EARTH ACTION IN THE NEWS - November 2, 2017
Emerald
Welcome to the people who have joined recently. This is a simple weekly newsletter. Your participation is encouraged. Please share information and actions about climate change, climate justice, GMOs, toxic chemicals, and Earth-related topics. Please refrain from posting petitions or donation requests without OSC approval. Thank you for joining us.
Extra hugs and love to all of us affected by the fires. Sonoma County fires finally all went out 100% on Tuesday.
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1)
Thousands March on 5th Anniversary of Superstorm Sandy
https://www.ecowatch.com/anniversary-superstorm-sandy-2503358663.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=193bda8a35-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-193bda8a35-86095421
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41778089
and
After Sandy, We’re Ignoring the Lessons We Already Learned
https://www.ecowatch.com/after-sandy-ignoring-lessons-2502379520.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=d50be229c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-d50be229c3-86095421
and
Rising Seas May Bring More Superstorms
https://www.ecowatch.com/superstorms-seas-rising-2502302156.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=e7ab23d5c7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-e7ab23d5c7-86095421
2) Greenhouse gas concentrations surge
to new record
https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/greenhouse-gas-concentrations-surge-new-record
and
Record surge in atmospheric CO2 seen in 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41778089
"Concentrations
of CO2 surged to a record high in 2016, according to the World Meteorological
Organization. Last year's increase was 50% higher than the average of the past
10 years. Researchers say a combination of human activities and the El Niño
weather phenomenon drove CO2 to a level not seen in 800,000 years. Scientists
say this risks making global temperature targets largely unattainable."
3) Head of Puerto Rico Electrical Workers’ Union Demands Corruption Probe of
Whitefish Energy Contract (video)
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/10/30/head_of_puerto_rico_electrical_workers?utm_source=Democracy+Now!&utm_campaign=71c733555f-Daily_Digest&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fa2346a853-71c733555f-191276697
and
Controversy Remains After Cancellation of Whitefish Energy's Puerto Rico
Contract
https://www.ecowatch.com/whitefish-contract-cancellation-2503767937.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=193bda8a35-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-193bda8a35-86095421
and
Puerto Rico Continues to Suffer Worst Electricity Failure in U.S. History
https://www.ecowatch.com/puerto-rico-electricity-2502376198.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=d50be229c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-d50be229c3-86095421
and
I’m a Librarian in Puerto Rico, and This Is My Hurricane Maria Survival Story
https://www.ecowatch.com/hurricane-maria-survival-story-2502303977.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=e7ab23d5c7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-e7ab23d5c7-86095421
and
Two-Person Company Gets $300 Million Contract to Restore Puerto Rico's Power
Grid, Raising Questions
https://www.ecowatch.com/whitefish-puerto-rico-grid-2501263875.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=bf227e1467-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-bf227e1467-86095421
"The
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority signed a $300 million contract last week
with two-year-old Montana-based Whitefish Energy, which employed only two
people when Hurricane Maria hit the island last month."
and
Trump-Linked Company Restoring Puerto Rico's Power Grid Feuds With San Juan
Mayor
https://www.ecowatch.com/whitefish-san-juan-2501761043.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=bf227e1467-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-bf227e1467-86095421
4) Dairy Is Bad for Humans and the
Planet: So Why Are Public Schools Required to Offer Milk With Every Meal?
https://www.ecowatch.com/dairy-public-schools-2501298552.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=193bda8a35-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-193bda8a35-86095421
"In
drought-ravaged California, we should support students who choose to ditch the
dairy. Producing just a single gallon of milk requires 880 gallons of water.
That's nearly 55 gallons per cup. On top of that, animal agriculture is a
leading cause of climate change, emitting more greenhouse gases than all forms
of transportation combined."
and
Tyson Foods Linked to Largest Toxic Dead Zone in U.S. History
https://www.ecowatch.com/tyson-foods-toxic-dead-zone-2504305201.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=6d40d4d209-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-6d40d4d209-86095421
"Industrial-scale
agriculture to support America's livestock is the number one source of water
pollution in the country."
5) Planned Mega-Dam Threatens Fish Populations and Food Security in Cambodia
https://www.ecowatch.com/cambodia-sambor-dam-2501335128.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=193bda8a35-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-193bda8a35-86095421
6) Offshore Oil Drilling May Be Coming
to a Coastline Near You
https://www.ecowatch.com/offshore-oil-drilling-coastline-2500150378.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=193bda8a35-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-193bda8a35-86095421
7) Organic Imports Continue to Rise
Alongside Organic Demand
https://www.ecowatch.com/organic-imports-organic-demand-2501294411.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=193bda8a35-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-193bda8a35-86095421
8) How Climate Change and Wars Are
Increasing World Hunger
https://www.ecowatch.com/world-hunger-increasing-2498120564.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=d50be229c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-d50be229c3-86095421
9) Documentary Remembers Standing Rock
in Beauty and Catastrophe
https://www.ecowatch.com/documentary-standing-rock-2500718235.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=d50be229c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-d50be229c3-86095421
and
Shameful Congressmen, Industry Bullies Push to Prosecute Environmentalists as
'Terrorists'
https://www.ecowatch.com/greenpeace-environmentalists-terrorists-2501764452.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=bf227e1467-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-bf227e1467-86095421
10) 4 Signs to Watch at COP23
https://www.ecowatch.com/cop23-signs-watch-2502350369.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=d50be229c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-d50be229c3-86095421
"This
year's wave of climate-related natural disasters drives home the urgency to
move full speed ahead at the 23rd Conference of Parties to the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change, known informally as COP23."
and
'Up Our Ambition, or Suffer the Consequences': UN Report Urges Immediate
Climate Action
https://www.ecowatch.com/un-climate-action-emissions-2504302543.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=6d40d4d209-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-6d40d4d209-86095421
"The
United Nations (UN) Environment program has released its eighth annual
Emissions Gap Report, which ominously found that greenhouse gas emissions are
set to overshoot the Paris climate deal by about 30 percent."
11) Greenpeace Launches Campaign to Create ‘Largest Protected Area on Earth’
https://www.ecowatch.com/greenpeace-antarctica-sanctuary-2502436090.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=d50be229c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-d50be229c3-86095421
"Greenpeace
has launched a global campaign for an Antarctic sanctuary, covering 1.8 million
square kilometers (approximately .7 million square miles) of ocean, to protect
whales, penguins and other wildlife."
12) Congresswomen and Environmental Groups Urge Congress to Pass the OFF Act to
Combat Climate Change
https://www.ecowatch.com/off-act-congresswomen-2502316531.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=d50be229c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-d50be229c3-86095421
"Reps.
Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)
joined Food & Water Watch, first responders, non-profit organizations and
local government officials to urge Congress to pass H.R. 3671, the OFF Fossil
Fuels for a Better Future Act (OFF Act) to transition the U.S. to a 100 percent
clean energy economy by 2035."
13) German Utilities Pay Customers to Use Electricity Thanks to Renewables
Surplus
https://www.ecowatch.com/germany-wind-surplus-electricity-2502355011.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=d50be229c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-d50be229c3-86095421
Some places are not saying - hey let's use renewable energy by 2050 - some are doing it right now!
and
Corporate Fleets Making the Switch to Electric Vehicles
https://www.ecowatch.com/corporate-fleets-electric-vehicles-2499038220.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=bf227e1467-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-bf227e1467-86095421
If these corporations can do this then anyone can.
14) Bill Nye: Trump Administration Will Be 'Last Gasp of the Anti-Science
Movement'
https://www.ecowatch.com/bill-nye-trump-2502407698.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=d50be229c3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-d50be229c3-86095421
15) Solar Windows Could Meet Nearly All
of America's Electricity Demand
https://www.ecowatch.com/harvesting-invisible-light-solar-power-2501393463.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=24adca7251-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-24adca7251-86095421
16) Arsenic and Other Toxins Found in
80% of Baby Formulas
https://www.ecowatch.com/baby-food-arsenic-toxins-2503915144.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=6d40d4d209-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-6d40d4d209-86095421
and
Human Exposure to Glyphosate Has Skyrocketed 500% Since Introduction of GMO
Crops
https://www.ecowatch.com/glyphosate-exposure-humans-2501317778.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=bf227e1467-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-bf227e1467-86095421
17) Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Hit
Record High
https://www.ecowatch.com/greenhouse-gas-levels-2503831950.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=6d40d4d209-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-6d40d4d209-86095421
"Population
growth, intensified agricultural practices, increases in land use and
deforestation, industrialization and associated energy use from fossil fuel
sources have all contributed to increases in concentrations of greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere since the industrial era, beginning in 1750."
18) Regenerative Agriculture: Our Best Hope of Cooling the Planet
https://www.ecowatch.com/regenerative-agriculture-best-hope-2500852437.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=e7ab23d5c7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-e7ab23d5c7-86095421
19) New Seafood Sustainability Report
Ranks 15 Foodservice Companies
https://www.ecowatch.com/greenpeace-seafood-sustainability-2500790261.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=e7ab23d5c7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-e7ab23d5c7-86095421
If you eat seafood
check the OSC Shopper's Guide for seafood companies that use more
sustainable practices. All seafood in the Pacific Ocean is at risk of
containing cesium-137 from Fukushima including some "Atlantic salmon"
that is raised in Oregon. For better seafood choices consider non-toxic
farm-raised fish from Norway, Iceland and Scotland instead of ocean-caught to
give the ocean a chance to recover from over-fishing and pollution. The
growing demand for less toxic fish is bringing the price down.
20) World's Biggest Coal Company's Bankruptcy Protects It From Climate Lawsuit,
Judge Rules
https://www.ecowatch.com/peabody-climate-lawsuit-2501795235.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=e7ab23d5c7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-e7ab23d5c7-86095421
"Peabody
Energy is not responsible for climate impacts incurred before its 2016
bankruptcy filing, a judge ruled this week."
21) Chile Bans Plastic Bags in 100+ Coastal Areas
https://www.ecowatch.com/chile-plastic-ban-2501794220.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=e7ab23d5c7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-e7ab23d5c7-86095421
Take Action - Get Involved!
Fossil
Free California – Divest CalSTRS/CalPERS from Fossil Fuels
Monday, November 6, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Contact Jane at calstr...@gmail.com for
more information and location in Santa Rosa
Sonoma
Solidarity with Standing Rock
Saturday, November 11, 3-6:00 PM
Peace & Justice Center - 467 Sebastopol
Ave., Santa Rosa
3-4 pm divestment and public banking
4-6 pm Sonoma Solidarity admin
For more info visit: www.facebook.com/SonomaNoDAPL/
Zero Waste event
Tuesday, November 14, 7:00-8:30 PM
Sebastopol Grange - 6000 Sebastopol Ave. (Hwy. 12), Sebastopol
Learn
about Zero Waste at home, work, school and events. Learn what Sonoma County
communities and the State of California are doing to curb climate change,
increase recycling, create jobs and move us toward a green economy. Zero Waste
Sonoma County and other organizations.
For more info: http://sebastopolgrange.org/calendar-2/
350 Sonoma Co. "Community Conversation” and monthly
organizing meeting
Wednesday, November 15, 7-9:00 PM
Peace and Justice Center - 467 Sebastopol Ave.,
Santa Rosa
REBUILDING SANTA ROSA FOR RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY. BRING YOUR INTEREST AND EXPERTISE ON GREEN BUILDING PRACTICES.
Facebook: 350 Sonoma, Webpage: 350sonoma.org. Email 350Sono...@gmail.com.
Monthly
meetings on the third Wednesday.
Attend our next Earth Action Campaign meeting
Monday, November 20, 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.
We all agreed to support the 350 Sonoma Green Rebuild Campaign and we encourage
you to attend their next meeting on Nov. 15 to get involved.
Look for Public Bank Santa Rosa on Facebook or email them at in...@publicbanksantarosa.com.
Volunteer Opportunities
• Customize Our Media Spreadsheet
Our media contacts have been updated. This contact info is much easier to use on a spreadsheet. We have a rough version that needs polish. Do you have spreadsheet skills that you can share with us?
• 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.
• Climate Change Literature
We would like to expand
our climate change literature. Do you have a handout you recommend or would you
like to help create one?
• 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
We are behind in our video projects and could use some help in getting caught up.
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