Take Action for Responsible Disposal of Coal Ash!--On August 31st the location of more than 580 toxic coal ash sites were released to the public.   The waste at these sites contains toxins like arsenic, selenium, lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, boron, thallium, and aluminum, and yet federal disposal regulations classify coal ash the same way they classify household trash.   Find out if you or a loved one live near a toxic coal ash site, and then email the EPA today to tell them it's time to regulate coal ash for the safety and health of our communities.

Keep the Great Lakes Safe!--Each year, more than 24 billion gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater are dumped into the Great Lakes along with massive amounts of polluted runoff. Attack beach contamination! Sign the petition urging the Senate to pass the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act. »

Protect Our Oceans!--Our oceans need you now.  The ocean waters around the United States and the wildlife in them are important to our health, wealth, and future.  Each one of us has the privilege to use them and the right to help protect them. Unfortunately, right now a plan is underway to limit access to ocean resources to only a handful of individuals and corporations under the guise of conservation. Help fight for our oceans and stop this privatization plan.  Government agencies are given the great responsibility of managing our oceans and everything in them for the benefit of all of us in the United States.  Those agencies have tilted the balance to mostly favor big business interests. This can ultimately damage both the marine environment and long-term stability of coastal communities. So what can you do about it? You can tell the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that they need to uphold their mission!

Tell the Dep't of Energy to Adopt Higher Efficiency Standards!--The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act made a significant amount of funds available to states to improve energy efficiency by encouraging states to adopt and enforce energy building codes. To receive this funding, states must make certain minimum commitments to energy efficient building codes. These commitments reflect important policy objectives for improving efficiency, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and spurring growth in the economy if the money is spent wisely. 
However, to date, the Department of Energy (DOE) has failed to ensure that states fulfill the Recovery Act's prerequisites before receiving these funds.  Please email Department of Energy Secretary Chu today and tell DOE to enforce the Recovery Act requirements to ensure that states adopt the energy efficiency codes before receiving additional funds.

Save the Tongass National Forest!--Located in the southeastern panhandle of Alaska, the Tongass National Forest is the largest remaining old-growth temperate rainforest on Earth. A lush landscape formed thousands of years ago by glaciers, where 500-year-old trees tower 250 feet overhead. Most Americans don’t even know it exists…but the Timber Industry does.  In fact, just last month a Ketchikan lumber mill applied and was granted access to clear-cut 381 acres in one of the Tongass’ pristine roadless areas. And more timber sales targeting Tongass roadless areas are just around the corner, unless the Obama Administration takes immediate action.  That’s why I’m asking you to please, sign our petition and ask the Obama administration to uphold the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

Ask Your Representative to Support the Offshore Aquaculture is Not Fishing Act!--People across the nation, and especially in the Gulf of Mexico, have told decision-makers to slow down on ocean fish farming, but one regional fishery management council and a federal agency - the very one tasked with protecting and managing ocean resources for the benefit of U.S. citizens - have decided to ignore more than 20,000 people's comments opposing ocean fish farming and move forward with finalizing a plan to permit offshore aquaculture in U.S. waters. But a bill introduced today by Representative Taylor, called the "Offshore Aquaculture is not Fishing Act of 2009" - if passed - would stop this bad plan.  The bill prevents regional councils, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Secretary of Commerce from allowing ocean fish farming in U.S. waters.  Take action now and ask your Representative to support this bill.

Take Action to Save the Arctic!--America's Arctic, which includes the iconic Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, is our nation's only Arctic ecosystem. It supports America's entire population of polar bears, roaming caribou herds, and millions of birds that migrate there from every state in the U.S. and across the world.  We need President Obama to act to protect the lands and waters of America's Arctic, before Big Oil starts drilling!  Sign our petition to President Obama. America's Arctic deserves protection.

Take Action for Clean Water!--Our water and wastewater infrastructure is in desperate need of repair.  The American Society of Civil Engineers has given both systems a D- grade.  In order to protect our essential water resources, create tens of thousands of green jobs, and safeguard public health, join us in urging Congress to create a permanent and dedicated federal funding source!    On July 15, 2009, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) introduced H.R.3202, which would create such a trust fund. While the bill is excellent in many respects, it should be strengthened to ensure public dollars go to public water systems, not to subsidize corporate profits of private water companies. By signing below, you can show your support for a Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund that protects and strengthens our publicly owned water and wastewater systems.  Urge Your Congressperson to Support The Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund by Signing Below!

Take Action to Protect the Tongass Forest from Clearcutting!--In a stunning blow to the environment, the Obama Administration just approved a clearcut of 382 acres of timber in a roadless area of Alaska's Tongass National Forest.   Stop the clearcut! >>

Take Action to Protect Water!--On June 22, 2009, the Supreme Court ruled that the Clean Water Act permits a mining company to pump hundreds of thousands of gallons per day of toxic wastewater slurry into an Alaskan lake, killing its fish and aquatic life.   Keep our water clean and protect our valuable wildlife! >>

Take Action to Protect California's State Parks!--The state of California is a national leader in preserving resources. Yet right now, over 200 state parks are in danger of closure if Governor Schwarzenegger's budget plan is approved.  Help California save its state parks by signing the petition today. »

Act Now to Prevent Another Gulf Disaster!--We know that an oil and gas spill of such magnitude would result in a disaster far greater than that caused by the Exxon Valdez.   That's why Food & Water Watch, along with our committed activists, is speaking out to prevent such a horror. Write now to the Secretary of the Interior and Congress to prevent a disaster.  British oil giant BP owns and operates a giant oil and gas platform in the Gulf of Mexico. They call their rig "Atlantis." And Atlantis is already leaking.  Food & Water Watch recently became aware of significant and deadly dangers surrounding Atlantis. First of all, Atlantis sits in an already-vulnerable area threatened by the current hurricane season. It would make sense that such a location would require putting safety above all else. Instead, we have learned:

In an effort to prevent the destruction of human and marine life and environs, and to prevent harm to thousands of workers and their livelihood in the Gulf, Food & Water Watch has already written to Secretary Salazar at the Department of the Interior to ask that continuing construction on the platform be stopped. Food & Water Watch is also calling for an investigation and Congressional hearings. And now we need your voice behind us.  Write today to prevent another Gulf disaster.

Tell Your Senators to Support a Strong Energy Reform Bill!--Last month, the House passed the clean energy jobs bill--and it was your calls, faxes and visits to House members that made this critical first step towards a clean energy economy possible.  Now the fight moves to the Senate, where we'll have to keep organizing and pushing for the strongest bill possible.  But the forces of the failed status quo--Big Oil, Dirty Coal, and the "just say no to everything" crowd--are already pulling out all the stops to derail it.  Your senators need to hear from you today. Send a one-click fax and tell them to support a strong clean energy jobs bill: http://www.1sky.org/senate-fax

Take Action to Stop Mining in National Parks!--One million acres of prime wolf, bear, and salmon habitat adjacent to Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks could be opened to new federal mining claims with the stroke of a pen. Closed to mining since 1971, these wild Alaska lands are integral to Bristol Bay's salmon-rich ecosystem that is anchored by these two grand national parks. A recommendation from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to lift this mineral closure and expand a modern day gold rush was issued in the last days of the Bush Administration and we need your help to send this bad idea back to the drawing board.  BLM recommended opening more lands to mining, but their faulty analysis failed to conduct sufficient scientific research on the impacts that these new mining claims would have on the region's fish and wildlife. Plus, BLM's decision ignored the overwhelming opposition of local residents and indigenous tribes! A new report issued by NPCA's Center for State of the Parks clearly identifies this proposed mining district immediately adjacent to Lake Clark as the single biggest threat to one of America's most pristine and wild national parks.  Take Action: BLM's plan needs to be reworked with the region's globally significant salmon and wildlife values taken into consideration. Please send a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar asking him to take no action on the recommendation and to send this plan back to the drawing board instead of signing BLM's proposed order lifting the mineral closure.

Tell Pres. Obama to Put His Nuclear Plans in Writing!--President Obama is in the midst of rewriting US nuclear policy for the next decade. Right now he is under immense pressure to water down his vision of US leadership towards a world without nuclear weapons. That's why it is so crucial that he hear our support now, so he can truly make the goal of a nuclear weapons free world official US policy. Please ask him to put his vision in writing now.

Protect Natural Habitat's for Woodland Creatures!--America's public lands provide vital habitat for our fish and wildlife, clean air, water and ample opportunity for recreation. But our multi-purpose lands are under increasing pressure from resource development, energy production and global warming.  We need to restore balanced, sustainable management of our country's natural resources and wildlife.   Urge Congress to improve the stewardship of our public lands »

Take Action against rBGH!--We recently had a great victory when Kathleen Sebelius, then Governor of Kansas, vetoed a bill that would have restricted rBGH-free labeling on dairy products.  She's since become the Secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, which gives us a great opportunity for her to take even bigger action on protecting consumers from rBGH.  Can you thank Sebelius for her leadership on this issue and ask her to re-examine the approval of rBGH?

NO GE Foods!--In the last months of the Bush Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed some bad rules that significantly weaken the oversight of genetically engineered crops.  These rules are bad for consumers, the environment, and would allow the biotechnology industry to regulate itself.  Can you demand that the Obama Administration ditch the Bush rules, and make rules that will adequately regulate genetically engineered crops?

No Toxic Food!--Have you ever ordered catfish at a restaurant?  You probably assumed you were getting a southern freshwater fish, commonly breaded and fried to a golden brown.  In turns out there's a good chance you were eating a similar whitefish from Vietnam or China.  These imported catfish are not currently subject to the same food safety standards as U.S. catfish.  Can you ask Secretary Vilsack to hold these imported fish to the same high food safety standards?

Stop Polluters from Dictating Energy Policy!--Big Oil and Coal lobbyists are pressuring Congress to weaken legislation that puts America on the path to slash the carbon emissions that cause global warming 80 percent by 2050, a signal accomplishment necessary to preserve the planet for future generations.  Don't let Big Oil, Coal, and the other benefactors of the dirty energy status quo weaken the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). Deliver a letter to your Representative's office today!
 

Take Action for Clean Air!--Congress is voting on the big energy bill next week. But the latest version of the energy bill would repeal a key part of the Clean Air Act¹—arguably the most important environmental law in American history.  Big coal companies want to revoke President Obama's authority to crack down on global warming pollution from their dirty power plants—and they're on the verge of winning.  If they succeed, the oldest and dirtiest coal plants could keep destroying the climate for years to come. And this change could pave the way for 100 new coal plants, which would pollute our communities with smog, soot, mercury, and global warming pollution.²The big vote is next week. Can you tell Congress not to repeal this Clean Air Act provision? Clicking here will add your name: http://pol.moveon.org/cleanairact/o.pl?id=16386-5425778-Gy_FcEx&t=3

Take Action for Clean Energy!--You've probably heard how Big Oil and Coal industry lobbyists have weakened the energy bill significantly. Congress will vote in less than two weeks. If you're an environmental activist or professional, or involved in a local environmental group, you can help strengthen the energy bill.  Today, we're launching StrengthenIt.org to make sure Congress hears from local environmentalists who want a stronger energy bill. Many members of Congress are looking to local environmental leaders to help them figure out whether to fight to strengthen the bill.  Can you sign the Strengthen It Now Clean Energy Letter? Sign at:  http://www.StrengthenIt.org

Take A Stand to Regulate the Coal Industry!--The tragic Tennessee coal disaster that flooded hundreds of acres with toxic coal ash containing lead, mercury and other hazardous wastes late last year brought the need for enforceable regulation to television screens in living rooms across America.  As efforts to truly safeguard our communities from toxic coal pollution get underway, Senators Brownback and Conrad, at the coal industry's bidding, are already trying to prevent progress by putting pressure on the EPA to relax standards to protect communities from this toxic waste.  Send a message to your Senators asking them to reject Senators Brownback and Conrad's sign on letter that seeks to preserve the dangerous status quo of relaxed coal ash pollution standards.
 

Take Action Against Irradiation!--The Obama Administration is considering nominating Dr. Michael Doyle, a proponent of food irradiation, for Under Secretary of Food Safety.  If this sounds familiar, it's because the Administration was forced to stop considering Michael Osterholm, another irradition proponent, for the same position after thousands of folks like you spoke up. Tell Secretary Vilsack and the Obama Administration that you still don't think irradiation is the answer to our food safety problems.

Call it "No Tree Left Behind" – a bill to give away public land in the Tongass National Forest to a notorious clearcutter.  Don't let Sealaska Corporation get its way in Congress. Tell your Representative: our Tongass needs conservation, not clearcutting.

Take Action for Safe Tomatoes!--N.J. fines Florida-based tomato grower one million dollars for misuse of pesticides  Calling the violations "the most serious...ever uncovered," the state Department of Environmental Protection fined a Florida tomato growing company nearly $1 million for improperly using pesticides on 17 fields it operates in New Jersey, putting workers and consumers alike in jeopardy.  Ag-Mart Produce Inc., which has an office in Cedarville, Cumberland County, is already facing fines and charges of pesticide misuse in North Carolina, where female employees claim their babies were born with serious defects...   --The Star Ledger, 1/29/09  According to news reports, New Jersey’s state Department of Environmental Protection cited Ag-Mart for hundreds of violations, claiming Ag-Mart denied state investigators access to facilities, applied pesticides to tomatoes more frequently than permitted and on 17 occasions harvested and shipped pesticide-sprayed tomatoes before they were safe for public consumption.  The state also charged Ag-Mart with careless record-keeping, failing to properly ventilate areas during pesticide use, failing to post pesticide-safety information for workers, using forbidden mixtures of pesticides and losing track of a 2.5-gallon container of toxic insecticide. The fines linked to the violations total $931,250.  In a statement put out by the NJ Department of Pesticides, Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello said, "Ag-Mart has repeatedly shown a stunning disregard of laws and regulations intended to protect the workers who harvest their tomatoes, the people who consume them and New Jersey's environment. Ag-Mart's pesticide violations are the most serious DEP inspectors have ever uncovered. We have imposed a record-high penalty not only to hold Ag-Mart accountable for their failure, but to make sure it doesn't happen again."   It’s great that New Jersey took action. But more needs to be done on a national level.  We need the federal EPA to protect us from big companies like Ag-Mart who deal on a national scale and have repeat violations.  President Obama has just appointed a new head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa Jackson, who also hails from New Jersey.  In a January 23 memo to her new EPA staff, Jackson said, “It is clear that we are not doing an adequate job of assessing and managing the risks of chemicals in consumer products, the workplace and the environment. It is now time to revise and strengthen EPA's chemicals management and risk assessment programs.”  This is an admirable goal. Please e-mail EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and tell her we look forward to seeing it put into action.

Oil and Polar Bears Don't Mix!--The icy waters of the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, north of Alaska, are home to the entire American population of polar bears.  Thanks to George Bush, these waters might also become home to a massive and dangerous network of oil rigs and pipelines. Tell President Obama's new Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to revoke Bush's plan to drill in the 'Polar Bear Seas.'

Tell Pres. Obama to Protect Alaska's Rainforest!--The inauguration of President Obama could mean the end of an eight-year assault on America's last pristine forests. We need your help to make sure the Obama administration makes a new commitment to protecting these remaining wildlands for generations to come.  Please go to http://www.savebiogems.org/tongass/takeaction and urge President Obama to take immediate action to preserve the old growth wilderness of Alaska's Tongass National Forest.

Tell USDA--NO "Organic" Factory Farms!--Many consumers are willing to pay more for organic milk because of what the label represents - cows grazing on pastures and farmers using organic methods that are good for animals, the environment, and consumer health. But for years the USDA has not enforced strong organic dairy standards, allowing factory farm dairies with thousands of animals to be certified organic.  Tell the USDA there's no such thing as an organic factory farm!