Supporting Our Santa Cruz County Environmental Groups
Grant yourself the satisfaction of giving to causes you hold dear!
Please consider giving locally to the several dozen dedicated local environmental groups that rely on our support.
Amah Mutsun Land Trust
Bike Santa Cruz County
Cal. Native Plant Society – SCC Chapter
Citizens Climate Lobby
Coastal Watershed Council
Community AgroEcology Network
County Park Friends
Eat For The Earth
Ecology Action
Esperanza Community Farms
Farm Discovery At Live Earth
Groundswell Coastal Ecology
Homeless Garden Project
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
California Environmental Voter: Pass AB 593 to Reduce emissions in Homes and Buildings
In California, commercial and residential buildings account for approximately 25% of the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, second only to the transportation sector. Yet despite the building sector’s tremendous contribution to the climate crisis, there is currently NO statewide plan to reduce its emissions. Assembly Bill 593 will ensure California develops a comprehensive plan to cut this pollution in a way that maximizes the benefits for workers, communities, and new industries alike. The bill requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to identify and implement an emissions reduction strategy for the building sector, complete with milestones, to advance California’s path to carbon neutrality by 2045. Speak up HERE.
Earth Day: Tell Governor Newsom To Sign The Microfiber Filtration Bill
Thanks to your letters to your lawmakers, the Microfiber Filtration bill, AB 1628, passed the Senate in California and is now on Governor Newsom’s desk to sign into law. The bill aims to lessen the threat of microplastic contamination by mandating the installation of microfiber filters on all new washing machines sold in California by 2029, reducing emissions by nearly 80%. We can’t let this chance to make a real difference in the fight against plastics fail at the last moment. It is essential that you take this opportunity to send a letter and ask that Governor Newsom sign. Action HERE.
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary: The final public comment Period is here!
The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary provides an exceptional opportunity to advance the first Tribal-nominated national marine sanctuary designation in the U.S., setting a precedent for elevating Indigenous perspectives and cultural values in ocean conservation. Preserve our unique and irreplaceable coastal ecosystems and safeguard thousands of years of Chumash cultural heritage by protecting sacred sites. Your comment can help the designation of the CHNMS. NOAA want’s YOUR input! The final public comment period for the proposed Sanctuary is open for 60 days until October 25. Make your voice heard! Visit our website to learn how you can show support: https://chumashsanctuary.org/public-comment/
Calif Environmental Voters: Bill Passed To Make corporations accountable for their pollution!
Thanks for taking action! The Calif legislature has just passed our sponsored bill SB 253 which will require the largest corporations to disclose their total climate emissions! This will be a total game changer, which is why corporate polluters spent a fortune on lobbying to mislead legislators and defeat our bill. (On Sept 6) the LA Times Editorial Board published an editorial endorsing SB 253, writing that it “would be groundbreaking legislation, with the potential to reach far beyond California’s borders by forcing some of the world’s biggest businesses to be honest about the damage they are causing.” Thank your representative HERE.
The Romero Institute: Volunteers Needed to Support Lakota Law Project
The Romero Institute’s Lakota People’s Law Project is seeking administrative office volunteers. We are currently inputting our enormous onsite library into a digital database. Volunteers will need to be experienced doing data entry and have the capability to move around, taking library books off the shelf, logging them manually into our database and then returning them to the shelf. This work will happen onsite at the Romero Institute in Santa Cruz. For info email info@romeroinstitute.org or Lesley-Reid at harrison@romeroinstitute.org.
Environteers Needs You!
We would love to have you join us in developing Environteers! All of the work (volunteer) is enjoyable, flexible and creative. We need a teammate or 3 who would enjoy networking with other nonprofits, connecting with college student communities, outreach to businesses with community service programs, publicizing with social media, and/or technical advice on Word Press or Mailchimp. Or bring your ideas! Contact us at info@environteers.org
Bike Santa Cruz County: Sunrise Rotary Ride, Bike Valet Volunteers, Sept 30, 11:30 – 3:30 pm
Sign up today to help with the Bike Valet for the Sunrise Rotary Ride Finish Event! Bike Valet volunteering entails: Setting up and breaking down canopies, bike racks and other event materials; Greeting customers; Providing a great customer service experience with a positive and welcoming demeanor; Coordinating intake and return of bicycles; Wheeling bikes to/from bike racks; Lifting bicycles onto/off of bike racks; or Monitoring bikes during event. At Santa Cruz County Bank, 75 River Street, SC. More info and sign up HERE.
Regeneración: En El Corozón Benefit Concert, Noon – 3 pm
Palenke Arts is proud to join hands with Regeneración and Pájaro Valley Climate Action to present “Pájaro in Our Hearts,” a benefit event aimed at providing support, solidarity and funding to the families impacted by the devastating Pájaro floods in March of this year. Palenke Arts/Martin Luther King School of the Arts
1713 Broadway Avenue, Seaside
Groundswell Coastal Ecology: Coastal Restoration, Oct 2, 9 am – 12:30 pm
“Come join your local community in coastal restoration at Seabright Beach. Help make our coast a better place and learn about coastal ecology. Activities vary by season: Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter, clearing invasive plants; Late Summer/Fall, native plant propagation; Fall/Winter, planting native plants. Every Monday!” More Info HERE.
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship: Hike & Help, Oct 5, 9 – 11 AM
Join SCMTS for a unique combination of social hike and trail maintenance event on weekday mornings, and become a valuable part of the team that monitors local trails. Adults only. Difficulty: Easy to moderate. It’s okay if you’ve never done trail work before. We love accommodating new and returning volunteers—all experience levels are welcome at SCMTS events. We will scout trails and perform light maintenance tasks while exploring the beauty of Santa Cruz parks. This week, we’re heading to Moore Creek — a hidden gem of Santa Cruz. We will brush trails and clear drains while taking in gorgeous views of the ocean. Info and signup HERE.
Coastal Watershed Council: River Health Day- Bridging the Gap Edition, Oct 14, 10 am – Noon
Join us for our River Health Day Bridging the Gap edition to plant and maintain native seedlings along the banks of the San Lorenzo River to increase biodiversity and revitalize the river ecosystem. We will meet at Yoso Wellness Spa and walk from there to either our habitat enhancement site or to join Save Our Shores in a trash cleanup along the Lower San Lorenzo River. We recommend that all volunteers joining us at our habitat enhancement site dress in comfortable gardening clothes, including long pants, socks and sturdy closed-toe shoes. Bring layers, sun protection and a reusable water bottle. Gloves, tools and light refreshments will be provided. More info and signup HERE.
Forest Of Nisene Marks Trail Work Day, Oct 15, 9:30 am – 2 pm, 2 – 4 hour shifts
“Join us for a trail work day in Nisene Marks SP! You’ll feel great to be of service and give back to the park we all love! Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and comfortable shoes you can hike to work site in as well as work/garden gloves if you have them. Bring a bag lunch and water. State Parks will provide liability release and all tools needed. Past work days have included installing and removing seasonal bridges, rebuilding wash outs, cutting trees that have fallen across the trail, removing ivy, and brushing back overgrown trails. Wide range of jobs to fit everyone! 3rd Sunday of each month, 9:30 am, 2 – 4hr. shifts. Covid safe. Meet at 9:30am at the entrance kiosk, coffee and baked goods will be available!” Info HERE.
Focus on Climate: Sierra Club Climate Committee, Oct 19, 6:30 pm
Sierra Club Santa Cruz invites club members and climate activists to join our Climate Committee. Chaired by Magi Amma and focusing on more specific climate centered issues, both local and statewide, this is a relatively new committee. Our work over the past year has included sea-level rise, river and watershed health, post-CZU fire recovery, deforestation and utility vegetation clear-cutting, wildfire risk due to changing weather patterns, transportation and renewable energy issues, and contacting and meeting with our local and state government staff, representatives and legislators. If you’re concerned about climate issues, please come to a meeting to see what we do, or consider joining the committee to work directly with us. We meet by Zoom every third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm and we welcome new members or guests. Email Magi at magi@hippocampus.com
S C Museum Of Natural History: Saturdays in the Soil, Oct 21, 10 am – noon
“It’s time to get your hands dirty at our monthly volunteer program in our native plant garden. Learn about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while coming together as a community (in a physically distanced manner) to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. This native plant garden requires general landscaping, occasional watering, weeding, and replanting. All ages are welcome; children under 14 require adult supervision. Please follow current state and local guidelines for covid safety at the time of the program. Every third Saturday at the SC Museum of Natural History.” RSVPs are required. Email volunteer@santacruzmuseum.org to express interest. More info HERE
Amah Mutsun Tribal Band: Volunteer At The Native Garden At Pie Ranch, Nov 21, 1 – 4 pm
“Volunteers have been an essential part of our repair and regeneration efforts after the CZU August Lightning Complex fire burned through Pie Ranch. Designed by tribal member, Matthew Lopez, the Native Garden is shaped like a pie with pathways representing the four directions. Each “pie slice” represents different ethnobotanical native plants featuring grassland foods, fibers and basketry plants, nuts and berries, and personal care. Some of us will stay in the garden for the whole work shift and some will venture to other projects around the farm. Volunteers help with planting, weeding, harvests, culling and mulching. Volunteer work days are on the third Saturday of each month. Pie Ranch, 2080 Green Oaks Way, Pescadero.” To RSVP go HERE or email: aarganbright@amahmutsun.org
Groundswell Coastal Ecology: Pilkington Creek Community Restoration, Oct 22, 10 am – 1 pm, And Most Sundays
“A dedicated group of volunteer land stewards is working to replace invasive plants with a glorious diversity of native plants. These plants provide structural habitat as well as produce nectar, berries, seeds that support many species of animals. Come join your local community in restoring this riparian woodland to native habitat. Help make this a refuge for birds and pollinators and learn about stream ecology. Meet at Tyrrell Park (by the Museum of Natural History), 1305 E Cliff Dr.” More INFO
Watsonville Wetlands Watch: New Volunteer Orientation, Oct 28, 8:30 – 9 am
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available in both our restoration and education programs. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved, please join us for our monthly new volunteer orientation on at the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center (WERC, located at the top of the Pajaro Valley High School campus, 500 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville). Our Education and Outreach Specialist Jose Alanis will provide a brief overview of our organization, programs, and volunteer opportunities, as well as a quick tour of the WERC. For more info go HERE or email Jose HERE
Resilient Santa Cruz County: Every Day Opportunities For Local Climate Action
“Join your neighbors taking action to cut emissions, save money and prepare for climate change. Actions are simple everyday things that you can do to reduce your impact, and many also save you money. It’s easy to get started. Create your household profile and enter some information on your current activities so we can track your success! Then browse a list of actions that will help reduce your impact, then add them to your dashboard. We’ll help with next steps, costs, and questions. Create a team of households so you can collaborate together. Discuss actions with the whole community. And compete with other communities too! Our goal is 500 households participating by Dec 2023.” More info and signup HERE.
Environment America: Make Oil Companies Clean Up Wells
Big oil companies operating in California are raking in record profits all while polluting our communities, warming our climate and often leaving us to pay for the cleanup costs. California’s oil industry is declining, which increases the chance that companies will go out of business and could leave the state with the costs for plugging and cleaning up oil wells. California requires oil well operators to post a bond to cover these costs, but while the average cost to plug and clean up a well is $68,000, the average available bond is only $1,000 per well. Tell your state senator to make polluters pay for cleaning up oil wells: Don’t stick taxpayers with the costs. Speak up HERE.
Drawdown Ecochallenge: Putting Climate Solutions into Action, Oct 1 – 31
Connect the dots between climate solutions and climate actions to help reverse climate change with Drawdown Ecochallenge! Drawdown Ecochallenge is offered in partnership by Ecochallenge.org and Project Drawdown. Together, we’re taking action on the most substantive solutions to climate change. Stretch your limits, earn points, and see your positive impact grow. Take the challenge, and see how a few weeks of action add up to a lifetime of change for you and the planet. Info HERE.
Watsonville Wetlands Watch: Prolific Propagators, Oct 27, 11 am – 1 pm (And Every Friday)
“As a coastal estuary and wetland system, the Watsonville Slough System is on the front lines of climate change. Projected sea level rise, increased storm strength, and changes in the climate are likely to threaten the Watsonville wetlands, and wildlife that depend on these wetlands, in a variety of ways. These wetlands are spread throughout the City of Watsonville, and support both an amazing greenbelt and a trail network for bicycling and walking. Help sow seeds & transplant plants for restoring native plant communities and wildlife habitats throughout this area. Wear old clothes, sunhat, and sunscreen. Garden gloves are provided. No training or garden experience is necessary. A fun and gratifying experience! Meet at 500 Harkins Slough Rd – the building on the top parking lot next to the basketball courts. No registration needed. More info on volunteering go HERE.
Homeless Garden Project: Volunteers Needed for Fall Sustain Supper, Oct 28, 3 – 6:30 pm
We couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers! We are looking for volunteers to help before, during, and after the event! Here are some roles we need help with: Set-up crew (20 volunteers); Food service (20 volunteers); Greeters/Parking (3 volunteers); Tear down (20 volunteers). If you would like to volunteer at the Sustain Supper, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Omar Guzman at volunteer@homelessgardenproject.org with the subject: “I’d like to volunteer at the Sustain Supper Event,” and include your contact info!
Environment California: Pass Right To Repair Legislation
We generate too much waste, and companies block access to what we need to fix products like cell phones, tablets and laptops — pushing us to buy upgrades instead of fixing what we have. That contributes to the massive amounts of electronic waste going to landfills. We should give every consumer and every small business access to the parts, tools and service information they need to repair products by passing Right to Repair reforms in California. Action HERE.
Tell President Biden: Protect our vanishing underwater kelp forests
Swaying gracefully beneath ocean waves are kelp forests, vast fields of towering plants stretching from the seabed to the surface. Found along the Pacific coast and off northern New England, these underwater thickets provide food and habitat for wildlife including sea otters, seals and octopuses. But kelp forests are rapidly disappearing due to warming oceans, pollution and unchecked populations of kelp-eating sea urchins. So we’re calling for national kelp forest protections to keep them standing tall. Urge Biden to conserve our kelp forests. Action HERE.
Bluegreen Alliance: Tell Your Congressmember – The Inflation Reduction Act is Delivering For My Community!
The Inflation Reduction Act represents an unprecedented investment in the clean energy economy and gives us the opportunity to create good-paying union jobs across the country. Studies estimate the Inflation Reduction Act will create up to 9 million jobs, with 5 million jobs created in the clean energy sector. In fact, since the law has gone into effect nearly 80 new clean energy manufacturing facilities or expansions have been announced, an investment equal to the previous seven years combined. Write your members of Congress and let them know you and your community support the Inflation Reduction Act. Send message HERE.
Surfrider: Tell President Biden to Stop New Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing
The ongoing heat waves and forest fires that are smothering much of the Northern Hemisphere are just the latest reminder of the dangerous effects of climate change. Yet, despite unprecedented urgency to act on climate change, the Biden administration is on the verge of approving even more oil and gas leasing off our coasts. The Department of Interior’s Proposed 5-Year Offshore Drilling Plan includes ten lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and one off Alaska that would expand drilling across hundreds of millions of acres. The Department of Interior will soon finalize the next 5-year offshore oil drilling plan. Send your message to President Biden to protect our coasts and climate! Act HERE.
Sierra Club: Getting the strongest carbon limits possible On Fossil Fuel Plants
For the next week, the EPA is accepting public comments as they consider federal limits on carbon emissions from coal and gas plants. Let’s make sure they hear from us loud and clear — the continued use and expansion of fossil fuels is incompatible with a livable future. Add your comment before August 8 to support carbon pollution limits and advance the clean energy transition! Act HERE.
Environment California: Tell your governor: Help save our precious forests
Many products we use every day come from our forests, but the way we produce them is recklessly unsustainable for these critical ecosystems. Governors can encourage state departments and agencies to source from sustainably managed forests while avoiding resources from already degraded ones. Last year, Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued an executive order encouraging state agencies and departments to buy forest products – like paper, wood and palm oil – from vendors with sustainable land management while avoiding those that contribute to forest degradation. That’s why we’re calling on Gov. Newsom to reduce California’s impact on our forests. Action HERE.
Greenpeace: Urge Biden to Sign The Global Ocean Treaty on Day 1
“In March, world leaders delivered one of the biggest conservation victories in human history — a Global Ocean Treaty to help protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans. The new Global Ocean Treaty opens the door to the creation of a network of sanctuaries across the globe — areas where fragile ecosystems and marine life can recover and thrive. Though the agreement is in place and the language is finalized, our work is not done — and your voice matters. Over the next 90 days, world leaders will review the agreement, before beginning the process of officially signing the treaty on September 20. We need President Biden to show the world that the US is fully behind this treaty by signing it on Day 1.” Take ACTION
Center For Biological Diversity: Ban Cyanide Bombs Now
“The Center led more than 70 groups in petitioning the U.S. Department of the Interior to stop the use of M-44s — aka “cyanide bombs” — on lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. M-44s are small metal cylinders that lure foxes, coyotes and other species with a sweet scent before shooting them with deadly poison and subjecting the animals to a slow, painful death. And they don’t just kill those they’re meant to kill. In 2022 alone, M-44s killed 6,000 animals — at least 150 accidentally. Given how easily these cruel devices poison wildlife, pets and people, it’s no surprise the public overwhelmingly agrees we should ban them.” Take ACTION.
Pitch In/Mantenga Limpio Santa Cruz County
“‘Trash Talkers’ is a coalition of agencies collaborating for the first time to address the problems of litter, illegal dumping, and trash resulting from encampments in Santa Cruz County. Our mission is to: eliminate litter, abandoned encampments, and dumping on roadways, waterways and agricultural land; educate and engage community, non-profits, schools, and local governments; and to improve the health, well-being, economic value and the beauty of our region.” Learn more and sign up to participate in upcoming cleanups HERE
CalBike: Support Active Transportation in California Senate
On July 11, 2023, the California Senate Transportation Committee will consider a slate of critical active transportation bills. Five bills CalBike supports that will come before the committee cover everything from the Bicycle Safety Stop to decriminalizing sidewalk riding to a measure to make regional planning more climate-friendly. You can take action to help these bills move forward. Support all 5 bills with one action HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Tell Fish and Wildlife to Do Its Job – Stop Extinctions
“The Endangered Species Act has been extraordinarily successful at saving species from extinction, but species only get the protection of the Act if they’re formally listed as “endangered” or “threatened.” In many cases the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has failed to protect species for decades. It takes 12 years, on average, to protect species — but the Act says it should take two. More than 400 species are awaiting decisions now; hundreds more aren’t even being considered. Western pond turtles, golden-winged warblers and so many others are in limbo. Already at least 47 kinds of animals and plants have gone extinct waiting for help. Tell the Fish and Wildlife Service to do it’s job” HERE.
Monuments For All: Protect Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon From Uranium Mining
“Baaj Nwaavjo means ‘where tribes roam’ for the Havasupai Tribe, and I’tah Kukveni means ‘our footprints’ for the Hopi Tribe. These public lands are located in Northern Arizona adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park and are the ancestral homeland of multiple tribes. With efforts led by a coalition of tribal leaders, the Tribes are calling on President Biden to designate Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon a National Monument in order to protect it from uranium mining.” Message your support HERE.
Oceana: Tell Coca-Cola It’s Time To Provide Refillables To All Of Us
“An audit of 330,493 pieces of plastic pollution collected in 45 countries and analyzed in order to identify the companies polluting the most places with the most plastic waste (found Coca-Cola to be the worst). Last year, Coca-Cola announced a commitment to increase the company’s use of refillable bottles in its global effort to reach 25% reusable packaging by 2030. Just one year later, Oceana analyzed reports from Coca-Cola and found that the volume of beverages sold by the company in reusable packaging has decreased from 16% to 14%. And it’s not yet clear how Coca-Cola will make refillable bottles widely available in the U.S. where they don’t — but should — exist.” Action HERE.
Earthjustice: Restore the Snake River
“Snake River salmon populations, and the highly endangered orcas that rely on them, are headed towards extinction, but we can restore thriving salmon runs and literally pump life into Northwest ecosystems if we breach four dams on the lower Snake River. The dams stop salmon from accessing millions of acres of prime spawning habitat and make the lower Snake River a lethally hot gauntlet for these fish. A recent NOAA report reached the same conclusion, stating that breaching the lower Snake River dams is “essential” and must be a “centerpiece action” to recover endangered Columbia River salmon and steelhead. Submit a public comment today and please take a minute to personalize it HERE.”
Coastal Watershed Council: Defend Clean Water
“We all benefit from the Clean Water Act in ways we might not realize. This federal law has a local impact – it requires our municipalities to regularly test the water quality of our rivers and beaches, and the County of Santa Cruz makes that information readily available online. Regular monitoring is important to ensure the health of our waterways. On May 25, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act and the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate pollution in wetlands in the controversial decision Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. This decision is concerning for all of us, as clean water is integral to human health and aquatic ecosystems alike. We encourage you to tell your members of Congress to defend clean water” HERE.
Environment California: Support the Right To Repair
“We have a growing electronic waste problem, and part of that is driven by the aggressive measures companies use to make our stuff impossible to repair. Companies benefit if we throw out more of our devices and have to buy more, but our throwaway culture is causing havoc for our environment. Luckily, a bill that requires consumer manufacturers to let us fix our stuff is headed for a vote in the California State Senate. But as electronics manufacturers are digging in against us, we need your support to move this reform forward. Tell your state senator: Let us fix stuff, vote “Yes!” on Right to Repair.” Act HERE.
Environmental Action: Preserve Protections For Endangered Wolves
“U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s bill to strip protections from gray wolves just got its first hearing. We remember all too well the last time the federal government weakened protections for the gray wolf. Where protections were lowered, hundreds of wolves were slaughtered. The Boebert bill would allow hunters and trappers to kill wolves anywhere they’re found throughout the Lower 48 states. Boebert’s bill would not only overturn the gray wolf’s endangered species protections across the U.S. It would also block the reinstatement of wolf protections in the Northern Rockies. It would remove these decisions from the scientists and experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. And it would block judges from reviewing cases when protections are dropped or weakened. Ironically, Rep. Boebert has called her bill the “Trust the Science Act.” You can’t make this stuff up.” Message your Senator HERE.
Oceana: Protect California Wildlife From Bycatch
“Ocean waters off Southern California are some of the most diverse and productive marine ecosystems in the world, where cold temperate and warm sub-tropical waters converge. Consisting of nearly invisible net panels — like underwater fencing — set gillnets can extend for more than a mile weighted to the seafloor. The mesh nets are designed to trap halibut, white sea bass, and other commercial fish by their gills. However, the nets also entangle more than 125 species of ocean animals — the majority of which are already dead or dying when they are thrown overboard as waste. Set gillnets are one of the most harmful and indiscriminate fishing methods in the country still being used throughout offshore ocean waters and around islands off Southern California, causing immense damage to wildlife. We need your voice to urge the California Fish and Game Commission to take action to reduce bycatch and ensure that the unique ocean ecosystem off California can continue to thrive.” Take ACTION.
Photo: Santa Cruz Sentinel, Dan Coyro
REGENERAĆION PAJARO: The Climate Crisis Has Hit Home, Again
We have all seen and heard the devastating impact of the flooding on our farm worker families – flooded homes, flooded fields, loss of possessions and income. “We are encouraging people to donate directly to groups giving out food and money to people displaced from floods and those who are losing income from flooded fields. Here is our list of respected local organizations supporting Pajaro Farmworker Families: Center for Farmworker Families; Campesina Womb Justice Go Fund Me; Casa de Cultura (through Paypal not mail while evacuated); Raices y Cariño (Community Collective for Families provides direct support and is a community space for farmworkers); Community Bridges – Pajaro Flood Relief; Community Action Board; Santa Cruz Ventures. Please give generously to one or more of these dedicated organizations!
Environmental Action: Protect Wildlife From Cruel Traps
“When it comes to wolf traps, even the best outcome isn’t pretty. The trap snares the wolf’s neck, starving its brain of blood. Many wolves fare even worse. The trap snares the wolf’s limb or snout, leaving it in agony until a hunter arrives to finish the job. Sometimes, the wolf’s wait may be hours. Sometimes, it may be days. Wolf traps are cruel, indiscriminate and unnecessary. That’s why we’re urging big outdoors retailers Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops to stop selling them. Add your voice HERE
Environment California: Toxic Metals Don’t Belong In Our Waterways
“Coal-fired power plants routinely dump wastewater laced with mercury, arsenic and other toxic heavy metals into our waterways — and a Trump administration rollback made it even easier for them to do so back in 2020. Now, we have a chance to enact strict new limits on toxic wastewater pollution. But this new proposal is already getting pushback from the coal industry. As much as 30% of all toxic wastewater pollution from all industries in the U.S. is generated by coal-fired power plants. The new proposal would undo the Trump-era rollback and instate much stricter limits on toxic wastewater generated by coal-fired power plants, and it would encourage plants to retire or switch to other forms of fuel by 2028. The EPA is accepting comments from the public on the proposal to limit toxic wastewater pollution from now until May 30. Make sure the EPA hears from you before the deadline.” Action HERE.
Earthjustice: Protect Our Climate Forests
“The United States Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released an inventory of mature and old-growth forests, a crucial first step in protecting these climate forests. Together, we have urged the administration to protect mature and old-growth forests to address our climate and biodiversity crises and the president has heard your calls. In addition to releasing their inventory, The United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have announced steps to protect mature and old-growth forests on federal lands and are collecting comments from the public to help develop a rule. The agency is focusing on a variety of threats to these forests, including from fire, but is not yet prioritizing logging as a significant threat. Urge BLM and USFS to issue a rule protecting climate forests.” Send your message HERE.
Environment California: List the American bumblebee as endangered before it’s too late
“American bumblebees once lazily buzzed over backyards, fields and meadows across our country. Today, the species has vanished from eight states, and it’s teetering on the brink of extinction. The American bumblebee population has plummeted by 90% since the year 2000 due to the same factors that affect all precious pollinators: the widespread use of bee-killing pesticides, habitat loss and climate change. It’s not too late to save the American bumblebee — but we need to act fast. Tell the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the American bumblebee under the Endangered Species Act today.” Act HERE
Environmental Defense Fund: Support A Clean Transportation Future For California
“The transportation sector is the largest source of climate pollution in California. In fact, it accounts for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions in our state – and medium and heavy-duty trucks play a significant role. These vehicles are notorious for spreading pollution, including fine particulate matter (soot), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and other dangerous toxins. So in order to protect our air and climate, we must transition these vehicles to zero-emission models. The Advanced Clean Fleets (or ACF) rule can help us do that and we need your help to get it passed. Voice your support of a clean transportation future before the California Air Resources Board vote at the end of April! Act HERE
Center For Biological Diversity: Help Forests Fight Climate Change
“Besides providing crucial habitat for wildlife like fishers, martens and spotted owls, old forests on federal lands play an essential role in fighting climate change. But instead of protecting these forests, the U.S. government routinely lets them be chopped down. Finally, after more than a year of advocacy by the Center and partners, the U.S. Forest Service has started the process of making a rule to protect federally managed old forests, following an order from President Biden. It just started the process of making a rule to protect federally managed old forests. Now the Biden administration is taking public comments to guide that rule’s development. You can help: Tell the Forest Service to create powerful, permanent protections for mature and old-growth forests for the sake of climate resiliency and endangered species.” Speak out HERE.
UCSC Seymour Center: Join our outstanding group of volunteers
“Become an Exhibit Guide and serve as an experienced facilitator at the Seymour Center. As an Exhibit Guide, you monitor and assist guests at the touch pools and interpret the various exhibits on display. We aim to encourage curiosity among visitors to learn more about our oceans and the research at UCSC. Our next Exhibit Guide Training will be in early May, so apply now. Do you have ocean-loving friends that like to make a positive impact in our community? Please let them know about this opportunity.” Info and application HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Save Orcas and Salmon From Toxic Pesticides
“Two specific pesticides are pushing Southern Resident orcas and 36 other aquatic endangered species closer to extinction — including virtually all salmon, steelhead and sturgeon. The two pesticides — carbaryl and methomyl — are some of the worst agricultural chemicals on the market. They’re used recklessly across the United States, despite being neurotoxins that may also harm people. NOAA Fisheries has sounded the alarm, but the Environmental Protection Agency is failing to act. The law is clear: NOAA Fisheries’ scientific analysis on protecting endangered species from these pesticides is on point and must be implemented. But the agencies are likely under tremendous pressure from industry to water down recommended conservation measures. Tell the EPA to follow the science and protect endangered species from these dangerous pesticides.” Act HERE.
Environmental Action: Costco Supersizing Wasteful Packaging
“What on earth is Costco doing? Our world needs to stop making single-use plastics that pollute the oceans and kill marine wildlife. Wasteful packaging is an obvious place to cut much of that waste. Yet Costco’s stores are selling small products — some as little as a 2-inch jar of cosmetic cream — wrapped in an oversized 10-inch by 11-inch hard plastic or coated cardboard shell. Costco has gone big on packaging even as deadly plastic pollution keeps putting more ocean-dwelling animals in harm’s way. Tell Costco to stop supersizing wasteful packaging.” Take ACTION
Santa Cruz County Parks: Volunteers Needed For Pinto Lake
“Pinto Lake County Park is expanding its interpretive programs, and is in need of volunteers and docents to bring their love of the park to visitors! There will be opportunities for community members of all ages. There is a lovely greeting booth in need of docents at the front of the park, as well as beautiful trails, a disc golf course, and picnic areas that are in need of friendly faces to provide information about the park and upcoming interpretive programs. It’s the perfect opportunity for outdoor lovers to help bring an already unique park to even new levels of community based improvement! Bilingual volunteers are highly recommended to join. The volunteer interest form is HERE. For more information or questions email: volunteer@scparks.com
The Climate Center: Support Bi-Directional Charging For EVs
“The climate crisis is pushing California’s century-old electrical grid to the brink. We’ve got a solution that can keep the lights on, lower your energy bills, and help our communities breathe cleaner air. SB 233, introduced by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and sponsored by The Climate Center, will require most new electric vehicles (EVs) and electric vehicle supply equipment sold in California to have bidirectional charging capability by 2027. Bidirectional charging means an EV’s battery can be charged from the power grid and as needed, return the energy stored in that battery back to our homes, businesses, and the larger electricity grid. They can back up homes and even individual appliances during increasingly extreme heatwaves, wildfires, flooding, and snowstorms. SB 233 will be heard this week (April 18) in the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee and on Tuesday (April 25) in the Senate Transportation Committee.” Contact your Senator HERE.
Environment California: Urge Biden to Protect Mature Forests
“Logging doesn’t belong in our oldest forests, but logging projects on our public lands could cut down our country’s oldest trees. President Biden pledged to protect our old-growth and mature forests, but his agencies are moving forward with logging the very forests we need to save. We need his administration to follow through and create a strong policy to protect these forests from logging and other threats. More than 50 million acres of federal mature and old-growth forests have no protections. Ask President Biden to permanently protect mature and old-growth forests this Earth Day.” Action HERE.
Santa Cruz City Launches Tool to Get Green! Participate!
The City of Santa Cruz is excited to announce the launch of our community climate activation platform Resilient Santa Cruz. As part of the Community-wide Climate Action Plan 2030 (cityofsantacruz.com/climateactionplan), the City aims to achieve a 40% emissions reduction by 2030 from 1990 levels and reach our aspirational target of carbon neutral by 2035! Resilient Santa Cruz will enable community members to discover and reduce their personal and household carbon footprint. The platform allows users to commit to emissions reduction actions and get regular feedback on how those actions, when implemented, help reach emissions reduction goals. The City’s goal is to enroll 1,000 households on Resilient Santa Cruz by Earth Day, 4/22/23! Sign Up at resilientsantacruzcounty.org/santacruz
Sierra Club: Support the Environmental Justice for All Act
“The A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act is a landmark piece of legislation addressing environmental justice, health equity, and climate justice for underserved communities. Support for this bill will save thousands of lives in areas that have historically been a sacrifice zone. This legislation will address a legacy of environmental racism for communities across the country. In addition, the Environmental Justice for All Act is a living example of how legislators can draft a bill in consultation with the most impacted communities. Urge Congress to support the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act now, and include a personal message to make a bigger impact!” Take ACTION.
National Wildlife Foundation: Protect Oak Flat From a Huge Foreign Copper Mine
“Mountain lions, bobcats, badgers and coati are just a few of the diverse wildlife species that make their home at Oak Flat in the Tonto National Forest. Located 60 miles east of Phoenix, this high desert land is also the traditional homeland of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and includes many sacred sites for Indigenous people in the area. Unfortunately, these lands, wildlife, and Indigenous sites are threatened by a giant copper mine that would create a crater that is 1,000-feet deep and 1.8 miles wide. The mining would consume more than 250 billion gallons of water in an area that is already suffering from exceptional drought conditions. It would also create 1.4 billion tons of toxic mine tailings that would cover nearly 4,000 acres. Tell Congress that it must pass the Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act to safeguard the waters, wildlife, and Indigenous lands of Oak Flat.” Take ACTION.
Environment California: The Latest Pro-drilling Proposal in Congress
“A new bill in Congress has a laundry list of bad ideas for our environment. One of the most egregious pieces of this bill would threaten whales, sea turtles, dolphins and other marine life with deafening seismic blasts. The TAP American Energy Act would declare all seismic testing safe for marine mammals, but that’s not the reality. Seismic testing in the ocean is the precursor to offshore drilling, which this bill also seeks to expand. The bill would require more oil and gas lease sales in our oceans. It also would require oil and gas leasing on more of our public lands. And it would also enable more coal mining! We’re calling on members of Congress to vote against the TAP American Energy Act.” Speak up HERE.
Native Organizers Alliance: “Polluters Over People Act” Passes The House Of Reps
“Republicans and several Democrats just passed HR1 (which we’re calling the “Polluters over People Act”) in the House of Representatives. HR1 would roll back foundational environmental laws and regulations that safeguard Native communities, in an effort to fast-track fossil fuel development and extraction. Our long-time ally Rep. Raúl Grijalva called the bill “a nearly 200-page love letter to polluting industries” that “makes mockery of tribal consultation’’ and would “destroy sacred and special places… leav[ing] behind a toxic mess that pollutes our water and hurts our health.” Now HR1 moves to the Senate. Although top Senate Democrats and the White House have signaled they’re against the bill, they still may want to pass a core element of the bill which would prioritize corporate profits over people. That’s why we’ve got to demonstrate massive public opposition.” Contact your Senator HERE.
Green America: Calling for a Just, Clean Transition in The Telecom Sector
“Green America investigated the clean energy use of major telecom companies and whether the energy they use advances energy justice. In 2021, AT&T had $168 billion in revenues, Verizon $133 billion, and T-Mobile $80 billion. With these revenues, paired with their massive energy use, the companies have a great deal of influence over how electricity is generated and used. They also have a great deal of responsibility to the communities they serve and those where energy impacts are highest. If this energy is produced from fossil fuels, it results in mining and drilling, polluting power plants, toxic wastes, and pipelines in vulnerable communities who therefore bear the brunt of the pollution created to power these companies. Learn more and urge these companies to commit to renewable energy and energy justice HERE.”
Environment California: Tell Your U.S. Senators to Defend the Clean Water Act
“The U.S. House just passed a bill to dramatically weaken the Clean Water Act. The bill would repeal federal protections for waterways that millions of Americans rely on for drinking water and recreation. The U.S. Senate could vote on this dirty water bill as soon as next week. We need our senators to defend the Clean Water Act. Congress is attacking one of our bedrock environmental laws. Polluters and their allies in Congress want to gut clean water protections for thousands of wetlands and streams. Millions of Americans rely on streams to help provide clean drinking water. But if this bill becomes law, millions of miles of streams could become a dumping ground for toxic chemicals. Tell our U.S. senators: Vote no on this attack on clean water.” Action HERE.
Sierra Club: Tell Your Senator To Cosponsor The Outdoors For All Act
“The last couple years have been difficult, and research shows that nature has powerful positive health benefits. Not everyone has access to nature, though. Luckily, a bill has just been re-introduced to help bring nature access and green space to more people across the country: the Outdoors for All Act (S. 448). The Outdoors for All Act would create and improve state and locally-owned parks and other outdoor recreation areas, particularly in recreation-poor communities deprived of the benefits nature provides. It would do this through codifying the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program, which will not spend any taxpayer dollars since it is already part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Will you take action here NOW and ask Congress to cosponsor the Outdoors for All Act?” Action HERE
NRDC: Help Stop Massive New Oil Drilling Project In The Arctic
“The Biden Administration appears ready to approve a massive new oil drilling project (this week!) in Alaska’s Western Arctic that would generate an astounding 277 million metric tons of climate-busting carbon pollution but will be a financial boon for Big Oil. The “Willow Project” would be a huge setback in our transition to a clean energy future, and flies in the face of President Biden’s commitment to tackle our climate crisis. “No other oil and gas project has greater potential to undermine the Biden administration’s climate goals, said Karlin Itchoak, The Wilderness Society’s Alaska state director. Fight back by telling the administration to REJECT the Willow Project and any other reckless drilling that would jeopardize our climate future.” Take action HERE.
Surfrider Foundation: Protect California’s Coast from Harmful Pacifica Seawall Plan
“The City of Pacifica’s plan for addressing sea level rise includes damaging policies that would wall off the coast and drown our beaches (view that plan). At least one third of the City’s six miles of coast are already armored with destructive seawalls. More coastal armoring will eventually drown the City’s remaining beaches and waves as seas rise. The City’s plan could be devastating for popular surf and recreational beaches such as Linda Mar, Rockaway and Sharp Park Beach. The California Coastal Commission will vote on whether to approve or deny the City’s plan on Wednesday, March 8. Send a strong message to the Coastal Commission and the City that the coastal armoring program is not an acceptable approach to addressing sea level rise and coastal erosion in Pacifica or elsewhere in California. Act HERE.
Environment California: Neonic-coated Seeds Kill Birds and Poison Bees.
“A single seed dipped in pesticides can kill a songbird. Seeds for major crops are dipped and coated in neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides also known as neonics that are toxic to pollinators including bees and birds. Neonic-coated seeds are poisoning and even killing wildlife. Ask the EPA to protect wildlife from seeds dipped in toxic pesticides. This spring, seeds coated in bee-killing pesticides will be planted all across the country. Seed coatings represent the most common use of neonics in the U.S. Every year, 150 million acres are planted with neonic-coated seeds, from soybeans to corn to wheat. But these seeds aren’t considered pesticides by the EPA, which doesn’t regulate them like other pesticides in the U.S. The agency only regulates directly sprayed pesticides, creating a loophole and letting this problem grow out of control. Tell the EPA to regulate nemonic-coated seeds as pesticides.” Act HERE
Center For Biological Diversity: Stop Shameful Hunting Practices in Alaska
“Did you know that in Alaska, it’s legal to hunt wolves and bears using shameful, unsporting tactics? Since hunting is allowed during denning season, mother wolves and bears with vulnerable young can be shot, leaving pups and cubs orphaned and likely to die. Bears can be baited for easy killing with tempting treats like bacon grease and donuts — all to appease hunters who want as many moose and caribou as possible to be left for their own taking. But now we can make a difference for Alaska’s wildlife. Following legal action by the Center for Biological Diversity and our allies, the National Park Service has proposed a ban on these “predator control” practices across national preserves and parks in the state. This would ensure that millions of acres of public lands can be safe havens for persecuted wildlife. Tell the National Park Service what you think of their proposal HERE
Only One: Stop Destructive Deep Sea Mining
“Earth’s largest mining operation is set to begin in less than a year, thousands of feet beneath the ocean, and scientists have almost no idea what the long-term impacts might be. Yet despite radical uncertainty and environmental risk, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) – the United Nations (UN) body responsible for creating deep-sea mining regulations – is working to approve mining regulations as quickly as possible. Corporations plan to use massive, robotic machines that operate like super-charged vacuum cleaners. Once lowered thousands of feet to the ocean floor, they begin sucking up precious minerals, as well as the top 5-30 centimeters of the seafloor and any marine life that gets in the way. The process has been likened to clearcutting a forest and then siphoning off all the nutrient-rich soil. Even worse, the thick layer of ocean floor that the mining machines would suck up and pump out would create a massive plume of debris, similar to an underwater sandstorm, that could harm life for hundreds of miles in every direction. Sign the letter HERE.
Greenpeace: Newsom, Keep Your Promise
“After hastily approving more than 100 new oil drilling permits dangerously close to communities, the head of the agency that oversees oil and gas drilling in California (CalGEM) has just resigned! Right now we have a rare and crucial opportunity to demand the appointment of an environmental champion who will put the health of all Californians front and center. Governor Newsom has pledged to end oil drilling in California; it’s time for him to appoint an environmental champion who will protect public health and the climate.” Action HERE.
Homeless Garden Project: Holiday Store Volunteers Needed
“Each holiday season, we have a network of volunteers who support the holiday store. The store is almost entirely volunteer-run, meaning that the profit we make goes directly toward supporting our programs and folks transitioning out of homelessness. Store sales during the holiday season contribute a meaningful amount of our yearly income to support our transitional employment and job training program for folks experiencing homelessness. Please attend an orientation to get started. Questions? Contact omarg@homelessgardenproject.org” Sign up HERE
Ecology Action: Walk and Bike Smart Program Volunteers Needed
“The Walk and Bike Smart Program teaches elementary students about pedestrian and bike safety by providing a fun, educational, on-foot learning experience. Whether or not students walk or bike to school, learning the safety protocol is an essential and critical life skill. Our program is modeled after the best national practices. Volunteers will assist Ecology Action Staff with instruction of bike and pedestrian safety trainings to 2nd and 5th-grade students (bike skills obstacle courses), set up obstacle courses using cones and chalk, and break down obstacle courses, help disinfect bikes and helmets after each use, help at community events during some weekends, and prepare materials for and assist with classroom presentations. More info and application HERE
Food & Water Watch: 11 Offshore Drilling Leases Proposed
“The Biden administration is currently finalizing a draft plan for offshore drilling that will outline how often oil and gas companies can drill in federal waters over the next five years. Contrary to promises made by President Biden, the plan could include 11 new lease sales: 10 in the Gulf of Mexico and one in the Cook Inlet of Alaska. But we need the plan to specify ZERO new leases. We can’t allow communities along the Gulf Coast and in Alaska to be sacrificed to the oil and gas industry. President Biden has the authority to end new leases for offshore drilling, and it’s up to us to urge him to act. Send a message to President Biden to demand he cancel plans for new offshore drilling.” Take ACTION.
Audubon Society: Thanks your members of Congress for supporting essential saline lake ecosystems
“Great news! The Saline Lake Ecosystems in the Great Basin States Program Act was passed by Congress on December 20, 2022, becoming law on December 27 when President Biden signed the legislation. This legislation, informed by Audubon science, addresses the serious challenges our rapidly drying saline lakes face, and the risks posed to local communities and millions of migratory birds. Your U.S. Senator cosponsored this bill — please send them a thank you and ask them to continue championing this issue.” Learn more & take ACTION
Environmental Defense Fund: End Methane Waste On Public Lands
“To protect our natural resources, the health of our air, and our climate’s future, we need to slash methane waste in all forms. That’s why we applaud Secretary Haaland and the Biden Administration for taking an important first step to combat methane waste from oil and gas production on public lands. Under a new rule proposed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), routine venting and flaring would be heavily scrutinized — encouraging oil and gas producers to capture and sell methane gas in an effort to reduce waste. Minimizing waste may be a good start, but preventing it all together is better. Send a powerful message and urge the Bureau of Land Management to take the next step by setting clear requirements to eliminate waste caused by venting and flaring.” Take ACTION.
Environmental Action: Tell Wildlife Services To Protect Our Wolves, Don’t kill Them
“In 2021, an agency called Wildlife Services in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) killed more than 300 wolves. And over the course of a couple weeks last winter, wolves from Yellowstone National Park wandered into Montana, as they often do. Wolves, after all, don’t recognize man-made boundaries. But these wolves had the misfortune of crossing out of Yellowstone and into Montana during its wolf hunting season. Even worse, they did so in a year where regulations protecting them from hunting in the parts of the state along the park’s boundaries were lifted. As a result, Yellowstone lost more wolves to hunting than it had in about a century. Most were killed in Montana, and some others were killed in Idaho and Wyoming. Tell Wildlife Services to stop killing our wolves.” More info and action HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Time for the Return of Jaguars
“Jaguars once roamed from California to the Carolinas, but by the 1960s, ruthless killing had eradicated the majestic cats from the United States. Jaguars are now protected as an endangered species across their range. And a few of the great spotted cats have crossed the border from Mexico into their historic home in Arizona, delighting animal lovers around the world. But we can do more to bring jaguars back to the Southwest. Scientists have identified a wide swath of habitat in Arizona and New Mexico — 20 million acres, or about 32,000 square miles — that could eventually support more than 100 jaguars. This week we petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reintroduce jaguars to the area and also vastly expand the cats’ protected habitat. Tell the Service you support the jaguar’s return.” Act HERE.
Audubon: Urge Congress to support funding for birds and communities across the country.
“Birds are telling us that we must do more to invest in their future. To bring birds back from a decline of 3 billion birds since 1970, we need federal funding to implement climate solutions, conserve natural resources, build resilient communities, and protect birds. If Congress doesn’t pass a new appropriations bill by the end of the year, funding will be at a stand-still for programs that protect our air, water, coasts, and communities, putting birds and people at risk. Act now: Tell your Members of Congress to support conservation agencies and programs that help protect birds. Current federal funding expired December 16!” Take ACTION.
Earthjustice: Tell the EPA to ban leaded aviation gasoline
“While the use of leaded gasoline in most cars was banned 25 years ago, leaded aviation gasoline is still used in nearly 170,000 piston-engine aircraft across 20,000 airports. EPA estimates that emissions from these airplanes account for about 70% of lead released into the atmosphere.Leaded gas used in small airplanes (commonly referred to as “avgas”) is the single largest source of lead emissions in the country.” Take action HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Restore The Endangered Species Act
“The Endangered Species Act is one of the most effective legal tools on the planet for protecting species at risk of extinction — but it was gutted by the Trump administration. President Biden promised to restore this key law to its full power, but his government has been dragging its feet for two years. And it claims to need another two years to fix the problem. Polar bears, monarch butterflies, whooping cranes, and other species on the brink don’t have time to wait. When the administration failed to take immediate action, we sued to force it to rescind the harmful Trump rules. But it fought back, and a judge recently ruled in its favor, delaying the restoration of comprehensive protections to hundreds of species and the places they call home. Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to save the Endangered Species Act now, not later.” Take ACTION.
Environmental Action: Amazon has a plastic pollution problem.
“According to a recent report, the retail giant generated 600 million pounds of plastic packaging in 2020. Of that, as much as 23.5 million pounds ended up in marine environments around the world. We’re calling on Amazon to help protect wildlife and wild places from pollution by curbing its plastic footprint. We know that Amazon can make a difference on this issue. In India and Germany, Amazon has made commitments to moving away from plastic packaging.4 Now, it’s time for Amazon to do the same in the United States. Will you join us? Sign onto our petition calling on Amazon to eliminate single-use plastic packaging.” Act HERE.
Environment California; Protect Mature & Old Growth Forests
“Mature and old-growth trees provide critical wildlife habitat, preserve biodiversity, cleanse our water and air, promote healthy soil, and keep huge amounts of climate-warming carbon from being released into the atmosphere. But a new bill in Congress would turn many of our old trees into stumps. It requires the Forest Service to harvest only mature forests, which would have catastrophic ecological and climate impacts. The deceptively named Promoting Effective Forest Management Act would double down on failed forest management policies and procedures. In particular, the bill would undermine efforts to protect the nation’s mature forests and trees. Message your Senators HERE
Environmental Action: Urge Congress to Ban Pesticides In Wildlife Refuges
“Why are toxic, bee-killing pesticides being used in the spaces where bees should be safest? Even in a wildlife refuge, the plants that bees love can contain bee-killing neonicotinoids. The National Wildlife Refuge System pledged to phase out the use of neonicotinoids in wildlife refuges by January 2016. But in August 2018, the Trump administration reversed this rule, allowing these bee-killing pesticides to be used in refuges once again. All the time, new research is coming out about the toxic impacts of pesticides on our bees. We need to make sure that they have places where they’re safe from these chemicals. Will you send a message urging Congress to ban the use of pesticides in wildlife refuges? Act HERE.
California Environmental Voters: Demand Congress Pass The Public Lands Act
“From Joshua Tree National Park in the desert, to Muir Woods National Monument in the Bay Area, to Yosemite National Park beyond the Central Valley, these iconic destinations are where we go to spend time with family and friends and to find solace in nature. But what you may not know is that scientists have told us that protecting large swaths of public land is one of the most effective ways to address the climate crisis. These beautiful sites are incredibly important for protecting our clean water, sequestering carbon, and maintaining the health of all Californians. Right now, our federal legislators are debating whether or not to further the protections of public lands. The Public Lands Act has been introduced by California’s own Senator Alex Padilla and we need your help to ensure that it passes through Congress.” Action HERE.
Audubon: Help Save America’s Wildlife From Extinction
“America’s wildlife is in crisis. Science tells us that we’ve lost 3 billion birds in less than a human lifetime and that two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction due to climate change. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will ramp up support for the conservation of vulnerable species, like Golden-winged Warblers and Black Terns, to protect them before they become endangered. Please write to your Members of Congress urging them to ensure passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act to help thousands of wildlife species, including more than 800 bird species, BEFORE they become endangered. Take ACTION.”
Center For Biological Diversity: Speak Up For Oak Flat
“Arizona’s Oak Flat, located in the Tonto National Forest, could soon be handed over to Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of international mining conglomerate Rio Tinto, for a massive and destructive copper mine. This beautiful place on public land is sacred to the Apache and other Native peoples. Congress can stop this by passing the Save Oak Flat Act, which would overturn the land swap and protect Oak Flat’s profound cultural value and natural beauty. Ask your representative to cosponsor the bill and help pass it as soon as possible.” Speak out HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Save This Forest at Yellowstone’s Doorstep
“On the doorstep of Yellowstone National Park, the Custer Gallatin National Forest provides habitat for abundant wildlife, including rare species. But the forest — and the ecosystem of nearby Yellowstone Park — are threatened by a massive logging project called South Plateau that would clearcut more than 4,000 football fields of pine forests, most of them mature trees, and bulldoze up to 57 miles of “temporary” roads. The project would destroy and fragment secure habitat for species including imperiled lynx and grizzly bears, as well as increasing the potential for poaching and other harmful human-bear interactions. Speak up to save the trees and the wildlife who call the forest their home.” Take ACTION
Earthworks: Tell the BLM to protect Alaska parks, caribou and communities!
“The proposed 200-mile Ambler industrial mining road project is going to wreak havoc in Alaska. (The purpose of the road is so that Canadian firm Trilogy Metals can commence operations on a series of copper, zinc, and bornite open-pit mines). But we can help stop this environmental disaster before it bulldozes through nearly 3,000 clear-running streams and rivers, threatening salmon, sheefish, and other important foods that local communities depend upon. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is completing a new review of the harmful effects of the proposed 200-mile industrial road. Tell the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to protect Alaska’s caribou, clean water, local communities, and spectacular parklands.” Take ACTION.
Oceana: Urge your members of Congress to pass critical ocean package legislation
“Earlier this year, Congress was on track to pass several pieces of important ocean legislation as part of a larger package. Unfortunately, other pieces of the massive bill were pulled out and passed separately, leaving the ocean provisions behind. This session of Congress is quickly coming to an end, and right now is our best chance to pass these important bills before they die, and we have to start all over again. The ocean package includes several ocean-related priorities, including: A ban on the buying and selling of shark fins in the United States; Stronger tools to compel other countries to prevent illegal fishing by their fleets; and Ending the use of deadly large mesh drift gill nets in U.S. waters that kill ocean wildlife. Urge your members of Congress to get this bipartisan ocean package over the finish line, before it’s too late!” Act HERE.
Environment California: Call For Permanent Protection Of The Boundary Waters
“The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness — the nation’s most visited wilderness area — is overdue for permanent protections. For years, companies have sought to mine the region for nickel, copper and other metals. These mining projects have the potential to pollute the pristine Boundary Waters, creating lasting damage to the ecosystem. We’re calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to ensure this never happens by passing the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act. If passed, this bill will permanently ban mining in more than 234,000 acres surrounding the Boundary Waters. Join us in advocating for a permanent ban on mining around the Boundary Waters.” Act HERE.
Environment California: Provide Food Sources for Threatened Monarchs
“The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed North America’s monarch butterfly as endangered. A variety of factors is driving their shrinking numbers: a decrease in the forested habitats where adults hibernate for the winter, disruptions to migration and reproduction from climate change, and — clearest of all — the disappearance of milkweed, the food monarch caterpillars need to survive. In 2020, wildlife officials noted that monarchs were threatened with extinction — yet the Fish and Wildlife Service still declined to offer them protections under the Endangered Species Act. There’s one clear and simple thing we can do to protect these beautiful pollinators: Give them more food. Join us in calling on our governor to plant more milkweed to support our country’s struggling monarch butterflies.” Action HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Red Wolves Need Your Voice
“Once abundant across the U.S. Southeast, red wolves are now nearly extinct, with fewer than 20 known individuals remaining in the wild. Although they’re protected under the Endangered Species Act, their existence has been threatened by inadequate investment in their recovery. But thanks to Center legal action, the federal government has finally proposed a new recovery plan for these wolves — the first in 32 years. The proposed recovery plan gets some key things right, but it needs to go further and move faster. It should specify suitable locations for new reintroduced populations so they can be established without delay. It should guarantee continued protection of the existing wild population on the Albemarle Peninsula. Speak up for the strongest possible plan for this struggling species.” Take ACTION.
Environmental Defense Fund: Tell the President, “It’s time to tackle methane!”
“Methane pollution from oil and gas operations is accelerating the pace of climate change and harming the health of our families and communities — and it is a problem that is only getting worse. We need a strong and comprehensive methane rule to address the gaps in last year’s proposed rule, including: requiring regular inspections at high-polluting small wells and eliminating pollution from routine flaring; committing to community monitoring programs and working to incorporate data generated by community groups; and a requirement to use equipment that does not emit pollution at well sites such as pneumatics. Urge President Biden to take immediate action on methane.” Learn MORE
The Climate Center: Fixing California’s Climate Blueprint
“The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is in the final stages of updating its five-year Scoping Plan, the blueprint for the state’s climate policies. Unfortunately, CARB staff have recommended achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, requiring little immediate action to reduce climate pollution. CARB’s plan also relies on expensive & failed carbon capture and storage technologies favored by fossil fuel lobbyists. The science is clear: 2045 is simply too late. California can and must achieve net-negative emissions by no later than 2035 for the world to have a chance at securing a stable climate. CARB is taking public comments right now. Please join us and urge the California Air Resources Board to take effective action” HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Red Rock Canyon Needs Your Help
“California’s iconic Red Rock Canyon State Park in the Mojave Desert protects rare geological features and provides habitat for imperiled species like desert tortoises and Mohave ground squirrels. A beloved tourist destination, it attracts visitors from all over the world — and with them, vital economic support for the region. But this priceless place is threatened by mining. The Matcon Corporation is trying to claim it has “vested mining rights” within the park, which would allow it to carry out new mining operations with little to no environmental review. The county planning commission rejected Matcon’s claim, but now Matcon is appealing that decision to the county Board of Supervisors. Tell the Kern County Board of Supervisors to defend the integrity of Red Rock Canyon State Park by rejecting Matcon’s appeal.” Act HERE.
Environment America: Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act
“We’re losing wild natural areas across our country to drilling, logging and mining.The Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act is a solution that would designate nearly 1.5 million acres as wilderness — the strongest protection public lands can have — and incorporate more than 1,000 miles of river into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. By preventing new oil, gas and mineral extraction on these public lands and preserving more rivers, the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act will promote a healthier environment and cleaner air and water for all. It already passed through the House, now urge your U.S. Senators to support this public lands bill.” Take action HERE
Environment California: Urge the Governor To Sign AB 2146 to Protect California’s Bees
Bees need our help. In a statewide survey of California bees, eight entire species of bee were declared missing. Between habitat loss, global warming and pesticides, bees are hurting, and bee-killing neonic pesticides are a major source of the problem. Now that the legislature passed AB 2146, Newsome has the opportunity to make the Golden State safer for bees. Urge him to sign AB 2146 to ban the worst uses of bee-killing neonics. Act HERE.
Environment California: Tell NOAA To Protect the Last 350 North Atlantic Right Whales
“Fewer than 350 North Atlantic Right whales remain in the ocean, and every loss makes it harder for them to recover. These massive and remarkable creatures are one of the world’s most endangered large whale species. But speeding boats are running into Right whales, seriously injuring or even killing them. One way to reduce these deadly boat strikes is to force boats to slow down. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) is considering a new rule that would protect Right whales from boat strikes along the East Coast. Tell NOAA to expand slow speed zones to protect Right whales.” Take action HERE.
Rainforest Action Network: Proctor And Gamble’s Destructive Suppliers
“Magic mirror on the wall … who’s the worst corporation of them all? Famed is thy evil, Procter & Gamble, Mondelēz, Unilever, Nestlé, and Ferrero — but there’s one even more rotten to the core: Your partner in crime, Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) group, whose poisoned plantations and wicked ways sow misery throughout the land. There’s only one way to end this dark fairy tale — for the corporate CEOs to wake up to their complicity in the destruction of our magical rainforests and cast out RGE. Procter & Gamble, Mondelēz, Unilever, Nestlé and Ferrero continue to work with unscrupulous suppliers, like RGE, who are connected to rainforest destruction, Indigenous rights violations — as in the case of the Pargamanan-Bintang Maria community in North Sumatra — and even the use of child labor. Tell these companies CEOs to put people and planet before profit and quit RGE!” Action HERE
Greenpeace: Stop Deep Sea Mining
“As electric vehicles continue to explode in popularity, we need to intervene now
before companies are tempted to turn to deep sea mining to satisfy their needs for minerals like nickel or cobalt for EV batteries. Right now, deep sea mining interests are trying to convince car companies that deep sea mining is a “greener, more socially just” alternative to land-based mining and an easy new market for minerals needed to produce batteries for electric vehicles, tech products and renewable storage. This is ridiculous. There is nothing green or socially just about destroying ocean life and disrupting deep-sea ecosystems and food chains.” Take ACTION.
Environmental Action: An Unregulated Form Of Plastic Pollution
Every year, 200,000 metric tons of plastic pellets make their way into the world’s oceans! Plastic pellets, also called nurdles, are the building blocks of almost all plastic products. Trillions of nurdles are produced annually, shipped to factories, and melted and poured into molds of plastic products. Unfortunately, so many of these nurdles are discharged into our waterways during production and transportation. There, the nurdles threaten marine wildlife and public health. Send a message to your U.S. House representative urging support for the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act. Take action HERE.
350.Org: Block Manchin’s Pipeline Permitting Bill
“Senator Joe Manchin is trying to ram through a new bill in Congress that would fast-track fossil fuel pipelines, including his pet project – the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The first draft of the bill has a watermark stamped “Draft – API” referring to the fossil fuel lobbying group: American Petroleum Institute. So, in case there was any confusion about who is behind this effort, it’s written in plain ink. Senator Manchin has taken more money from the fossil fuel industry than any other politician in D.C. – and Big Oil has gotten its money’s worth a thousand times over. Demand that our members of Congress put a stop to Manchin’s side-deal that would guarantee the Mountain Valley Pipeline is built and fast-track fossil fuel projects across the country in our most vulnerable communities.” Take ACTION.
Defenders Of Wildlife: Take Down Dams That Harm Orcas and Salmon
“In the Pacific Northwest, four dams on the lower Snake River have been driving Chinook salmon and Southern Resident orcas toward extinction for decades. It’s time for them to go.These outdated dams are causing salmon populations throughout the Snake River system to plummet. In turn, the orcas that depend on those salmon for survival have been starving and dying – for years, orcas have struggled to birth and feed new calves. We’re calling on the Department of Energy to push Congress to deauthorize those dams so this ecosystem can begin to heal and recover. Sign today to push Congress to remove the four lower Snake River dams to save Pacific Northwest orcas and salmon!” Act HERE.
California Environmental Voters: Pass The PUBLIC Lands Act
“The PUBLIC Lands bill (U.S. Senate) would make critical investments in protecting California’s natural treasures while offsetting ongoing climate threats like droughts and wildfires. Conserving public lands is in all our best interests. These areas capture carbon from the atmosphere and help reduce emissions, ensuring clean air for all! This new bill will protect more than one million acres of public lands, including over 500 miles of rivers across California. It will dramatically advance our conservation efforts, including safeguarding key drinking water sources. It will promote racial equity by providing all Californians with access to nature – especially communities of color who historically have been deprived of parks and recreational areas. Sign the PETITION.”
Endangered Species Coalition: Stop Wildlife Killing Contests
“Thousands of foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and even sometimes wolves are killed every year in wildlife killing contests held around the country! These unsporting events are not in keeping with “fair chase” hunting principles and serve no conservation purpose. These mass-killing events disrupt native species without any benefit – scientists have found them to be counterproductive to their purported purpose of controlling species deemed unwanted. Coyotes specifically will increase their birthrate in response to this killing. Tell your U.S. Representative that you support the Prohibit Wildlife Killing Contests Act of 2022 and ask that they work to pass it into law.” Do take action HERE. (Note: I did not use an image of a mass-killing event because they are too gruesome with dozens of dead coyotes, foxes and bobcats spread out in a parking lot)
Environment California: Make Chiricahua Our Newest National Park
“Known as the “Wonderland of Rocks,” Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona is full of stunning spires, hoodoos, winding canyons and national park-worthy hikes. It’s time this surreal landscape gets the protection and recognition it deserves. We just helped pass the Chiricahua National Park Act through the U.S. Senate, but now we need your help to seal the deal and pass this bill in the House of Representatives. Tell your U.S. House representative to support the Chiricahua National Park Act and create the next great national park.” Take ACTION.
Plug In America: We need an expanded federal EV tax credit
“A federal EV tax credit has been integral to stimulating EV sales by reducing the difference in total price by up to $7500 compared to gas-powered vehicles. We have the opportunity to both rapidly reduce the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and increase the sales of electric vehicles by extending the federal EV tax credit in the upcoming Senate spending bill. Including an expanded EV tax credit in the budget reconciliation bill will help to ensure that everyone can take part in the EV transition. While the upfront cost of purchasing an EV is a barrier to many, the EV credit seeks to minimize this financial hurdle by granting up to $7500 in tax credits for plug-in vehicles. The EV credit in its current form is tied to each manufacturer’s total EV sales and expires after an automaker sells 200,000 EVs. A revised EV tax credit should raise this manufacturer’s sales cap so that all automakers can fully participate in the EV transition so more consumers can reap its benefit. Tell your US Senator: Expand the federal EV tax credit!” Act HERE.
Natural Resources Defense Council: Tell your senators to defend wildlife by passing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.
“One million species are at risk of extinction, many within decades. Healthy wildlife, like healthy people, first require a healthy planet. It is vital that we not only protect endangered species, but we protect species before they reach the brink of extinction. Congress is considering a bill – the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act – that could make the difference between an animal being added to the endangered species list or thriving in its natural habitat. For the more than 16,000 species identified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the U.S., this bill will deliver hundreds of millions of dollars to their recovery each year. The RAWA Jjust passed the House so we need to urge our Senators to support it!” Act HERE.
The Action Network: Support EV Equity
“The Good News: SB 1482 passed out of the Assembly Housing Committee on June 29 on a vote of 6-0-2. This common-sense bill requires newly constructed multi-family housing in California to provide every resident with access to EV charging. Unfortunately, the powerful California Building Industry Association (CBIA) pressured the Committee to amend SB 1482 in ways that weaken its impact. Instead of directing the relevant agencies to adopt our code recommendations on July 1, 2024, the bill now states they shall simply “research and develop and may propose for adoption” our recommendations by the next triennial code adoption (which takes effect January 1, 2026). Tell your CA state Assembly Member to support SB 1482 HERE.”
California Environmental Voters: Endorse Prop 30, the Clean Air Initiative
“California Environmental Voters is part of a coalition supporting Prop 30, the Clean Air Initiative, which would boost California’s transition to clean, zero-emission vehicles and increase wildfire prevention and response. This bold climate initiative will be on the November ballot in California. Add your name to show your support for Prop 30.” Action HERE.
American Forests: Support The TREES Act
“The U.S. Congress is proposing a new program that would plant 300,000 trees a year, mainly in underserved urban communities. Trees provide shade on hot summer days and block the wind on cold winter nights, but they are often sparse in those communities. As a result, people who have the hardest time covering the expense of cooling and heating their homes are the same people who have higher energy bills. Trees planted through this program also would help mitigate climate change and absorb pollutants that are harmful to people with respiratory illnesses. The $50 million annual program would provide funding to nongovernmental organizations; utility companies; and local, state and tribal governments. Ask your Congressional leaders to support The Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act (TREES Act) of 2021. Action HERE.
National Resources Defense Council: Tell the Biden Interior Department – No New Offshore Drilling Leases
“Despite touting the boldest climate agenda of any administration to date, President Biden’s Interior Department just released a five-year offshore drilling plan that includes proposals for as many as 11 potential offshore leases for oil and gas companies in public waters in the Gulf of Mexico and possibly Alaska. Expanding offshore drilling is antithetical to our climate goals. Just one oil spill would spell catastrophe for beaches, Indigenous communities, coastal communities, marine wildlife, and fishermen alike. Thankfully, the Biden administration is accepting public comments on its proposal — but only for a limited time. We need to rally a massive public outcry urging them to reverse course and protect our coasts from drilling!” Act HERE.
Friends Of The Earth Action: Demand Congress Regulate “Forever Chemicals”
“Companies are utilizing man-made chemicals — PFAS, a.k.a “forever chemicals” — that never degrade in nature! They have been found in over 700 communities and impact the drinking water of up to 110 MILLION Americans. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in a large range of household items — including cooking sprays, Teflon pans, carpets and upholstery, pizza boxes, and MANY MORE items. These toxic chemicals contaminate our drinking water, food, and soil — and have been linked to cancer, high blood pressure, and other major health concerns. But even with the known health risks, PFAS have skirted regulation and been brushed under the rug. Take action HERE to demand Congress regulate PFAS and stop putting human health at risk!”
Plastic Tides: Global Youth Mentor Program Recruiting Youth Leaders and Adult Mentors
“Since 2014, inspiring youth to take action has always been core to Plastic Tides. Now more than ever, youth leadership is vital to the success of the environmental movement. The Global Youth Mentor Program (GYM) gives motivated Youth Leaders the tools and support to create lasting systemic change in their communities. Youth Leaders are paired with Mentors from all over the world and directed through change-based projects. The program gives motivated students the tools and support they need to complete projects in their schools and communities that solve pressing issues upstream. Aged 11-18 Youth Leaders work with their mentor on a weekly basis over the course of a year to solve problems from food packaging to water quality with a focus on addressing pollution at the source.” Learn more HERE.
Audubon: Help Save American Birds & Other Wildlife
“Science tells us that we’ve lost 3 billion birds in less than a human lifetime and that two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction due to climate change. Audubon and our partners are working to build broad support for a suite of actions to bring birds back that foster on-the-ground protection and recovery of bird populations, and conservation of the habitats they need to thrive. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is a key part of this effort to ensure we have sufficient funding to support bird conservation. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R. 2773) today, June 14.” Take action NOW!
Clean Water Action: Protect Communities and Drinking Water from Chemical Spills
“During extreme weather events, hazardous chemicals can be released into water and drinking water sources. Facilities that store hazardous substances need plans in place to prevent spills caused by a severe weather event. This is a known problem and such plans have been required for over 25 years, but nothing was done until now.The EPA is requesting comments on its proposed Clean Water Act Hazardous Substance Worst Case Discharge Planning Regulations (Worst Case Discharge Rule) until July 26th.” Speak up HERE.
Audubon: Stop the Environmentally Destructive Pebble Mine Project
“The Pebble Mine project threatens an entire irreplaceable watershed and will adversely affect people and birds. It would be the largest open-pit mine in North America and would require the world’s largest earthen dam to be built to hold back billions of tons of wastewater. A failure would wash toxic wastewater through rivers and streams, compromising the food web that forms the foundation of Bristol Bay’s incredible bird life and aquatic ecosystem. The Army Corps of Engineers denied the first major permit needed, and although this was a step forward, we now need the EPA to veto the entire permit. This action would provide more lasting protections and be more difficult to reverse. We only have until July 5th to support this veto.” Speak up HERE.
Environment California: Tell the California Public Utilities Commission To Keep Rooftop Solar Growing
“California leads the country in rooftop solar generation. And we have a lot more room to grow our state’s rooftop solar capacity. We could get to three-quarters of our entire state’s energy needs if we took advantage of our rooftop solar potential. But the path forward is not without potential roadblocks. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is re-examining the existing utility company rules for rooftop solar customers, and proposing stiff fees on solar customers while slashing payments for rooftop solar electricity generation. Tell the CPUC: Save rooftop solar!”
Big Basin State Park: Interpretive Docent Volunteer Training, May
California State Parks will shortly begin training new interpretive docent volunteers to prepare for the limited reopening of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Summer 2022. Docents will interact with the public and share their knowledge of Big Basin at a “staging area” near the park entrance. Docent training begins May 2022. To apply, fill out the interpretive volunteer application HERE.
SC County Parks: Volunteer Opportunities
Learn about volunteer opportunities with Santa Cruz County Parks! These include:
One-Day Community Volunteer Opportunities – Community volunteer days are a fun way to be with others and beautify our parks and beaches! Volunteer days include fun activities such as painting, weeding, fence building, beautification, invasive plant removal and more!
Independent Volunteers – If you have a passion for a particular park or project and want to work independently, we can work together to support your idea!
Docent volunteers – A docent is a volunteer that has special knowledge or skills to teach or impart on park goers, community members, or children.
Learn more about these and more opportunities HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: The corporate-controlled cruise ship industry is helping drive manatees to extinction.
“A typical 3,000-person cruise ship produces the equivalent of TEN backyard swimming pools of sewage every week. This harmful waste can then be carelessly dumped into the ocean with little treatment, contributing to the destruction of sensitive manatee habitats and making it harder for these already-endangered species to survive. Manatees are dying at record numbers — over 500 of these precious sea cows have already died in 2022. When cruise ships release colossal amounts of toxic waste into the water, the contaminants and pollutants prevent seagrass from growing contributing to manatee starvation. Take action HERE to hold cruise corporations accountable for threatening beloved manatees before it’s too late.”
Plug In America: Support Ev Charging Access In Apartments & Condos
“Tell the CA State Senate: We need EV charging access in apartments and condos! California’s EV Charging Equity bill, SB 1482, is heading to the floor of the State Senate for a vote! SB 1482 will extend EV charging access to ALL new California apartment and condo units with parking. Help us ensure that this common-sense EV equity bill passes out of the CA Senate. Contact your state senator” by clicking HERE.
Let’s Green Cal!: Tell Cal Air Resources Board (CARB) – “Clean Cars For California!”
“A recent update to CARB’s clean cars program would chart a path to phasing out all gas-powered car and truck sales by 2035. This may seem like an ambitious goal given the 29+ million cars currently on California’s streets and highways, but the latest climate reports have made it crystal clear: we need to move as quickly as possible to a low-carbon future to prevent calamity. That’s why Let’s Green CA! is urging CARB to move up its proposed deadline. We’re calling on CARB to ensure that 100% of the new vehicles sold in California are clean cars by 2030. You can join us by submitting a public comment to CARB. Take action HERE.
Endangered Species Coalition: Protect Lobos from Illegal Killing
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is in the process of finalizing its recovery plan for the Mexican gray wolf, or lobo. This plan guides decisions that the USFWS and other agencies make in bringing these highly endangered wolves back. Fewer than 200 of these wolves are alive in the wilds of the Southwest U.S. today and this plan could mean the difference between extinction and recovery for this species. The primary threat to lobos is illegal killing. Seventy percent of lobo deaths are human-caused. Please submit your public comment today asking the USFWS to do more to prevent illegal killings of lobos.” Take ACTION.
Action Network: Combat climate super-pollutants
“Here’s the breakdown – HFCs are a short-lived climate pollutant. Like carbon dioxide, their increased presence in our atmosphere enhances global warming. They remain in the atmosphere for a much shorter period of time, yet their potential to warm the atmosphere can be many times greater – so much so that HFCs are actually called “climate super-pollutants”. Congress can address this issue meaningfully by joining 129 countries and ratifying the Kigali Amendment – an amendment that sets targets for every nation to phase down climate-polluting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the synthetic chemicals used in cooling appliances, insulating foams, and more.” Send a message to your Congressperson HERE.
Surfrider: Poseidon’s Huntington Beach Desal Plant
“If approved, the Huntington Beach seawater desalination plant would be an enormous loss for the coast and ocean. The plant would be a waste of money and harm environmental justice communities and small businesses. It would have devastating impacts on nearby wetlands, fish and marine species, and would exacerbate climate impacts on our coast. Join Surfrider and sign this action alert today to ask the California Coastal Commission to stop this project and deny their permit. Action HERE. WE DID IT! The Coastal Commission voted unanimously to deny the permit!
California Local: Tips for Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Yard in Santa Cruz County
“As development continues across the county, the natural habitats of those native species have become smaller and increasingly fragmented, making it harder for native creatures to survive. “Habitat gardens can be beautiful and fun,” said Rick Flores, director of horticulture and steward of the Amah Mutsun Relearning Program at the UCSC Arboretum and Botanic Garden. “In a time when habitat is disappearing for a number of reasons, habitat gardens can help promote biodiversity.” It simply requires consideration of the plants and landscape that native critters will enjoy, rather than considering only what plants may look pretty, Flores explained. Planting plants that are good for the birds, bees, butterflies, and insects is a great way to learn about the wildlife around us.” Read MORE.
Environment California: Tell President Biden – No new offshore oil leases
“This could be the beginning of the end of offshore oil drilling. The Biden administration has a chance to commit to no new lease sales for offshore drilling for the next half-decade — safeguarding crucial ocean habitats like the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s Cook Inlet from the harm and destruction inherent in offshore drilling. We know that when we drill, we spill, and it’s not worth risking iconic sea life such as Cook Inlet’s beluga whales for just a little more oil. Send an urgent message right now telling the Biden administration: No new offshore oil leases.” Take ACTION.
Environmental Defense Fund: Tell EPA that we need stronger protections from heavy duty trucks.
“The transportation sector is the leading source of climate pollution in the U.S. — and heavy-duty vehicles are a big part of the problem. Despite making up only 10% of vehicles on the road, medium and heavy-duty trucks contribute 25% of all climate pollution from the transportation sector. This extraordinary source of pollution puts all Americans at risk, with the health burden disproportionately impacting people of color and lower income families — and it’s time we did something about it. EPA has announced a proposal to address pollution from trucks, but it doesn’t go far enough. Submit a public comment and tell EPA to adopt strongest possible pollution standards for trucks.” Take ACTION.
The Climate Center: California must lead the way on natural carbon removal
“The oil and gas industry is getting louder in its calls for technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS), which perpetuates toxic pollution in frontline communities and contributes to the climate crisis. Natural carbon sequestration solutions, on the other hand, can help California safely and cost-effectively draw down past climate pollution from the atmosphere. The Natural Carbon Sequestration and Resilience Act (AB 2649, C. Garcia) is a critical step toward scaling practices that can help secure a climate-safe future in California and beyond. AB 2649 would make California the first state in the nation to set a statutory target for natural carbon removal. Carbon sequestration in vegetation and soil — through compost application, agroforestry, habitat restoration, urban tree-planting, and more — also improves water security in the face of drought, contains the spread of wildfires, and makes crops more resilient. Climate-friendly agriculture techniques can even help replace chemical fertilizers that pollute communities and endanger farmworkers.” Learn more and speak out HERE.
Environmental Action: Reduce Plastic Waste In National Parks
“While hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, standing under the giant trees of Sequoia National Park, or climbing the red rocks of Arches and Canyonlands, the last thing you want to see is plastic trash. Yet every year, our national parks are polluted with plastic waste. It’s not enough to say “Leave No Trace” — we need to take action to protect our parks from single-use plastics. The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act aims to do just that: prevent plastic trash from accumulating in our nation’s treasured lands by banning the sale of single-use plastics in our parks. Tell your U.S. House representative to support the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act.” Speak out HERE.
Ecochallenge: Earth Month Ecochallenge 2022 – Sustainable Development Goals
“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations are a commitment to achieving sustainable development across three dimensions — environmental, social and economic — in an inclusive and integrated way. Our Ecochallenge transforms the 17 SDGs into 5 categories of daily and one-time actions an individual can make. Join over 3,000 other participants!” Info and sign up HERE.
CALPIRG: Ban Single-Use Polystyrene Foam Products
“In a single year, Americans throw out 25 billion polystyrene foam cups, some of which became part of the 8 million tons of plastic dumped in our waterways every year. Polystyrene foam products are made with petroleum and a host of other highly polluting ingredients. They’re essentially non-recyclable, and they can even leach toxic chemicals into our food and drink. Less than 3% of polystyrene foam is ever recycled. Call on your governor to take bold action and ban single-use polystyrene foam products once and for all. Will you join us in calling for a zero-waste future?” Take ACTION.
Citizens Climate Lobby: California Youth Transit Pass Program
“The CA Assembly Bill 1919, the California Youth Transit Pass Program is near and dear to many of us because our very own Santa Cruz Youth for Climate Justice spearheaded its introduction into this legislative cycle. Those of us who worked on the bill spent many many hours in zoom meetings with CA assembly members and senators looking for a sponsor. AB 1919 would provide fare-free transit passes for everyone 25 years old and under who is living in California, regardless of immigration status. The goal is to remove socioeconomic barriers to reliable transportation and make it easier for students to get to school and work and other activities, meantime reducing absenteeism and greenhouse gas emissions and increasing access to opportunity and quality of life. Show your support before the first hearing with the Assembly Transportation Committee on April 4 a 2:30 pm.” Click HERE to send your letter.
Wildlife Conservation Society: The FOREST Act is key to addressing illegal deforestation.
“Across the tropics, the expansion of commercial agriculture has brought about a troubling rise in illegal deforestation. In addition to decimating an invaluable natural resource, illegal forest clearance itself creates harmful emissions—at least 2.7 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. This comes at a time when we need forests more than ever: as a natural solution to climate change, they could provide a crucial amount of the climate mitigation needed before 2030 to keep global temperature rise below 2°C. Not only do forests serve as strongholds for the vast majority of land-based plants and animals and support the livelihoods of some 1.6 billion people, they are also an essential nature-positive solution to the climate crisis. That’s why it’s critical that we give our all to prevent illegal deforestation now. Tell your Congress member to cosponsor the bipartisan Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act of 2021.” Speak up HERE.
Let’s Green California: SB 1230—Equitable Incentives and Infrastructure for Clean Cars
“We’ve partnered with the Dolores Huerta Foundation and State Senator Monique Limón (above) to introduce SB 1230, which will cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduce toxic air pollution, bolster energy resilience, and support green jobs by promoting a faster and more equitable transition to clean cars in California. SB 1230 simplifies and streamlines the process of applying for and using incentives for zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), including allowing for their use at point-of-sale to better serve low-income consumers. The bill also calls for rapid build out of ZEV infrastructure, with priority given to charging projects near multi-unit housing, in disadvantaged communities, and that incorporate solar and storage in order to minimize grid demand.” Speak up HERE.
EDF Inequality Media Civic Action: New Bill Will Require USPS to Purchase Electric Trucks
“The U.S. Postal Service finalized plans in February to purchase up to 148,000 mail delivery trucks from Oshkosh Defense, 90% of them powered by gasoline fueled combustion engines expected to get 8 miles per gallon. The Wisconsin company, after signing the contract with USPS, decamped to South Carolina to build the trucks with non-union workers. That’s 1,000 union jobs that their highly-skilled Oshkosh, Wisconsin workers were counting on. Louis DeJoy’s decision to sign a $11.3 billion contract for non-union built trucks directly defies the Biden administration objections that the multibillion-dollar contract would undercut the nation’s climate goals. The good news is (that) Rep. Gerry Connolly’s new bill prohibits the Postal Service from enacting its contract with Oshkosh Defense for the trucks, unless the fleet is made up of at least 75 percent electric vehicles. Send a direct message to your members of Congress: the USPS contract must require at least 75% electric trucks.” Take ACTION.
Friends Of The Earth: Proposed Shipping Facility Threatens Salmon and Orcas
“A new, massive shipping facility has been proposed at the mouth of British Columbia’s Frasier River. But it would drive away Chinook salmon, endangering the remaining 74 Southern Resident killer whales. Take action now. The orca is a vulnerable species, protected by the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Southern Resident orca community is hanging on by a thread, with the deaths of orcas Cappuccino and Marina last year. And while a new baby was born in the last month, two other pregnant orcas lost their babies. The shipping industry is threatening them with proposed megaprojects that would directly impact their habitats and drive them to extinction. Will you help send a message to stop the Robert Banks from being built?” Act HERE.
Greenpeace: Urge Biden to Assist Ukraine By Accelerateing Renewable Energy Systems
“President Biden’s action (of banning Russian oil imports) must be coupled with an emergency and unprecedented effort to deploy renewable energy and move the world off fossil fuels in order to cool the fires of war. Too many countries are dependent on Russian oil. By using the Defense Production Act, President Biden could mandate the production of a massive wave of heat pumps (that can heat and cool homes and run on electricity) destined for European homes to replace Russian gas and oil for good. Tell President Biden to use executive action to move us off fossil fuels by using the Defense Production Act to help the U.S rapidly build out renewable energy systems that can replace oil and gas here, in Europe, and around the world.” Act HERE.
Permaculture Santa Cruz: Help Shape Our New Farm!
“We’re starting a teaching farm! Farming is tough business and so we’re gauging your interest and support. We’re bringing you in on the ground floor as we get started and part of your support is completing this survey. The survey takes 5-10 minutes. Click HERE to begin the survey.”
Project Drawdown: Climate Solutions At Work – Unleashing Your Employee Power
“Employees hold tremendous power—you and your colleagues are instrumental to how your company functions, innovates, and survives through uncertainty. For many employees, the importance of climate action has taken center stage, but it can be hard to know where (and at which levels) to accelerate climate action in the workplace, and how to bring your own skills to the table. If your company leadership is serious about its climate ambition, then they will welcome employees to the work of helping them get there and holding them accountable. Worker engagement on the all-encompassing climate crisis doesn’t just sound good, it will actually help your company succeed in a rapidly changing world. Learn how you can make a difference at your workplace.”
Greenpeace: The Next Step To Protect The Gulf Of Mexico
“The climate movement had a HUGE win when a federal court ruled against Oil Lease Sale 257, the largest lease sale of public waters for offshore oil drilling in U.S. history. And the best news? The court rejected the lease sale on the basis of climate. But, the fight to protect our precious waters and coastal communities is not over yet. President Biden and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland have the power to challenge the court’s ruling through the appeals process. If they were to appeal, 80 million acres of public waters in the Gulf of Mexico would be fair game to be sold off to the highest bidder — again. So it’s up to Biden and Haaland to stand behind the court’s decision and defend our climate, NOT oil and gas profits.” Take ACTION.
Environment California: Ban Styrofoam
“Polystyrene foam, used to make takeout cups and containers, persists in the environment. All of this plastic pollution is not only unsightly but also dangerous to both ecosystems and wildlife. Some plastics are toxic, containing chemical additives that can disrupt reproduction in birds and fish. Additionally, plastic particles have been found in all kinds of animals, demonstrating that microplastics can make their way up the food chain. Nothing we use for a few minutes should be allowed to pollute our oceans and rivers and threaten wildlife for centuries. Change is possible – 8 states have passed bans on polystyrene foam products. With your help, we’ll make California the next.” Take ACTION.
CalPIRG: Regulate Factory Farm Pollution
“Large-scale factory farms and confined feedlot operations have become the biggest source of water pollution in the United States. The EPA announced plans to monitor factory farm pollution back in 2005 — but it has yet to actually do so. We can’t afford to wait any longer. Factory farms, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations or CAFOs, generate millions — if not billions — of gallons of waste each year. In fact, the largest factory farm has been known to generate up to 369 million tons of waste per year. And while every animal produces waste, this level of highly concentrated manure can wreak serious havoc on the health of the environment and on the public. Will you join us in calling on the EPA to regulate factory farm pollution?” Take ACTION.
Wildlife Conservation Society: Blue Carbon Ecosystems Are Essential
“The U.S. has the opportunity to be a global leader in conservation—if Congress takes action to protect ocean and coastal ecosystems that capture and store carbon and provide a home for a diverse array of species. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems like mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass beds naturally store large quantities of carbon, often for hundreds of years. Protecting these special places simultaneously addresses the climate crisis and safeguards vulnerable wildlife. Please tell your Representative today: Cosponsor H.R. 3906, the Blue Carbon Protection Act, to protect and restore these important ecosystems and help solve the climate crisis.” Take ACTION.
CALPIRG: The REDUCE Act Addresses Plastic Pollution
“The U.S. wastes more plastic than any other country in the world, including plastic shipped to other countries, according to a new study. The REDUCE Act addresses two main aspects of our country’s plastic waste problem: our dependance on harmful virgin plastic and many companies’ unwillingness to use more recycled plastic in their products. The problem with plastics starts with what they are made from: fossil fuels. The production of new, or virgin, plastic is an energy-intensive process that emits greenhouse gases and other hazardous pollutants. It gets worse: Less than 10% of all plastic is actually recycled. Tell your U.S. House representative to pass the REDUCE Act.” Take ACTION.
Elders Climate Action: Electrify The Postal Service Fleet
“In February 2021, the U.S. Postal Service issued a $4 billion contract to buy 165,000 delivery vans from a company that builds only internal combustion engines. In March, our amazing members submitted 1,700 comments, along with thousands more from allied groups, to the Board of the USPS. We called on them to halt the purchase while they circled back to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and to weigh the public health and climate benefits of purchasing electric vehicles. Now they’re back with an EIS that doesn’t comply with the National Environmental Policy Act; and may allow the USPS to start ordering new polluting vehicles after February 6 of this year.” Tell the White House to order electric vans HERE.
Turtle Island Restoration Network: Make Our National Parks Plastic-Free!
“The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act (S. 2960 and H.R.5533) was introduced in Congress, and would phase out the sale and distribution of single-use plastic products across all 423 national parks. Plastic beverage bottles, bags, food ware, and foam items would all be included in the ban nationwide. Plastic pollution is harming our beautiful national parks and the creatures that call these places home. Nearly 40% of the plastic produced annually is for single-use plastics and packaging. Plastic is made to last forever, but single use plastics are designed to be used briefly and thrown away. Please contact your U.S. House representative and Senator today and urge them to support the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act.” Take action HERE.
Greenpeace: Say NO to offshore oil drilling In Our public waters
“This past November, just days after pledging a return to U.S. climate leadership at COP26, President Biden and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland allowed a sale of 80 million acres of public lands for drilling by oil and gas corporations including ExxonMobil and BP in the Gulf of Mexico. This sale, known as Lease Sale 257, is the largest sale of public waters for offshore drilling in U.S. history. This not only goes against Biden’s campaign promises — we also know that fossil fuel production creates pollution and negative health impacts across every step of the supply chain. And we know that these impacts are often systemically oppressive and racist in terms of where, and who, is subject to this pollution.” Take action HERE
National Resources Defense Council: Speak Up To Protect California’s Oceans and Land, 30% By 2030
“California’s beloved ocean ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots and home to whales, sea turtles, and sea otters. These waters are an important part of California’s identity. And half of all Californians visit the ocean each year. However, our ocean is under an incredible amount of stress. Sadly, decades of extraction, pollution, and industrial use of CA’s coastal waters — coupled with the worsening impacts of climate change — have depleted ocean ecosystems and fueled the biodiversity crisis. Thankfully, California has committed to protecting 30 percent of the state’s waters and lands by 2030. CA state leaders just released a draft plan on how the state will meet this critical “30×30” conservation goal — and they’re inviting Californians to comment on the proposal. It’s critical that they hear from as many people as possible in support of a strong 30×30 plan before February 15.” Submit your public comment HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: 300,000 Acres Of Public Land At Risk Of Big Oil’s Destruction
“The Biden administration has given Big Oil permits to drill on our public lands at a rate of 334 permits per month. That’s a higher monthly rate than the Trump administration gave out in his last two years in office. Candidate Biden promised to stop all new oil and gas leasing on our public lands and protect the people and wildlife that call it home. But President Biden broke his promise to the people that elected him. Remind President Biden who put him in office. You have the power to stop oil and gas leasing on our public lands — starting with next month’s proposed sale. Will you use it? Hold President Biden accountable to the people: Demand he keeps Big Oil off our public lands!” Act HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: Protect Polar Bears from Arctic Refuge Oil Drilling
“Big Oil drilling in the Arctic is threatening the livelihood of the already-vulnerable polar bears. Home to an estimated 900 polar bears, the Arctic Refuge along the Southern Beaufort Sea was declared a protected area decades ago — but in 2017, the Trump Administration approved opening the Refuge to oil and gas drilling. Leasing these lands to corporate oil giants will increase traffic, noise, and pollution in the Arctic. These disturbances to the tundra ecosystem not only disrupt polar bears’ delicate habitat but can interfere with their natural migration and denning patterns — all while these beloved animals are already struggling to survive the harms of the climate crisis. Please take action to Stop Big Oil from pushing polar bears toward extinction.” Speak out HERE.
California Governor’s Office: California Climate Action Corps
In California, climate change is a growing threat to systems and people across the state. The impacts to our environment and health are worsening as we experience longer and more frequent droughts, devastating wildfires, and more. Each of us has a role to play. You can take meaningful action today to help communities across our state. Serve: Leveraging the power of AmeriCorps to advance climate actions that engage communities, cultivate change, and leave a lasting impact. Volunteer: Creating opportunities to get more involved by connecting people with the community climate action organizations that need support. Act: Empowering individuals to act at home or in their communities by promoting and supporting accessible, climate actions for everyone. Learn more HERE.
Environment California: Support Offshore Wind in Morro Bay
“Offshore wind is the next big thing in renewable energy, and California is sitting on a goldmine. California has enough offshore wind energy potential to meet our current electricity needs 1.5 times. But to take advantage of that potential and make the transition to clean, renewable energy, we need to start developing wind farms off our coast. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is now accepting public comments on the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area, California’s first ever offshore wind leasing area. Add your name to our petition in support of thoughtful and ambitious offshore wind leasing in California’s Morro Bay before the Jan. 11 deadline.” Take Action HERE.
Green America: Hold Walmart Accountable for its Increasing Emissions
“Walmart stores are leaking potent greenhouse gases that accelerate the climate crisis. These gases are called HFCs and they have up to thousands of times the warming power of carbon dioxide. HFCs are used in refrigeration and make up over HALF of Walmart’s direct climate polluting emissions. That’s why our Cool It campaign is calling on Walmart to eliminate the use of HFC pollutants and reduce refrigerant leaks. Eliminating HFCs and improving refrigeration are key climate actions that can avoid half a degree of warming!” Speak up HERE.
Greenpeace: The High Cost Of Cheap Tuna
Tuna is one of America’s favorite seafoods, but most consumers don’t realize the ugly truth behind the label. For years, Greenpeace USA has exposed the awful environmental and labor practices of the commercial tuna industry. From destructive fishing practices to widespread allegations of forced labor, there’s no denying that the commercial tuna industry is a menace to people and the planet. That’s why Greenpeace is back with a new report on the role of America’s biggest grocery retailers in perpetuating this horrific system. Check out our report and new scorecard to find out where your grocery store stands on sustainability and human rights in tuna products. Our report conclusively demonstrates that all US supermarkets need to step up, but there’s one mega-retailer that stands out for its poor performance: Costco. Tell Costco to stop selling tuna from ships using modern slavery at sea. Act HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: Disney Project Threats Lighthouse Point Bahamas
“Imagine a serene place sparkling with natural beauty, filled with vibrant marine life like sharks, fish, and dolphins living in harmony among corals beneath limestone cliffs that overlook turquoise waters. This magical place is called Lighthouse Point, and it exists at the southernmost tip of the island Eleuthera in the Bahamas. But this enchanting spot, which sounds like it’s straight out of a Disney movie, is under THE THREAT OF DESTRUCTION by Disney themselves — who plan to build a massive cruise ship port that would DECIMATE the area’s entire ecosystem. Add your name NOW to stop Disney from being the villain that destroys Lighthouse Point.” Speak up HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Save 1,000-Year-Old Redwoods
“A majestic grove of 1,000-year-old redwoods in Northern California is facing an imminent threat — and it needs your help. Richardson Grove State Park in Humboldt County shelters one of the last protected stands of accessible old-growth redwood trees in the world. But a plan to widen Highway 101 to make room for oversized trucks would cut into and pave over the root systems of the thousand-year-old trees, causing dieback of the canopy and possible loss of parts of the grove. There’s no reason to imperil these majestic trees, as other cost-effective, environmentally sound solutions to improve the movement of goods along the coast exist. This may be our last chance to save these irreplaceable redwoods. Urge decision-makers to save Richardson Grove.” Act HERE.
Environment California: Tell The Interior Department – Don’t Subsidize Coal
“The Interior Department gave the second-largest coal company in the nation a huge discount on the cost of extracting coal from public land. Fossil fuels are dirty. Coal is the dirtiest. Burning coal emits toxic smog into our air. It leaves us with acid rain and mercury pollution. In the power sector, it accounts for three-fifths of America’s global warming pollution. And right now, the Interior Department is subsidizing more coal mining. We have a chance to reverse this wrong-headed decision and put a stop to this senseless subsidy. Will you make your voice heard? Tell the Interior Department to reverse the Arch Resources coal subsidy.” Take action HERE.
Environment California: Tell US Fish and Wildlife Service To Protect The American Bumblebee
The American bumblebee is teetering on the edge of collapse. The sight of these bumblebees lazily floating over fields and meadows has all but vanished. The American bumblebee population has plummeted by 90% in the past two decades, and this species has already disappeared entirely from eight states. Like all of our pollinators, American bumblebees face a multi-pronged threat from climate change, habitat loss, and the widespread use of neonic pesticides that are uniquely harmful to bees. If we’re going to save American bumblebees, we need to urgently protect them under the Endangered Species Act. Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Protect the American bumblebee. Take ACTION.
Environment California: Tell UPS To Electrify Their Fleet
In 2020, more than 70% of Americans were exposed to over a month of elevated air pollution. That pollution threatens our health with impacts like respiratory illness, cancer and even premature death. Mobile sources of pollution, including trucks, may have disproportionately larger impacts on health compared to other sources because they generally emit pollution in closer proximity to people. Electric trucks have no tailpipe pollution. UPS can raise the bar in a fossil-fuel drenched industry by replacing its iconic brown box trucks with electric trucks. Tell the world’s largest package delivery company, the United Parcel Service (UPS), to ditch diesel and commit to all-electric trucks and deliver clean air for the holidays. Speak out HERE.
Oceana: Tell Amazon To Give Us A Plastic-Free Packaging Choice
“A single ingested piece of plastic can kill a sea turtle. Right now, garbage truck’s worth of plastic enters our ocean every single minute. Sea turtles and oceans need our help! Amazon can help by giving its customers a plastic-free packaging choice. Amazon generated 599 million pounds of plastic packaging waste last year, according to new estimates by Oceana. Right now, when an Amazon customer submits an order, you have no choice but to accept plastic packaging – plastics that could go on to pollute our oceans. Tell Amazon to give customers like YOU a plastic-free packaging choice at checkout to help fight the ocean plastic pollution crisis.” Take action HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: Save The “Amazon Of The North” From Corporate Destruction
Towering spruce and cedar trees wearing long beards of lichen and moss. Ice-fields and mighty glaciers. Snow-capped mountain peaks. Rivers and fjords flowing among thousands of islands. Tongass National Forest is a sweeping expanse of rugged wilderness unlike anything else. But in 2020, Trump issued a rule that wiped out protections for the Tongass in a massive handout to the logging industry. Take action now. Tongass National Forest — often referred to as the “Amazon of the North” — is the largest temperate rainforest in North America. It’s home to some of the most diverse ecosystems on the continent. And Trump put that all at risk — all for corporate profit. But right now, the Forest Service is considering repealing Trump’s rule. It’s seeking public input on the fate of Tongass National Forest. Tell the Forest Service: Save the “Amazon of the North” from corporate destruction! Speak out HERE.
Environment America: Tell NOAA to Protect Our Oceans
“With little to no protection from oil drilling, mining and fishing, many of our ocean ecosystems are on the brink of collapse. Faced with these destructive practices and devastatingly high temperatures, our marine ecosystems — the coral reefs, kelp forests and all the species that need them — are suffering. But you have the chance to help turn the tide: Right now, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is accepting comments on what areas of our oceans it will protect. Before the December 28 deadline you can help make sure NOAA adopts strong safeguards for all of our sea creatures.” Take ACTION.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center: Now Recruiting Docent & School Programs Instructor Volunteers
“Over 200 volunteers support the Center each year. They lead tours and lessons for school groups, take care of a live animal collection, and support day-to-day operations and education programs. In return, our volunteers get a lifelong learning opportunity and sense of purpose from their commitment to conservation and sustainability. We’re now recruiting Docents and School Programs Instructors, including interns. Find more information and apply HERE.
Save The Redwoods League: Help Conserve The Lost Coast Redwoods
“Today we are thrilled to announce that we have a secured a rare opportunity to purchase and permanently protect the 3,181-acre Lost Coast Redwoods property by the end of this year. This stunning property spanning five miles of rugged, undeveloped Northern California coast in Mendocino County is the largest privately owned coastline in the redwood range and is one of our highest priority land acquisitions. At a time when so much of our coast has been irrevocably altered by traffic lights and mansions, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to protect a wild oasis from aggressive logging or development and revive the old-growth redwood forest that once dominated the southern end of this rugged Lost Coast.” Watch 3 1/2 min. video HERE. Donate today HERE.
Earthworks: Help Stop A Massive New Crude Oil Terminal
“You can end 2021 by helping put a stop to SPOT. The Sea Port Oil Terminal (also known as SPOT) is a massive proposed oil export hub proposed for construction off the Brazoria County Coast in Texas. The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) wants public comments on SPOT. The proposed SPOT project is leading the race to be the first crude oil exports facility on the Gulf Coast able to export 2 million barrels of crude oil a day. This massive crude oil storage facility includes a huge crude oil storage facility, onshore and offshore pipelines through Harris and Brazoria counties in addition to an oil export terminal. This could devastate wildlife, community health, local economies, and our global climate. Tell MARAD to Stop SPOT!” Act HERE.
Environmental Defense Fund: Tell The EPA To Slash Methane Pollution
“Cutting methane emissions is the fastest opportunity we have to immediately slow the rate of global warming. That’s why the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) latest rule is a game changer. EPA has recently introduced a rule that will cut methane pollution from thousands of oil and gas facilities, protecting the health of millions of Americans in the process. These rules will bring nearly 1 million older, pre-existing oil and gas wells under federal oversight for the first time. And though that’s a strong start, they still need to go farther. The proposed rules must be strengthened before they are finalized to ensure that key pollution sources like smaller leak-prone wells and flaring are addressed. The oil and gas industry shouldn’t remain unchecked! It’s time for the EPA to enforce limits on methane pollution that will combat the climate crisis and protect our air! Demand the EPA strengthen their new rules today to ensure we meet the moment on climate change.” Action HERE.
Environment California: Tell the EPA To Stop the plastic to fuel pipeline
“Single-use plastics can contain more than 100,000 chemicals. Now, a process that burns these plastics, emits toxic pollution, and produces more oil to be burned sounds like a bad idea, right? Well, we can break it down together. Let’s say 100 tons of plastic enters a facility. Here’s what happens next. Processors fire up the engines and begin burning fuel to start melting that plastic. At least 50 tons — more than half — of the plastic that enters the facility leaves immediately as a form of harmful pollution. Not to mention melting plastic releases toxic ash into our air and sludge that seeps into our water. Once all is said and done, voila: the remaining plastics are successfully converted to oil, which will be burned for fuel and worsen the climate crisis.” Take action HERE.
Environmental Action: Right whales need stronger protections to avoid extinction.
“They stopped being hunted in the early 20th century — but they haven’t stopped being killed. Only about 350 whales remain in existence today. Millions of commercial fishing lines connecting buoys at the surface to lobster pots on the ocean floor have turned the migratory path they’ve taken for millennia into a dangerous trek. More than half of all deaths today occur because of these entanglements — which can force the whale to drag as much as two and a half tons’ worth of equipment. To save the whales, we need to do everything we can to stop them from getting entangled. Tell Secretary Raimondo that the Right whales need all the help they can get.” Take ACTION.
Project Drawdown: Climate Solutions At Work
“Climate Solutions at Work, presented by Project Drawdown, is a how-to guide for employees to make every job a climate job. The all-encompassing climate crisis demands an equally expansive system of solutions, calling on everyone, everywhere to find their inroad—especially in the workplace. Employees are the backbone of a company’s ability to function, innovate, and survive through uncertain times. Even for the most passionate climate advocates, it can be hard to know how to accelerate action in the workplace. Where to begin? This 100% FREE, easy-to-browse guide explores creative ways to bring the world’s best private-sector climate solutions to life, while helping employees hold their companies accountable for sweeping climate action.” Learn more HERE.
American Forests: Support Historic Funding for America’s Forests
“Global warming is an epic crisis. But there is an epic solution — $30 billion in federal funding to save existing forests and bring degraded and destroyed forests back to life. This includes an unprecedented $2.5 billion to advance Tree Equity by protecting and expanding urban tree canopy for environmental justice, climate justice and health equity. Congressional leaders are set to vote imminently on the Build Back Better Act, also known as the budget reconciliation bill, which contains never-before-seen investments in forest-climate solutions. Ask your Congressional leaders to make history by securing this transformational funding for our forests.” Action HERE.
The Wilderness Society: Urge Senators To Approve the Historic Build Back Better Act
“The U.S. House has just passed the Build Back Better Act! This is the country’s largest investment in climate action and a launching pad to make public lands part of the solution. We now need senators to bring it across the finish line. The bill will invest $555 million to tackle the climate crisis, including key programs on public lands. Among other provisions, the deal will protect forests that absorb carbon emissions and repeal the disastrous oil and gas drilling plans in the Arctic Refuge. As climate change threatens our health, economy and environment, we cannot ignore opportunities to fight back. Urge senators to pass the Build Back Better Act HERE.”
Center For Biological Diversity: Save African Leopards From U.S. Trophy Hunters
“U.S. trophy hunters bring home more than half of all leopard trophies worldwide — an average of nearly 300 leopards shot in cold blood every year. Scientists fear leopard populations in Africa are plummeting. The animals are losing their habitat and prey, dying in conflicts with humans, and being poached for their coveted fur and gunned down by trophy hunters. That’s why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must stop letting trophy hunters bring leopard trophies into the country unless, and until, the Service knows how dire the leopard’s decline is.” Take action to help save Africa’s leopards HERE.
Rainforest Action Network: U.S. Insurers Get Failing Grade on Climate Action
In the middle of the world’s most important climate negotiations, we’re calling out Liberty Mutual and the rest of the U.S. insurance industry for FAILING our climate. Today, along with our partners, we released a scorecard ranking global insurers on their fossil fuel, human rights, and investing policies. The results: U.S. Insurers — like Liberty Mutual, AIG, and Travelers — all get a failing grade for their lack of ambitious climate action. See report HERE. Right now, as bankers and world leaders are gathered in Glasgow discussing the fate of the climate, fossil fuel projects are continuing to pollute communities and destroy the climate. But these life-threatening fossil fuel projects can’t exist without INSURANCE. So we need YOU to tell the top U.S. insurers that they’re contributing to an uninsurable world. Take action HERE.
Environment California: Tell your U.S. senators to make the biggest polluters pay
“A new plan to hold the largest polluters accountable for climate change could fund the solutions we need — but we need your help to make this plan a reality. “Make Polluters Pay,” introduced by U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), would make the largest fossil fuel companies pay into a fund that would aid the transition to renewable energy and help climate-impacted communities. This plan would make sure the American people are no longer bearing the cost of climate change alone. Instead, the megacorporations responsible for the most pollution will finally pay for their own mess. Tell our U.S. senators to hold polluters accountable by including “Make Polluters Pay” in the reconciliation package.” Speak up HERE.
Environmental Action: Save The American Bumblebee
“In the past two decades, American bumblebee populations have dropped by 90%. Pesticides, development and climate change are poisoning this bee and destroying its habitat. If the decline of bees like this native pollinator isn’t halted, plants and ecosystems across the country will suffer. A range that once stretched coast to coast has been reduced to a fraction of its former extent. In the Midwest and southeast, as many as 1 in every 2 American bumblebees has disappeared. In other states, that number rises dramatically — in New York, as many as 99% of the bumblebees have disappeared. And in eight states, the bee has vanished entirely. Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to grant protections under the Endangered Species Act to the American bumblebee.” Act HERE.
Environment California: Protect The Arctic From More Drilling
“Australian oil company 88 Energy is once again trying to drill at the doorstep of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Gates of the Arctic National Park. And this time the company found oil — potentially 1.6 billion barrels of it. The Arctic should be a safe haven for the rare and wondrous wildlife that call it home. Tell 88 Energy not to drill in the Arctic. From polar bears to caribou to snowy owls, the Arctic is full of unique creatures perfectly adapted for the untouched tundra. When oil companies move in, oil spills and toxic human impacts put the fragile Arctic ecosystem in grave danger. 88 Energy’s new discovery could be one of the largest sources of recoverable oil, but extracting oil from this remote location would require huge amounts of habitat destruction.” Sign petition HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: End U.S. Funding Of International Coal Plants
“The U.S. government provides billions of dollars — yes billions — to fossil fuel financing abroad every year. From South Africa to India to the U.S., the government is backing Big Polluters’ destruction of the only Earth we’ll ever have.
One project the U.S. is propping up is the Kusile Coal Plant in South Africa. It’s polluting nearby communities. It produces carbon dioxide, mercury and sulfur dioxide — which have been linked to acid rain. And coal is one of the leading contributors to climate change — which has already impacted 85% of people around the world. You can stop the U.S. from continuing to fund the Kusile plant by signing our PETITION.”
World Beyond War: 325 Organizations Propose Climate Solution To close Major Loophole
The petition: “The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change obliges signatories to publish annual greenhouse gas emissions, but military emissions reporting is voluntary and often not included. NATO has acknowledged the problem but not created any specific requirements to address it. There is no reasonable basis for this gaping loophole. War and war preparations are major greenhouse gas emitters. All greenhouse gas emissions need to be included in mandatory greenhouse gas emission reduction standards. There must be no more exception for military pollution. We ask COP26 to set strict greenhouse gas emissions limits that make no exception for militarism, include transparent reporting requirements and independent verification, and do not rely on schemes to “offset” emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from a country’s overseas military bases must be fully reported and charged to that country, not the country where the base is located.” Sign HERE.
Turtle Island Restoration: Stop the Deadly Use of Driftnets in U.S. Waters
We are on the brink of banning the last driftnet fishery in the United States. Please urge your representatives to ban the deadly and unnecessary use of driftnets in our waters! Last week the Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill that would phase out harmful large mesh drift gillnets used in federal waters off the coast of California — the only place the nets are still used in the United States. Drift gillnets, which are between a mile and a mile-and-a-half long, can extend 200 feet below the ocean surface and are left in the ocean overnight to catch swordfish and thresher sharks. However, at least 60 other marine species — including whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, fish and sharks — can also become entangled in the large mesh net “walls,” injuring or killing them. Most of these animals, referred to as bycatch, are then discarded. Please urge your representatives to finally ban the deadly driftnets in U.S. waters. Act HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Stop the Use of Wildlife-killing ‘Cyanide Bombs’
In 2020 a rogue government wildlife-killing program slaughtered more than 7600 animals using barbaric M-44 “cyanide bombs.” These small, metal-cylinder traps are staked into the ground and covered with bait that lures coyotes, foxes and other unsuspecting wildlife — then cruelly shoots sodium-cyanide powder into their faces. The result is horrible poisoning followed by death. These indiscriminate death-traps pose a high risk to endangered animals such as grizzly bears, lynx and wolves. More than 200 deaths in 2019 were unintentional, including a black bear and dozens of foxes. In past years they’ve killed numerous family dogs and even injured a child. Send a letter to the EPA insisting that it protect wildlife and ban the use of sodium cyanide in M-44s. Act HERE.
National Wildlife Fund: Restore Point Reyes National Seashore
“The Point Reyes National Seashore is a beloved national park. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, its sandy beaches, open grasslands, bushy hillsides, and forested ridges are a sight to see. It is home to over 1,500 species of plants and wildlife—including the majestic tule elk. But a new management plan developed by the Trump Administration prioritizes special interest industrial ranching on Park land. Industrial ranching has already caused devastating impacts to the Park, including significant soil erosion, loss of native plant species, infestation by invasive plants, declines in fish and bird populations, conflicts with wildlife, and some of the most polluted streams in all of California. If finalized, this new plan would make ranching, dairies, and farming a permanent fixture in the Park and ensure continued degradation of thousands of acres of these cherished lands and wildlife habitat. Please, tell the Department of Interior to let ranching leases expire, so that heavily damaged land and wildlife habitat can be restored.” Action HERE.
Environment California: Stop the Uranium Reserve Program from contaminating our air and water
“Every uranium mine ever operated in the United States has needed toxic waste cleanup, some over hundreds of acres of land. Despite this reality, a leftover plan from the Trump administration could put $75 million toward mining the radioactive element. Contaminated water and airborne uranium dust pour out of uranium mines, threatening local residents, visitors and every downstream community — not to mention the entire ecosystem. The Department of Energy is holding a public comment period on its Uranium Reserve Program, which would fund expanded uranium mining — and the toxic contamination that results. Sign our petition HERE asking the Department of Energy not to fund toxic uranium mines.”
Center For Biological Diversity: Save The American Bumblebee
“The American bumblebee is an iconic native pollinator whose range once stretched from coast to coast. But the past 20 years have been a disaster for the species. Due to threats including habitat loss, pesticide use and disease, sightings of the bee have declined by 89%, and it’s disappeared completely from eight states. The decline of this once-common native bee is alarming and heartbreaking — and a harbinger of massive biodiversity loss across the country. To prevent the extinction of this fuzzy teddy bear of a bee, the Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned to protect it under the Endangered Species Act. Yell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that now is the time to protect American bumblebees — before it’s too late.” Act HERE.
Environmental Action: Protect our water from toxic chemicals
PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals,” are being dumped into our waterways, contaminating the drinking water of as many as 200 million Americans. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to several types of cancer and developmental, immunological and reproductive issues. Once PFAS enter our water, they are almost impossible to remove completely. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 44,000 facilities that use PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, discharge waste directly or indirectly into our waterways.5 By strengthening its pollution standards, the EPA has the potential to protect not only our rivers, lakes and streams, but every ecosystem, animal and community that relies on them. The EPA is accepting comments on its PFAS safety standards until Oct. 14. Tell the EPA to protect our drinking water by stopping PFAS pollution. Take action HERE.
CALPIRG: Mending Is Better Than Ending
“It shouldn’t be so difficult to get our devices fixed. But too often, manufacturers throw up roadblocks to repair that create more cost for consumers — and more waste. In fact, the United States produces some 6.9 million tons of electronic waste each year. Your smartphone or computer breaks and you want to repair it. But it turns out that you can’t get the parts or service information you need — in fact, not even your local repair shop can. So you have to bring your device back to the manufacturer, who can charge an arm and a leg because there’s no competition, and sometimes won’t fix it all. So you end up replacing it. Now for the first time ever, we have a comprehensive bill in Congress that would lower repair restrictions nationwide: the Digital Fair Repair Act. This legislation is likely to meet with significant industry opposition in the months to come — which is why we need to make sure our U.S. representatives know the public supports this bill. Urge your U.S. representative to support the Digital Fair Repair Act.” Act HERE.
CALPIRG: Make Polluters Pay To Clean Up Toxic Waste
“It’s outrageous that so many of our communities are threatened by toxic waste due to Congress’ failure to renew the “polluter pays” tax that once funded the Superfund cleanup program. And the potential for these sites to overflow into nearby towns reminds us just how urgent it is that our leaders act to address the problem. The Senate voted to make polluters pay to clean up their toxic waste. Now, we need to tell the House to do the same. Tell your U.S. House representative: Renew the “polluter pays” tax to protect public health and clean up dangerous toxic waste sites.” Take ACTION.
Patagonia: Feel Good About Doing Good With Patagonia Action Works
For almost 40 years, Patagonia has supported grassroots groups working to find solutions to the environmental crisis. But in this time of unprecedented threats, it’s often hard to know the best way to get involved. That’s why we’re connecting individuals with our grantees, in order to take action on the most pressing issues facing the world today. Patagonia Action Works makes it easy to do your part to protect people and the planet. Get matched with a grassroots environmental group looking for your particular brand of genius today. Check out the many skilled volunteering opportunities HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: Stop California From Importing Rainforest Destructive Products
A world without rainforests? That could be our reality in less than 100 years if corporations don’t stop fueling forest destruction. Once the world’s rainforests are wiped out, the rainfall they create and the wildlife that relies on them will be quick to follow. Beautifully spotted jaguars and vibrantly colored scarlet macaws will be driven to extinction after losing their homes. Who’s fueling the destruction? Greedy corporations like Aramark and Procter & Gamble. But they aren’t the only culprit. Our very own state is enabling forest destruction by purchasing goods from companies like Procter & Gamble instead of putting an end to these harmful practices. But right now, you have the power to demand the state use its buying power to push forest-wrecking corporations down a more sustainable path. Tell your State Senator: Stop supporting forest-destroying corporations! Take ACTION.
Surfrider: Skip the throw away Plastic
Californians have a chance to help pass an important law – AB 1276. This bill would expand the straws upon request law to include other single-use foodware accessories, such as cups, utensils and condiments, to be given to consumers only upon request. Currently, most restaurants automatically add these items into takeout and delivery food orders. This costs each restaurant money, even though the items are often unwanted. Every year in the United States, an estimated 561 billion disposable foodware items are used, resulting in 4.9 million tons of waste. Decreasing unnecessary single-use plastic foodware accessories at the source is a simple win-win solution. It reduces waste, saves businesses money, helps to keep our environment and communities clean and relieves recyclers, composters and local governments from the complications and costs associated with all of this unnecessary extra plastic. Take ACTION.
Environmental Defense Fund: Support The California Climate Crisis Act – AB1395
“The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made clearer than ever what Californians already know: The climate crisis is here. California urgently needs to take bold and swift action to meet our goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below the 1990 level by 2030. Not only that, but we must also focus on the long-term and ensure that we achieve net-zero emissions as quickly as possible — no later than by 2045. EDF Action is calling on California to adopt the new Climate Crisis Act (AB 1395). This bill would cement our state’s commitment to a pathway that aligns with science and achieves net-zero emissions while safeguarding communities. The bill has passed the Assembly and now is in the Senate. Your state senator’s decision is key to the eventual success of this bill.” Please speak out for California’s future HERE.
Environmental Action: Bring Sea Otters Back to Oregon
Without sea otters, Oregon’s coast is turning into a wasteland. Generations ago, sea otters were hunted nearly to extinction along parts of the Pacific Northwest. That’s a tragedy in and of itself — but it has also been a disaster for the ocean ecosystem. The sleek dense fur that sea otters use to insulate themselves from the cold Pacific waters made them a target of fur trappers, which led to their population collapsing. Without the otters, Oregon’s coastal ecosystems are suffering. In their absence, the population of purple sea urchins has exploded by 10,000%, destroying the kelp forest ecosystems that so many marine species rely on. Sign our petition HERE to reintroduce otters to Oregon’s coast.
Environmental Action: Protect CAlifornia waterways and wildlife from polystyrene pollution
“Just 10 single-use products are responsible for 75 percent of plastic pollution in our world’s oceans. Food containers and cups, often made from polystyrene foam, ranked highly among the throwaway items that are littering our shorelines and seafloors. Because these foam products break apart easily and degrade exceedingly slowly, they present one of the most persistent threats to our environment. When eaten by wildlife, polystyrene foam has been found to reduce fertility, decrease energy and impair development. Plastics also occupy space in animals’ stomachs, creating a false feeling of fullness or physical blockages that can lead to starvation. One of the best ways to prevent plastic pollution is by banning the polystyrene products that we don’t need. That’s why we’re calling for states across the country to ban foam cups and takeout containers. Send a message urging our governor to support a ban on polystyrene foam cups and containers.” Act HERE.
The Action Network: Ban New Oil and Gas Leases On Public Lands
During the 2020 presidential campaign, Joe Biden promised he would “ban new oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters.” And while he did issue an executive order in January to temporarily pause such leases, it was temporary and has now been blocked by a judge. Now, according to a shocking new report from the Associated Press, “approvals for companies to drill for oil and gas on U.S. public lands are on pace this year to reach their highest level since George W. Bush was president.” That’s right: The Biden administration is approving new oil and gas drilling faster than the Trump or Obama administrations. As heat waves, floods and other extreme weather events wreak havoc and devastate our communities, it’s up to us to make sure Pres. Biden knows that continuing to allow business as usual in the oil and gas industry is completely unacceptable. Sign the petition HERE.
Union Of Concerned Scientists: Self-driving Cars Must Be Electric
“Self-driving cars — or autonomous vehicles — seem to be the wave of the future, and it’s not hard to see why. They have the potential to make driving more convenient, safer, and cheaper, especially for industries that currently hire human drivers. However, those very same traits could result in many more miles driven than if people had to operate every vehicle, which could mean much more emissions and congestion. Given that transportation is California’s number one source of both global warming and air pollution, we cannot afford to let these autonomous vehicles develop without assurance they will be zero-emission. Write today and tell Assemblymember Mark Stone the self-driving cars of the future must be run on zero-emission electricity.” Take ACTION.
Solar Rights: Protect Rooftop Solar
California is on fire—again. The Dixie fire has ravaged nearly 500k acres of land, and it should come as no surprise that it was likely started by faulty PG&E equipment. This latest tragedy is why we need to protect, and grow, rooftop solar. Rooftop solar and storage – and programs like net metering – are (crucial elements on the) path out of these endless summers of destruction. Our house is on fire and we have to act. The Governor and the CPUC need to hear from you TODAY. Please use this LINK to sign our petition to Governor Newsom and the CPUC.
Environmental Defense Fund: Tell The EPA To Do It’s Job Protecting Us From Dangerous Chemicals
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has many important roles — and one of the most crucial ones is the task of informing the American public about chemicals in our air, water and everyday products and keeping us safe from those found to be dangerous. But the EPA is considering dramatically scaling back the chemical information that manufacturers must report to the agency. This would significantly reduce what we know about thousands of chemicals in use today, even though this information is crucial for EPA to do its job. The American people have a right to know about and be protected from harmful chemicals in our homes, schools, and workplaces.” Speak out HERE.
League Of Conservation Voters: SUPPORT CLEAN CAR STANDARDS TODAY
“The United Nations released its latest and most dire report on the state of climate change, warning that countries have failed to cut fossil fuel emissions despite commitments following the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Last week, President Biden announced that his administration will update clean vehicle standards — undoing the damage done by the Trump administration and strengthening one of our best tools in fighting the climate crisis. Tailpipe pollution is the largest source of carbon emissions — and by reinstating, and going even further than the Obama administration did with clean cars rules, it will help us as a nation fight the climate crisis while we still can. But in order for these standards to be the strongest possible, the EPA needs to hear from you. The EPA just opened a new comment period, and will take input from the public into account before setting a final emissions rule.” Speak up HERE.
Environmental Action: Protect Spotted Owl Habitat
“The spotted owl is a beautiful bird, its chocolate-brown feathers dappled with white speckles like snowflakes. They’re an amazing part of forest ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest — but they’re in trouble. Spotted owls have lost 70 percent of their habitat — and without more federal protection, they could go extinct. The owls depend on healthy forest habitat for survival. The Biden administration is taking comments from the public right now as it decides whether to restore protection for over 3 million acres of forest the spotted owls need. Take action today to help save spotted owls from extinction.” Speak out HERE.
CalPIRG: Move Our National Parks Past Plastic
The last thing you want to see when visiting a national park is pollution from plastic products we don’t even need. And since a mere 9 percent of plastic gets recycled, there’s really only one way to protect our communities and environment from this harmful and pervasive form of waste: Use less of it in the first place. Every year, the National Park Service contends with around 70 million pounds of waste — the same weight as 155 Statues of Liberty. Instead of creating unnecessary waste pollution in our national parks, let’s move beyond plastic. Urge U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland: Eliminate the sale and distribution of single-use plastics in national parks. Act HERE.
Endangered Species Coalition: “President Biden, institute an emergency listing for gray wolves”
The Washington Post just published an Op-Ed from Former U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe calling on the Biden Administration to protect gray wolves. In it, he calls the current situation an ecocide, pointing to the draconian actions by the Idaho and Montana legislatures in targeting 90 percent of their states’ wolves for death as cause to relist these wolves under the Endangered Species Act. It is crucial that the White House hears this call to action and moves quickly to carry it out. Idaho is already permitting wide scale slaughter of wolves and Montana is soon to follow. And states outside the Northern Rockies are planning their own aggressive, unsustainable hunting and trapping seasons. Act HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: Restore The National Environmental Policy Act
“Last year the Trump administration rolled back five decades of environmental protection to favor Big Polluters — silencing community input. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a critical protection for our health and environment — it is often called the “Magna Carta of environmental law.” It requires the government to weigh environmental and community concerns before approving pipelines, highways, drilling permits, and new factories on federal lands. Trump’s rollback has already exposed more communities to toxic air pollution. We need your help to push the Biden administration to reverse the rollback and protect this bedrock environmental law. Demand the Biden administration reverse the rollback of the NEPA.” Take action HERE.
Natural Resources Defense Fund: Urge Stone and Laird to Crack down On Plastic Pollution in CA
Every year, we throw enough plastic away to circle the earth FOUR TIMES. As a result, scientists predict that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fish. California has a chance to lead the way. California state lawmakers are considering a package of bills that would help reduce plastic pollution and unnecessary waste in a BIG way, protect our oceans and marine life, fight climate change, and boost economic recovery by creating new jobs and saving local businesses money. But legislators must pass these critical bills by the beginning of September, so we need your help to get them over the finish line so that they become California law. Tell Assemblymember Mark Stone and Senator John Laird to help crack down on plastic pollution, protect our ocean ecosystems, fight the climate crisis, and support economy recovery! Take action HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Help Save This Biodiversity Hotspot – Tesla Park
“We have a chance to protect Alameda County’s Tesla Park, a biodiversity hotspot hailed by naturalists, tribes, ecologists and communities alike. Will you help? Tesla Park is home to a multitude of threatened, endangered and special-status species. It provides sensitive vegetation habitats and is part of a critical wildlife corridor. But for more than 20 years, it’s been threatened by off-highway vehicle use. Unfortunately, the Newsom administration did not support including Tesla Park preservation in the recently passed budget. But Governor Newsom can change course and still support other legislative efforts through a budget trailer and AB 1512 (Bauer-Kahan) to ensure Tesla Park will be permanently preserved for nonmotorized use. Tell Secretary Crowfoot of the California Natural Resources Agency to stand up for California’s biodiversity by requesting protections for Tesla Park.” Act HERE.
Plug In America: EV Funding Is In Peril
“In March, President Biden put forward a bold plan to invest $174 billion in electrifying the nation’s transportation system. The transformation this would bring cannot be overstated, with the proposal providing $100 billion for EV consumer rebates, $15 billion for EV charging infrastructure, and $25 billion to electrify 40% of the nation’s transit fleet. Now it appears that this number has been cut down to $5 billion for EV charging and $2.5 billion for zero-emission school buses, as details emerge from the recently negotiated bipartisan infrastructure bill in the Senate. The EV purchase incentive has not been included in this bill. This development puts our EV future in peril! It is hoped that the president’s vision can be made whole again by adding EV funding into the upcoming reconciliation bill in the Senate. The prospect of this happening is FAR from a done deal, due to opposition to adequate EV funding in Congress and potential issues with procedural rules.” Tell the White House and your Congress member to support the president’s original proposal HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Create a Healthy and Fair Food System
“Industrialized meat and dairy production are killing the planet, poisoning rural communities and hurting independent farmers. The Farm System Reform Act would end some of the worst practices and begin building a just food system for people and the planet. Meat and dairy production in the United States is based on heavily subsidized factory farming — a leading contributor to climate change, pollution, pesticide use, biodiversity loss, wildlife killings and worker exploitation. This broken system is the result of the unequal power that multinational meat corporations wield over federal farm policy. The Farm System Reform Act will put a moratorium on new and expanding factory farms, strengthen the Packers & Stockyards Act to protect family farmers, and restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements.
Urge your Congress member to support this important legislation.” Act HERE.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: 10 Ways to Help Birds
It’s easy to make real progress in helping birds by taking a few simple, everyday actions. Here are 5 (of the 10) ideas to get you started. Brew a Bird-Friendly Roast; Make Windows Safer, Day and Night; Keep Cats Indoors; Lend Us Your Eyes and Ears For Citizen Science; Help a Child Discover Birds; Garden with Native Plants. Read more about these and 5 more ways of helping birds HERE.
Dream Corps: Eliminate ‘diesel-death zones’ in California
Did you know that more Americans die from vehicle pollution than car accidents? Toxic pollution from diesel-powered cars, trucks, and buses can cause asthma, cancer, and even heart attacks. In California, soot from these vehicles causes 3,100 early deaths per year. Low-income communities and communities of color who live in “diesel death zones” — neighborhoods with the dirtiest air — pay the highest price. Luckily, California has the chance to pass a regulation that gets us to 100% zero-emissions truck sales by 2035. But we need to ramp up the pressure to make sure that our state closes the door on diesel trucks by the target year. That will bring us relief from diesel pollution sooner rather than later. Can you join us in taking action? Take action today to let the California Air Resources Board know we need bold action to deploy 100% zero-emission trucks by 2035! Action HERE.
Lakota People’s Law Project: Protect The Water Protectors
As the resistance to the Line 3 pipeline on unceded treaty lands in what is now called Minnesota heats up — with multiple camps standing against militarized police there to ensure the destruction of sacred lands and water systems — a newly proposed law before the U.S. Senate could drastically increase the danger to water protectors. The bill (HR 1374), innocuously titled the Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2021, would create a federal law that potentially weaponizes state forces and codifies a money pipeline for states to accept and solicit private funding from anyone, including mega-donors and private corporations. Under the guise of creating “energy security plans” — specifically around so-called “critical infrastructure,” which, of course, includes pipelines — this new bill not only paves the way, but legally standardizes requirements for companies like Line 3 parent Enbridge and Keystone XL (KXL) parent TransCanada to fund state forces to put down Native-led dissent.
Please use your voice now to defend dissent and protect the protectors: tell your senators to vote NO on HR 1374. Take ACTION.
Environmental Defense Fund: Control Methane Pollution
“A new rule to reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas industry is under consideration at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If the EPA’s new rule doesn’t take sweeping action now, methane pollution from the oil and gas industry will only continue to skyrocket and warm the planet at an increasing pace — even though the technology we have today makes it possible to cut it by up to 65% over the next four years. Please urge EPA Administrator Regan to create ambitious and comprehensive rules to put methane under control — before the deadline this Friday, July 30.” Take ACTION.
Endangered Species Coalition: Grave Threat To Gray Wolves
Gray wolves in our country are facing threats the likes of which we have not seen in decades. Wisconsin unleashed an unethical and poorly-managed 3-day killing season resulting in the deaths of more than one-third of its wolves. Montana and Idaho are in the process of executing and planning their own wolf eradication campaigns that target a staggering 90% of the wolves in their borders. The Biden Administration can no longer delay. It must act promptly and decisively to protect America’s gray wolves. There is a sign-on letter circulating in Congress that your representative needs to support. This letter calls upon the Secretary of Interior, Deb Haaland, to relist gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act. Please email your representative today, asking that they join this vitally-important letter to the Biden Administration pushing them into needed action. Take ACTION
Citizen’s Climate Lobby: Ask Your Senator To put a Price on Carbon
“We’ve been waiting decades for this moment in the U.S. Senate. Your Senators are, right now, deciding what to do about climate change. In a nutshell: they can go big or they can stay small. Email them to tell them to go big with a price on carbon. America leads the world with technology innovation. When government puts a price on carbon, it sends a signal through the economy. Businesses respond by becoming more energy efficient and developing new sources of clean, renewable energy. These innovations will not only lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but also provide abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy and drive us faster toward net zero carbon pollution.” Take action HERE.
Ecology Action: We Have Volunteer Opportunities!
“We have volunteer programs in the following areas: Youth Education Walking & Bike Safety; Electric Vehicles; Adult Bike Programs; Earth Day & Community Events. You can use your skills and talents for environmental good; Get involved in local climate action; Engage and inspire other community members; Be a part of something that will positively change our future; Receive green job training; & Gain experience in business, education, outreach, sales, and research.” Find out more HERE.
Environment California: Stand Up For the Okefenokee Swamp
“Home to the largest wildlife refuge east of the Mississippi River, the Okefenokee Swamp houses hundreds of plant and animal species, some even threatened or endangered. For centuries, this ecological treasure has been neighbors with creeks, forests and state parks — but now a dangerous titanium mine could be moving in next door. Right now, plans to develop a titanium mine a stone’s throw away from the Okefenokee are moving forward. Even though the Okefenokee shelters some of our nation’s rarest species from the storm of our current extinction crisis, it still didn’t receive the protections it needed from the Trump administration. And that’s when Twin Pines Minerals swooped in: The company has applied for five permits to develop a titanium mine on 500 acres of ancient beach dunes near the Okefenokee. Tell the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to stop Twin Pines from building this dangerous mine.” Action HERE.
Surfrider Santa Cruz Needs Volunteers!
Here are some of our ongoing volunteer opportunities:
• We are in need of a Beach Cleanup Coordinator, and volunteers to help run cleanups.
• Blue Water Task Force water sample collection and testing.
• The Campaign Committee is always looking for local activists to help lead the charge on ocean and coastal protection.
• Education Committee is also in need of passionate and knowledgeable volunteers to help with tabling and educational field trips and classroom visits.
Contact Surfrider by emailing the Volunteer Coordinator
Homeless Garden Project: Volunteering At Our Downtown Store
“We welcome back store volunteers, whether you have volunteered before, or are just starting out!
Customer Service Volunteers play an important role at HGP that extends far beyond the Store. Volunteers help make all feel welcome both at the Store, and at HGP in general. As well as typical store duties, volunteers at the store engage the community to help spread the word about HGP and what we do here. If you’re interested in being a Customer Service volunteer, please fill out the interest form HERE.”
Surfrider Foundation: Tell Congress To Permanently Ban New Offshore Oil Drilling!
“Earlier this year, the Biden administration announced a “temporary pause” on new oil and gas drilling on public lands and waters. While this welcome action provides temporary protection from new offshore drilling – at least for now – our nation’s coasts remain highly vulnerable to oil and gas development in the upcoming five-year drilling plan. To address the future threat of offshore drilling, Congressional leaders have introduced a package of bills to permanently prohibit oil and gas development in the Atlantic, Pacific, Eastern Gulf of Mexico and Arctic Ocean. Successful passage of these bills will ensure that no future administration can expand offshore oil drilling in U.S. waters. Please tell your federal representatives to support legislation to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling!” Act HERE.
Oceana: Ban The Trade Of Shark Fins In The U.S.
“Fins from up to 73 million sharks end up in the global fin trade every year. We must act now to ban the buying and selling of shark fins in the United States and protect sharks and our oceans. The Senate just passed the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act (S. 1106) as part of a broader legislative package known as the United States Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260). Now it’s the House’s turn — a bill to ban the sale of in shark fins in the U.S. (H.R. 2811) has been introduced in the House of Representatives and currently has more than 130 bipartisan cosponsors.” Take action HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: Tell California To Stop dangerous oil and gas drilling now!
“Nearly 30,000 acres of land in California has already been burned by fires in 2021. And a historic heatwave is sweeping Western states in what could be an unprecedented wildfire season. Meanwhile, Big Polluters are pushing to get new fracking and drilling projects approved that will only hurtle us closer to climate catastrophe. Oil and gas drilling releases methane — a greenhouse gas 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide — into our atmosphere. This contributes to rising global temperatures, which leads to droughts and uncontrollable wildfires like we witnessed just last summer.” Take action HERE.
Santa Cruz Land Trust: Seeking Volunteer Stewards
“There are a variety of ways to volunteer for the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. We are looking for volunteers to help with ongoing stewardship and monitoring work, or to lend a hand at our annual broom pull events. There are also opportunities for group volunteer events for your company or school. Listed below are four areas for which we are seeking Land Trust Volunteer Stewards – these are independent volunteers who can take on the tasks of stewardship and property monitoring for our public access lands. We request a commitment of four hours per month for six months or longer. We provide equipment and training. The four areas are: Antonelli Pond on their westside of Santa Cruz, Byrne-Milliron Forest near Corralitos, Davenport Bluffs, and Glenwood Open Space Preserve in Scotts Valley.” More info HERE.
Save Our Shores: Help stop plastic pollution in the Monterey Bay. SIGN & SHARE!
“The Plastic Industry is trashing our planet! With one million plastic beverage bottles sold every minute, plastic bottles and bottle caps have earned their rank as the third and fourth most littered items worldwide. These plastics are breaking down in our oceans and making their way into our food webs, and into our own bodies. That’s why Save Our Shores is calling Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties to sign and share our petition to minimize impacts from single-use plastic beverage bottles. We are petitioning our local and regional legislators to: ACT to stop this ocean pollution and climate change accelerator: and PASS LEGISLATION to mandate bottled beverages of any kind (24 ounces or less) be sold only in BPA/BPS-free aluminum or glass containers.” More info & sign HERE.
Elkhorn Slough Foundation: Calling all photographers!
The Elkhorn Slough Foundation is excited to announce an open call for photos for use in our 2022 wall calendar! Images must be taken in the Elkhorn Slough watershed and may feature subject matter including landscapes, wildlife, plants, and people. Winning entries will be featured in our full-color, 8.5″ x 11″ calendar. All proceeds of the 2022 Elkhorn Slough calendar benefit ESF’s work to conserve and restore the Elkhorn Slough and its watershed. Photos may feature any appropriate content, provided the photo is taken in the Elkhorn Slough watershed. Enter photos by July 31. More info HERE.
Plastic Free Ecochallenge, July 1 – 31
Join the movement to refuse single-use plastics. Plastic Free Ecochallenge is a month-long effort for all of us to shift away from our single-use plastic dependency and to care for our ecosystems. Together, let’s create a plastic-free world. Once more, we’re partnering with a network of zoos + aquariums to help you find new and creative ways to go plastic free. As plastics continue to disrupt our water streams, wildlife habitats, and the very air we breathe, it’s more important than ever to challenge our choices and spread the word. More info and signup HERE.
Santa Cruz Museum Of Natural History: Volunteer with us!
From welcoming visitors to the Museum, to interacting with the public through community outreach tables, there are plenty of ways to connect with your community while helping them connect with nature. Volunteers are essential in supporting our mission of connecting people with nature and inspiring stewardship of the natural world. Sign up HERE.
SC Museum Of Natural History: CZU Lightning Complex and Community Science
Curious about the impacts of the CZU Lightning Complex on our wildlands and neighborhoods? Interested in contributing to our understanding? Want to learn more about our local flora?
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History needs your help monitoring wildlife regeneration in the 86,509 acre burn zone of the CZU Lightning Complex as a Community Science Volunteer. Community science (also known as citizen science) is scientific research conducted by amateur (or nonprofessional) scientists. The CZU Lightning Complex and Community Science Project is a long-term, volunteer driven, community science monitoring project to collect biodiversity data for broad community use from areas impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex of August 2020. We aim to empower our community to make meaningful observations of our natural world while deepening understanding of fire ecology in the region through regular lectures and trainings. Learn more HERE.
Sempervirens Fund: Big Basin Recovery Volunteering
“As the fires still burned at Big Basin and in the Santa Cruz Mountains last year, many of you were already asking: how can I help? Thanks to your support — and patience — California State Parks has made considerable progress and is ready to organize volunteer support for some of the recovery work to come. You can help!” Visit their registration form and learn more. Big Basin Recovery Volunteer Application
National Resource Defense Council: Urge The EPA To Ban This Toxic Pesticide
“A federal court recently ordered the EPA to ban chlorpyrifos — a toxic pesticide commonly sprayed on food crops that poses significant health risks to pregnant women and children — unless the EPA can identify uses that won’t pose health risks. But even after a recent bombshell report exposed how pesticide makers have managed to infiltrate the EPA and poison America1 through special interest lobbying and congressional pressure — allowing their toxic products to get “rubber stamped” by the agency — agro-industry lobbyists are doubling down on their pressure to continue to put dollar signs over our health. They’re trying to stop the EPA from banning this toxic pesticide so they can continue to make a buck. So, we need to build up immense grassroots pressure on the EPA to show the agency that millions of people want toxic chlorpyrifos out of our food once and for all! Send a letter to the EPA urging them to follow the court’s order, put people’s health over industry profits, and immediately take steps to ban chlorpyrifos.” Act HERE.
Dream Corps: Green For All – Bipartisan Action Plan
“The Common Ground Platform is an action plan for reducing emissions and putting millions of Americans back to work with good-paying jobs, all while making our communities safer and more healthy. At a time of intense political division, the urgency of the climate crisis has brought both liberal and conservative organizations together to build consensus on this platform for immediate action. These are FIVE common ground solutions that Congress can enact right now to get Americans back to work and on a path toward a better future for all:
Save Money on Energy: Weatherize and solarize homes, schools, and businesses.
Clean The Air: Deploy zero-emission school and transit buses, electrify ports, and add EV charging stations at public and non-profit gathering places.
Cool Off: Plant trees and conserve forests.
Expand Public Transit: Invest in more convenient and frequent service to increase low-emission transportation choices and better access to jobs and services.
Support sustainable and regenerative agriculture: Reward farmers for long-term emissions reductions and sustainable farming practices.”
Add your voice to build bipartisan action HERE.
Eartjustice: Demand strong protections against chemical disasters
“Over 100 times per year, facilities using or storing toxic chemicals catch fire, explode, or release hazardous substances into the air. Exposure to these chemicals can cause immediate death or injury, reproductive, developmental, and respiratory damage, along with cancer and other harm to the nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems. 177 million people (half the United States population) live close enough to facilities that could, at any moment, have a disaster and damage their health irreparably. Chemical disasters are a glaring example of environmental injustice — the harmful impacts on health and safety from these disasters are not shared equally. Hazardous facilities like petroleum refineries, chemical plants, and petrochemical plants have long been disproportionately located in Black and Latinx communities and the chemical industry has consistently failed to address environmental racism. Fortunately, the Biden administration has begun the process to finally protect our health by starting a new rulemaking. Join us in urging the administration to develop a robust, new Chemical Disaster Rule that ends the dangerous cycle of chemical disasters in our communities.” Take ACTION.
Environmental Defense Fund: Get Methane Policy Back On Track
“This week your leaders in the House will vote to get the regulation of methane back on track. With one simple vote your representative can help us restore common-sense protections to hold polluters accountable by empowering the EPA to regulate one of the most powerful climate pollutants — methane. This is a critical moment for climate. Make the most of this opportunity and encourage your representative to clear the way for next-generation methane standards. Don’t let your elected officials vote without hearing from you! Send a message today HERE and tell them to vote yes on HJ Res. 34.”
CalPIRG: Get The Lead Out Act
Exposure to even small amounts of lead can harm children’s learning, growth and development.1 But lead still contaminates drinking water in thousands of communities around the country. Lead service lines are the pipes that connect homes, schools and day care centers to the water main in the street. In homes that have them, they’re the single greatest source of lead-contaminated drinking water. As even low levels of lead exposure can harm kids’ health, ripping up and replacing our lead service lines as quickly as possible must be a priority. But there are still roughly 9 million lead service lines in use around the country. Replacing these toxic pipes requires funding and a firm deadline — and the Get the Lead Out Act has both. The legislation sets aside $46.5 billion in federal funding and would require that all the country’s lead service lines be replaced by 2031. We’re calling on California’s U.S. House representatives to support recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would remove a major source of lead contamination in our drinking water: lead service lines. Take ACTION.
Plug In America: Tell the CA Assembly, All autonomous vehicles should be electric
As self-driving vehicles are being developed here in California, we need to make sure they are clean, zero-emission vehicles. SB 500, which passed the Senate and is now being considered by the Assembly, would require that all autonomous vehicles (AVs) be zero-emission. This is important because AVs may soon be used for deliveries, ride-hailing, and other applications that keep those vehicles on the road for more miles than typical passenger vehicles. If they are spewing toxic emissions, it would have a dangerous effect on our air quality. As is often the case, California sets the trends for these types of policies. If California requires that all AVs be EVs, this will likely be the standard for the whole country. We need to lock this in now before AVs become more common! Take ACTION.
Amah Mutsun Land Trust: Cascade Ranch Volunteer Team, April 2021 – Jan 2022
AMLT is partnering with Pie Ranch and State Parks to propagate over 120,000 native plants at Cascade Ranch on Año Nuevo Point. Most of these plants will be planted in beds, where they will be tended to produce seeds that will be sown at Quiroste Valley Cultural Preserve in Año Nuevo State Park for restoration of native coastal prairie landscapes. A portion of the plants will also be installed directly in the ground at Quiroste Valley. Time Commitment: At least 8 hours per month for at least three months. Cascade Ranch (3100 Cabrillo Hwy, Pescadero, CA) All shifts are filled up.
Wilderness Society: We need a Civilian Climate Corps
“President Biden asked Congress to include a Civilian Climate Corps as part of the infrastructure bill. This army of workers would strengthen the country’s natural defenses against climate change—exactly what we need as droughts, wildfires and other climate change impacts increasingly threaten our health and well-being. The Civilian Climate Corps would work to conserve public lands and waters, from restoring forests that absorb dangerous climate change emissions to improving parks that help communities beat the heat. Meanwhile, the program would offer good-paying jobs and new career opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people and veterans. Call on lawmakers to create a Civilian Climate Corps to tackle the climate crisis.” Act HERE.
Environmental Defense Fund: Urge EPA To Act On Dangerous Methane Pollution
“Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to craft a new rule to tackle methane pollution from oil and gas operations, and they want to hear from you. Methane pollution is a severe threat to our climate, our health and our communities, and we need everyone to urge EPA Administrator Regan to protect our health and slow the rate of climate change by taking sweeping action on methane.We have the tools and technology today to cut methane pollution from the oil and gas sector by 65% by 2025. And there is no time to waste. Every year, the oil and gas industry releases 16 million metric tons of methane into the atmosphere, along with other health-harming local air pollution.” Speak up HERE.
American Forests: Support the Climate Stewardship Act
Forests are the best nature-based solution to slowing climate change. And trees, when planted in all urban neighborhoods equitably, help advance social equity by creating jobs and improving public health. The Climate Stewardship Act would harness the full potential of trees and, more broadly, forests. It would result in 100 million new trees in urban areas and several billion new trees in large forest landscapes, all in the United States and mostly on public land, by 2030. Saving lives. Slowing climate change. And creating new jobs. These would be just some of the benefits from planting more trees. Ask your Congressional leaders to support this legislation. Take ACTION.
Environment California: Support a gillnet fishing ban
A fishing gillnet is a dangerous tool used to trap fish by their gills — but that’s not all they’re catching. Gillnets are nonselective in their catch, meaning from sea turtles to seagulls, these nets catch and even kill at least 60 marine species in addition to the fish they’re meant to catch. Our precious marine ecosystems are already facing an ocean of threats — we can’t afford to lose any more senselessly to gillnets. Thankfully, there’s a bipartisan bill in Congress that can ban these dangerous nets. So we’re gathering support to convince our senators to take action, HERE.
Greenpeace: End Federal Subsides For Fossil Fuel Industry
Interior Secretary Haaland “has suspended oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge! This would not have been possible without the Gwich’in and Iñupiat Indigenous leaders and hundreds of thousands of people like you who have spoken out, submitted public comments, called their elected representatives, got out the vote for climate leadership, and fought tirelessly to protect the Arctic from oil drilling. The Refuge is the sacred homeland of the Gwich’in people. We want to express gratitude and huge respect to their tireless leadership and perseverance in this fight. We are also grateful to our allies in the environmental movement, like Earthjustice that have led the legal effort to stop ANWR oil leasing. To bring an end to the age of fossil fuels, President Biden and Congress must cut off the $15 billion in direct federal subsidies that they give out to oil and gas companies every. single. year.” Take Action HERE.
Audubon: Speak Up For Environmental Justice For All
A healthy environment with clean air and water is inseparably linked to the larger issue of racial justice and environmental equity. All Americans deserve equitable access to the outdoors where we can breathe the same clean air and drink the same clean water, but communities of color have long suffered disproportionate environmental and health impacts from polluting industries. Protecting the environment for people also ensures healthy habitats for birds, especially at this time of year when they are streaming through communities all across the country as they migrate to their breeding grounds. Please urge your Members of Congress to cosponsor the Environmental Justice for All Act, which would help to reverse decades of harmful environmental impacts on communities of color. Action HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: Demand conservation funding for all endangered species
Did you know that hundreds of endangered animals and plants receive less than $1,000 a year to support their recovery? Multiple species receive no funding at all. Thousands of species will face extinction in the coming decades due to climate change, habitat loss, wildlife exploitation, and pollution. Without proper funding, we could lose them forever. Take action NOW.
Rainforest Action Network: Tell The Big Banks To Stop Funding Climate Chaos
Just last week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced a new report calling for an end to all new fossil fuel extraction. Why is that a BIG deal? Well, we’ve been saying for years that we need to Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground — this isn’t new — but the IEA was founded to protect oil security! So hearing them publicly say that in order to stop runaway climate chaos, we have to stop drilling new oil and gas wells is HUGE! We’re less than 6 months away from Glasgow — the most important international climate talks since the Paris Climate Agreement. I promise you that these banks are talking behind closed doors about what commitments they’re willing to make publicly between now and then. We need them to commit to exactly what the IEA is calling for — what we and our partners have been calling for for years now — an end to financing ALL new fossil fuels, starting now. Send a message to the CEOs HERE.
Beyond Pesticides: EPA Must Protect Farmworkers
Farmworkers are at greatest risk from pesticides. EPA’s policies toward farmworkers comprise a blatant example of systemic racism. Although everyone suffers from pesticide poisoning, farmworkers and their families shoulder a disproportionate burden of the hazards. In 2015, EPA finally released its new regulations to strengthen the standards, however, the Trump Administration weakened these standards. Agricultural justice demands that we ensure a workplace with fair wages and benefits, no discrimination or coercion, and protection from hazards, such as harmful chemicals, including pesticides. Acknowledging, respecting, and sustaining the workers who plant, cultivate, and harvest our food is central to the basic values and principles that advance sustainable practices. Tell EPA to protect farmworkers HERE.
Care2: Urge Biden to Restore Protections To Bears Ears
“When former president Barack Obama established Bears Ears National Monument in 2016, it was almost 1.5 million protected acres of gorgeous, wild, historic land. Many Indigenous tribes can trace their ancestry back to that very region, which has remained sacred to them to this day. But less than a year after this environmentally and culturally significant gesture, a certain disgraced ex-president slashed Bears Ears National Monument by nearly 85%. This opened the area up to uranium mining, oil drilling, and other fossil fuel extraction that rips apart and poisons the land.If Bears Ears was expanded to its original acreage, the entire area would be afforded federal protection and maintenance. Tell Joe Biden and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to take action immediately, and expand Bears Ears National Monument’s size and protections!” Action HERE.
Friends of the Earth: Demand That Lowe’s and Home Depot stop selling Roundup
The science is clear that Bayer-Monsanto’s toxic weedkiller Roundup® is putting people and pollinators at risk. Yet Lowe’s and Home Depot still continue to sell this pesticide. We need your help to get it off their shelves. Glyphosate exposure has been linked to cancer. And the EPA’s own draft assessment found that 93% of endangered species are at risk of being harmed or killed from glyphosate — including bees and butterflies. Take action HERE.
Oceana: Protect North Atlantic Right Whales
A critically endangered North Atlantic right whale calf has been found dead due to two fatal vessel strikes. Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are on the verge of extinction, and 7% of the population died in just the past three years. Only around 360 North Atlantic right whales remain. Without aggressive action now, this could be the first large whale to go extinct in the Atlantic Ocean in centuries. Collisions with vessels and entanglements in fishing gear are the leading causes of death – both of which are preventable. We’re calling on the U.S. and Canadian governments to take urgent action to protect North Atlantic right whales from collisions with vessels and entanglements in fishing gear. Speak out HERE.
Environmental Action: California Solar Is Under Threat
A new bill could undercut clean energy progress in California. Rooftop solar is one of our greatest tools to combat climate change and keep pollution out of our air and water. It’s clean, sustainable and produces power right where we need it. But AB 1139 will make going solar more expensive for every ratepayer, including non-residential consumers like schools and farms and including those on CARE rates or living in multi-family affordable housing. We can’t go backwards on solar energy in California. Send a message to your legislators urging them to oppose AB 1139. Act HERE.
Audubon Society: Protect Our Seabirds Food Source
Today, there are three hundred million fewer seabirds in the world than there were in 1950, a population decline of seventy percent. These magnificent birds such as Ospreys, Black Terns, and Black-footed Albatrosses rely on fish as their primary food source, but they often can’t find enough to eat. Forage fish are small, schooling fish such as anchovies and herring that fuel the entire marine ecosystem. The Forage Fish Conservation Act will ensure proper management of forage fish that seabirds need to survive. This bipartisan bill would allow these essential fish populations to rebound and become more stable so that the seabirds and other marine wildlife, people, and economies that depend on them can continue to thrive. Urge your U.S. Senators to protect seabirds by protecting the fish they need to survive. Take ACTION.
Environmental Action: Tell the FWS to protect our manatees
More than 500 manatees died in the first two and a half months of 2021. That’s about six deaths every day. At this rate, we could lose a third of Florida’s manatees by the end of the year. In many cases, Florida’s manatees are threatened by the impact of human activity on their habitats. Various overlapping threats and pressures could pose an existential threat to Florida’s manatees. After the Trump administration downgraded manatees from “endangered” to “threatened” in 2017, Florida’s iconic sea cows have fewer protections to help them deal with the challenges they face. Now more than ever, manatees need the protections that come with “endangered” status. For that reason, I urge the Fish and Wildlife Service to re-classify manatees as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Send message HERE.
Earthjustice: Help Protect Sea Turtles from Drowning in Nets
“Every year, the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic shrimp fleets needlessly kill thousands of threatened and endangered sea turtles. Turtles get swept into shrimp nets along with many other non-target species. Without Turtle Extruding Devices (TEDs) to give them a chance to escape, these turtles cannot surface to breathe, and thus suffer substantial injury or—for too many—drowning. The Endangered Species Act requires the National Marine Fisheries Service to prevent harm and actively promote the recovery of these beleaguered species. It is unacceptable that NMFS continues to allow a substantial portion of the shrimp fleets to operate without simple, effective technology that could prevent thousands of turtles from dying in shrimp nets. We need your voice before the May 20 deadline.” Act HERE.
Friends Of The Earth: Stop The Senate From Giving Polluters A License To Poison Communities
“The Senate is trying to give Big Polluters a free pass to keep polluting through carbon trading — harming people and our climate. The climate crisis cannot be solved without addressing the role of agriculture. But Congress is trying to use agriculture as a means to allow Big Polluters to keep polluting frontline communities. The proposed Growing Climate Solutions Act would allow farmers to receive credits for storing carbon that can be sold to Big Polluters — giving them a green light to continue business as usual. Carbon trading does not work. Over the last decade carbon markets have failed to reduce emissions while increasing pollution in low-income communities and communities of color. Demand your Senators create true climate solutions instead of giveaways to Big Polluters.” Take action HERE.
Save Our Shores: Help Stop Plastic Pollution in Our Bay
The Plastic Industry is trashing our planet! With one million plastic beverage bottles sold every minute, plastic bottles and bottle caps have earned their rank as the third and fourth most littered items worldwide. These plastics are breaking down in our oceans and making their way into our food webs, and into our own bodies. It is estimated that humans ingest about a credit card’s worth of plastic every week! Additionally, the creation of these bottles is a huge contributor to global climate change, with 17 million barrels of oil being used every year to produce plastic water and soda bottles in the US alone. Save Our Shores is calling our community to action with this campaign to minimize pollution from plastic beverage bottles.
Sign our petition HERE!
Eartjustice: Restore Methane Reduction Standards
In 2016, the Obama administration’s EPA finalized the first-ever nationwide requirements to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. Methane is 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and is responsible for 20% of the planet’s warming. The Trump administration rolled back this commonsense standard in 2020 despite the bipartisan support behind it. Tell Congress to reverse Trump’s damage and restore our methane regulations. Act HERE.
League Of Conservation Voters: Replace Dirty Diesel School Buses
Our children are breathing in toxic air on their way to school. Our nation’s school buses — which are primarily outdated dirty diesel vehicles — are putting schoolchildren at risk of respiratory illnesses. That’s 25 million children who are unnecessarily exposed to air pollution just because they need a ride to school. The time to electrify school buses is NOW! That’s why we launched a petition to tell the Biden-Harris Administration to prioritize the electrification of our nation’s school bus fleet in his #AmericanJobsPlan. Both President Biden and Vice President Harris visited electric school bus factories just last month, so we know that with pressure from our communities, we can have a real impact. Take action HERE.
Oceana: Protect Our Marine Life From Plastic
California and the world’s oceans face a massive plastic crisis. You’ve seen the result of plastic pollution: Sea turtles, whales and other marine life killed by swallowing or becoming entangled in plastic. Single-use plastics are made to last forever… but often are used only for a few moments. An estimated 33 billion pounds of plastic enter our oceans globally every year. That’s the equivalent of two garbage trucks worth of plastic being dumped into our oceans every minute. Flexible plastic — the category of plastic used in e-commerce shipments (those plastic mailing envelopes, air pillows and bubble wrap) — is now known to be the deadliest type of plastic to marine animals. Assembly Bill 1371 (AB 1371) in the state legislature would meaningfully reduce the amount of plastic waste generated from unnecessary plastic packaging that accompanies our online purchases. Contact your state representatives HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Ban Elephant Trophy Imports
“Recently leaked footage of a National Rifle Association leader botching an elephant hunt is a sickening reminder that trophy hunters are still allowed to kill precious, gravely threatened species like elephants purely for entertainment. The video shows the NRA’s Wayne LaPierre firing an initial wounding shot. LaPierre then shoots the suffering animal three times in the wrong place, unable to make the kill. Trophies from this brutal 2013 hunt came into the United States, highlighting how our federal policies support the colonialist practice of killing imperiled animals in other countries, then bringing their body parts back to display on our walls and floors. These animals desperately need our help. Savanna elephant populations plunged 50% over the past 75 years, according to international experts. Sign our petition urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ban elephant trophy imports.” Take action HERE.
Environment California: Support The Grand Canyon Protection Act
“We’ve lost vast swaths of our country’s wild places — their beauty, the wildlife they shelter, the ecosystems they support — to development, mining, logging, and oil and gas drilling. Even the beloved Grand Canyon has been threatened by the return of uranium mining. But right now, we have an opportunity to take mining at the Grand Canyon off the table. If passed, the Grand Canyon Protection Act would do just that — and to win, we need it to pass in the U.S. Senate. This bill would withdraw over a million acres of land around the Grand Canyon from mining claims. That’s where we need your help. Tell Senators Padilla and Feinstein to stand with our lands and vote yes.” Take ACTION.
National Wildlife Foundation: Support The REPLANT Act
“A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives (including Jimmy Panetta) and Senate today reintroduced legislation to significantly expand reforestation work on federal lands. The Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees Act (REPLANT) Act – first introduced in the previous Congress – sets a goal for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to address its reforestation backlog within 10 years. To support this goal, the bill would eliminate the annual funding cap for the federal Reforestation Trust Fund, currently set at $30 million. The USFS estimates that 1.3 million acres of national forest land need reforestation, including lands that experienced wildfires and other major disturbances. Despite this need, current funding only addresses about 15 percent of the reforestation backlog every year.” Contact your representative HERE.
Ocean Conservancy: Support the Coastal and Ocean Acidification Stressors and Threats (COAST) Research Act
“As seawater absorbs much of the carbon dioxide pollution we pump into the atmosphere, the ocean becomes more acidic. This change makes it harder for oysters to build their shells, grow normally, and keep our bays and estuaries clean. But, changing ocean chemistry means that oysters — and the ecosystems and communities that rely on them — are at risk. We need strong legislation to protect marine ecosystems from the effects of ocean acidification, and we can’t wait until it’s too late. Congress made great strides in confronting the challenges of acidification in 2009 when they passed the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act. Now, they have the chance to take even stronger action.
Tell Congress to support the COAST Research Act today.” Take ACTION.
Oceana: TELL PRESIDENT BIDEN To PERMANENTLY PROTECT OUR COAST FROM OFFSHORE DRILLING
“April 20 marks 11 years since the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the worst environmental disasters in our country’s history – and still, the risk of expanded offshore oil drilling and spilling persists. Offshore drilling puts vibrant ocean ecosystems and critical marine life at risk and worsens climate change. President Biden paused all new offshore oil and gas lease sales—a great first step—but far greater action is required immediately. With sea levels rising and devastating extreme weather accelerating, permanent offshore drilling protections are crucial for the future of our clean coast economy and addressing the climate crisis. Urge President Biden to permanently protect our coasts against dangerous offshore drilling and take action against climate change to protect our ocean and coasts.” Take Action HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Extinction Crisis – It’s Time to Declare a National Emergency
There isn’t a moment to lose in the global extinction crisis. A species vanishes from the world every hour, and more than a million could be lost in the coming decades. It’s time for President Biden to declare the wildlife extinction crisis a national emergency. The declaration, under the National Emergencies Act, wouldn’t just be symbolic. It would unlock key presidential powers to stem the loss of animals and plants in the United States and beyond. It must include several key requirements: protecting hundreds of species on the waiting list for Endangered Species Act protection, curtailing wildlife exploitation, and safeguarding critical habitat from coast to coast. We can halt this crisis — but only with swift, bold and visionary action by the United States. Join us in calling for a national emergency declaration. Take ACTION.
Juggernaut Project: Tell Biden Administration to Protect Memphis By Blocking The Byhalia Pipeline
“Access to safe water is a human right. But that right is threatened by our fossil fuel addiction. Right now, Valero Energy Corp. and Plains All American Pipeline are working to build the Byhalia Connection Pipeline which will cut directly through the predominantly Black South Memphis and threaten the Memphis Sand Aquifer, which provides clean and safe drinking water to residents around Memphis, TN. The pipeline’s proposed route runs through several African American communities in Southwest Memphis, including one known as Boxtown, a historic community already burdened by dozens of industrial facilities. A pipeline through Black Memphis is an assault not just on the environment, but on Black communities everywhere.” Speak out HERE.
Allterra Solar: Protect Solar, Battery Storage and Micro-grids in California
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), your local energy provider, and the Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) are both taking steps to increase the costs for homeowners and businesses that install solar panels, storage and microgrids. Tell 3CE: To not change its solar rates until after the IOUs’ solar rates are set this year; To keep its commitment to beat the IOUs’ state mandated rates for solar customers; and To support local customer owned solar, storage and microgrids in 3CE territory. Please help Protect 3CE Customers’ Rights to Go Solar by signing this PETITION.
Fossil Free California: CalSTERS Funds Line 3 Pipeline
“This Earth Day, teachers across the state are telling CalSTRS, our retirement system, to divest from Enbridge, the company that is building the destructive, dirty and dangerous Line 3 pipeline through the headwaters of the Mississippi river and the ancestral home of the Anishinaabe people. We’re in this profession because we care about our students and their future. But who has time for activism between online teaching and school reopenings? Here’s one quick thing that you can do to make a difference! Teachers, send a letter to CalSTRS HERE.
The Wilderness Society: Tell Congress to protect the Arctic Refuge now!
Three years after pro-drilling forces opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling, legislation has been introduced in both the House and the Senate to reinstate protections and restore food security to the Indigenous Gwich’in and Iñupiat peoples who live on this land and depend on the Porcupine Caribou Herd to feed their families. Oil and gas drilling would have devastating impacts on this pristine and fragile ecosystem. The 19.2 million-acre refuge in northeastern Alaska is home to polar bears, wolves, migratory birds and the Porcupine Herd, which consists of more than 200,000 animals. The Arctic Refuge Protection Act introduced by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) would protect this vital landscape. The legislation has 123 co-sponsors across both houses of Congress, but we need other representatives and senators to step up. Tell your legislators: We cannot wait any longer to protect the Arctic Refuge from drilling. Action HERE.
Environmental Defense Fund: Support the largest eco-restoration project in U.S. history
Louisiana’s Barataria Basin is one of the nation’s most valuable estuaries. But since the 1930s, the Basin has seen some of the highest rates of land loss on Earth, threatening the future of coastal communities and ecosystems across the Mississippi River Delta. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project would harness the land-building power of the Mississippi River by reconnecting it to its deteriorating wetlands. It’s cost-effective, based on decades of solid science, and designed for the scale of the challenges that face not only Louisiana but the entire nation. Right now, the Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public feedback on the project through a public comment period. It is a critical moment for the project — its future hangs in the balance. Please submit a public comment today, and help turn the tide on this devastating land loss crisis.
Environment California: Tell Costco to Help Save the Boreal
“Costco, a major seller of toilet paper, has a chance to make a major difference on preventing widespread deforestation in the boreal forest. This forest is one of the world’s biggest carbon sinks, and we can’t afford to turn it into toilet paper. But sellers won’t act until they hear that from us. Tell Costco CEO Craig Jelinek: Help save North America’s biggest and most vital forest by committing your company to only sell products made sustainably.” Take ACTION!
Plug In America: Save The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project
“It’s an exciting time for the electric vehicle (EV) world. President Biden introduced a plan to invest $174 billion into electric transportation, our California senators are urging the EPA to overturn the Trump Administration’s clean car standards, and it’s Drive Electric Earth Day! Yet, why is it that in California, we have to keep fighting for strong policies to advance the EV market? Our governor set a goal that by 2035, all sales of new cars and trucks should be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), yet a cornerstone policy to achieving this goal is threatened right now. The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) funding, which provides rebates to ALL Californians, will expire in about 30 days, with no outlook for renewal on the horizon. Tell the governor and legislature to renew the CVRP!” Act HERE.
Homeless Garden Project: Community Supported Agriculture Intern Needed
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990 and based in Santa Cruz, California, provides job training, transitional employment and support services to people experiencing homelessness. In addition, HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program. Our programs take place on our 3.5 acre organic farm and related social enterprises. We are seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking intern who will support our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in the Spring and Summer. The CSA Intern will lead member pick-up and u-pick hours and will develop the weekly newsletter to members. This is a volunteer, unpaid internship. If you are using this internship to gain course credit or seek out grants with your college, please include this information in your cover letter. 20 hours per week, from May 15, 2021 to November 19, 2021. For info email Atalanta
Oil Change International: Tell the World Bank to stop being Fossil Fools
“Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the World Bank has financed at least $12 billion in fossil fuels. Additional fossil fuel finance will continue increase emissions and exacerbate the climate crisis, particularly amongst most vulnerable communities, and result in stranded assets. The Bank is preparing to release their Climate Change Action Plan for 2021 to 2025, and we have heard the Banks’ own Executive Directors are split on whether to end their remaining fossil fuel finance. And they will meet on April 1st to decide. As well as financing fossil fuel projects directly, the bank also takes advantage of loopholes to continue to finance fossil fuels indirectly. We demand an end to the direct financing of fossil fuels and also for the closing of loopholes which support fossil fuel expansion through intermediaries, Development Policy Finance and technical assistance.” Take Action NOW.
Homeless Garden Project: Looking For New Volunteer Cooks!
“We provide a hot lunch for the trainees in our program every day that they work (Tuesday-Friday). Lunch is usually for 20-30 people. During the winter months (November – April) trainees are at the workshop, this year located at Peace United Church, and during the summer months (April – October) trainees are at the farm, located at Shaffer and Delaware. We’re looking for someone to commit to cooking lunch a couple of times a month on Tuesdays or Fridays for at least 3 months (though we know that sometimes life happens – so if you need a sub for a day or two, we can make that work). There is a basic kitchen at the farm where you can cook the meals, or you can choose to prepare food at home. You can also harvest produce at the farm to complete the meal. Trainees and staff will take care of cleaning up and doing the dishes. Next steps will include an orientation, and the opportunity to shadow a current cook before starting. Please email volunteer@homelessgardenproject.org if this is something that would interest you!”
Farm Discovery At Live Earth: Teen Leader In Training Positions Open
“In the summer of 2021 Farm Discovery will host eight weeks of summer camp at Live Earth Farm. They offer 8 Leader in Training (LIT) positions for teens, ages 14 and up. The camps are limited to 28 kids in order to create an intimate, low risk experience. LITs help to develop a compassionate, multi-age community of young farmers, artists, foodies, naturalists, and environmentalists. The LIT positions at Live Earth Farm camps offer teens an opportunity to develop leadership skills and teach and learn farming, food preparation and ecology alongside their campers. Each teen works with their co-LIT and staff to help manage 10-12 campers. Farm Discovery’s experienced education team will work with your teen on skills that will serve them well in interviews, applying for college and jobs, advocating for their education, and navigating the workforce. In a challenging, outdoor environment your teen will learn positive communication, strategic thinking, public speaking and practice leading group activities from, hikes, to planting and art projects.” More INFO.
Watsonville Wetlands Watch: Climate Corps Leadership Institute
“Watsonville Wetlands Watch is a non-profit organization based out of Pajaro Valley High School. We are looking for high school student interns who are looking to gain some leadership experience, and take what they learn in this program to further encourage more green projects to take place in their community! This program is a youth centered job experience program, aimed at educating students about tree care through hands-on experience, working with our restoration staff in planting trees both on school campus and throughout the city’s parks. Most days of the program will be filled with lessons on climate change, carbon sequestration, waste reduction, and energy conservation. Interns will be working on sustainability projects surrounding topics like energy, composting, and native habitats. Simultaneously, interns will also take part in citizen science projects collecting real time data on wetland health. Wetlands Education Resource Center (WERC) located at the top of Pajaro Valley High School Campus (next to the basketball courts). 500 Harkins Slough Rd, Watsonville.” Application and INFO. Not Accepting Applicants At This Time
Environment California: Reinstating this Rule Could Save West Coast Salmon
“Salmon are a critical part of the West Coast’s ecosystems, economy and cuisine. They are beautiful fish, with silver-green scales that flash in the sun. They fertilize trees, feed bears, and delight fishermen. Yet wild salmon are critically threatened, as their spawning grounds are rapidly disappearing. Protecting the waters where salmon spawn is a crucial part of saving the various species of salmon that thrill fishers, adorn tables and serve as the backbone of many Indigenous cultures. The best way to protect salmon is to preserve wild places by limiting development and resource extraction in the places where they swim and spawn. Yet the Trump administration removed a crucial protection – the Roadless Rule, that prohibits road-building in heretofore untouched areas of our national forests – from the Tongass National Forest, where 25 percent of the West Coast’s salmon are spawned (that’s a lot of fish). We’re working to reinstate the Roadless Rule, but we need your help.” Take Action HERE.
Earthjustice: Now is the time for Biden to shut down DAPL
“The fight to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline, now in its third presidential administration, is quickly approaching what could be a crucial turning point. On April 9, the US Army Corps of Engineers will have a court hearing to explain what its plan is for DAPL. The hearing is forcing the Biden administration’s hand — it has to come up with a plan and let us know if DAPL will continue to operate. In the run-up to the hearing, we need your help reminding the Biden administration that we know the facts on DAPL — and they are damning. Not only is DAPL operating without a permit, a court told the Army Corps it didn’t adequately study the threat the pipeline poses to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe — so the Corps is only now working on a more robust Environmental Impact Statement.” Send message HERE.
Rainforest Action Network: Protect the Water from Line 3 Pipeline
“Water is life (and) the beautiful, nutrient-dense land stretching from Canada to the Great Lakes is being threatened with destruction by the Line 3 pipeline. Who’s one of the biggest drivers of this destruction of life and Indigenous culture? JPMorgan Chase and its Executives. Indigenous Water Protectors in Minnesota have continuously put their life on the line to save their land and the water that gives life to millions of people, and they need your help. Last month, while activists showed up at Chase’s door, you shut down Chase Executive Daniel Pinto’s phone line by calling him over 500 times to tell him to stop financing this deadly pipeline. We have to keep the pressure on : Tell Chase Executives that as long as they are backing Line 3, you won’t back down. Send a message this World Water Day, and tell Chase to #DefundLine3.
Surfrider: Break Free From Plastics Act
“Every year, about 11 million metric tons of plastic waste escapes into the ocean from coastal nations. The United States generates the most plastic waste per capita of any country in the world and is among the top contributors to plastic pollution in the coastal environment, either illegally dumped in the U.S. or collected in the U.S. for recycling and exported to countries where it was inadequately managed. This bill recognizes that we cannot recycle our way out of this problem and provides a comprehensive approach to reduce plastic pollution, including policies to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging and shift responsibility to producers, as well as to improve recycling infrastructure.” Take ACTION.
NRDC: Support a transition from toxic pesticides to sustainable agriculture in California!
Right here in California, toxic pesticides are threatening the health of communities and wreaking havoc on our environment, wildlife, and food supply. And now, exposure to dangerous pesticides has even been linked to increased vulnerability to COVID-19. Now, California has a huge opportunity to transition from farming with harmful pesticides to safe and sustainable agriculture. State lawmakers are considering Governor Newsom’s budget proposal that could help protect communities from these pesticides and make our food and agricultural systems healthier for future generations. This proposal would modernize the fees imposed on pesticide sales, which haven’t been updated in nearly two decades, to better reflect the risks and burdens posed by the most dangerous pesticides. It would also invest in critical new health and safety programs. Send message HERE.
Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition: Tell President Biden to declare climate change a national emergency
“From Oregon to Texas, from wildfires to winter storms, the results of our inaction on climate change are visible every day. It’s a disaster and a grave threat to the future of our country and planet. We’ve nibbled at the edges of the problem for too long. It’s time for bold action. One key step? President Biden should declare climate change a national emergency. That declaration will elevate climate change as a national security priority and allow us to devote more resources to cut carbon emissions, invest in clean energy, hold polluters accountable, and ensure climate justice for frontline communities. Congressional Republicans continue to deny the scientific consensus, and have made clear their intention to block any meaningful action to curb carbon emissions. We can’t wait. Each day they refuse to act is another day the problem becomes harder to fix.” Sign PETITION.
Earthjustice: Wolves Are Being Slaughtered – They Need Your Help
“During the last week of February, hunters in Wisconsin slaughtered at least 216 gray wolves in just three days. The hunt resulted in more than 100 wolves killed than the state-set quota — essentially overruling the decision by local tribes to conserve the wolf population by not using their share of the hunting permits.
This happened because the Trump administration delisted the gray wolf in late 2020, stripping vital Endangered Species Act protections and allowing states to declare open season for wolf hunting. Those 216 wolves killed — an estimated 20% of Wisconsin’s wolf population —would still be contributing to their species’ recovery but for that misguided rollback.” Take ACTION!
Natural Resources Defense Council: California can help protect irreplaceable forests
“Forests like the Canadian boreal and the Amazon are indispensable in the fight against climate change — but these vital forests are under threat, being lost to feed global markets for toilet paper, palm oil, beef, lumber, and other products. Fortunately, right now California state lawmakers are considering a groundbreaking bill — AB 416 — that would help ensure that California doesn’t buy products that contribute to forest destruction in sensitive tropical and boreal regions. The boreal and tropical forests are the lungs of the earth, regulating global temperatures through absorbing and storing carbon dioxide and converting it into life-giving oxygen — making them vital to combating climate change. These forests are also vital for wildlife and the homelands of Indigenous peoples, who have lived on and stewarded them for millennia.” Take action NOW.
Fossil Free California: CalPERS Must Comply with Coal Divestment Law
“California Public Employees Retirement System still holds $8.5 million in thermal coal producers in violation of SB 185, a 2015 state law on thermal coal divestment. This act requires CalPERS to divest from companies that earn the majority of their revenue from thermal coal production. When the fund divested from several coal companies in 2017, it stayed invested in three thermal coal companies that met the criteria—Exxaro, Adaro, and Banpu—because “they had indicated plans to transition their business models to adapt to clean energy generation (such as through a decrease in reliance on thermal coal mining as a revenue source).” However, four years later, all three of these companies continue to make well over 50% of their revenue from thermal coal (according to data from the Global Coal Exit List at coalexit.org) and show few signs of transitioning their business models. Instead, all of these companies have documented expansion plans for their coal operations.” Take ACTION.
Sempervirens Fund: Take A Stand For Our Redwoods
“Climate change is creating the most dangerous threats people and wildlife face today. If we don’t act now, climate-induced wildfires will do even more serious harm to California’s coast redwoods and our entire natural landscape as we know it. I know I am not alone in saying I remain shocked that wildfire scorched nearly 90,000 acres of forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains this past fall. Yet I also know with supporters like you, together we can take a strong stance against climate change and save the redwoods that still stand. We need more petition signatures from supporters like you who want to fight climate change to protect redwoods.” Take ACTION.
Allterra Solar: Save California’s Solar Support Program
“California utilities are trying to turn back the clock on solar, calling for drastic and catastrophic changes to Net Energy Metering (whereby solar home owners are reimbursed for the energy they produce) that, in some instances, would make rooftop solar power 5 times more expensive than it is today. If they are successful, they would essentially eliminate the market in California just like they did in Nevada a few years ago. With ongoing blackouts, wildfires, and ever-rising energy bills, utilities are concerned that rooftop solar, especially when coupled with a battery, spells trouble for their 100-year reign as the electricity monopoly as well as their short-term profits. You see, California utilities don’t earn a profit by selling electricity, or even by providing reliable power. Instead, they get a guaranteed 10% rate of return for every pole and wire they build to transmit electricity. The bigger the wires and the greater the distance the electricity has to travel, the more we pay for our electricity and the more they profit.” Take action with Save California Solar.
Environmental Action: Protect California’s Rivers From Harmful Mining
California’s gold mining legacy has left a mark on its water quality — and harmful mining practices are still impacting waterways and vulnerable species today. To prospect for gold, some miners use a method called suction dredge mining, which vacuums rocks, gravel and sediment from the bottom of rivers or creeks. This practice can kill young fish and disrupt their habitat. The California Water Resources Control Board just proposed restrictions on suction dredge mining — but its proposed rules don’t go far enough to protect wildlife. We’re calling on the Water Board to go further in protecting critical habitat and public lands from this harmful mining practice. Help us protect California’s wildlife by making a public comment before March 8. Take ACTION.
Wilderness Watch: Speak up for the Wild Scapegoat Wilderness and All of its Native Inhabitants!
“The U.S. Forest Service (FS) is considering a proposal by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) to poison 67 miles of streams and three small lakes in the North Fork Blackfoot watershed in the Scapegoat Wilderness, part of the famed Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Please speak up by the March 12 deadline. The State’s goal is to kill the fish they’ve been stocking in these headwater streams for several decades and replace them with westslope cutthroat trout, a species they deem to be more attractive to anglers. The plan involves massive amounts of helicopter and motorized equipment use, in addition to spreading hundreds of gallons of the poison rotenone. The lakes and streams in the upper North Fork are all naturally fishless and should not be managed as an artificial “fishery”.” Take ACTION.
Oceana: Ban Deadly Drift Gillnets, “Walls Of Death”
Mile long large-mesh drift gillnets targeting swordfish off the coast of California kill so indiscriminately that they have been nicknamed “walls of death” for the toll they take on marine life.
When a dolphin encounters a drift gillnet, she can become entangled. The net cuts into her body while she slowly runs out of air and drowns. When the net is pulled back onboard after soaking overnight, the dolphin’s tailfin is cut off to free her lifeless body. Right now, YOU can help stop the senseless, indiscriminate killing of dolphins like this one in U.S. waters. Earlier this month, the bipartisan Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act was introduced in Congress. This federal legislation will end the destructive use of large-mesh drift gillnets in ALL U.S. ocean waters. Enacting a federal ban will ensure that countless vulnerable dolphins like the one below don’t suffer excruciating deaths in unsustainable large-mesh drift net fishing gear. Tell your Members of Congress to support legislation to end the use of destructive large mesh drift gillnets in American waters, once and for all. Take ACTION.
Environmental Action: End Fossil Fuel Subsides
“Last year, as tragic wildfires burned and supercharged hurricanes became more frequent, the impacts of climate change were devastatingly clear. But our federal government is still funding an industry that’s causing this crisis. The United States gives the fossil fuel industry $20 billion in tax breaks, incentives and other subsidies every year. Right now, we have a chance to end these subsidies. President Biden just directed federal agencies to end fossil fuel subsidies, and it’s now up to Congress to eliminate the fossil fuel subsidies, tax breaks and incentives that are currently on the books. Tell your U.S. House representative: The federal government shouldn’t fund an industry that’s destroying our planet.” Act HERE.
EcoChallenge: Seeing Systems, 30-Day Exploration Of Peace, Justice & Sustainability
Engage in 30 days of exploring peace, justice, and sustainability with our new Seeing Systems email series.
Reflecting the themes of our Seeing Systems book, this email series offers daily prompts & insights framed in bite-sized pieces for your individual learning and enrichment. For 30 days, immerse yourself in and take action on three of humanity’s most inspiring visions and most pressing challenges: peace, justice, and sustainability. HOW IT WORKS: A daily email lands in your inbox offering a single action and supporting resources. An action may take form as learning, reading, watching, listening, conversing, researching, or sharing. Each email is designed to be bite-sized – simple, focused learning. Six themes center these emails: It’s All Connected; Peaceful Communication; Justice for the Whole Community; Conflict Transformation; Responding to Systemic Violence; Co-Creating Living Peace. FREE, explore HERE.
CALPIRG: Support Producer Responsibility Legislation
Single-use plastics are nearly impossible to avoid. But it’s consumers who foot the bill for cleaning them up. We’re calling for a new approach: “producer responsibility.” Companies that make products designed to become waste should also be financially responsible for the cleanup. Add your name to tell your state senator to support producer responsibility legislation in California. Take ACTION.
Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown, April 2021
This action program is offered by Ecochallenge.org in partnership with Project Drawdown. “Together, we’re taking action on 80 of the most substantive solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to stop climate change. Sign up for the Ecochallenge, create a team, and see how 30 days of action add up to a lifetime of positive change for you and the planet. Ecochallenge.org offers this social change platform + Project Drawdown-aligned curriculum to connect a global community of changemakers, each doing what we can, in the places where we can, to make this great spinning dot we call home a healthier, more equitable, more sustainable place.” Access a wealth of support materials and join a team or form your own! Info HERE.
Oceana: FIGHT SEAFOOD FRAUD AND ILLEGAL FISHING
“Seafood fraud deceives consumers who fall victim to a bait and switch, disguises conservation and health risks, and hurts honest fishermen and seafood businesses. Seafood traceability—from boat to plate—is critical to ensure that all seafood sold in the U.S. is safe, legally caught and honestly labeled. 87% of American voters agree that the government needs to do more to ensure that consumers are purchasing properly labeled seafood, according to a recent poll commissioned by Oceana. Right now, we have a chance to make progress on this issue to protect the health and abundance of our oceans – but the Monday, February 22 deadline is approaching fast! Tell the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) you support boat-to-plate traceability to ensure seafood sold in the U.S. is safe, legally caught, and honestly labeled.” Take ACTION.
Regeneración, GreenPower, Community Environmental Council & Ecology Action: Volunteers Needed to Support Equitable Access to Electric Vehicles
“Ecology Action is excited to bust the myth that electric cars are only for the well-off. As many of you already know, Ecology Action was awarded funding to increase transportation equity and justice throughout the Central Coast of California in partnership with three other community-based organizations: Regeneración, GreenPower, and Community Environmental Council. The primary goal of this initiative is to help residents of underserved communities unlock valuable incentives to purchase their own low-maintenance, clean driving electric vehicles.
Our approach to help individuals is to provide one-on-one assistance through the entire process of buying an electric car through our NEW Purchase Guidance Program. Our person-to-person approach is supported by online tools, staff, and volunteers. We are building a team of volunteers to serve as Purchase Guidance advisors and be Every Day Electric Vehicle Champions.” Learn more HERE.
Greenpeace: Protect Whales By Calling For A Strong Global Oceans Treaty
“Overfishing, degraded ecosystems, and other natural and human-caused threats, all conspire to put these magnificent creatures in danger every day. But there is hope — one of the most meaningful things we can do is to create a series of ocean sanctuaries to give them safety to thrive. And it’s not just for the whales — healthy oceans help communities, support other species, and even help mitigate the worst effects of climate change. That’s why we’re using World Whale Day (Feb 21) to ask the new Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to ensure that the US fights for a strong global oceans treaty at the United Nations.” Take action HERE.
National Wildlife Federation: Imperiled Wild Salmon Need Your Help
The negative impacts of dams, worsened by climate change, are raising water temperatures and pushing our wild salmon closer to the brink of extinction. Congress must take steps to restore the Columbia River basin to protect this ecologically, economically, and culturally important fish. Decades of delay and costly projects have left our wild salmon and Columbia River ecosystem in crisis. But just last week, Congressman Mike Simpson unveiled a plan to restore the Northwest’s abundant salmon runs and help transition the region to affordable clean energy—both of which would create tens of thousands of good jobs. Now is the time for Congress to properly restore the region’s rivers and habitat. Tell Congress to take action to restore the Snake River and Columbia River basin ecosystem before wild salmon go extinct. Take ACTION.
Environment California: Restore Spotted Owl Protections
“In one of its final acts, the Trump administration struck down vital protections for Northern spotted owls: The administration opened up 3.4 million acres of their protected habitat for logging and other development. Scientists believe that all of their unprotected habitat could disappear by 2030 at the earliest, making one thing clear: Our nation’s dwindling spotted owl populations needed these protections. With populations plummeting and habitat vanishing, spotted owls need the protections restored now. That’s why we’re calling on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to swiftly stand up for spotted owls. Tell the FWS to restore their protections.” Take ACTION.
CALPIRG: Reinstate Polluters Pay Tax To clean Up Toxic Waste
“At least 53 million Americans live within three miles of a proposed or designated Superfund site, where hazardous waste has been dumped, spilled or left out. This toxic pollution is costing the American public. Living near these toxic waste sites is linked to a higher incidence of cancer, birth defects and other diseases. And, to make matters worse, taxpayer dollars are funding toxic waste cleanup programs. Polluters should pay to clean up their own waste. That’s why CALPIRG is launching our Make Polluters Pay campaign, which advocates for reinstating the Polluter Pays Tax to fund waste cleanup efforts. Tell your U.S. representative: Reinstate the Polluter Pays Tax for the Superfund toxic waste program.” Take ACTION.
350.org: Shut Down the Illegally Operating Dakota Access Pipeline
“An Appeals Court agreed that Dakota Access Pipeline River Crossing is illegal. Now, the Biden Administration must decide whether to shut it down while the government does a court-ordered environmental review — or allow it to continue to operate illegally. President Biden can shut down this pipeline now while we wait for a robust review that could shut down the pipeline permanently. But that will only happen if his administration feels the pressure from our movement. I’m collecting signatures for a letter to send to President Biden and I would love to add your name. Please speak out to stop DAPL once and for all.” Take ACTION !
Environment California: Restore the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument
Endangered whales, magnificent dolphins and centuries-old deep-sea corals can be found in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the coast of New England. This special and historic place was protected in 2016 to keep its amazing wildlife safe. But it was once again put at risk when the Trump administration took away its protections last year. The Biden administration is reviewing the Trump administration’s decision to open this special place to fishing — and it’s crucial that we take this opportunity to encourage President Biden to restore protections for the region. Take action HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Protect the Endangered Species Act
“The Endangered Species Act is the best tool we have to save animals and plants from extinction. But right before it ended, the Trump administration’s eleventh-hour proposed rule would undercut protections for endangered species on public lands across the country. If finalized, the rule would allow federal agencies to ignore new scientific information on harms to endangered species, including climate change. That would let agencies carry out destructive logging, drilling, roadbuilding, livestock grazing and other projects — even if new data show that those activities are pushing a rare animal or plant toward extinction. You can help stop this rule and save countless species if you take action now. Tell the Biden administration to drop the Trump proposal and put the protection of public lands, water and wildlife before the profits of special-interest groups.” Take ACTION.
CENTER for BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: Help Stop Formosa Plastics
The fight to stop Formosa Plastics from building a mega-polluting petrochemical plant in St. James Parish, Louisiana, has reached a crucial turning point. After a lot of hard work — through the power of the people and robust legal opposition — construction has been delayed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has suspended the project’s federal permit and is now reevaluating it. Any meaningful analysis will make it clear that the permit should be revoked entirely. The plant would pollute a predominantly Black community, disturb unmarked burial sites of formerly enslaved people, degrade wetlands, and deepen the plastic pollution crisis. Urge the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize environmental justice and protect wetlands by revoking Formosa Plastics’ federal permit today. Take ACTION.
Clean Water Action: Cut Out Plastic Cutlery
“Clean Water Action has joined Habits of Waste, to pressure third-party delivery services to allow us to say NO to unnecessary and wasteful items. We’re asking DoorDash, Grubhub, and Seamless to add an “OPT IN” option for accessory items. Currently, you have to “opt-out” or specifically ask for “no utensils” or other accessories. Due to our grassroots efforts, Postmates and UberEats have already made these changes and we need the rest to follow suit in order to avoid confusion for restaurants! Now we are targeting our efforts on DoorDash, Grubhub and Seamless. Most of us are ordering take-out to be eaten at home these days, so why do we automatically get disposable plastics that we don’t need, to subsequently stay on our planet for hundreds of years? You can easily send an email to DoorDash, Grubhub and Seamless by clicking HERE.”
Environmental Action: Support critical protections for gray wolves
Gray wolves are in danger of extinction — especially since the Trump administration stripped them of Endangered Species Act protections. This means that states are now free to manage their wolf populations as they please, and some are already planning hunting and trapping season. President Biden can halt the slaughter by beginning the process of restoring endangered species protections for gray wolves. Send a message to him today. Take ACTION.
CALPIRG: Tell The EPA To ban Roundup
“The weed killer Roundup isn’t worth the risk to our health or the environment. Mounting research links Roundup exposure to cancer and other health problems. And according to a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Study, the main active ingredient in Roundup — glyphosate — is likely to harm 93 percent of endangered species. But we have a chance to tell the EPA to ban this weed killer. The EPA is reviewing the weed killer’s registration, and it’s required to take input from the public. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic.” Tell the EPA: Ban glyphosate unless or until it’s proven safe. Take ACTION.
City of Santa Cruz Climate Action Plan 2030
The City of Santa Cruz Climate Action Plan (CAP) was adopted in 2012. The CAP outlines the actions the City will take between 2012 and 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from a 1990 baseline. The City is now embarking upon an equitable, community-driven Climate Action Plan 2030 process! Learn about the City’s Climate Action Plan Process and sign up if you would like to be added to the mailing list for this project. Learn MORE.
Environmental Action: Tell Whole Foods Market To Put our planet over plastic
“Plastic pollution isn’t on anyone’s grocery list — but at most grocery stores, it’s unavoidable. In a recent plastic waste report, Whole Foods received an “F” for its efforts to address wasteful plastic packaging. Plastic packaging is flooding landfills, polluting oceans and hurting marine life — but we have a chance to mitigate this waste by convincing Whole Foods to reduce its plastic footprint. Tell Whole Foods to protect beaches and marine life from plastic pollution by ditching single-use plastic packaging in its stores.” Send message HERE.
Environment California: Support Passage of the Roadless Area Conservation Act
Known as “America’s Amazon,” the Tongass National Forest is the biggest national forest in the United States — and the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Forty percent of the Pacific’s wild salmon are spawned under its branches, and it’s home to Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, and more bears than in the Lower 48 states combined. The Tongass is also one of the world’s largest carbon sinks, storing more carbon than any other forest in the country. Many of its trees are over 800 years old. Opening the Tongass to logging operations would threaten wildlife, destroy trees older than the United States, and release carbon into the atmosphere. Call on your U.S. House representative to pass the Roadless Area Conservation Act. Take Action HERE.
Environment California: Protect The Okefenokee Swamp
“The Okefenokee Swamp isn’t just home to the largest wildlife refuge in the eastern United States. It’s also home to hundreds of plant, reptile, bird and mammal species. And it needs our protection. The plan to build the dangerous Twin Pines Minerals titanium mine in Georgia could yield catastrophic effects for the fragile ecosystem in the Okefenokee Swamp — not to mention the threatened and endangered species that need the swamp to survive.” Contact Georgia Governor Brian Kemp about protecting the Okefenokee Swamp HERE.
CALPIRG: EPA Considering Approval Of Aldicarb Which Is Classified As An “Extremely Hazardous” Pesticide
“A pesticide that the World Health Organization (WHO) places in its highest toxicity category could be approved for more uses in the United States. Aldicarb is considered “extremely hazardous” by the WHO. It’s known to contaminate drinking water, and it can cause brain damage in children. If the aldicarb application is approved, the pesticide would be used on 400,000 acres of citrus trees — but the public has a chance to weigh in on the proposal. Tell the Environmental Protection Agency: Keep the public safe from this neurotoxin.” Take ACTION.
Earthworks: Tell the Army Corps to Reject GulfLink
The oil and gas industry is encroaching on the wetlands, dunes, beaches, and waterways of the Gulf Coast—jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of the people and wildlife in the region. Now, oil company Sentinel Midstream and financier Freepoint Commodities are proposing to build a massive, dangerous crude export terminal off the coast of Freeport, Texas. The project is called the Texas GulfLink, and we have until January 4th to make our voices heard. The GulfLink project includes a total of over 46 miles of pipeline, both on and offshore. The pipelines would traverse through fragile wetlands, the longtime industrially polluted Brazos River Delta, the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area, and out into gulf waters. A spill anywhere along the route will be nearly impossible to clean up, altering these fragile ecosystems forever. Tell the Army Corps of Engineers that the GulfLink export terminal puts our water at risk! Speak up HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Help Save This Desert Tortoise
“An icon of the desert needs your help. Threatened by habitat loss, unnatural wildfires, drought and climate change, the tortoises of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert are at risk of disappearing. Despite continued dangers, in 2015 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the tortoises from the waiting list for federal protection. This August a court order forced the Service to return the tortoises to the list and reconsider them for Endangered Species Act protection. Now’s our chance to tell the agency to protect Sonoran desert tortoises before it’s too late.” Take ACTION.
Lakota People’s Law Project: Tell Biden to Cancel the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines
Tell president-elect Joe Biden to keep his promise to cancel Keystone XL pipeline and the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) once and for all. Protect the planet and the Lakota people. No mancamps. No destruction of the earth. No endangering our water. Mni wiconi — water is life. Sign petition HERE.
Ocean Conservancy: RISE UP For Our Ocean
“The ocean sustains all life on our planet and is fundamental to human survival and well-being. Now is the time to RISE UP in its defense. Coral reefs only take up about 1% of the ocean floor, but host an estimated 25% of all ocean species. We will lose up to 99% of our tropical coral reefs if the planet warms by two degrees Celsius. Coral reef die-offs, collapsing fish populations and species extinctions are evidence of the escalating ocean crisis brought about by overfishing, climate change, pollution and other stressors. They are eroding the ocean’s ability to function as our life support system. RISE UP is a coalition of more than 400 organizations from around the world who are calling on governments and businesses to save our ocean. RISE UP outlines a list of action steps we need to take now from investing in a zero-carbon emission future to restoring critical ocean ecosystems. We know we need ambitious action in order to ensure we have a thriving ocean for generations to come. We are asking you to join the call and RISE UP for the ocean.” Take ACTION.
Greenpeace: “Walmart: Remove false recycling labels from plastic products”
“This spring, a shocking Greenpeace investigative report revealed that many common plastics labeled “recyclable” by Walmart and other major plastic polluting companies are actually not recyclable. This means that the majority of single-use plastics you dutifully “recycle” during the holidays and year-round are likely to be incinerated, landfilled, or wind up in the environment. Greenpeace thought Walmart would be shocked too… but we were wrong. Even after being informed months ago, Walmart is still misleading consumers about the recyclability of its throwaway plastic products and packaging. Because of these false recycling claims, Greenpeace has filed a lawsuit demanding that Walmart immediately stop using false and misleading recyclability labels on disposable plastic products and packaging sold under Walmart’s private labels.” Take action HERE
Environment California: Protect Our Remaining Birds
We’ve already lost 3 billion birds in the last 50 years in North America alone. And now, the Trump administration is rushing to roll back a bedrock bird protection. The proposed rollback? Letting companies “incidentally” kill scores of birds with no consequences at all. Right now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is finalizing its rule to remove some protections granted to birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. So we’re speaking up to defend this important bird conservation law. We only have until Dec. 28 to tell the FWS: Don’t let companies freely kill birds. Take ACTION.
Ocean Conservancy: Take Action to Protect Arctic Sea Life
“With climate change and loss of seasonal sea ice, more vessels are operating in the Arctic Ocean, one of the most remote and challenging environments in the world. The Arctic hosts an abundance of marine wildlife—and Indigenous peoples have hunted and fished in these waters for untold generations. With all that’s at stake in the Arctic, it’s critical that vessels operate safely and minimize their impacts to the marine environment and the people who live in the region. Write to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and tell them to strengthen navigation and communication requirements for vessels using Arctic waters. New “e-navigation” or “e-NAV” technologies can provide mariners with relevant, up-to-date navigational, safety and environmental information in real time. These new technologies can improve safety and protect the Arctic marine environment—but only if ships are required to carry and use them.” Take ACTION.
Coastal Watershed Council: San Lorenzo River Actions Project Guide
There are several ways we can all help protect our San Lorenzo River, the main source of drinking water for local residents and habitat for hundreds of incredible plant and animal species. This San Lorenzo River Action Projects Guide provides opportunities to learn about, explore, and protect the San Lorenzo River from inside your home, around your neighborhood, and along the Santa Cruz Riverwalk! All-ages activities for youth, adults, and families. Some activities require adult supervision. For details and specific links, go HERE.
Earth Justice: Call for a National Biodiversity Strategy
Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse just introduced a resolution calling for the establishment of a National Biodiversity Strategy — a blueprint for reversing the Trump administration’s damage and protecting wildlife. This resolution seeks to set us on a path toward global leadership in the fight to save the nearly one million species threatened by extinction in this century. Implementing this resolution would mean preventing widespread pesticide use and its harmful impact on pollinators like bees and birds, and would protect the people who grow and consume toxic-sprayed foods. It’ll also help clean up lakes and rivers and preserve wild places like old growth forests that provide a long-term, low-cost source of clean air and water. Tell your member of Congress to cosponsor the resolution! Take Action HERE.
Environment California: Chance To Protect Boreal Forest
“Shareholders of Procter & Gamble took an amazing first step to protect the ancient boreal forest in Canada from clear-cutting. Now we need to make sure leadership follows through. But just a few weeks ago, 67% of the shareholders of P&G voted for a proposal asking the company to report on its efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in its supply chains. This ancient Canadian wilderness is home to migratory birds, wandering wolves, and old-growth trees that suck enough carbon from the atmosphere to offset 24 million cars each year. It’s also disappearing — due in part to logging to make tissue products for companies such as Procter & Gamble (P&G). Join us in urging Procter & Gamble to stop using virgin wood to create tissue products. Now, will you send a message to P&G asking it to listen to its shareholders and take steps to protect the boreal forest?”
Audubon: Plants For Birds
Bring birds to your home today by growing native plants. With Audubon’s Native Plant Database, you can find the best plants for the birds in your area. Growing bird-friendly plants will attract and protect the birds you love while making your space beautiful, easy to care for, and better for the environment. Explore all of our native plant resources here, including our factsheets on creating a native plant garden and how it can save you money. Learn MORE about providing for our birds.
Environmental Action: Protect The Greater Sage Grouse
Greater sage-grouse numbers have dropped from 16 million to a few hundred thousand today — a decline of approximately 95 percent, leading to serious concerns about the bird’s survival. The greater sage-grouse is a keystone species, which means its survival is critical to the health and stability of the greater environment. The bird’s precipitous decline has cascading effects in the Sagebrush Sea ecosystem, which stretches across 11 states and supports more than 350 other species. Habitat destruction and oil and gas production are largely responsible for the greater sage-grouse’s decline. However, climate change and worsening wildfire seasons are presenting additional cause for concern. More than half of the greater sage-grouse’s Washington habitat was burned this season. And yet, the U.S. House of Representatives is discussing legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from even considering Endangered Species Act protections for the greater sage-grouse. This would further threaten the bird’s future. Send a message to your U.S. representative to protect the greater sage-grouse HERE.
Rainforest Action Network: Candy Makers Contributing to the Destruction Of Tropical Rainforests
What was your favorite candy growing up? Did you like Starburst and Skittles or Snickers and Butterfingers? Maybe Now & Laters were more of your jam? Those sweet candy centers are hiding something sinister from you, Andrew: there’s an ingredient lurking in your favorite candy that’s scarier than any Halloween horror movie you might have picked out to watch this year. That’s because chainsaws were used to massacre rainforests in the name of candymakers like Mars, Mondelēz, and Ferrero. Land is stolen from Indigenous and local communities, rainforests are destroyed, fires spew carbon into the atmosphere, and critical habitat is fractured so that Conflict Palm Oil plantations can move in. Send candy makers a message HERE.
NRDC: Help Bring Healthy, Organic, and Climate-Friendly Food to CALIF Students!
California schools are preparing meals for millions of low-income students and students of color during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given how many California students rely on school meals as their primary source of sustenance, we want them to be as nourishing as possible. That’s why California state leaders recently funded a $8.5 million “Farm-to-School” program. This critical new program has the potential to provide California’s most vulnerable children with healthy, high-quality food so they are ready to learn and thrive in school. And it can help support local farmers, including farmers of color, bolster economic recovery, and help fight climate change. Take ACTION.
Environmental Defense Fund: Stop the Line 3 Dirty Tar Sands Pipeline
“Life-changing decisions are being made for the future construction of the destructive Line 3 tar sands pipeline in Minnesota. This pipeline runs from Canada to Wisconsin and has devastating impacts on Indigenous rights and culture, the water of millions of people, and a livable climate for us all. Both the Governor of Minnesota and the Biden administration have explicitly expressed their commitment to taking action to stop the climate crisis. The response from Indigenous Peoples, activists on the ground, and RAN: The ONLY decision consistent with acting on climate and respecting Native treaty rights is to STOP Line 3. Biden has already called for a stop to the KXL pipeline. Tell the new administration that it must show climate leadership and oppose Line 3”. Take Action HERE.
Earthjustice: Save the Tongass — America’s Climate Forest
“The Trump administration removed crucial protections for Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, opening the door to clear-cutting of countless century-old trees at the behest of the logging industry. Alaska Natives such as the Tlingit, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial, asked the Trump administration to delay until the pandemic is contained and tribal leaders have the bandwidth to engage with the process — and they were ignored, to the detriment of tribes, the public, and our climate. Please join us in telling Congress to protect the Tongass by passing the Roadless Area Conservation Act.” Take ACTION.
Environmental Action: Tell NOAA to Protect Right Whales
“With only about 400 left in existence, North Atlantic right whales could become the first great whale in modern history to go extinct. We can’t afford to let this happen. For 40 years, scientists and conservationists have fought hard to save the endangered North Atlantic right whale, but the number of these beautiful creatures left in the wild is dwindling fast — since 2017, this species has seen an unprecedented 31 deaths. The situation is dire, but there’s still hope. By early next year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is set to issue a rule to protect them. Join us in calling on NOAA to make this rule as strong as possible.” Take action HERE.
Oceana: Support The Ocean-based Climate Solutions Act
“Our oceans are bearing the brunt of global warming. Ocean wildlife such as dolphins and whales are suffering from warmer, more acidic oceans. The Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act aims to help by prohibitibg new offshore oil drilling, protecting habitat, supporting fisheries, and more. This pioneering legislation is essential to protecting our oceans and we need Congress to pass it now, before it is too late. Contact your members of Congress about the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act to protect ocean wildlife and our oceans from the impacts of climate change.” Take Action HERE.
National Wildlife Federation: Congratulate The Eastern Shoshone Tribe
Bison, also known as buffalo, were once a story of American tragedy — but they are becoming a beacon of hope. This National Bison Day, we are thrilled to share that the Eastern Shoshone Tribe has welcomed 12 new buffalo calves on their native lands in the past four years. Just four years ago, the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the National Wildlife Federation introduced buffalo back to the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming after an absence of over 130 years. Please join us in sending a card of congratulations to the incredible Tribal stewards of the Eastern Shoshone. Sign HERE.
Oceana: Save Southern Resident Orcas from Extinction
These orcas have been literally starving to death, bones visible through their skin. They primarily feed on salmon, especially Chinook salmon —once-abundant, many Chinook salmon runs are now also threatened or endangered with extinction because of dams, habitat loss and other threats. Time is running out for critically endangered Southern Resident orcas. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are considering measures that would help ensure more food is available to starving Southern Resident orcas through active and responsible fishery management – and we must make sure they take action, before it’s too late. Tell the PFMC and NMFS to take meaningful actions to increase the availability of food for these critically endangered orcas. Take action HERE.
Center For Biological Diversity: Tell Governors That Now’s the Time to Protect Wolves
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has stripped federal protection from nearly every wolf in the lower 48. While we challenge this disastrous move in court, the fate of wolves rests with the states. States will decide where wolves can be shot, trapped and poisoned — so that’s where we’re ramping up our fight to protect them. Please take a moment to tell governors with wolves in their states to do everything in their power to ensure the species’ survival and recovery. The decision to end federal wolf protection means that states will soon manage wolves — so governors play a critical role in the future of wolf families in places like California, Colorado, Utah, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington and the Dakotas.” Take action HERE.
Environment California: Support The Moving forward Act
Wildfires shouldn’t be burning in the Arctic — but they are. The phrase “Siberian heat wave” should appear in science fiction novels, not news coverage. Before our eyes, the effects of climate change are becoming more apparent and growing worse by the day. There’s also some good news: Legislation that could help us combat climate change has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Now, it’s waiting on the Senate. The Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) is a sweeping infrastructure package that will rebuild and modernize our country. It will protect our environment and health by expanding access to clean transportation, rehabilitating drinking water infrastructure, updating the electric grid, and more. It will take on our climate’s number one enemy: pollution from transportation.
Tell Sens. Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein to support the Moving Forward Act today.
Sierra Club: The THRIVE (Transform, Heal, and Renew by Investing in a Vibrant Economy) Resolution
This is our road map to a just recovery — a recently introduced congressional resolution with a plan to put millions of people back to work building an economy that prioritizes climate, racial, and economic justice. Like the Green New Deal, the THRIVE Agenda will help us build a society that fosters justice, not crisis. The THRIVE Agenda is the result of months of collaboration between dozens of grassroots groups advocating for climate, economic, and racial justice. In just over a month, 100 members of Congress have signed on to (House Res 1102) a Green New Deal-aligned recovery that will put 16 million people back to work building an economy that advances climate, economic, and racial justice. Call Jimmy Panetta to urge him to sign on – (831) 429-1976
Center For Food Safety: Support Strong Pesticide Protections
One out every three bites of food we eat comes from a crop pollinated by bees. Yet over the past decade, honey bees and other pollinator populations have severely declined around the world. There are an overwhelming number of scientific studies linking bee declines to the use of pesticides, such as neonicotinoids, and illustrating the far reaching impacts toxic pesticides have on a wide range of environments. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has been anything but tough on harmful pesticides, and their close ties to the chemical industry don’t leave us too hopeful things will improve anytime soon.
Thankfully, Representatives John Conyers (D, MI) and Earl Blumenauer (D, OR) introduced the Saving America’s Pollinators Act (H.R. 1337), which would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take immediate action to protect bees and other pollinators by suspending the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. Take ACTION.
CALPIRG: TELL EPA ADMINISTRATOR ANDREW WHEELER: GET THE LEAD OUT OF OUR DRINKING WATER
The EPA is preparing to update the Lead and Copper Rule. But so far, the agency has left out expert recommendations to require the replacement of lead service lines — which still service an estimated 9.3 million homes, child care centers and small businesses. Will you contact the EPA to require the replacement of all lead service lines in the United States within 10 years?
Act HERE.
Ocean Conservancy: Support Ocean Climate Solutions
We are already seeing the impacts of a changing climate on our ocean. From ocean acidification to deoxygenation, the ocean experiences firsthand the devastating effects of an increasingly warm planet. But it can also be an important part of how we tackle climate change. From blue carbon ecosystems to offshore renewable energy, our ocean offers a vast array of solutions to address the climate crisis. We need our ocean advocates more than ever to take a stand to protect the ocean and ensure we do not overlook the sustainable climate solutions it provides. Will you ask your representative to stand for our ocean and coastal communities and become a cosponsor of the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act? Take ACTION.
Watsonville Wetlands Watch: Conserving Water and Storing Rainwater Benefits our Wetlands
With the rainy season quickly approaching comes the opportunity to lower our water usage by storing rainwater! Reducing water usage does a plethora of good for the wetlands and Watsonville as a whole. It helps keep water stored in our aquifers so that they have more time to recharge, it reduces the energy output needed to deliver water to households, it creates less of a burden on our wastewater treatment facilities, and it saves money! With the rainy season approaching one great way to act for the wetlands is by using a water catchment system to gather what rain you can and use it in the future for tasks such as watering a garden or lawn. Water catchment systems come in a variety of forms and prices, you can set up a home-wide system or go as simple as placing a bucket at the bottom of a gutter or area where rain will fall, then putting a lid on it for later use. Starting a catchment system now is a great way to help the environment in both the immediate and long-term, and save money and home gardens over time. Get started HERE!
Environment California: Protect our biggest ocean monument
Hawaii’s Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is a national treasure. Established under the Bush administration and expanded by President Obama, it’s one of the largest marine protected areas in the world, a priceless sanctuary to 7,000 species of marine creatures. A quarter of the wildlife it protects are unique to the Hawaiian Islands. But industry wants to open it to large-scale fishing, which would be disastrous for the monument’s rich biodiversity and the sensitive species recovering in its critical habitat. Contact your Senators HERE to protect this treasure.
Environmental Action: Ban offshore drilling permanently
“Oil spills are detrimental to coastal ecosystems and especially wildlife. Young sea turtles can become trapped in oil and even mistake it for food. Whales and dolphins can inhale oil, harming their lungs, reproduction and immune function. For seabirds, oil can coat their feathers, ruining the water repellency and exposing them to harsh elements. The only way to stop oil spills is to stop offshore drilling. Tell your senators to support a permanent ban on offshore drilling off of Florida’s Gulf coast.” Take ACTION.
Environment California: Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to List monarch butterflies as endangered
Monarch butterflies are important pollinators, but their population and habitat are being destroyed as a result of human activity and climate change. In the past year alone, the eastern monarch population has declined by a whopping 53 percent. If we act now, we can save these beautiful creatures by giving them the federal protection they need. Tell the U.S. FWS to list the monarch butterfly as endangered under the Endangered Species Act today. Act HERE.
350.org: Tell Gov. Newsom we want action now
On Sept 23, Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in response to the climate-fueled fires ravaging our state. We won some significant measures including a ban on sale of new gas-fueled cars by 2035. But we need to level with you. We combed through the details and read the fine print – and what we found is a lot of rhetoric rather than real action.
Newsom’s order: recycles his campaign promise to enact a ban on fracking by passing the task to the legislature when he could enact a ban himself; voices support for a health and safety setback, but doesn’t actually implement one or name the 2,500 feet minimum setback distance; & lacks any plan to phase out oil and gas drilling across the state.
So we’re launching an urgent petition to let Newsom know that Californians … demand real action that keeps fossil fuels in the ground and protects the health of California communities now. ACTION.
Environment America: Speak Up For The Tongas
The Trump administration has removed federal protections for the Tongass National Forest, paving the way for new logging in the wildest parts of our nation’s largest forest. At Environment America, we believe that our natural places should stay wild. It would be a tragedy to lose an 800-year-old forest and the rare and vulnerable wildlife that call it home. We’re urging Congress to enact the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which would permanently protect 58.5 million acres of wilderness, including the Tongass, from logging and roads. The Tongass National Forest, an ancient wilderness the size of West Virginia, is our world’s largest remaining intact temperate rainforest. It’s full of towering old-growth trees, some twice as old as America itself.2 The world’s largest population of black bears and the largest concentration of nesting bald eagles make the remote coastline their home. Take action HERE.
National Wildlife Federation: Protect the only designated bald eagle preserve
The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve was created by the state of Alaska in 1982 to protect the habitat for one of the world’s largest concentrations of bald eagles. The Preserve consists of 48,000 acres of river bottom land—vital habitat for these magnificent raptors. But if heavy metals and sulfuric acid from the mine pour into the watershed, bald eagles may lose this pristine habitat in Southeast Alaska forever. Even worse, the proposed mine would be located in an area prone to earthquakes. A sizable seismic event could result in a massive spill of toxic, acid mine wastewater into the watershed. Speak out for bald eagles today to help prevent this kind of environmental catastrophe. Action HERE.
Capital & Main: Reform the Calif Dept of Toxic Substances Control
A bill currently sits on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk that proponents say will provide long-needed oversight of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the state agency responsible for regulating hazardous waste generation, management and toxic cleanup in California. Broadly prescriptive, Assembly Bill 995 includes a requirement to develop a hazardous waste management plan, and significant changes to the way hazardous waste fees are calculated and managed in an attempt to help plug major financial holes within the agency. According to community advocates, it also creates new and vital safeguards for some of the state’s most vulnerable, environmentally burdened communities. Many DTSC critics say sweeping agency reforms like those included in the bill are a long time in coming – and needed to prevent another environmental and fiscal disaster like Exide from happening again. Call the Governor’s office now at: (916) 445-2841.
Braver Angels: With Malice Toward None Pledge
“With malice toward none, with charity for all…” – Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865
Take the pledge: “I will not hold hate, disdain, or ridicule for those who voted differently from me. Whether I am pleased or upset about the outcome, I will seek to understand the concerns and aspirations of those who voted differently and will look for opportunities to work with people with whom I disagree.”
SIGN THE PLEDGE.
CALPIRG: THE RIGHT TO REPAIR
Fifty-nine million tons of e-waste were produced globally last year — but manufacturers still make it unnecessarily difficult for us to fix our electronic devices rather than replace them with new ones. Not only do these repair restrictions create extra cost for consumers, but they feed into massive amounts of waste. Support our right to repair so that we can reduce our e-waste. Contact your State legislator HERE
Green America: Climate Victory Gardens
During WWII, 20 million victory gardens in the US produced 8 million tons of food—that’s around 40% of the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed at the time. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Green America to do it again, but this time for people and the planet. Act for the climate now by growing a Climate Victory Garden! Climate Victory Gardening is all about protecting and building healthy soils. This healthy soil sequesters carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the ground. Join thousands of individuals and communities around the country taking meaningful, collective action on the climate through Climate Victory Gardening. Help us reach our goal of 10,000 gardens. Take action HERE.
The Santa Cruz Coastal Adaptation Plan
Resilient Coast Santa Cruz – Input on Coastal Adaptation
Learn about Santa Cruz’s coastal vulnerabilities and provide feedback on adaptation pathways and strategies for West Cliff Drive and adjacent beaches. Link HERE.
Ocean Conservancy: Take Action Against Single-Use Plastics in California
“Each year an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic waste flow into the global ocean, threatening marine life and coastal ecosystems. Right now we have an opportunity in California to help protect our communities, beaches, and ocean from plastic pollution by passing The California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (AB 1080/ SB 54).” Take Action HERE.
CALPIRG: Support The Moving Forward Act
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Moving Forward Act, which would invest in cleaner infrastructure. Now we need your help to urge the U.S. Senate to do the same. This Act would invest $1.5 trillion in our nation’s infrastructure to create sweeping change. In particular, the legislation provides funding for removing dangerous toxins from local water supplies, transforming the electric grid to accommodate more renewable energy, and deploying more electric transit buses. Rather than continuing to invest in outdated infrastructure that pollutes our environment and endangers public health, it’s time to build a future with cleaner air and water. Take ACTION
Daily Kos: Tell US companies to stop contributing to the burning of the Amazon
“A new report by Amazon Watch shows for the first time how firms that fuel the destruction of the Brazilian Amazon openly trade with and receive financing from a range of companies and major investors in the U.S. Although these producers of soy, cattle, and timber for export have documented links to illegal deforestation, corruption, slave labor, and other crimes, they nonetheless do business with investors and companies based in America. This means U.S. companies are not only financing rainforest destruction, they also financed the disastrous Amazon fire. American based companies like Cargill, JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, among others, are in dealings with or bankroll the bad-acting Brazilian companies. Sign the Petition: Demand U.S. companies stop contributing to rainforest destruction immediately!”
Environment California: Choose Wildlife Over Waste
Each year, Americans throw away millions of foam cups and take-out containers. Too often, this pollution ends up in our waterways, and eventually the ocean, where it can harm or even kill birds and marine animals such as turtles and whales. Nothing we use for a few minutes should pollute our environment for hundreds of years. Tell your legislators to support a ban on one of the worst types of plastic pollution: polystyrene foam cups and containers. Act HERE.
Change.org: Petition to Protect Neary Lagoon
“The 101 Felix Street proposed development would amend and weaken the City’s General Plan and the Local Coastal Protection Plan in order to build five, 3-story, large buildings and cut 22 large trees on the banks of beautiful Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge and Laurel Creek Watershed. It will have significant negative impacts for the environment, for the wildlife, for the people who love to visit Neary Lagoon and live nearby! This development site will add 160 to 300 plus residents, their cars, and up to 160 more pets to the habitat and to Cypress Point Apartments. Neary Lagoon wetland and riparian habitat is home to 228 species of birds and other endangered wildlife that are sensitive to human activity, light and noise.” Petition HERE.
Environment California: Protect your drinking water from rocket fuel chemicals
“A chemical used in rocket fuel, explosives and fireworks could also be in drinking water, but no one is protecting us from it. The Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will not set regulations on perchlorate — a chemical known to harm brain development that is found in rocket fuel and other explosive products — in our drinking water. Found in the water, soil or sediment of 45 states, this chemical can harm the brain development in fetuses and young children, and disrupt thyroid function. The chemical has been classified as a drinking water contaminant under the Safe Drinking Water Act since 2011. Yet, the EPA is revoking its 2008 finding that no more than 15 parts per billion (ppb) of perchlorate in drinking water was safe. The Food and Drug Administration suggests that if any drinking water has levels higher than 15 ppb, it is too dangerous for infants and pregnant women. Now, the agency is suggesting that levels almost four times that would be safe.” Take ACTION.
Clean Water Action: Break Free of Plastic Pollution Act
Instead of emphasizing consumer choices, littering, or clean-ups, the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act would help the supply side of the economy shift toward waste reduction and reuse and create a more systemic solution to plastic pollution. It will establish minimum recycled content requirements for packaging and will create a national beverage container refund program. It will also reduce and ban some common single-use disposable plastics.
It’s time to hold brands, manufacturers, and the plastics industry accountable for their role in the plastic pollution crisis! Please contact your representatives in the U.S. Congress about co-sponsoring the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (S3263/HR5845) which would hold the plastic industry and other companies responsible for the waste they produce. Take action HERE.
NRDC: Tell Your Senators To Support Moving Forward Act
The House of Representatives just passed a sweeping new bill — the Moving Forward Act — that would do exactly that — and now we need to turn up the pressure on the U.S. Senate to do the same. We desperately need equitable, sustainable investments. We need real improvements that build towards the clean energy future we deserve. And we need policies that cut carbon emissions, improve resilience, create jobs, and ensure that every family — regardless of race or income — has access to clean air, safe drinking water, and reliable transportation.
Tell your senators to take bold action to rebuild the country and our economy by supporting the Moving Forward Act without delay! Action HERE.
Change.org: Urge Amazon to Offer Plastic-Free Packaging Options
“Thousands of the products on Amazon are shipped with plastic wrapping and cushioning materials unnecessarily. Much of the plastic included in e-commerce shipping is not recyclable at all or is very difficult to recycle given the lack of facilities. 91% of all plastic ends up as litter, in landfills or incinerated. Paper and other biodegradable materials are as effective and similar in price to plastic and bubble-wrap, which Amazon requires from it’s marketplace sellers. It’s time they updated both their checkout options and their marketplace requirements to remove the ‘bubble-wrap non-compliance’ We are petitioning for a ‘Plastic-free’ option at checkout and ‘Plastic-free’ labeling available for sellers who already choose eco alternatives.” Take ACTION.
Photo: Weizel Gulfan
Sustainable America: Building a Better Local Food System Toolkit To Take Action
Filled with tips and insights for food lovers of all skill sets and knowledge levels, this toolkit offers ideas and resources for strengthening the local food systems in your area, including: ways you can support local farmers and producers; advice for growing your own food; resources to help you share food with your neighbors; & opportunities to invest and advocate for a stronger local food system. Download for free HERE.
FYI
Source: California Air Resources Board – Air pollution from small gas engines.
Environmental Action: Tell the FWS to Protect the Alexander Archipelago wolf
“Up to 97 percent of the Alexander Archipelago wolves on Prince of Wales Island were killed during this past trapping season. This tragedy is unsustainable. Alexander Archipelago wolves are a unique population of wolves with jet-black fur that call a string of islands in southeastern Alaska home. The most recent estimate of the wolves’ population on Prince of Wales Island — the largest in the archipelago — indicated that about 170 animals remained there. But during this year’s trapping season, 165 wolves were killed — that’s 97 percent of the population. It’s irresponsible for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to continue to allow trapping of these beautiful and vulnerable animals. If they aren’t protected soon, we could lose them forever.
Send a message HERE to Drew Crane, the Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Endangered Species Coordinator for Alaska, urging him to protect these incredibly rare wolves before they’re gone forever.
Oceana: Save Marine Life From Single-Use Plastics
First-of-its-kind bill introduced in Congress that would reduce single-use plastics polluting our oceans. The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act would phase out certain single-use plastics and shift the burden of plastic waste to the companies producing it. We must seize this opportunity. The equivalent of roughly a garbage truck’s worth of plastic enters our oceans every minute. You’ve seen the result: Dolphins, whales and other marine life killed by ingesting plastic debris or being entangled in it. Now is the time for the federal government to act. Tell your members of Congress to protect our oceans and marine life from plastic pollution. Act HERE.
Santa Cruz County Zero Carbon by 2030
Zero Carbon by 2030 is a list of proposed greenhouse gas reduction strategies for Santa Cruz City and County to implement in the next ten years. SCCAN has compiled a list of greenhouse gas reduction strategies and recommendations that will address the local challenges of climate change moving forward. Support the campaign HERE.
National Wildlife Federation: Help Stop Oil and Gas Drilling in Sagebrush Country
Sagebrush country is home to 350 species of wildlife across the West. This vast landscape defines the West and is home to the beautiful greater sage-grouse and many species that live nowhere else on earth. Help protect the sage grouse and the hundreds of species that depend on sagebrush country from oil and gas drilling. Tell the Bureau of Land Management to go back to the historic 2015 plans that were forged by Westerners who know and love this land. Take action HERE
Environmental Action: Support strong protections for lynx
With their tufted ears and bobbed tail, lynx are some of the most unique animals that call America home — but we may be on the brink of losing them. Because lynx populations are in decline across the American West they need strong and ongoing protection if they are going to survive and thrive — especially right now, as the world warms. These specialized wildcats are especially vulnerable to climate change because they are adapted to live in cold weather — and when snow vanishes, so too does their preferred prey: the snowshoe hare. Read article HERE.
It’s not too late to make sure lynx get the protection they need — but we need to show strong support for efforts to sustain them. Take action HERE.
Join A Climate Group!
Locally, nationally, and around the world many people are joining climate advocacy groups to build community and vision for a livable future. Save Our Shores offers an introduction to several groups, including their priorities and goals. If you know of other groups that should be added to this list, please email: climate@saveourshores.org.
Stop #TreeWashing and oppose the Trillion Trees Act! Say NO to the Trillion Trees Act
Greenpeace reports “Members of the House GOP, in conjunction with Trump, recently introduced the Trillion Trees Act to the Natural Resources Committee. This bill that claims to plant 1 trillion trees by 2050 is nothing more than a greenwashing attempt to protect the logging industry under the guise of climate action, and will put the health of our forest ecosystems and our communities at risk. Superficial tree planting is a problem.
We need you to help protect our existing forests, not turn them into money-making industrial plantations. Tell Rep Raul Grijalva, the National Resources Committee Chairman, to oppose the Trillion Trees Act, and support real solutions for forests and climate. Info and Action HERE.
NOTE: For a thorough yet concise overview of the important considerations with mass tree planting, see a paper by Dr. Karen Koll, UCSC, in the May 8 issue of Science.
Environmental Action.org: Give oceanic whitetip sharks a chance
Oceanic whitetip sharks — the apex predator of the ocean — are being driven to the verge of extinction. The White House has the power to save these magnificent creatures and the ocean ecosystems for which they are so important. Please encourage the Trump administration to act today to save the sharks. Send a message HERE
Environment America: A Citizen’s Guide to Reducing Energy Waste
With clean energy from the sun and wind, we have the technology to provide for our energy needs without the global consequences of pollution. Yet we’re still producing and consuming virtually all of our energy in ways that do lasting damage to our environment, our health and our climate. And to make matters worse, of all that dirty energy we produce, two-thirds of it ends up being wasted.
Coastal Watershed Council: Neighborhood Trash Study
Parental approval and/or support needed. This is your chance to contribute to community science and help collect important data about neighborhood trash levels! You will explore your neighborhood streets and document how much trash you see, learning about the different ways that trash impacts our community and environment. Then you will tap in to your creative side to draw a Trash Prevention Poster to teach others about the importance of reducing trash pollution. Trash isn’t pretty to look at, and it also can harm our rivers, ocean, beaches and wildlife. The City of Santa Cruz and other local governments are working hard to reduce trash levels in our communities and we can all pitch in to help! Learn about this activity HERE.
Join The Center For Biological Diversity‘s Saving Life on Earth Campaign
They are working to make the extinction crisis a key issue and build a powerful coast-to-coast volunteer network that pushes the United States to become a leader in the global fight to save the planet’s biodiversity. That’s why they released a comprehensive plan, Saving Life on Earth, to outline policies the United States must implement to tackle this crisis. Join their grassroots campaign today and do you part to combat the extinction crisis. Learn more and sign the petition HERE.
This from 350.org “Tell Gov. Newsom: Stop Permitting Another Public Health Crisis”
“While Californians struggle to protect their families during the COVID-19 crisis, and on the same day the New York legislature and Governor Cuomo moved to ban fracking, the Newsom Administration just quietly approved 24 new fracking permits that will further threaten public health. We demand that Governor Newsom and Oil and Gas Supervisor Uduak-Joe Ntuk to reverse the recent decision to issue fracking permits, halt the issuance of all additional oil/gas extraction permits, and prioritize protecting public health. Send a Message to them now – stop permitting yet another public health crisis!”
Help Save the Manatees
From the National Wildlife Federation: The manatee’s seagrass habitat is vanishing. Too little clean freshwater is flowing into Florida’s bays, upsetting the delicate balance of salt levels. Increased salinity and harmful algal blooms—caused by toxic runoff—have suffocated tens of thousands of acres of seagrass. But there’s hope: Restoration of America’s Everglades would return the flow of water to its historic path and save the manatee’s seagrass home. Tell Congress to approve funding for the restoration of this one-of-a-kind ecosystem and save the manatee. Action HERE.
Environment California: Protect Bees from Toxic Pesticides
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering reauthorizing the use of a class of bee-killing pesticides. The pesticides, called neonicotinoids, attack bees’ central nervous systems, causing neurological damage and paralysis.2 Recent research has also found that baby bumblebees’ brains are permanently and irreversibly damaged by feeding on pollen and nectar contaminated with neonicotinoids. The good news is that we have an opportunity this Earth Day to stand up for bees. The EPA is accepting public input on its decision until May 4. Join the thousands of supporters like you who have already signed: Tell the EPA to ban the worst uses of neonicotinoids. Take ACTION“
Save Our Shores Calls for Protecting What You Love From Plastic Pollution
Despite our ongoing efforts, the plastic problem is worsening. More action is urgently needed to protect both public health and our environment. We’ve launched an aggressive plastic pollution campaign to reduce the impact of six plastic pollutants: single-use toiletry bottles; microfiber pollution; single-use water bottles; flushed contact lenses; balloons; and single-use coffee pods. Take action HERE.
Save the Redwoods League has announced an agreement to purchase Cascade Creek, a spectacular landscape hosting a mix of old and second-growth redwoods. In order to fully protect this forest, the League and its partners will need to raise $9.6 million to purchase and steward the property by May 30, 2020. A perfect example of the ancient redwood habitat that once dominated the San Francisco Bay Area, Cascade Creek holds a pivotal position between Big Basin Redwoods and Año Nuevo State Parks. On this ancestral territory of the Quiroste tribe, ancient coast redwoods shade the property’s namesake Cascade Creek, and redwoods young and old thrive on the upper slopes, sharing the steep terrain with lofty Douglas firs and mature madrones. Habitat is abundant for native wildlife such as mountain lions, black-tailed deer, bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes, and ringtails, as well as raptors and songbirds. Please contribute!
Waterfall on Cascade Creek. Photo: Max Forster
Tell Congress to Ban Wildlife Trade, from the Center For Biological Diversity
“In the past 40 years, the worst human pandemics and epidemics — HIV, SARS, avian flu, swine flu, Ebola and Zika — all stemmed from trading or consuming animals and destroying their habitat. The solution couldn’t be clearer: Ban wildlife trade to reduce disease risk and save animals from overexploitation. But when asked if banning wildlife trade is a priority last week, President Trump just shrugged. Tell Congress to block trade now to save wildlife and help prevent future pandemics. Zoonotic diseases are spread from animals, usually vertebrates, to humans — and approximately 70% of these diseases come from wildlife. The United States is one of the world’s top importers of wildlife, responsible for an estimated 20% of the global wildlife market. Getting a handle on this rampant trade is a very clear priority.” TAKE ACTION HERE
Tell Your Members Of Congress to Support a Green New Deal!
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enact bold Green New Deal policies that will tackle climate change and inequity. We need to convince members of Congress to sign on. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey have introduced landmark resolutions in support of a Green New Deal in the House and Senate. Getting as many members of Congress as possible to sign on now is the first step in our plan to build long-term power and lay the groundwork for enactment of a Green New Deal under a new administration. Ask your members of Congress to sign on to resolutions calling for a Green New Deal!” A Sierra Club action.
From Oceana.org: “The Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act would:
Phase out certain single-use plastics that pollute our seas.
Put in place a nationwide beverage container refund program.
Shift the burden of plastic waste from us as consumers to the companies producing it”. Learn more and speak out about this at Oceana.org
Check out this campaign at Environmental Defense.
“Writing a letter to the editor is easy! Your personal words matter most. One personalized letter explaining your individual perspective, experience and knowledge is worth more than 100 duplicate letters.
Your letter can (and should) be brief. Most newspapers will accept letters up to 150 words in length.
Your letter shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes. We’ve provided some copy points to help get you thinking. You can submit through your local paper’s website, or use the tool at the link (above).”