EARTH ACTION IN THE NEWS - August 12, 2024

[OSC]

EARTH ACTION IN THE NEWS  

This newsletter and listserv will be moving.  We will be joining the SoCoCAN! listserv and this newsletter will become theirs.  For more information about SoCoCAN! go to https://SonomaCountyCAN.org.

Occupy Sonoma County is no longer functioning as a group, but the newsletter will continue as part of SoCoCAN!  You don't have to do anything.  You will be added to the SoCoCAN! listserv and will continue to receive this newsletter.

You should have received an announcement with more information a few days ago, and you will be notified again before the change happens.  Stay tuned for further announcements. 

BREAKTHROUGH!

How we can revive Planet Earth in less than 20 years | Sean B. Carroll (video)

https://youtu.be/kOfH54GjCVc?si=bmsWvIe4KyGW347O

Inspiring short video.

What the River Teaches: Ten Years After Dam Removal on the Elwha River
https://rewilding.org/what-the-river-teaches-ten-years-after-dam-removal-on-the-elwha-river/

Batteries step in as coal plant trips amid heatwave and near record demand in Texas
https://reneweconomy.com.au/batteries-step-in-as-coal-plant-trips-amid-heatwave-and-near-record-demand-in-texas/

LOCAL REPORTS
Why California should help schools go solar
https://environmentamerica.org/california/articles/why-california-should-help-schools-go-solar/
"California’s millionth solar roof was installed at a school. Let’s build on that legacy by restoring the right for schools to use their own solar energy and save on utility bills."

California schools can’t keep pace with utility bills. Solar energy offers a needed lifeline
https://calmatters.org/commentary/2024/05/california-schools-solar-energy-utility/

California bill would undo rules making it hard for schools to go solar
https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/california-bill-would-undo-rules-making-it-hard-for-schools-to-go-solar
"State regulators slashed solar programs that school districts rely on to cut energy bills and finance sustainability projects. A new bill could fix that."

CPUC blocks rooftop solar for farms, schools, and many renters. Will state lawmakers overrule them?
https://solarrights.org/blog/2024/07/20/solarforschoolrentersfarmers/

Landmark Supreme Court ruling in Chevron case could curb environmental protections in California
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/06/28/landmark-supreme-court-ruling-in-chevron-case-could-curb-environmental-protections-in-california/
"Closely watched decision is cheered by business groups, slammed by environmentalists."

Transit Mall Rehabilitation and Temporary Relocation

https://www.srcity.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2708

Second Phase of Steele Lane Elementary Pilot Project Underway
https://www.srcity.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2686

Geothermal firm Capuano Engineering acquired by Palo Alto’s XGS Energy
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/industrynews/geothermal-xgs-energy/
"Palo Alto-based startup XGS Energy has been a leader in delivering clean, reusable energy through its geothermal technology and is looking to expand to larger projects."

FBI visits Upper Valley Disposal & Recycling offices in Napa County
https://napavalleyregister.com/news/community/calistogan/clover-flat-landfill-napa-valley-fbi/article_18d3aac8-56bd-11ef-ba49-e375b699484a.html

Is the Russian River safe for swimming?

https://www.sonomacountygazette.com/sonoma-county-news/russian-river-water-quality-safety/

38th annual Russian River watershed cleanup: Be part of the solution

https://www.sonomacountygazette.com/sonoma-county-news/watershed-cleanup-riverkeeper-russian-river/

Gateway bridge into Cloverdale getting long-awaited pedestrian, bicycle improvements
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/cloverdale-crocker-bridge-construction/
"After 20 years, Cloverdale’s main east-west connector over the Russian River, Crocker Bridge, is getting dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, which officials say will improve safety."

Penngrove tackles traffic issues with comprehensive study
https://www.sonomacountygazette.com/sonoma-county-news/penngrove-traffic-study/

Change Agent: GoLocal’s Future
https://bohemian.com/change-agent-golocals-future/

Local Organic Tomato Map
https://www.cornucopia.org/local-organic-tomato-map/

GMOs, GLYPHOSATE & TOXINS

US Steel, Cliffs challenge federal mercury-reduction rule
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/us-steel-cliffs-challenge-federal-mercury-reduction-rule
"Several states, tribal nations and environmental groups argue that reducing mercury is long overdue."

Peel those apples: washing produce doesn’t remove pesticides, study finds
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/08/clean-fruit-vegetables-pesticides

It's not just pesticides to watch out for.  Even organic fruit is often coated in wax and chemicals to prevent spoilage.  This is less of a concern for melons, citrus, and other fruits with a skin you don't eat, but for apples, peaches and fruits that are normally eaten whole you can only trust fruit from a reliable source.  Oliver's and Community Market prioritize local produce that is less likely to have these coatings, but they also carry fruit imported from elsewhere.  Gently run a sharp knife over an apple to find if it is coated in wax.  If the apple is local, there is a chance that it is unwaxed.  If it is from elsewhere it is definitely waxed.  It's better to eat local for many reasons so try to get your produce from our farmers here, at farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) and stores that specialize in local produce.  Fruit peels are high in many nutrients, especially apples, so make the extra effort to find fruit that is not coated in wax and preservatives.  The organic label only pertains to how the food is grown and not to what happens to it after it has been harvested.  Even glyphosate is used after harvesting some organic foods.

The GMO High-Risk List: Potatoes
https://www.nongmoproject.org/blog/the-gmo-high-risk-list-potatoes/
"Many people are familiar with the most common GMO crops — corn, soy and canola — but did you know that some potatoes are also GMOs? GMO potatoes are so common that potatoes have been added to the Non-GMO Project's High-Risk List."

PLASTIC & POLLUTION
Public perceptions of plastic pollution

https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/interviews/public-perceptions-plastic-pollution

What’s more environmentally irresponsible than a thirsty L.A. lawn? A fake plastic one
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-08-05/artificial-turf-grass-lawn-plants-gardening-plastic-climate-recycling-environment-water

WAKE UP CALL

The Enormous Flaw in Wildfire Data

https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/08/02/the-enormous-flaw-in-wildfire-data/

"Forest Service wildfire perimeter data is vastly compromised in that a large proportion of acres burned within the officially designated wildfire perimeters are actually ignited by the US Forest Service themselves, most often by aerial ignitions via drones and helicopters. In many cases, the majority of a fire that is called a “wildfire” on national forest lands is actually Forest Service intentional burning. This strategy for managing fire has increased to the point that numerous fires are substantially expanded by intentional burning.
Currently, the Tanques Fire in the Santa Fe National Forest, originally ignited by a lightning strike, is being expanded through aerial and ground firing operations under command of the Forest Service. According to a Forest Service news release, the fire was first reported on July 18, and by July 25, the fire had grown to only 13 acres. Around that point the Forest Service made the decision to expand the fire up to 7,000 acres with firing operations, utilizing both aerial and hand ignitions. That means the Forest Service intended to expand it up to 538X its size."

US Forest Service failing to protect old growth trees from logging, critics say
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/01/us-forest-service-old-growth-trees-deforestation-logging
"Biden’s efforts to save mature trees are not getting enough Forest Service support, according to some conservationists."

Burying radioactive nuclear waste poses enormous risks by David Suzuki
https://rabble.ca/environment/burying-radioactive-nuclear-waste-poses-enormous-risks/
"The spent fuel will remain radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years, and contamination and leaks are possible during storage, containment, transportation and burial."

‘Massive disinformation campaign’ is slowing global transition to green energy
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/aug/08/fossil-fuel-industry-using-disinformation-campaign-to-slow-green-transition-says-un
"UN says a global ‘backlash’ against climate action is being stoked by fossil fuel companies."

Canada needs to tell us the truth

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/08/09/opinion/canada-needs-tell-us-truth

"It’s difficult to refute the view that political communication today, more than in any previous era, is rife with propaganda — and when it comes to climate change, propaganda is easier than action. To prevent this from happening, we must convince our political leaders that deceptive language about climate change, intentional or not, will cost them politically. The first steps on that path are to inform electors of the real, unvarnished facts. Electors must be encouraged to hold their politicians accountable for policies that may harm future generations."

Prisoners in the US are part of a hidden workforce linked to hundreds of popular food brands
https://apnews.com/article/prison-to-plate-inmate-labor-investigation-c6f0eb4747963283316e494eadf08c4e

Will global warming turn L.A. into San Bernardino? Map models climate change in 60 years

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-08-04/will-global-warming-turn-la-into-san-bernardino

THINK TANK & STRATEGY
Green Class Struggle: Workers and the Just Transition

https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/green-class-struggle-workers-and-the-just-transition/

Don't miss this important article.

Battery Minerals: A Common Fight Over Uncommon Things
https://blog.ucsusa.org/david-watkins/battery-minerals-a-common-fight-over-uncommon-things/

DIRECT ACTIONS
Minnesota Settles ‘Deceptive Environmental Marketing’ Lawsuit Over ‘Recycling’ Plastic Bags
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/03082024/minnesota-recycling-plastic-bags-lawsuit/
"The lawsuit was among a burgeoning crop of plastics litigation amid growing awareness of a global plastics crisis."

SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Used-EV prices are crashing as buyers shift back towards hybrid vehicles
https://autos.yahoo.com/used-ev-prices-crashing-buyers-110901883.html

Long-Range EVs Now Cost Less Than the Average New Car in the US
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-07/long-range-evs-now-cost-less-than-the-average-us-new-car

EV Savings Calculator
https://data.coltura.org/ev-calculator

How Indigenous Peoples are safeguarding Earth’s biodiversity
https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/69219/indigenous-peoples-safeguarding-earth-biodiversity-climate-justice-movement/

Advancing Wildlife Connectivity with Erin Sito of Wildlands Network (audio)
https://rewilding.org/episode-129-advancing-wildlife-connectivity-with-erin-sito-of-wildlands-network/
"As the United States Policy Director for Wildlands Network, Erin Sito researches, develops and promotes laws and policies geared towards supporting habitat connectivity and biodiversity at the local, state, and federal level."

Woodchips for Garden Mulch (Back to Eden Method)
https://melissaknorris.com/wood-chips-for-garden-mulch-beneficial-or-not/

Wood chips can be a free resource and can even be delivered for free to your driveway.  Many experienced gardeners swear by this method, while others caution against it.  This is definitely not recommended in a fire-prone area.  However, if you keep the woodchips moist they can hold a lot of water and carbon for your garden.

ENDING ON A POSITIVE
Farmers honor 'Peanuts' creator Charles M. Schulz with corn mazes across US and in Canada
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/entertainment/farmers-honor-peanuts-creator-charles-m-schulz-with-corn-mazes-across-us/
"The mazes — which span 35 states and provinces, from California to New York, Ontario to Texas — are expected to attract more than 2 million visitors."

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%!

What Earth Actions are you taking?

https://OccupySonomaCounty.org
https://OccupySonomaCounty.org/es (en español)
http://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 countywide social justice campaigns that are globally relevant.