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DEFENDING ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA
May 23, 2006
"New technologies will change how we live and how we drive our cars which all will have the beneficial effect of improving the environment and in my judgment we need to set aside whether or not greenhouse gases have been caused by mankind or because of natural effects and focus on the technologies that will enable us to live better lives and at the same time protect the environment." - President Bush in response to Al Gore's documentary on global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth" https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,kf59,o7l,6ojk,k6s4,dazy,eylb
(1) Fuel Economy: I Want My MPG!
(2) Smart Energy Solutions: Kicking the Oil Habit
(3) Take Action: Tell Congress to Protect the Artic Refuge!
(4) Take Action: Subscribe to the Insider
1. Fuel Economy: I Want My MPG!
Fuel economy is on the minds of many Americans as they prepare to take to the roads this Memorial Day. Although taking public transportation, walking, and biking are among the best ways to reduce fuel consumption, sometimes driving is the only option. To get the most out of a tank of gas, vehicles should be well-tuned and have proper tire pressure. Under-inflated tires account for 4 million gallons of wasted gas per day in the United States. Packing light can also have a significant impact on fuel consumption; a loaded roof rack decreases fuel economy by five percent. While we wait for our leaders in Washington to increase fuel economy standards are raised, smart driving decisions can help protect your wallet and the environment. Sierra Club's updated I Want My MPG site can show you how much money, gas and pollution your own car could save with higher fuel economy.
Use our MPG Calculator to figure out how much you'd save if fuel economy standards were raised. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,kf59,o7l,m7il,9r9j,dazy,eylb
Learn more about improving fuel economy. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,kf59,o7l,5692,dnxw,dazy,eylb
2. Smart Energy Solutions: Kicking the Oil Habit
The Rappahannock League for Environmental Projection hosted the first annual Piedmont Alternative Energy Project last week. Almost 700 people attended the expo, which provided the latest information on energy technologies that can move the nation away from dependence on fossil fuels for use in buildings and motor vehicles. On display were solar photovoltaic panels, water heating systems, biodiesel and vegetable diesel, electronic toys that run on solar energy, hybrid automobiles, and much more.
Read about the alternative energy solutions displayed at the event. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,kf59,o7l,8ppe,l21f,dazy,eylb
Learn more about smart energy solutions. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,kf59,o7l,dmqz,d0xo,dazy,eylb
3. Take Action: Tell Congress to Protect the Artic Refuge!
America is still addicted to oil, oil companies are drowning in record high profits, and average American families are feeling the pinch at the pump. But instead of acting to cut America's oil dependence by putting smart energy solutions to work, the Bush administration and its allies in Congress are once again aiming their sights on opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. This week, the House of Representatives will vote on yet another bill by Rep. Pombo to open up the Arctic Refuge to drilling. In as soon as two weeks, Congress will have the chance to vote on smart energy solutions -- by increasing fuel economy standards.
Tell Congress to Protect the Arctic Refuge! Allowing drilling in our last protected wild areas, such as the Arctic Refuge, is nothing but another giant gift to oil companies that won't help bring down the price of gas or end our dangerous oil addiction. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,kf59,o7l,bgj8,exnp,dazy,eylb
Tell Congress to support the Boehlert-Markey amendment to raise fuel economy standards to 33 miles per gallon by 2016. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,kf59,o7l,lay1,9ohd,dazy,eylb
4. Take Action: Subscribe to the Sierra Club Insider
Are you a Sierra Club Insider? Sent our every two weeks, the Insider provides you with the latest environmental news, green living tips, info on issues to take action on, great outdoor trips, new books and movies to check out, special offers and more.
The Insider is your guide to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet! Check out the Insider archives and subscribe today. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,kf59,o7l,k79v,e8oc,dazy,eylb
"This is the year that global warming went from theoretical problem to 'holy #$%@!' The year everyone finally began to understand on a gut level what the scientists have been saying for more than a decade: that what we do now will determine whether we get to pass a similar planet on to our kids or trigger the earth's sixth great extinction crisis." - Author Bill McKibben discussing this year's hurricanes, warm winter and drought in the June issue of Men's Journal.
(1) Global Warming: An Inconvenient Truth
(2) Mountaintop Removal Mining: History Repeating
(3) Take Action: Tell Your Representative to Act Now to Protect our Water, Coasts and Forests
(4) Take Action: Support the Boehlert-Markey Fuel Economy Legislation
1. Global Warming: An Inconvenient Truth
Highly anticipated film "An Inconvenient Truth" opens next week in theaters nationwide. The film, wildly successful at this year's Sundance Film Festival, offers viewers a look at Al Gore's fervent crusade to halt global warming in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. "An Inconvenient Truth" paints an engaging portrait of Gore's "traveling global warming show" and brings home the message that fighting global warming is the biggest moral challenge facing our civilization.
Watch the trailer and find a theater near you playing the movie: https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k9b8,o7l,6ojk,k6s4,dazy,eylb
Take action in your own city to fight global warming: https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k9b8,o7l,a9ji,l9a0,dazy,eylb
2. Mountaintop Removal Mining: History Repeating
Last week, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named West Virginia's Blair Mountain, the site of our country's largest-ever labor struggle, as one of America's 11 Most Endangered Places. Over eighty years ago, 10,000 coal miners rose up against armed federal troops there in defense of their right to unionize. Now, mining companies want to blow up this integral piece of American history in search of coal -- ignoring the rights of communities once again, on the very same spot. The Sierra Club and various local organizations are involved in a campaign to get Blair Mountain listed in the National Register of Historic Places. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k9b8,o7l,k65c,m9c9,dazy,eylb
Explore the history of Blair Mountain and the efforts of historians, local citizens and environmentalists to protect this unique place. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k9b8,o7l,25gg,cspx,dazy,eylb
3. Take Action: Tell Your Representative to Act Now to Protect our Water, Coasts and Forests
The Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, which sets spending levels for programs that protect the environment and public health, will be on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. A number of pro- environment amendments that protect our public health and natural resources will be considered. The Oberstar/Leach/Dingell Clean Water amendment is aimed at protecting ALL of our nation's waters under the Clean Water Act so that we all have access to safe drinking water and waters for recreation. Two others focus on protecting our coasts and oceans from destructive offshore natural gas drilling, and ending decades of subsidies that support clear-cut logging in our largest national forests.
Tell your representative to support these important amendments: https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k9b8,o7l,ieb7,9bgw,dazy,eylb
4. Take Action: Support the Boehlert-Markey Fuel Economy Legislation
Rising gas prices are taking their toll on American families. With booming demand and limited supply driving prices up to around $3 per gallon in much of the country, the need to boost fuel economy for all new cars, trucks, and SUVs has never been clearer. Congress is voting soon on a piece of legislation sponsored by Reps. Boehlert and Markey that would raise fuel economy standards to 33 miles per gallon within ten years.
Under this plan, the United States would save 2.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2020 -- an amount of oil equal to what the U.S. currently imports from the Persian Gulf.
Tell your Representative to support the Boehlert-Markey fuel economy legislation. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k9b8,o7l,lay1,9ohd,dazy,eylb
URBAN EDENS
Learn how ordinary citizens are restoring our great American cities in a new PBS series, "Edens Lost & Found." Check local listings and learn more at www.edenslostandfound.org
"I can't breathe on my own. I gotta have a machine to do it. The air in the Wilmington area is the cause of this." - Edward Mora, resident of Wilmington, CA, from his hospital bed. Mora is one of the people featured in "Breathless in L.A.," the newest episode of Sierra Club Chronicles, which airs Thursday on Link TV. Forty percent of the goods imported to the U.S. arrive in Wilmington's Port of L.A. everyday, and this traffic and accompanying air pollution cause severe health problems for residents like Mora. Tune in to see how they've united to defend their rights and their health. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k3ba,o7l,w1v,ggqu,dazy,eylb
(1) ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY: Bald Eagles, Manatees and California Condors
(2) MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL MINING: Healing Mountains
(3) TAKE ACTION: Support the Boehlert-Markey Fuel Economy Legislation
(4) TAKE ACTION: Tell Your Representatives to Protect All of Our Waters
1. ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY: Bald Eagles, Manatees and California Condors
On May 11, America will celebrate Endangered Species Day, the first-ever national celebration of our country's commitment to protecting our unique wildlife. The goal of Endangered Species Day is to educate people about the importance of protecting our rare, threatened, and endangered animal and plant species, and to highlight the everyday actions that can be taken to help safeguard them. "The day is also a day to step back and recognize all the great achievements of the Endangered Species Act," says Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director. "The fish, wildlife and plants that we celebrate today have teetered at the brink of extinction but found the road to recovery thanks to these important protections."
You can help protect the Endangered Species Act by signing our petition. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k3ba,o7l,1661,k5le,dazy,eylb When you're done, spread the word to with an Endangered Species e-card. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k3ba,o7l,gp6j,bnbu,dazy,eylb
2. MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL MINING: Healing Mountains
"Strip mining on steroids" -- that's what those who have seen it call mountaintop removal mining. It's heartbreaking to read about the communities mountaintop removal has destroyed, the homes it has wrecked, the peaks it has blown up, the valleys and streams it has filled with waste, but there's nothing like seeing this devastating type of mining up close and hearing from those affected by it. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k3ba,o7l,in2y,5cn9,dazy,eylb 1roco03 Come learn about mountaintop removal and the widespread community resistance (www.mountainjusticesummer.org) to it at the Heartwood Forest Council and Summit for the Mountains. The Memorial Day weekend event will include flyovers of mountaintop removal mining sites, lectures by renowned anti-MTR activists including "The Appalachians" producer Mari-Lynn Evans, film screenings, and live music and entertainment. https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k3ba,o7l,lhdy,hp4e,dazy,eylb
Learn more about mountain top removal and what you can do to help: https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k3ba,o7l,910f,iibe,dazy,eylb
3. TAKE ACTION: Support the Boehlert-Markey Fuel Economy Legislation
Rising gas prices are taking their toll on American families. With booming demand and limited supply driving prices up to around $3 per gallon in much of the country, the need to boost fuel economy for all new cars, trucks, and SUVs has never been clearer. Congress is voting soon on a piece of legislation sponsored by Reps. Boehlert and Markey that would raise fuel economy standards to 33 miles per gallon within ten years.
Under this plan, the United States would save 2.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2020 -- an amount of oil equal to what the U.S. currently imports from the Persian Gulf.
Tell your Representative to support the Boehlert-Markey fuel economy legislation: https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k3ba,o7l,lay1,9ohd,dazy,eylb
4. TAKE ACTION: Tell Your Representatives to Protect All of Our Waters
Since January 2003, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers have been following a misguided policy of refusing to enforce the Clean Water Act in many U.S. waters on the basis that they are "isolated." This policy has left thousands of wetlands, headwater streams, lakes, ponds and even some rivers without any federal anti-pollution safeguards.
Next week, Representative Oberstar and others will offer a Clean Water amendment to the Fiscal Year 2007 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill when it is on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Urge your Representative to protect ALL U.S. waters and to support Oberstar's amendment: https://info.sierraclub.org/ct.html?rtr=on&s=arz,k3ba,o7l,dpz7,e8pl,dazy,eylb
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