finally did happen in Dec. 2014 regulation was effectively left up to the states.

But, even before the massive coal ash disaster in Tennessee, Scientific American reported in 2007 that it's more radioactive than nuclear waste. It can contain quite a list of radioactive elements, that's for sure, and there is evidence from some communities that radiation levels are elevated in common areas.

In 2010, the EPA released two regulatory options and held a series of public hearings. Nearly half a million public comments were submitted.

Meanwhile, most of the coal ash from the TVA spill was hauled to a dump in Perry County, Ala., studies have determined that coal ash does contaminate ground and surface water and the industries that create and use coal ash have expressed concerns about regulation stigmatizing their businesses, the cost of complying with regulation, and warnings about job losses. And several environmental groups and citizens have sued the EPA, some states, and energy companies.

But it's not all bad news. One study projected an approximate 28,000 job gain should coal ash be regulated and, as stated before, the federal government estimates that $290 billion in healthcare costs could be saved if coal ash is regulated.

And, there is a huge movement to re-use certain types of coal ash waste in "beneficial" ways. For example, coal ash can be used as an ingredient in concrete, and actually makes for a stronger, harder (i.e. more durable) product. The EPA encourages that type of reuse of coal ash waste -- the industry likes to call it "recycling" -- since it is encapsulated and elements like the wind and air can't carry it off.

Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Should coal ash be regulated, or not?
Good questions. That is exactly what we're trying to figure out with this transmedia project and documentary film.

Got a story?
Contact Rhiannon Fionn via rhi@coalashchronicles.com"

END QUOTE

Please Spread Awareness!

 Coal Ash Chronicles:

  http://www.coalashchronicles.com/

Coal Ash Chronicles FB page:

 https://www.facebook.com/CoalAshChronicles?pnref=lhc

Coal Ash Chronicles YouTube Channel:

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-ht1GgP_kLQItLvnzscddQ/featured

Clean Up Event - May 30, 2015

 Clean Up Event - May 30, 2015

I would like to say a big Thank You to the Sierra Club and Christine for helping me with all of this! You are amazing, and I really appreciate this.. I'm so thankful because I probably wouldn't have been able to do this on my own at this point. :) I am looking forward to working with you and the Piasa Palisades Sierra Club in the future! I also want to give another big Thank You to the people who showed up and helped clean up this mess here!!! :) You all are wonderful and amazing people! Mother Earth and I thank you. <3 :)

Speak Up For Endangered Florida Panthers

 

Get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to stop the unnecessary killings of Florida panthers by providing them with the critical habitat designation they so desperately need.

Why This Matters

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced that a record-breaking number of Florida panthers were killed in 2014. Right now, fewer than 180 Florida panthers remain.

 
Each year Florida panther habitat has continued to shrink, but we can put a stop to it now. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has the power to grant "critical habitat designation" to the lands that are essential to the continued existence of an endangered species. This will halt federal permits that aid developers who want to take over the panther’s dwindling habitat and give them their best chance of survival.

 Source: Read More: TAKE ACTION:

https://www.addup.org/campaigns/speak-up-for-endangered-florida-panthers

Protect Birds, Babies, Bees and the Bay!

 

We must have a way of knowing that the plants we buy at nurseries are harming our bee population. Plants must be labeled so consumers can make the right decision.

Why This Matters

Bees pollinate 71% of the 100 crops that make up 90% of the world's food supply. In recent years, Maryland’s bee population has declined drastically. Bees must be protected from harmful chemicals that destroy entire beehives. Without bees, our world will not be able to supply enough food. The chemicals used on some nursery plants are also dangerous to birds and humans as well. Consumers need to know the plants they are buying were treated with toxic neonicotinoid pesticides.

Learn More: http://maryland.sierraclub.org/sites/maryland.sierraclub.org/files/documents/2015/02/Pollinator%20Protection%20Act%20fact%20sheet%202015.pdf

Source: Read More: TAKE ACTION:

 

https://www.addup.org/campaigns/protect-birds-babies-bees-and-the-bay

Save Red Wolves from Extinction

Get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide protection for red wolves under the Red Wolf Recovery Program.

Why This Matters

Endangered wild red wolves are at risk of going extinct unless the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service takes action.

The Red Wolf Recovery Program protects the country’s only remaining 90 to 100 red wolves that now live in and around a federal wildlife refuge in North Carolina. 

Despite its success, federal officials are actually considering a proposal to end the program soon.

We almost lost the red wolf once. We can’t risk losing it forever again.

Urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to save red wolves from extinction. Send your message now!

Image: Robert Dewar

Source: Read More: TAKE ACTION:

https://www.addup.org/campaigns/save-red-wolves-from-extinction

Protect the Inyo National Forest

Protect the Inyo National Forest

 

We need a strong, protective plan for the Inyo National Forest that protects water, wildlife, recreation and special places!

Why This Matters

The Inyo National Forest is a wildland gem in the Eastern Sierra. This beautiful forest’s high-quality fish and wildlife habitats, protected wildlands, and diverse recreational opportunities attract local residents and far-away visitors alike. 

Right now the Forest Service is deciding how the forest will be managed and protected for the next twenty years. With careful management, the Inyo can continue to support healthy natural habitats, clean water, and wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities for generations to come to explore and enjoy. 

After all, it is these things that draw us all to the forest and these things that need to be preserved in the face of climate and other changes for future generations!

 Source: Read More: TAKE ACTION:

https://www.addup.org/campaigns/protect-the-inyo-national-forest

Take Action: Protect Public Lands from Fracking!

We must keep at least two-thirds of our fossil fuels in the ground to prevent climate disaster. Tell President Obama to start by stopping dirty fuel sales from our public lands!

Why This Matters

The Obama administration has issued new rules that govern fracking on public lands. These rules were a small step forward, but when it comes to protecting our wild places and stopping climate change, we need bold action that keeps dirty fuels in the ground where they belong.

Sign the petition below to urge President Obama to protect our climate by ending fracking and other dirty fuel leasing on public lands.

Learn More: http://content.sierraclub.org/naturalgas/

Source: Read More: TAKE ACTION:

 https://www.addup.org/campaigns/take-action-protect-public-lands-from-fracking

Take Action For More Renewable Energy in TVA’s Long-term Plan!

TVA is drafting its long-term energy plan and accepting public input. Submit a comment to TVA to show public support for more solar, wind and efficienc and less gas, nuclear and coal.

Why This Matters

Although TVA is shifting away from coal, the utility still makes too much of our electricity by burning fossil fuels, polluting our air, water, and climate. TVA’s new draft plan for how the utility will provide energy for the next 20 years continues to rely primarily on dirty, expensive coal, gas, and nuclear instead of clean, affordable solar and wind and improved energy efficiency.

However, the plan is not final. You can help accelerate Tennessee's transition to renewable energy sources like wind, solar and efficiency by submitting a public comment on TVA's energy plan.

Learn More: http://action.sierraclub.org/TVA_EnergyEfficiency

Source: Read More: TAKE ACTION:

https://www.addup.org/campaigns/take-action-for-more-clean-energy-in-tvas-long-term-plan

Seize the Grid For 100% Clean Energy By 2030

 Seize the Grid For 100% Clean Energy By 2030

Transition 600 campuses and communities nationwide to 100% clean energy by 2030.

Why This Matters

Continued reliance on fossil fuels makes our communities sick and furthers impacts of climate disruption.Young people especially are impacted by pollution from coal plants and other fossil fuels and will face more threats from climate disruption. 

The good news is that campuses and communities can choose clean energy. And their demand for 100% clean energy will put significant pressure on utility providers to start buying more wind and solar and less dirty coal. 

Sign now to support campus administrators and community leaders in standing up to the self-interest of utility and fossil fuel companies and taking back our energy.

 

Source: Read More: TAKE ACTION:

https://www.addup.org/campaigns/seize-the-grid-for-100-clean-energy-by-2030

HEY YOU?! Want to Take Action?

HEY YOU?! Want to Take Action?

Here is a good place where you can Take Action and Join Campaigns to Protect the Environment! :)

https://www.addup.org/

Earth Day protestors call for Clean Jobs Bill & Alton Group Lobbies For Clean Jobs

Earth Day protestors call for Clean Jobs Bill & Alton Group Lobbies For Clean Jobs

Earth Day Lobby/Rally - Illinois Earth Day Lobby/Rally For Clean Jobs and Climate Action - April 22, 2015!!!

1ST OFF I (RAE BUG) WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THIS -

 Had an amazing time today with many amazing and inspiring people!!! I would love to thank the Sierra Club and the amazing speakers, and all of the amazing people who participated. ( Which was 500 people!) - (And I will get around to adding/tagging names in the future - kind of wore out for today. LOL. I will update this more later.)

This gives me hope!!! You can take action, too!! Learn more at: www.ilcleanjobs.org ! (Like this is you agree that we need more clean energy in Illinois! Please Share! Spread the word!!! Please support the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill!!!! Please, Interact with your Representatives and Senators! Thank You!
There is so much more that I want to say about all of this - but I will have to get to it and update it later..

BUT - Here is a little about what we were lobbing/rallying for today.. ( I just copied this from an information packet that was handed to me by the wonderful Piasa Palisades Sierra Club - Because this sums it all up better than I could on my own. Lol.)

-THE ILLINOIS CLEAN JOBS BILL (SB1485/HB2607)-

*JOBS* This bill will create 32,000 jobs per year! (source: Illinois Science Technology Institute)

*IMPACT ON CUSTOMERS* Saves customers at minimum $1 Billion in net present value through 2030 through energy efficiency alone. That translates into minimum savings of 7.9%, or $8 -$9/month, by 2030 for average residential customer in current dollars. (source: Citizens Utility Board)

*ENERGY EFFICIENCY* This bill will raise energy efficiency standards to 20% by 2025, building on successful energy efficiency programs that have saved customers more than $1 billion since 2007 and helped create a new industry in Illinois.

*RENEWABLE ENERGY* Fixes the state's flawed RPS, and raises the standard to 35% by 2030, helping Illinois compete for capital and investment being captured by surrounding states. A commitment to priories like rooftop solar, community solar and solar for low-income communities and for residents who lack roof access..

*IMPACT ON COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION SOURCE OF INVESTMENT* Encourages investments from capital markets. By ramping up renewables, will help Illinois attract investments currently being lost to other states; will allow for expansion of energy efficiency industry, and help increase local clean energy supply chain that currently includes 400 Illinois firms.

*SUPPORTED BY* The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, including more than 70 companies and 30 organizations, plus, 40+ House co-sponsors, 20+ Senate co-sponsors, the most of any pending energy-related bill.

*PREVENTS FUTURE FUND SWEEPS* Yes, through a fix of broken RPS.

*REDUCING CARBON POLLUTION* Recommends a competitive, market-based approach to complying with proposed EPA carbon standards, to reward innovation and reduce pollution at lowest possible cost!!!

Happy Earth Day Mother Earth! And Happy Earth Day to everyone else as well!! Let's Get Active!!! 

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL ALBUM OF THIS EVENT -EARTH DAY LOBBY/RALLY APRIL22,2015
   ‪#‎ActOnClimate‬ ‪#‎CleanJobsIL‬ ‪#‎twill‬ ‪#‎BeyondCoal‬ ‪#‎Alton‬ ‪#‎Wood‬ River ‪#‎ILLINOIS‬ ‪#‎MotherEarth‬ ‪#‎EarthDay‬ ‪#‎LoveHope‬

https://www.facebook.com/PiasaPalisadesSierraClub?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PleaseHelpOurMotherEarthMission/

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Alton Group Lobbies For Clean Jobs

 A group of Alton residents are joining other faith leaders, environmentalists, students and clean energy companies in Springfield today to call on legislators to support the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill.  The bill would increase the state’s renewable standard by requiring 35 percent of energy consumed in Illinois to be generated by clean renewable sources by 2030.

 

The group held a rally at the College Avenue Presbyterian Church in Upper Alton this morning before heading to the state capital.  Pastor David Crowley explained support of the bill from the faith-based angle.

 Read More: Source:

http://www.riverbender.com/news/details/alton-group-lobbies-for-clean-jobs-172281.cfm

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Earth Day protestors call for Clean Jobs Bill

ILLINOIS -- Wednesday is Earth Day. Hundreds of people, from as far away as Carbondale and Chicago, made their way to the Capital City. It was all in an effort to turn this day about the planet into a call for action.

People from all around the state are turning a grassroots issue into a political one. Many marched demanding clean air and clean jobs. Lawmakers say they have a plan to give them both.

Earth Day in Illinois was celebrated with a message to lawmakers. Cindy Shepherd made the trip to the Capitol. She says protecting the future of our planet starts with everyone, including legislators.

"We're really excited about the possibility for having more renewable energy and energy-efficiency in Illinois."

Shepherd and hundreds of others used this significant day to demand action from the General Assembly.

"A busload of people up here to let our legislators know that we support this Clean Jobs Bill."

Shepherd says she's here to encourage members in the House and Senate to pass a Clean Jobs Bill.

"This is the only bill that's before the legislature to deal with the carbon pollution. It does have jobs for Central Illinois and also, of course, the environmental benefits."

The bill will strengthen policies to ramp up renewable energy like wind and solar to 35% by 2030 and cut energy use through efficiency by 20% by 2025.

"We need clean air and we need jobs. We need good union jobs."

Legislators say this bill is not just jobs, but preserving the earth for more years to come.

"The bill would allow us to leave a healthier, safer environment for our children and our grandchildren."

It's action like this which keeps Shepherd faithful a Clean Jobs Bill will pass out of this Capitol.

"We are so happy from the support that we've gotten, especially Representative Ammons is co-sponsoring this bill, so she's really been a leader in this and we're proud of it. We're proud of that."

If passed, the proposal would add 32,000 new jobs to the state every year.

Copyright 2015 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 

Source: Read More:

 http://www.illinoishomepage.net/story/d/story/earth-day-protestors-call-for-clean-jobs-bill/28825/C6S_wHD1GEOB9Z5ID9VPUg

Earth Day April 22, 2015!!! ♥

Happy Earth Day Mother Earth!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! ♥ ♥ ♥ ·

Tell Your Representatives to Support the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill

Tell Your Representatives to Support the Illinois Clean Jobs Bill

Our goal is to support the IL Clean Jobs Bill - 32k jobs, 35% renewable energy

Why This Matters

Your support can help energy policy take center stage in Illinois in 2015, presenting an opportunity for lawmakers to not just make do with the old ways of generating electricity but build an innovative, diverse, and clean electricity system that costs less, delivers reliable power and creates thousands of good paying jobs. The Illinois Clean Jobs Bill, SB1485/HB2607, will bring 20% energy efficiency, and a 35% renewable energy standard. At the same time, we can generate an estimated 32,000 new jobs per year in Illinois. That's on top of the 100,000 clean energy jobs in Illinois today.

But we can’t do it without the support of advocates like you—neighbors, families, and activists who want to help Illinois lower carbon pollution, lower electricity costs, and leave Illinois a better place for our children and grandchildren. 

Tell your senators and representatives to sign on to the Clean Jobs Bill, then join us in Springfield for the Climate Rally on Earth Day, April 22nd! 

Learn More: http://ilcleanjobs.org/

 

 Source: Read More: Get Active! TAKE ACTION:

https://www.addup.org/campaigns/tell-your-representatives-to-support-the-illinois-clean-jobs-bill?s_src=715DSNFB07&s_subsrc=addup&fb_action_ids=10203850607367514&fb_action_types=og.shares

It’s Time to Reject Keystone XL Once and For All

President Obama has vetoed Congress's bill that tried to force approval of the Keystone XL pipeline! But the president still has to make his final decision on whether KXL is in our national interest.

Why This Matters

The president has made it clear that Keystone XL can't be in our national interest -- and thus must be rejected -- if it increases carbon pollution and makes climate change worse. The EPA recently advised the State Department that KXL would do just that.

President Obama has all the information he needs to reject this pipeline. The facts are clear: Keystone XL fails his climate test, puts future generations at risk, and is all risk and no reward for America.

TAKE ACTION: Thank President Obama for vetoing Big Oil's Keystone XL bill, and urge him to finish this by rejecting Keystone XL once and for all!

Learn More: https://content.sierraclub.org/beyondoil/keystone-xl

Source:Read More: TAKE ACTION:

https://www.addup.org/campaigns/its-time-to-reject-keystone-xl-once-and-for-all?s_src=715DSNFB07&s_subsrc=addup&fb_action_ids=10203850614647696&fb_action_types=og.shares