EARTH ACTION IN THE NEWS - December 21, 2017
Emerald
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1)
European Commission Issues Formal Objections to $66 Billion Bayer-Monsanto Mega
Merger
https://sustainablepulse.com/2017/12/16/brussels-issues-formal-objections-to-the-66-billion-bayer-monsanto-mega-merger/#.Wjj68LjLezZ
Sustainable
Pulse: "The European Commission issued formal objections Friday to Bayer’s
planned $66 billion takeover of Monsanto, according to two people briefed on
the case, signaling the deal may be blocked unless the German company makes
more significant concessions."
2) Your Food Has a Climate Footprint: Here’s What You Can Do About It
(video)
https://www.ecowatch.com/food-climate-footprint-2516941662.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=9186569dac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-9186569dac-86095421
Conservation
International: "About a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions can be
traced to food in some way. So what you put on your plate actually matters a
lot more than you think... the climate impact of meat gets plenty of
attention—but it doesn't mean we all have to go vegan."
AND
How Cities Can Meat the Climate
Challenge
https://www.ecowatch.com/meat-consumption-climate-2517676424.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=889025f0a6-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-889025f0a6-86095421
Friends
Of The Earth: "Compared to other climate mitigation strategies, shifting
how institutions buy food can be a relatively simple, cost-effective way to
downsize our carbon footprint while improving access to healthy food. A case
study from the Oakland Unified School District in California shows how
successful this can be, slashing the school's food service carbon footprint 14
percent by buying less meat and dairy and offering more plant-based proteins,
fruits and vegetables. This not only saved the carbon emissions equivalent to
driving 1.5 million fewer miles annually, it also trimmed food service costs
and earned high marks from the kids."
3) Rooftop Solar and EVs Save Water and
Cut Pollution: Better Use of Data Will Optimize the Benefits
https://www.ecowatch.com/rooftop-solar-costs-2517450048.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=9186569dac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-9186569dac-86095421
Environmental
Defense Fund: "Solar panels and electric vehicles will help pave the way
to a cleaner future, but we must dig into the details to ensure we maximize the
environmental benefits. The more data we have and examine, the better that
decision-makers can design energy programs and incentives to improve our
environmental footprint."
AND
World's Largest Solar-Wind-Storage Plant Planned for India
https://www.ecowatch.com/solar-wind-storage-2517664506.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=9186569dac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-9186569dac-86095421
4) Netherlands Launches Landmark
Zero-Subsidy Wind Power Auction
https://www.ecowatch.com/offshore-wind-power-netherlands-2517682551.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=9186569dac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-9186569dac-86095421
Reuters:
"At the Netherlands' two previous auctions for offshore wind power last
year, subsidies granted fell by a quarter, as a combination of surging demand
for wind energy, low interest rates, technological progress and competition
among turbine makers made it considerably cheaper to build wind farms."
5) Cell Phone Radiation Risks: California Issues Groundbreaking Guidelines
https://www.ecowatch.com/cell-phone-radiation-california-2517691536.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=9186569dac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-9186569dac-86095421
Environmental
Working Group: "This week, California officially issued groundbreaking
guidelines advising cell phone users to keep phones away from their bodies and
limit use when reception is weak. State officials caution that studies link
radiation from long-term cell phone use to an increased risk of brain cancer,
lower sperm counts and other health problems, and note that children's
developing brains could be at greater risk."
6) One Planet Summit: World Bank to Stop Financing Oil, Gas Projects
https://www.ecowatch.com/world-bank-oil-gas-2516920939.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=491d9ccbaf-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-491d9ccbaf-86095421
"In
effort to bolster a global shift to clean energy, the World Bank—which provides
financial, advisory and technical support to developing countries—announced it
will “no longer finance upstream oil and gas, after 2019."
7) While America Focuses on Tax Bill, Congress Quietly Tries to Open Arctic
Refuge to Oil Drilling
https://www.ecowatch.com/arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-drilling-2515927608.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=491d9ccbaf-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-491d9ccbaf-86095421
AND
Mercury From Industrialized Nations Is Polluting the Arctic—Here’s How It Gets
There
https://www.ecowatch.com/mercury-arctic-2517664618.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=889025f0a6-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-889025f0a6-86095421
The
Conversation: "In the Arctic, high levels of mercury are found in beluga
whales, polar bears, seals, fish, eagles and other birds. This means that
humans are also affected, particularly the Inuit, who rely on traditional
hunting and fishing for food. Exposure to high levels of mercury over long
periods can lead to neurological and cardiovascular problems. Scientists have
been working for more than two decades to determine how mercury makes its way
from industrialized countries to the Arctic."
8) What a failed civil rights campaign can teach climate activists trying to
stop Kinder Morgan
https://wagingnonviolence.org/feature/failed-civil-rights-campaign-teach-climate-activists-kinder-morgan/
Waging
Nonviolence: "The fight against Kinder Morgan needs to be more than just a
series of actions against a single pipeline. Kinder Morgan was approved without
adequate climate considerations and against the opposition of indigenous
peoples and communities. We have to demonstrate that, in the era of climate
change, this cannot happen without facing mass civil disobedience."
AND
How Bill McKibben’s Radical Idea of Fossil-Fuel Divestment Transformed the
Climate Debate
https://www.ecowatch.com/bill-mckibbens-divestment-climate-debate-2516891303.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=31703f6b5b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-31703f6b5b-86095421
9) Amazon Reef: BP Drilling Plans Dealt
Another Blow by Brazilian Regulator
https://www.ecowatch.com/amazon-reef-drilling-2516657089.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=c8554b4a40-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c8554b4a40-86095421
Greenpeace:
"BP's plans to drill for oil near a huge coral reef in the mouth of Amazon
river have been dealt a further blow after a regulator questioned the company's
environmental risk assessment."
10) Record 129 Million Dead Trees in California
https://www.ecowatch.com/dead-trees-california-2516943028.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=c8554b4a40-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c8554b4a40-86095421
The
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Monday announced that
"the total number of trees that have died due to drought and bark beetles
to an historic 129 million on 8.9 million acres. The dead trees continue to
pose a hazard to people and critical infrastructure, mostly centered in the
central and southern Sierra Nevada region of the state."
11) This App Donates Excess Food to New York’s Most Vulnerable
https://www.ecowatch.com/app-donates-excess-food-new-york-2515384108.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=c8554b4a40-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c8554b4a40-86095421
Global
Citizen: "Transfernation, which brands itself as "NYC's first
tech-based, on demand food redistribution system," has been making
significant strides to tackle the pernicious issue of food insecurity—by taking
it online. Their online platform allows corporate and social institutions to
easily donate excess food from large events to local feeding programs."
12) Atlantic Coast Pipeline Opponents Down But Not Out After Conditional
Approval
https://www.ecowatch.com/atlantic-coast-pipeline-virginia-water-2517152030.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=c8554b4a40-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c8554b4a40-86095421
Climate
Nexus: "A Virginia panel of regulators granted a conditional approval for
a controversial gas pipeline Tuesday, saying that more information on
environmental impact is needed before the project can proceed."
13) Electronic Waste Study Finds $65 Billion in Raw Materials Discarded in Just
One Year
https://www.ecowatch.com/electronic-waste-united-nations-2517390624.html
"The
weight of last year's e-waste was equivalent to about 4,500 Eiffel Towers,
according to the study by the UN university, the International
Telecommunication Union and the International Solid Waste Association."
14) Extreme Storms to Multiply, Intensify Across U.S., New Simulations Suggest
https://www.ecowatch.com/extreme-weather-climate-change-2517180162.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=c8554b4a40-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-c8554b4a40-86095421
Climate
News Network: "For the U.S., harder rain is on the way: America's summer
thunderstorms are about to get stormier. Later this century, the notorious
mesoscale convective storms of middle America will not just darken skies—they
will also dump as much as 80 percent more water on the farms, highways and
cities of the 48 contiguous states."
AND
Climate Change ‘Tripled Chances’ of Hurricane Harvey’s Record Rain
https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change-hurricane-harvey-rain-2517167957.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=31703f6b5b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-31703f6b5b-86095421
15) USDA Gives in to Big 'Organic'
Poultry, Moves to Withdraw New Animal Welfare Rules
https://www.ecowatch.com/usda-animal-welfare-2518422850.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=02ef429d0f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-02ef429d0f-86095421
The
egg and chicken industry spends more money blocking animal welfare legislation
that it would cost to make humane improvements. The treatment of chickens
is deplorable and highly deceptive to consumers. 'Cage-free' and 'Free
Range' is a hoax. For a more healthy and humane option get eggs that are
'Pasture Raised' and look for 'organic', 'non-GMO', 'certified humane', and
'vegetarian feed' on the label. Pasture raised, organic eggs are the most
expensive in the store so if the price is high for you eat fewer and go for
quality. There are 1/2 dozen options to save money.
16) California Wildfires: Thomas Fire
Could Become Largest in State History
https://www.ecowatch.com/california-wildfires-2017-2518400667.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=02ef429d0f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-02ef429d0f-86095421
17) Most Censored Stories of 2017,
Honduras v. Venezuela, Local Level Corruption (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCJeUUsqNgk
Redacted
Tonight: "Lee Camp covers what were some of the most censored stories this
year, according to the media watchdog site “Project Censored.”
CAUTION:
adult language
18) China on Track to Establish Carbon
Market as U.S. Withdraws From Climate Stage
https://www.ecowatch.com/china-carbon-market-2518614801.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=02ef429d0f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-02ef429d0f-86095421
AND
Chinese City to Become World's First to Switch Entire Bus Fleet to Electric
https://www.ecowatch.com/electric-buses-in-china-2518662677.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=26e6e2cb90-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-26e6e2cb90-86095421
Call To Action!
We
urge all groups including schools, neighborhood associations,
organizations, clubs and groups of any kind to adopt a Climate
Declaration. Adopt ours or write your own. Share your Climate
Declaration with local governments, the media, write articles, and share
information.
Occupy Sonoma County Climate Declaration
Occupy Sonoma County, along with concerned, forward thinking people all over the world, declares that climate change has reached catastrophic proportions as evidenced by the current level of CO2 in the atmosphere, the melting of polar ice caps, and the continual rising of global temperatures. This is a global emergency, and we must act immediately. We invite all forces of life to join together for our survival. We stand up for life.
We recognize that the root of climate change is a capitalist system run by money greedy corporations and the governments that they control. We actively oppose greenhouse gas producers, nuclear power investors, and fossil fuel companies by boycotting their products, developing alternatives, divesting from corporations that endorse them and insisting that governments at all levels take action. We call on all governments and corporations to adopt life-sustaining practices immediately.
The people must act now to stop this destruction from continuing and reverse the damage this has caused. The future is in our hands. We are the 99%!
Take Action - Get Involved!
Mark Z. Jacobson speaking on Transitioning Countries, States, and Cities to 100% Renewable Energy For All Purposes As Soon As Possible!
Thursday, January 4, 7 PM
Praxis Peace Project, $20 ($50 with reception) at Vintage House, Sonoma
Tickets online at www.praxispeace.org/events or contact in...@praxispeace.org, 707-939-2973
Sonoma Solidarity with Standing Rock Meeting
Saturday, January 13, 2-5 PM
2nd Saturday of each month:
2-3:30 pm Divestment & Public Banking
3:30-5 pm Main Meeting
Peace & Justice Center - 467 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa
For more info: www.facebook.com/SonomaNoDAPL/, Email sonoma.s...@gmail.com
Attend our next Earth Action Campaign meeting
Monday, January 15, 7-9 PM
Peace & Justice Center, 467 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa
This campaign meets monthly on the 3rd Mondays. Meet in person or call in
from home.
For more information go to http://OccupySonomaCounty.org or call 707-877-6650.
Sonoma County Climate Change Activists
Meeting
Monday, January 28, 7-9 PM, Peace & Justice Center
Climate change groups and individuals working together to coordinate efforts
and make action plans.
At the last meeting we all agreed to support the 350 Sonoma Green Rebuild Campaign. We encourage
you to get involved. Contact http://350SonomaCounty.org or 350Sono...@gmail.com to endorse their proposal and support their work.
Look for Public Bank Santa Rosa on Facebook or email them
at in...@publicbanksantarosa.com. Be sure to read and endorse their new resolution.
Volunteer Opportunities
• Shopper's Guide Research
We are updating our shopper's guide this month. If
you use a product that is not in our shopper's guide you can help
research it or send us the name for us to scrutinize. We are expanding to include more categories. What pet foods and beer do you buy? If they are not on the list let us know.
• Adopt-A-Bulletin Board
What locations do you
already go to that have bulletin boards? Where can you easily go to in
your own neighborhood to help us publicize teach-ins and events? Download
our latest flyer from our website and let us know where you are posting.
• Graphic Artist Needed For Converting Our New Logo To Vector Art
We have a logo design that is 8-10". We would like to be able to scale it up to 3-4'.
• Video editing help is always needed - even one hour would help
We are behind in our video projects and could use some help in getting caught up.
Can you help us upload some video clips to our Youtube page?
What Earth Actions are you taking?
707-877-6650
http://OccupySonomaCounty.org
http://OccupySonomaCounty.org/es (en
español)
http://www.facebook.com/OccupySonomaCounty
https://twitter.com/OcSoCo
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmJoCP-ePUTPWNgHZwtBelg
Occupy Sonoma County embraces the egalitarian, deep democracy principles of the Occupy Movement with a regional strategy for effectively organizing county-wide social justice campaigns that are globally relevant.
Kamal Prasad
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C. Hoex
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Dave Molidor
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Veronica Jacobi
And anyone interested in growing more food and acquiring land together please contact me.