10 Issues to Write Your Congressperson (and Educate Your Friends and Neighbors) About 1) Clean Air & Water

A little compromise was made back when the Clean Air Act was first passed that lets power plants built before 1978 spew dangerous and illegal levels of pollutants until the plants are renovated. Now the Bush administration is considering relaxing the rules and allowing power companies to upgrade their plants without installing state-of-the-art pollution-control technology. The Bush administration has also recommended that Congress reduce the involvement of citizens and states in implementing the Clean Water Act and protecting streams from hydropower operations. Tell Congress to reject these changes and put people and health above other considerations. 2) Food & Agriculture The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is deciding whether to approve the first application by a company to sell genetically engineered salmon, but not enough research has been done to know whether these fish could wreak havoc on the environment in ways weve yet to imagineand theres no guarantee these farmed fish wont escape and breed with their wild cousins. Similarly, large companies like Kraft and Kellogg are moving forward with genetically modified ingredients in some packaged foods without a clear understanding of the potential health or environmental risks. Crops that have been genetically adulterated with viral, bacterial and animal genes should not be in our food supply until they are better tested. Write the FDA, Kraft and Kellogg and urge them not to move forward with genetically modified foods until we know more about the potential consequences of bioengineering. 3) Climate Change & Clean Energy The oil industry wants Congress to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling in exchange for very weak measures addressing climate change and energy efficiency. But oil will soon be an historical footnote as wind power, hydrogen and other clean, renewable energy options move closer to center stage. Send a letter to President Bush and to your members of Congress urging them to support legislation that reduces carbon emissions, protects the Arctic and promotes real energy efficiency. 4) Pollution and Toxic Waste One in four Americans lives within four miles of a Superfund site, a previously occupied manufacturing or chemical facility that has left behind a poison legacy that needs to be cleaned up. These sites, which include some of the most toxic waste dumps in our nation, pose a threat to land, water, air and people. By law, polluters must pay for cleanup, but corporate lobbyists are hard at work trying to absolve them of responsibility, which means either the sites wont be cleaned or they will be cleaned instead with taxpayer dollars. Ask your members of Congress to strengthen, not weaken, Superfund legislation. Want to know whos polluting in your community? Go to Environmental Defenses Scorecard (www.scorecard.org) and simply type in your zipcode. 5) Oceans and Fisheries Fisheries around the globe are being depleted rapidly by overfishing. Catches are getting smaller and so are the fish, as the fishing industry reels in younger and younger fish as their species dwindle. If you eat fish, check the Monterey Bay Aquariums Seafood Watch Guide to learn which fish are best to eat and which are best to avoid (also because of mercury contamination). You can download a convenient pocket card to carry as you shop for fish. Pollution is another problem. Major cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, are dumping thousands of gallons of sewage into our oceans. Cruise ships are not required by Congress to have discharge permits, so they legally can dump sewage as close as just three miles offshore. The cost to outfit these ships with advanced wastewater treatment systems would have little to no impact on the cost of a cruise, yet Royal Caribbean chooses not to do this. Take action to let Royal Caribbean know what you think. 6) Transportation

The average American driver spends 443 hours driving every yearand American cars, trucks and buses spew 12 billion pounds of toxic chemicals into the air, ground and water in the process. More cars and trucks are bad for the environment and terrible for human health; roads encroach on valuable farmlands and open spaces; and nobody likes traffic jams. Unfortunately, congressional support for the U.S. passenger rail system, which could mitigate many of our woes, continues to fall. Ask your members of Congress to stand up for Amtrak, and to support investment in high-speed rail corridors and public transportation of all kinds. 7) Population Human birth rates, especially in poor, developing countries, continue to soar well above the replacement level of two children per couple, and population is growing well beyond the carrying capacity of these impoverished countries. This has a profound effect on the environment, not to mention human misery. A very strong majority of Americans supports U.S. family planning aid to developing countries. However, the Bush administration recently rescinded $34 million appropriated by Congress for United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) family planning efforts, and halted condom shipments to nearly 30 developing countries, including some with high rates of AIDS. Write President Bush and your representatives and urge them to go along with the American public and support UNPF, a crucial agency which plays a major role in expanding access to family planning and maternal health care around the world. 8) Recycling & Solid Waste Although 30 percent of the municipal solid waste generated in the United States is recycled or composted, that means that some 70 percent of paper, cardboard, glass, metals, plastics, rubber, leather, textiles, wood, food, yard trimmings and inorganic waste is still incinerated or buried in landfills. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has witnessed the amount of waste produced in the U.S. rapidly increase over the past four decades. A 2001 EPA study estimated that 229 million tons of wastes were produced that year, a nearly threefold increase from the 88 million tons of waste produced in 1960. There are some positive trends: In 1960, just 6.3 percent of total U.S. waste was recycled, only a fifth of what is being recycled today. And in a more recent years comparison, some 68 million tons of waste were recycled or composted in 2001, compared to 34 million tons just 10 years earlier. Write your local and state representatives and urge them to support efforts that will further these positive trends and increase recycling. And write to the companies you patronize to encourage them to undertake less wasteful practices such as over-packaging and the use of disposable containers. 9) National Parks, Forests and Wilderness Air pollution, road development and inadequate funds for upkeep are just a few of the problems facing Americas national parks. From Glacier Bay to the Mojave Desert, some of our nations most spectacular regions are endangered. Write to the National Parks Service and ask them to protect the parks from these ongoing threats. Roadless areas need protection, too, to preserve our forests and other wild areas. The Bush administration has decided to roll back a plan put in place by the Clinton administration to ban roadbuilding and logging on nearly 60 million acres of some of the wildest land remaining in the United States. Two million Americans have said they favor the roadless rule. Ask your representative to sponsor legislation protecting roadless areas. 10) Protect Animals Dolphin deaths dropped a whopping 97 percent after dolphin-safe labels started appearing on tuna cans in 1990. But now the fishing industry with the support of the Bush Administration is trying to redefine what it means to be dolphin-safe, a move that will only compromise the well being of these graceful and intelligent animals. Write Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans and Secretary of State Colin Powell to tell them to stick with the current definition of dolphin-safe.

Norway still hasnt signed the international whaling moratorium, and Japan continues to conduct scientific whaling, though the spoils of this activity are ending up in pricey Tokyo restaurants. Let the Japan and Norway embassies know that killing whales is not acceptable.

http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/earthday.htm

1. Climate Change Global warming has been concerning scientists for decades, but Al Gore legitimized the crisis with his controversial film An Inconvenient Truth. From the melting polar ice caps to catastrophic weather and threatened ecosystems, not only is climate change real, scientists agree that humans are influencing climate change with our production of greenhouse gases (mainly stemming from carbon dioxide and methane). What can you do? How bad is it? Why do so many people still think climate change isnt real? Is it real? These are just some of the issues worth exploring. The good news is that despite the urgency of the crisis, there are exciting technological developments as well as meaningful lifestyle changes you can make to help. 2. Energy Clean energy vs. dirty energy. Renewable energy. Energy independence. Petroleum. Biofuels. Coal. ANWR and offshore drilling. Even Paris Hilton has something to say about energy. Energy is second only to climate change in significance, but the picture isnt as clear as one might think. China is heavily criticized, but did you know the state of California is worse? Look for plenty of myth-busting and interesting news to come, as well as practical tips to reduce your own energy dependence. Though no single energy source is going to be the solution, positive developments toward a cleaner future are happening every single day. 3. Waste With the immediate looming problems of climate change and energy, focus has shifted away from landfill waste, but this is a serious problem. The world has largely gotten accustomed to a throwaway lifestyle, but thats neither healthy nor sustainable. Waterways are choked with trash and modernized nations ship their undesirable leftovers to the developing world. Fashion fashion, fast food, packaging and cheap electronics are just some of the problems. The amount of waste the industrialized world generates is shocking. Water bottles are the defining symbol of this critical issue. Fortunately, people are becoming aware of the consequences of fast consumption and there are many simple changes you can make in your own life to help significantly reduce landfill waste. 4. Water Pure Water is in short supply. Our global reserves of drinkable water are a fraction of 1% and 1 in 5 humans does not have access to potable (safe) water. Many people do not realize that strife has already broken out in some stressed regions. There are many potential solutions, some promising, others challenging. Desalinization is an energy-inefficient, expensive option. But there are many things you can do. (Hint: it starts with turning off the faucet when you brush.) 5. Food Biofuels have turned into a global controversy the idea that people may causing the starvation of millions in order to fuel their SUVs is sickening. And yet thats not the whole picture. For example, eating hamburgers has as much or more impact on the global food picture as the use of biofuels. And then theres the whole issue of food miles at first, local seemed logical, but the situation is more complex than that. Its all about resources and efficiency. There are big questions: can we support the world without turning to vegetarianism? We know that the planet cant afford the Western way of eating. It would take 5 earths to

support that lifestyle! What about hunting is that good for the environment? Look for more articles soon exploring the complicated world of food. Fortunately, there are a multitude of tasty diets that incorporate greener values, so its not necessary to adhere to veganism, for example. 6. Consumption This is directly tied to waste. It is well-known that the industrialized world simply consumes in a way that is not sustainable. And the developing world is rapidly imitating the model. Sustainability in the most compelling sense is about long-term solvency. The way we live now is borrowing against the future. Reducing consumption, and smart consumption, are both necessary and there are many ways to go about doing this. Some methods are pure geek, some are high tech, and some are just common sense. And once you start exploring, youll see that its actually fun. 7. Land Management From desertification to polar ice melting to erosion and deforestation, existing land management choices are not serving the planet or its inhabitants very well. The 1990s saw some headway with forest management but the Bush administrations various initiatives (most notoriously, Healthy Forests) have set back progress by decades. There is very little land left that is undeveloped, either with structures or roads. And there is virtually no land left that is not subject to light or noise pollution. The modern green movement believes that in order to create a sustainable future, people will need to return to the conservation spirit Americans were once famous for. Thats a value system that includes meaning, adventure, and selfsufficiency no wonder so many people are getting inspired. 8. Ecosystems and Endangered Species The good news is that some species have made a comeback. The bad news is that many more species are now under threat, including indicator species and evolutionarily unique species. (When an indicator species becomes threatened, endangered, or worse, extinct, this means an entire ecosystem faces collapse.) The consequences can have global impact. From the most unusual endangered animals to a complete list of indicator species for key ecosystems and how you can help, youll find plenty of fascinating information soon. (Be sure to bookmark this post and check back for updates and links.) 9. The Science of Public Health Issues Our tomatoes have fish DNA? Killer bugs are on the loose? Superweeds are taking over corn fields? Wild animals are sprouting extra limbs? Autism is on the rise? WTF! What on earth (literally) is going on? From genetic manipulation and cloning to public health issues and food and drug contamination, get to know the new, strange, important and most interesting green issues related to genetic science, agribusiness, public health and more. Whats this about electromagnetic fields? Is all that exhaust on my commute killing me? Do cell phones really cause cancer? Will soy milk give me man boobs? How much of our groundwater is contaminated? Is smog getting worse or better? How much acid rain is there? Why cant I drink out of streams? These are just some of the fascinating questions you can read about here in future posts. You can look forward to sane analysis that debunks myth and takes fear-mongering to task. Did you guess the tenth issue? There are more issues, but those are the most critical green challenges. It will take a combination of technological developments and lifestyle changes to address these challenges successfully and that begins with learning, which is perhaps the most important environmental challenge of all, rounding out the list at 10. Stay tuned for more!

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/08/18/most-important-environmental-issues-of-today/

Saving precious remains

There are few signs today of the Philippines' once sprawling rainforests. With a growing trend in human population, it is hoped that the country's marine environment will not suffer the same fate. Overfishing and destructive fishing Fishers in the Philippines are increasingly coming home with pitiful catches. Of a number of factors which have led to this situation, one stands out: over-fishing in many areas. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), there has been a drop of 90% in the quantity of marine organisms that can be trawled in some traditional fishing areas of the Philippines. This isnt just a question of declining fish stocks and biodiversity, but also of social impacts and economic losses. Mismanagement of fisheries resources is estimated to cost US$ 420 million annually in lost revenues. At the root of the overfishing problem is weak fisheries management, ineffective policies and poor enforcement of fishery laws. WWF Coastal infrastructure development Coastal zone development has been particularly damaging to the Philippines marine environment, especially to coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses. As populations have increased, so have their needs for construction materials and living space. Excavation, dredging, and coastal conversion to accommodate coastal development have seen corals being extracted for reclamation and construction, especially in coastal villages. Mangroves have particularly suffered from coastal development, notably at the hands of the aquaculture industry. In the Philippines, aquaculture has reduced mangrove stands to only 36% of 1900 levels. WWF-Canon / Jrgen FREUND Deforestation After decades of deforestation, which has left about 3% of the original cover, forests continue to be under threat from agriculture and urbanization, illegal logging and forest fires. Sustained forest loss in the Philippines is causing severe soil erosion, and is threatening the countrys rich biodiversity. This is particularly worrying as many of the Philippines species, which depend on these forests, are endemic (they cannot be found anywhere else in the world). For example, of 180 native terrestrial mammal species here, about 61% are endemic. Inconsistent laws, inadequate regulations, weak enforcement and lack of funding are making forest conservation a major challenge. Pollution Only about 10% of sewage in the Philippines is treated or disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. The rest goes back to nature usually the sea. In this context of poor waste treatment and high population growth, water pollution is a growing problem for the countrys groundwater, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Polluting industrial material is also found in abandoned mining areas, with mercury pollution affecting water bodies in these areas. These problems are unfolding in a context of poor planning, and weak management and enforcement of regulations. http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/philippines/environmental_problems__in_philippines/

List of issues

Climate change Global warming Global dimming Fossil fuels Sea level rise Greenhouse gas Ocean acidification Shutdown of thermohaline circulation Environmental impact of the coal industry Urban Heat Islands Conservation Species extinction Pollinator decline Coral bleaching Holocene extinction Invasive species Poaching Endangered species Energy Energy conservation Renewable energy Efficient energy use Renewable energy commercialization Environmental impact of the coal industry Environmental degradation Eutrophication Habitat destruction Invasive species Environmental health Air quality Asthma Environmental impact of the coal industry Electromagnetic fields Electromagnetic radiation and health Indoor air quality Lead poisoning Sick Building Syndrome Genetic engineering Genetic pollution Genetically modified food controversies Intensive farming Overgrazing Irrigation Monoculture Environmental effects of meat production Slash and burn Pesticide drift Plasticulture Land degradation Land pollution Desertification Soil Soil conservation Soil erosion Soil contamination Soil salination

Land use Urban sprawl Habitat fragmentation Habitat destruction Nanotechnology Nanotoxicology Nanopollution Nuclear issues Nuclear fallout Nuclear meltdown Nuclear power Nuclear weapons Nuclear and radiation accidents Nuclear safety High-level radioactive waste management. Overpopulation Burial Water crisis Overpopulation in companion animals Tragedy of the commons Gender Imbalance in Developing Countries Sub-replacement fertility levels in developed countries Ozone depletion CFC Biological effects of UV exposure Pollution Environmental impact of the coal industry Nonpoint source pollution Point source pollution Light pollution Noise pollution Visual pollution Water pollution Environmental impact of the coal industry Acid rain Eutrophication Marine pollution Ocean dumping Oil spills Thermal pollution Urban runoff Water crisis Marine debris Microplastics Ocean acidification Ship pollution Wastewater Fish kill Algal bloom Mercury in fish Air pollution Environmental impact of the coal industry Smog Tropospheric ozone Indoor air quality Volatile organic compound Particulate matter

Reservoirs Environmental impacts of reservoirs Resource depletion Exploitation of natural resources Overdrafting Consumerism Consumer capitalism Planned obsolescence Over-consumption Fishing Blast fishing Bottom trawling Cyanide fishing Ghost nets Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing Overfishing Shark finning Whaling Logging Clearcutting Deforestation Illegal logging

Mining Acid mine drainage Hydraulic fracturing Mountaintop removal mining Slurry impoundments

Toxins Chlorofluorocarbons DDT Endocrine disruptors Dioxin Toxic heavy metals Environmental impact of the coal industry Herbicides Pesticides Toxic waste PCB Bioaccumulation Biomagnification Waste Electronic waste Litter Waste disposal incidents Marine debris Medical waste Landfill Leachate Environmental impact of the coal industry Incineration Great Pacific Garbage Patch Exporting of hazardous waste

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_environmental_issues