Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Polar Bears' Future Melts Away - Act Now To Save Their Habitat

We, the Undersigned, endorse the following petition:

Join Leonardo DiCaprio in Protecting Critical Habitat for Polar Bears

Target: Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, Department of the Interior
Sponsor: Natural Resources Defense Council

"As one of the first species to face extinction as a direct result of global warming, the bear’s future is literally melting away along with the Arctic sea ice."
- Leonardo DiCaprio, NRDC Trustee
Leonardo DiCaprio

Polar bears are completely dependent on Arctic sea ice to survive. But a new study by the U. S. Geological Survey shows that optimal polar bear habitat is in decline and much of it will be gone by mid-century.

Polar bears are already suffering the effects of global warming. Birth rates are falling, fewer cubs are surviving and more bears are drowning. There have been documented reports of polar bears drowning and starving -- and of snowy dens collapsing on newborn cubs and their mothers from unseasonable rains.

Polar BearsThe Bush Administration's proposal to list the polar bear as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act is a crucial first step toward ensuring a future for these magnificent Arctic creatures. But the Administration's proposal does not designate "critical habitat" for protection, even though melting habitat from global warming is the main threat to the polar bear's survival.

View this petition and your signature at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/777147998

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"The polar bear is the unfortunate poster child of global warming. But with your help we can save the polar bear -- and help all life on earth survive -- by protecting our planet from the most destructive impacts of global warming." - Leonardo DiCaprio

Thursday, October 25, 2007

It's not too late to save polar bears & penguins

ActForChange and Working Assets are proud to bring you an urgent alert from our friends at the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), calling on representatives in Congress to step up and co-sponsor Rep. Waxman's Safe Climate Act of 2007. I urge you to visit the CBD site using the links below and take action today.

Will Easton
Manager, ActForChange.com/Working Assets



Penguins & Polar Bears Will Thank You

It's not too late to save the polar bears and penguins. Ask your representative to co-sponsor the Safe Climate Act.

take action now

Ask Your Representative to Co-Sponsor the Safe Climate Act

Global warming and related ecological changes threaten plants and animals worldwide. Arctic species like polar bears and Antarctic species like the Emperor penguin are experiencing rapid melting of their sea ice habitats.

The ice is melting due to global warming, fueled by greenhouse gas emissions.

If greenhouse gas emissions are not soon greatly reduced, 33 percent of the world's species, including polar bears and penguins, may be doomed to extinction by the year 2050.

It's time to take a stand for penguins and polar bears! Tell Congress to support the Safe Climate Act.

The Safe Climate Act would reduce greenhouse gas pollution to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The bill also emphasizes renewable energy, energy efficiency and cleaner cars that produce less greenhouse gas emissions.

We need your help in convincing Congress that the Safe Climate Act is the proper legislation for protecting wildlife from the growing threat of global warming.

Send a letter to your Representative today. Penguins and polar bears will thank you!

Thank you for working to build a better world.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Action Alert: 72 Hours to Save Grizzlies and Other Forest Wildlife

Un-“Bear”-able Proposal

Grizzly Bear (Photo: USFWS)

Habitat loss from logging and other activities is one of the greatest threats to grizzly bears in the lower 48 United States.

Take Action

Time is running out to stop a Bush/Cheney forest proposal that would eliminate vital protections for grizzly bears and other wildlife. Take action now to help us stop it!

Fast Fact

Grizly Cubs (Photo: Corel)The grizzly bear was once common on the Great Plains. Human encroachment has forced the remaining populations of these brown bears to move to rugged mountains and remote forests that are undisturbed by humans.


Everybody needs a home -- especially grizzly bears and other wildlife that depend on habitat in our National Forests to survive.

But a proposal introduced in August by the Bush/Cheney Administration would dismantle vital protections for our National Forests and grasslands and eliminate key federal protections for all wildlife in those areas… including the still-struggling grizzly bear.

We have just a short time to stop this awful plan. Send a message to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service right now, and urge federal officials to abandon their latest regulatory assault on the National Forest Management Act.

Earlier this year, the grizzlies in the Yellowstone region were removed from the list of species protected under the Endangered Species Act. However, these beloved bears could be right back on the fast-track to extinction if federal officials move forward with their proposed changes to the rules implementing the National Forest Management Act.

These changes would do away with essential wildlife viability standards that have protected grizzlies, wolves and other forest animals for more than 20 years, limit public input on forest planning decisions and exempt forest plans from meaningful environmental review.

The result: more destructive logging and other activities on our National Forests and grasslands and fewer grizzlies and other wildlife.

The public comment period on this awful proposal ends Monday, October 22nd, so please take action now to stop this terrible plan and protect our forest wildlife.

The grizzly isn’t the only animal threatened by this proposal. Unless we prevail, wolves, wolverines, elk, salmon and many other species could all suffer.

Please take action right now. We owe it to tomorrow’s conservationists to protect our grizzlies and other wildlife today.

Sincerely,

Rodger Schlickeisen, President Signature
Rodger Schlickeisen
President
Defenders of Wildlife
Rodger Schlickeisen, President (c)Daniel J. Cox/www.naturalexpos

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Telecom Giants VS Green Jobs

Right now, tens of thousands of people, mostly mothers with children, are working from their home office. However, the Phone Companies want to penalize them by assessing rates that are punitive.

Basically, many work at home professionals have having their phone service suspended due to "abusing their unlimited long distance service". Apparently, unlimited does NOT mean UNLIMITED! The fine print in the service contracts gives the Phone Companies that power.

So, these people, at great personal expense, upgrade to a business account. Even after doing so, people are finding their so-called unlimited long distance service terminated AGAIN due to "excessive use".

Working from home saves gasoline by not having to burn fossil fuels to drive to an office, often a hour or more from the worker's home. Working from home gives children a greater sense of security -instead of being left with a babysitter, at a daycare center, etc., the child is able to come home because at least one parent is there, working in their home office. Working from home enables many who have disabilities and would otherwise be dependent on government subsidies to continue to work and be a contributing member of society, giving them a sense of pride along with a paycheck. Many home-based professionals are finding that they earn more money with a home-based job than with a "brick and mortar" job, after figuring in the cost of gasoline, work clothes, meals and snacks, and day care.

So why are the phone companies fighting with people who are simply trying to support their families? Why are they taking that option away for ten of thousands of hard-working Americans? In a word- GREED!

Home-based professionals need a champion- somebody with enough clout and media recognition who will help us take on the Goliaths of the telecommunications industry.

-Dorothy Blake

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Clean Energy - It's Your Call

Congress must be feeling the pressure right now.

Will they let Big Oil, Big Auto, and Big Utilities' lobbyists convince them to cut back on groundbreaking measures that will drastically reduce America's dependence on fossil fuels?

Or, will Congress listen to the people who elected them - that's you! - and pass a historic bill that will lead America to a clean energy future?

You can help them answer that question right now simply by picking up the phone! LCV supporters have already sent 41,834 messages to Congress, now it's time to light up the switchboards!

Calling your Representative is easy and only takes a few minutes. Here's what you need to call:

WHO:

Sen. Martinez at (202) 224-3041
Sen. Nelson at (202) 224-5274
Representative Mahoney at (202) 225-5792
WHEN:


TODAY, October 17th, 12-2pm
We'll make the biggest impact if their phones are ringing all day long - so make your call between 12-2 pm YOUR time.

WHAT TO SAY TO THE STAFFER WHO ANSWERS:

  • As a constituent, I'm paying close attention to the progress of the final energy bill in Congress. This is our chance to put America on the path to developing a new energy policy for new jobs in a new economy, and a cleaner future.
  • The final version of the energy bill must include critical provisions from both the House and the Senate versions of the bill, like renewable electricity (RES) and fuel efficiency standards.
  • The final energy bill must include the RES standards in the House bill, requiring utilities to generate 15% of their power from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2020.
  • It also needs to include fuel efficiency standards in the Senate bill, which increases the average mileage of cars and trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
  • Finally, the final energy bill must include the House provision that reduces tax breaks for Big Oil and establishes incentives for renewable energy.

After you've made your call, tell us how your call went! Click here to let us know if you got through to your representatives.

It might seem a little nerve racking to call them for the first time - but remember, YOU elected them - it's their job to listen to you, not Big Oil lobbyists. Help make every phone on Capitol Hill ring today!

Thanks so much for your commitment to energy independence and a cleaner, brighter future.

Sincerely,

Gene Karpinski
President
League of Conservation Voters

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Tell Governor Crist: Support The Florida Solar Roofs Initiative

Tell Governor Crist to Support Solar Energy

With so much at stake from global warming, Florida's got to take the lead in eliminating greenhouse gas pollution. It's time to get serious about clean energy.

Governor Crist took a first step in the right direction over the summer, surprising everyone by rejecting a draft law on clean energy that he said was too weak, and demanding a bigger plan. Vote Solar has developed that plan -- The Florida Solar Roofs Initiative.

Let Governor Crist know that it is time utilize the sun in the Sunshine State.

The Florida Solar Roofs Initiative will generate enough zero-pollution solar energy to cut out more than 20 coal-fired power plants -- the single biggest source of global-warming pollution -- by using solar panels ("photovoltaics") and solar water heating ("solar thermal") for at least 2% each of the state's energy, by 2020.

It's critically important that Governor Crist know that the Florida Solar Roofs plan has the support of the people. And that's where you come in. Vote Solar will hand-deliver your online signature to Governor Crist when they meet with him.

Show your support for pollution-free solar power in Florida by signing the Vote Solar petition.

Thank you for working to build a better world.

Tell Governor Crist: Support The Florida Solar Roofs Initiative

The Florida Solar Roofs Initiative will supply 2% of Florida's energy from rooftop solar photovoltaics and a further 2% from solar thermal, by 2020.

take action now

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Greenjobs


" We created Greenjobs to ease the path of talent into the renewable energy industries, to ensure that their growth is never stifled through lack of people." Dr. Peter Beadle, President, Greenjobs

http://www.greenjobs.com/public/index.aspx

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/jobs/

http://www.greenbiz.com/jobs/

Friday, October 12, 2007

Support the Hometown Democracy Amendment

Florida's wildlife needs your help now! The Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment is a ballot initiative that seeks to control unsustainable sprawl and development that destroys wildlife habitat. Much of Florida's open space has been eaten up by rampant development, diminishing the qualify of life for the people of Florida and displacing and harming wildlife. Several species that have served as icons for the state are now considered rare or imperiled, often due directly or indirectly to habitat loss caused by development and roadbuilding. Your signature can help protect Florida's wildlife.

Currently, 58 animal species are listed by the federal government as threatened or endangered, including the Florida panther, Florida scrub jay, gentle manatee and several species of sea turtles. In addition, the tiny Key deer, the wood stork, and the gopher tortoise are just three of over 100 animals recognized by the state of Florida as imperiled species.

he Florida Hometown Democracy campaign must collect 611,000 verified signatures by January 31, 2008 in order to qualify for the November 2008 ballot. Please go to www.floridahometowndemocracy.com and click "sign the petition." Then download the petition, sign it and send it in.

If you are willing to collect signatures of others, please do so. If we don't gather enough signatures, the people of Florida won't be given the opportunity to take a stand on this issue.

Thank you for all you do for animals.

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States

Friday, October 5, 2007

Hybrid Cars Versus Oil Cars

For quite some time, cars have fascinated people and consumers with all the outstanding features in the latest and newest models.

In the past, cars were principally meant to facilitate faster and more convenient mobility of people so they could go to their work and destinations faster.

There is a striking setback, however. Energy requirements and combustion is one because cars principally run on oil or gasoline.

So what is wrong about it? Not much. Oil or gasoline are combustible substances, thus, producing carbon monoxide and other air pollutants throughout the process.

Another, gasoline or oil prices are almost always on the rise because of the increasing demand for the liquid, and dwindling or insufficient supplies, which is often made worse by the conflicts in the oil producing Middle Eastern region.

Thus, oil prices are the most volatile of all the commodity prices in the world market, and people, much more nations, are experiencing the impact profusely because almost all industries are powered by oil.

Oil cars have totally evolved through the years. The once sleazy appearance of cars are now ultra chic and sophisticated, thanks to the evolving and modernizing design techniques and strategies which integrate exterior appearance with the interior or overall car functionality.

Hybrid cars

One apparent and existing proof of the oil car’s evolution is the hybrid cars. For quite some time, or since the start of the new millennium, people’s thinking have gone so advanced that technology almost have come up with every concern raised in the past decade.

The reliance of people on oil cars and the need to produce or develop car versions that would reduce pollutant or emissions have propelled car makers around the world to develop or assemble car versions that would rely on electric power.

But because the times are not yet calling for an entirely electric run vehicle, car makers have devised the hybrid cars, a combination and integration of the conventional and modern oil cars and the not-so reliable and inferior electric cars.

For one, hybrid cars are made to answer the issues regarding the use of oil, whose prices are soaring rapidly. Another, since electricity is already a form of energy and needs no further combustion, pollution is reduced.

The hybrid cars run on the combination of the oil and electricity as sources of energy or power that are needed to run the cars. Because the technology is still in the preliminary stage, further advancement is still much needed, making the prices truly astronomical.

On the average, a hybrid car costs about the price of the most expensive car in the market today. That is because the car is still new and car makers are also still in the process of overdue development.

The technology and raw materials used in the manufacture of hybrid cars are also still priced higher. Thus, its makers are left with no choice but to charge on the costs to the consumers. Car making still is a thriving and struggling business.

But, the functions of the early hybrid cars in the market are still way limited and inferior compared to the advanced oil car models. For one, mileage and speed is affected because at some point, the hybrid cars are run by electricity.

The carbon combustion and emission is not significantly reduced. It is lessened, alright, but not to the extent that would help accelerate the advocacy against greenhouse gas emission and ozone depletion.

The technology of hybrid cars will really have to go through a lot before finally overtaking the conventional and traditional oil-powered cars.

Hybrid vs. oil cars

In contrast, hybrid cars are still inferior in all aspects compared to the oil cars. That is why experts and car fanatics are somehow disappointed on how the anticipated hybrid cars have turned out to be.

Much have been expected from the hybrid cars. It is about time, car makers lean back and recharge their research and development efforts before finally going full gears to accelerate the segment for hybrid cars.