Go vegetarian to save planet, scientists tell Government

Scientists from the University of East Anglia analysed existing data
on the nutritional and environmental effects of different kinds of
foods.

Eating less beef, sugar, and cheese, as well as drinking less tea and
coffee, were recommended, as well as eating more pulses and cereals.

The report was commissioned by the Food Standards Agency to try to
change the way people cook and eat.

Other recommendations included eating more seasonal produce to reduce
transportation and switching to microwave ovens and pressure cookers
to use less energy in preparing food.

The report suggests that schools, hospitals and other public bodies
should be expected to lead a change in national behaviour by putting
food on their menus which has contributed little to greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions.

The report noted: "The highest GHG emissions are associated with beef,
cheese, coffee, tea and cocoa consumption."

--
full story:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/8079534/Go-vegetarian-to-save-planet-scientists-tell-Government.html

U.S. Interior Department proposes international ban on the trade in polar bears

Animal rights groups today praised the U.S. Department of the Interior
for submitting a proposal to ban the international trade in polar
bears.

If approved by the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora at its meeting next March
in Qatar, the proposal would make commercial trade in polar bears
illegal. Currently, international commercial trade is regulated.

The ban would not apply to native subsistence hunting of polar bears.

"International trade in polar bear parts and products is exacerbating
the devastating impact that climate change is already having on the
polar bear," said Teresa M. Telecky, director of wildlife for Humane
Society International.

--
full story:
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/10/us_interior_department_propose.html

Yellowstone Grizzlies Back on Endangered Species List

Written by Daniel Hohler

Published on September 23rd, 2009Posted in Action & Activism, Endangered Species, Environmental & Climate Science, Environmental Policies, Legislation, Nature & Conservation


In 2007 federal protections were dropped for the protection of Yellowstone grizzlies. Ever since then, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition have been fighting to give protection back to the bears. They argued that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) failed to address the loss of essential food sources for the bears, whitebark pine seeds and cutthroat trout.

On Monday, September 21 they finally achieved what they were fighting for when Judge Donald Molloy ruled that inadequate regulatory mechanisms were put in place to manage the bears. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and six other groups, represented by Earthjustice, have a similar case pending in Idaho.



Whitebark pine forests are being decimated by a variety of threats that have emerged in high elevation environments as a result of climate change. Researchers worry that the trees, and the major food source for bears, are on the road to extinction.

“The Fish and Wildlife Service tried to pretend there wasn’t a problem, even as two key grizzly foods, cutthroat trout and whitebark pine, collapsed and mortalities went through the roof. A record 79 bears died last year, or 13% of the population, according to federal estimates.” - Louisa Willcox, senior wildlife advocate for NRDC

The judge’s decision came off scientific evidence that the grizzly’s habitat is in decline and cannot support the bear population. At least 18 bears have already been found dead in the Northern Rockies this year, and the population continues to crash. Federal protection is back for the bear, but environmental groups have been working hard to get whitebark pine on the endangered list as well. If the tree gets on the endangered list it will also provide additional protection for grizzlies. You read more about the petition below.

NRDC’s whitebark pine petition is available at http://docs.nrdc.org/legislation/files/leg_08120801a.pdf

Source: Nature Resources Defense Council

Image Credit: Lance McCord on Flicker

EARTH MEANDERS-ESSAY

EARTH MEANDERS

Ecological Overshoot: Climate, Inequity and Corruption

A call for reluctant Earth revolutionaries to unite and slay the economic growth machine consuming ecological being.September 20, 2009By Dr. Glen Barry, Ecological InternetEarth Meanders come from Earth's Newsdesk, http://www.ecoearth.info/newsdesk/http://www.ecoearth.info/earthmeanders/

A disease is ravaging Earth as ever more people, consume ever more, destroying natural ecosystems that are our shared habitat. In a few short centuries the violent, expansionist and deeply ecologically unsustainable Western mindset has become virtually universally accepted. The meaning of life is more, ever more of everything, at the expense of a finite biosphere. The emptiness of such a vacuous worldview is revealed through changing climate, devastating human inequities and an irredeemably corrupt economic system.More than just a climate crisis, humanity is facing profound over-population and injustice that are spurring dozens of inter-related ecological and social crises. Billions suffer as their basic human needs go unmet, while billions more gorge themselves. Forests, prairies, streams, rivers, estuaries, wetlands, lakes, soil, oceans, air and all the rest are all life's flesh and blood. Humanity, Earth and kindred species have entered the late stage condition of ecological overshoot -- whereby our cumulative demands upon ecosystems exceeds their life-giving capacity and causes them to collapse. We are eating creation. Hardly anyone is thinking or acting at the necessary scale to avert global ecological Armageddon. Market based solutions are pervasive with corruption and inequity. Nothing we do is going to maintain an affluent life, as it is now for some. Widespread economic decline will certainly accompany abrupt climate change and global ecosystem collapse; indeed, it has begun. If existing political systems are unable to deal with the inevitable collapse of the growth machine, at the same time as pursuing rigorous environmental policy-making, then new political structures will be necessary. A stewardship revolution that maintains life of some worthy, habitable sort is possible. Surely in a free country whose liberty came from such means, we can talk about revolutionary violence, as Thomas Jefferson said would continue to be necessary. "The blood of tyrants and patriots must flow to renew the soil." What could be more glorious than fighting, and perhaps dying, for the Earth, and maybe even succeeding in saving her (and us)?It is time for a credible revolutionary threat to protect the biosphere. What is needed is a steady ratcheting up of pressure – protests, sit-ins, sabotage, assassinations -- giving opponents every opportunity to respond to reasoned arguments – and culminating in guerrilla warfare and whatever else is necessary to save the Earth. If a few thousand insurrectionists can tie up the American military in Iraq, think what dedicated, highly decentralized and autonomous groups of tens of thousands of Earth insurgents could do to bring down industrial capitalism and the Earth eating growth machine.People power protest culminating in an Earth Revolution needs to be done urgently yet thoughtfully. Not speaking of mob rule or rioting -- that is what is coming from the status quo. We are speaking of highly disciplined, targeted protests including the possible use of violence to bring down the equipment and individuals responsible for destroying global ecosystems, and herald in a new ecologically sustainable, just and equitable way of living with the land, water and sky. Living must become a matter of what you can give to ecosystems, and others with whom you share being, rather than only being concerned with what you can take.Economic growth cannot continue forever if greenhouse gases are to be curbed, and the myriad of other eco-crises solved. Efforts to cap and trade, certify, sustainably manage and otherwise reform our way out of the situation are orders of magnitude inadequate and failing. Free markets appear to inherently be unable to price carbon and other externalities. It is becoming increasingly unlikely (if not impossible) that current political and business growth systems can reform in time to maintain the ecosystems necessary for life.The looming death of Gaia and most or all being is no one's fault, or rather, it is all our faults. As many species have done previously, we have collectively overgrazed our habitat. We simply must immediately allow traditional ecological disturbance, regeneration and succession patterns to again operate. The industrial growth machine must be powered off and we must herald in an era of ecological stewardship and restoration. Even while we organize and pursue revolutionary action; each of us must plant, tend and restore our Earth's natural ecosystems and permaculture gardens, and help others to do so.Only dramatic and immediate revolutionary action to destroy the growth machine offers any hope of maintaining a livable Earth. We must commit to stopping burning and cutting -- antiquated means to make a living -- indeed killing those that refuse to stop. Rich people are setting themselves up to be fine in geo-engineered comfort while sacrificing the poor who no longer have free ecosystem services to sustain them. There can be no engineering of a biosphere; indeed, thinking we can has brought us to this moment. We must return to nature. We must hold onto our humanity as we collapse and renew ourselves. Earth Revolution is as much about helping those that want to reconnect to Earth as it is sabotaging equipment and killing people directly responsible for ecocide. This means sharing food and water, shelter and clothing. But bring those responsible for ecocide to justice, utterly destroying them, their institutions and their equipment. The must be no indiscriminate terror, but if our warnings go unheeded, targeted violence against known ecological criminals is justified and warranted.Given the momentum of nearly seven billion seeking to be super-consumers , do not see any other way to stop the forces of destruction other than a revolution. There is absolutely no way current energy and other resource use-- much less expected growth in population and per capital consumption -- can be produced either from agrofuels or more drilling. Humans have hit the biogeochemical limits of a finite planet, and each of us must seek what is enough, rather than always more.It is well past time to be men and women of fortitude, set aside our computers and amusements, and commit our minds and bodies to stopping the destruction of being. We must demand more courage and less corruption from ourselves and our leaders. The Arctic has already been changed forever. Soon your neighborhood, ecosystem and bioregion will be too (if you really look, almost certainly it is already). Please, as I do, take the end of human being through needless habitat destruction personally.Part of the solution is allowing people to get back to Earth on their own plot of land. How we live in the future will be by necessity less urban. We will be called upon to make do with what is in our bioregion. Let me make some further suggestions to you. Acquire land and seeds. Make or restore an Earth friendly shelter and plant trees and permaculture forest gardens. Prepare to live in your changing bioregion. Go back to the land. Ecologically farm and restore as you connect with like minded Earth revolutionaries to clandestinely carry out escalating protest, sabotage and guerrilla war.I urge you to really think about what is necessary -- both personally and in terms of social change -- to sustain being, and committing to it. Token managerial reforms of the antiquated ecologically damaging activities of burning and cutting are not enough. Technology is not going to save us. Market campaigns using glamorous celebrities are not enough. Petitioning our leaders is not going to save us. Personal efforts will only get you and Gaia so far. Only escalating protest action targeting the destroyers, their equipment and their Earth eating worldview can still avert biosphere disintegration.Set aside your best efforts at ecological denial, acknowledge the task before us, and join with others in becoming a reluctant revolutionary. An Earth insurgency could topple the growth machine in a day, though it may take years. The sooner the better, as more ecological remnants will exist to serve as the basis of ecological restoration. Even as we pursue revolutionary strategies and tactics to maintain a habitable Earth, commit to remaining free and humane. The answer is neither tyranny of the left nor right. Above all else we must achieve global ecological sustainability through just and equitable means.Protest and restore natural ecosystems including old forests right now. Work with others to destroy coal, tar sands, fishing trawlers, oil palm, industrial agriculture, pipelines and ancient forest loggers. Start today. Now continued human existence depends upon your courage, ecological wisdom and taking direct lethal action in defense of our shared ecological heritage. Each of us and together will transition to a state of ecological grace, quickly, and through action against the Earth destroyers, or we will all die a horrific and barbaric death together as being ends. If we choose to fight for Earth there is hope, otherwise there is none. Share the anguish of not knowing if revolutionary violence is the answer or not. But it has to be considered comprehensively, thoroughly and quickly. Prove me wrong and demonstrate how to ecologically sufficiently address converging eco-crises in a couple years time within current economic and political systems. Yet revolution is almost certainly the only possible way to sustain and restore healthy ecosystems as the basis of human civilization and all life. Be strong, slay the growth machine, for Gaia.###

Discuss essay:http://www.ecoearth.info/blog/2009/09/earth_meanders_ecological_over.asp

This is an excerpt from Dr. Glen Barry's forthcoming new book entitled "New Earth Rising". Sadly, this will not be finished by Copenhagen, though we intend to publish the introduction soon as we begin serializing it at http://www.newearthrising.org/.

We eagerly seek a publisher and financial backers to finish the book which is nearing completion.---

Liberia's Plans to Resume Industrial Primary Rainforest Logging Already Plagued by Corruption as Samling Poised to Pounce

ACTION ALERT PLEASE SHARE WIDELY!

Liberia's Plans to Resume Industrial Primary Rainforest Logging Already Plagued by Corruption as Samling Poised to Pounce

By Rainforest Rescue, http://www.rainforest-rescue.org/
with
Ecological Internet's Rainforest Portal, http://www.rainforestportal.org/

August 18, 2009

TAKE ACTION HERE NOW:
http://www.rainforestportal.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=liberia_logging_resume


The fact notorious illegal loggers Samling of Malaysia; who have devastated rainforests globally including those of the Penan, are surreptitiously in contention for Liberian logging contracts illustrates, despite decades of failed reform efforts locally and internationally, that the global industrial tropical timber logging industry remains irredeemably corrupt. There is no evidence first time industrial logging of primary forests is ever ecologically sustainable or reduces poverty. Please call upon Liberian President to pursue development based upon standing rainforests, and reject entirely the resumption of industrial logging.

NOTE: After sending this protest you are forwarded to several crucial ongoing alerts, which we ask you to please send as well.

MORE INFORMATION AND TAKE ACTION NOW:
http://www.rainforestportal.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=liberia_logging_resume


DISCUSS THIS ALERT:
http://www.rainforestportal.org/issues/2009/08/alert_liberias_plans_to_resume.asp

The Meat of the Problem Is Meat

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18688.cfm

By Ezra Klein
The Washington Post, July 29, 2009
Straight to the Source


[Editor's Note: The OCA believes in eating organic, grass-fed, humanely raised meat if you feel that you can't live without meat in your diet. But we also applaud vegetarians and vegans, as well as those who are helping to reduce their carbon and ecological footprints by cutting back on meat consumption. This article might oversimplify the issues a bit in respect to these options, but the OCA commends the Washington Post for covering the relationship between climate change and industrial agriculture so well.]

The debate over climate change has reached a rarefied level of policy abstraction in recent months. Carbon tax or cap-and-trade? Upstream or downstream? Should we auction permits? Head-scratching is, at this point, permitted. But at base, these policies aim to do a simple thing, in a simple way: persuade us to undertake fewer activities that are bad for the atmosphere by making those activities more expensive. Driving an SUV would become pricier. So would heating a giant house with coal and buying electricity from an inefficient power plant. But there's one activity that's not on the list and should be: eating a hamburger.

If it's any consolation, I didn't like writing that sentence any more than you liked reading it. But the evidence is strong. It's not simply that meat is a contributor to global warming; it's that it is a huge contributor. Larger, by a significant margin, than the global transportation sector.

According to a 2006 United Nations report, livestock accounts for 18 percent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Some of meat's contribution to climate change is intuitive. It's more energy efficient to grow grain and feed it to people than it is to grow grain and turn it into feed that we give to calves until they become adults that we then slaughter to feed to people. Some of the contribution is gross. "Manure lagoons," for instance, is the oddly evocative name for the acres of animal excrement that sit in the sun steaming nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. And some of it would make Bart Simpson chuckle. Cow gas -- interestingly, it's mainly burps, not farts -- is a real player.

But the result isn't funny at all: Two researchers at the University of Chicago estimated that switching to a vegan diet would have a bigger impact than trading in your gas guzzler for a Prius (PDF). A study out of Carnegie Mellon University found that the average American would do less for the planet by switching to a totally local diet than by going vegetarian one day a week. That prompted Rajendra Pachauri, the head of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to recommend that people give up meat one day a week to take pressure off the atmosphere. The response was quick and vicious. "How convenient for him," was the inexplicable reply from a columnist at the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. "He's a vegetarian."

The visceral reaction against anyone questioning our God-given right to bathe in bacon has been enough to scare many in the environmental movement away from this issue. The National Resources Defense Council has a long page of suggestions for how you, too, can "fight global warming." As you'd expect, "Drive Less" is in bold letters. There's also an endorsement for "high-mileage cars such as hybrids and plug-in hybrids." They advise that you weatherize your home, upgrade to more efficient appliances and even buy carbon offsets. The word "meat" is nowhere to be found.

That's not an oversight. Telling people to give up burgers doesn't poll well. Ben Adler, an urban policy writer, explored that in a December 2008 article for the American Prospect. He called environmental groups and asked them for their policy on meat consumption. "The Sierra Club isn't opposed to eating meat," was the clipped reply from a Sierra Club spokesman. "So that's sort of the long and short of it." And without pressure to address the costs of meat, politicians predictably are whiffing on the issue. The Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill, for instance, does nothing to address the emissions from livestock.

Becoming vegan: a step to reduce impact on climate change

The film "An Inconvenient Truth" brought the issue of climate change
to the forefront of American and, to some extent, international
thought. It showed trends of our modern, industrial society and their
correlation to global warming. But one major factor was left out of
the film as a major contributor to climate change: diet.

The way we choose to eat has a direct result on climate change on a
global and local scale. There is much talk about eating local,
organic, and sustainable but what about the vegan lifestyle?

Leaving meat and other animal products off the plate may be a solution
to reduce one's impact on lands, waterways, and atmosphere. Gidon
Eshel and Pamela Martin of the University of Chicago conclude in their
report "Diet, Energy, and Global Warming" that choosing a plant-based
diet can lessen an individual's contribution to climate change more
than ditching a "clunker" for a hybrid vehicle. In addition to other
wise choices to lessen waste, veganism is a great way to be more
healthy and avoid the worst animal abuses in factory farms.

--
full story:
http://www.examiner.com/x-19017-San-Jose-Vegan-Examiner~y2009m8d6-Becoming-vegan--a-step-to-reduce-impact-on-climate-change

Why Are There Fewer Large Trees in Yosemite?

We’ve all heard the legend of Johnny Appleseed, the legendary apple tree planter of the United States. He walked across the country with his walking stick, and a bucket of seeds, just walking and planting as he went. Everywhere he went, apple trees sprouted up. And he was a hero. It is such a hero that Yosemite is looking for now.

The number of large trees is falling in Yosemite National Park, but no Johnny can be found. And the decrease is bad news for many species, including spotted owls, mosses, orchids and fishers (a carnivore related to weasels). These species, as well as others, are losing their habitat with the loss of the trees.
And it doesn’t look like the trend is going to change any time soon. The number of large-diameter trees dropped 24 percent between the 1930s and the 1990s. With fewer trees comes fewer seeds, which means that fewer trees will grow. Such a decrease in large trees is not only detrimental to individual species, but to the entire forest as a whole. Large-diameter trees generally resist fire more than small-diameter trees, so fewer large trees could also slow forest regeneration after fires.

Another threat to the area is that areas that have not experienced fires for centuries have gone through a change. Instead of fire-tolerant ponderosas, the forest is heavy with white firs and incense cedars, which are both fire-intolerant. In burn areas, ponderosa pines remain the dominant species.

But scientists don’t know for sure what has caused the decrease in large trees. “Although this study did not investigate the causes of decline, climate change is a likely contributor to these events and should be taken into consideration,” said USGS scientist emeritus Jan van Wagtendonk. “Warmer conditions increase the length of the summer dry season and decrease the snowpack that provides much of the water for the growing season. A longer summer dry season can also reduce tree growth and vigor, and can reduce trees’ ability to resist insects and pathogens.”

With an increased vulnerability to fire and a decline in reproduction, the fate of Yosemite remains uncertain. Perhaps the forest will take care of itself (as forests used to do before man’s management); or perhaps it is a matter of greater responsibility on our part. And perhaps, one day, humankind will take responsibility for humankind and let nature take care of nature.

But until that day, I’ll keep looking for Johnny Appleseed.

More: Why plant trees?

Source: Science Daily

Urge Secretary of State Clinton to Reject Deadly Tar Sands Oil Pipelines

ACTION ALERT

Hillary's Choice: Urge Secretary of State Clinton to Reject Deadly Tar Sands Oil Pipelines

By Ecological Internet's Climate Ark Climate Change Portal
http://www.climateark.org/

July 29, 2009

TAKE ACTION HERE NOW:
http://www.climateark.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=canada_tar_sands


Alberta Canada's tar sands development is the most ecologically destructive project in the world; destroying vast natural water rich boreal ecosystems, perpetuating global addiction to fossil fuels, and ensuring abrupt climate change. Tar sands and their pipelines must be stopped using all means necessary. Please start by protesting for disapproval of massive pipelines which will facilitate continued fossil fuel dependency,

TAKE ACTION NOW:
http://www.climateark.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=canada_tar_sands


DISCUSS THIS ALERT:
http://www.climateark.org/blog/2009/07/alert-hillarys-choice-urge-sec.asp


---

Obama Administration Approves First Roadless Logging Contract

Obama Administration Approves First Roadless Logging Contract In Alaska's Tongass National Forest.
This week, the Obama administration approved the sale of timber in a roadless national forest in Alaska. The Tongass National Forest is a 17 million acre temperate rain forest in southeast Alaska, which is home to both endangered species and native Alaskan tribes. It is the largest temperate rain forest in the United States.
Full story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/16/obama-administration-appr_n_235311.html

Breaking: Greenpeace Activists Scale and Occupy Mt. Rushmore

Written by Timothy B. Hurst




[Update: 12 Greenpeace activists were arrested shortly after unfurling the banner. Possible charges range from trespass to destruction of government property. ]

At approximately 10:30 AM Mountain Time, Greenpeace activists unfurled a banner at one of America’s most iconic landmarks with a message that reads, “America honors leaders not politicians: Stop Global Warming.” The banner, measuring sixty-five feet by thirty-five feet, features an unfinished portrait of President Obama.

The demonstration comes as President Obama meets other G8 leaders in L’Aquila, Italy today to discuss the global warming crisis in the lead-up to UN climate treaty talks in Copenhagen this December.


» See also: Breaking: Greenpeace Occupy Four Italian Coal Power Stations
» Get Planetsave by RSS or sign up by email.
High winds made the unfurling of the banner especially difficult, but climbers were able to secure the banner despite the winds and pressure from fast-approaching National Park Police climbers. In a piece of twenty-first century political theater, Greenpeace also tweeted from atop the famous rock face and streamed the live video feed of the action at their website, providing color and play-by-play analysis from their communications team in D.C. and activists on the ground.



To bring attention the issue, 11 activists completed a challenging climb to the top of Mount Rushmore, and three rappelled down, hanging the nearly 2300-square-foot banner as they descended.

It was not entirely clear how the activists so easily evaded the security perimeter in the early morning hours on Wednesday, but according to Greenpeace, the highly-trained climbers took special care not to damage the monument, using existing anchors placed by the National Park Service for periodic cleanings.

“When you have individuals who are determined, who are equipped, who are organized, who are willing to do damage to government property, there’s not many systems that are fail-safe to that,” Nav Sing, spokesman for the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial told the Rapid City Journal.

The demonstration in South Dakota follows a series of protests in Italy this morning where other Greenpeace activists hung banners on smokestacks of the dirtiest coal-fired power plant in Italy, calling attention to the collective failure of leadership on global warming at the G8.


“This monument celebrates leaders who rose to the great challenges of our past,” said Greenpeace USA Deputy Campaigns Director Carroll Muffett. “Global warming is the greatest crisis humankind has ever faced and it is the defining test of leadership for this generation. It’s an open question whether President Obama will pass that test.”

“While President Obama’s speeches on global warming have been inspiring,” added Muffett, “we’ve seen a growing gap between the president’s words and his actions.”

Specifically, Greenpeace is calling on President Obama to:

• Strive to keep global temperatures as far below a 2 degrees Celsius increase as possible, compared to pre-industrial levels to avert catastrophic climate change;

• Set a goal of peaking global emissions by 2015 and be as close to zero as possible by 2050, compared to 1990 levels;

• Cut emissions in the U.S. by 25-40 percent by 2020, compared to 1990 levels;

• Join and encourage other members of the G8 to establish a funding mechanism that provides $106 billion per year by 2020 to help developing countries adapt to global warming impacts that are now unavoidable and halt tropical deforestation

Tell Papua New Guinea and British Royalty:Climate Solutions Have No Place for Continued Industrial Primary Forest Destruction!

ACTION ALERT PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY!

Tell Papua New Guinea and British Royalty: Climate Solutions Have No Place for Continued Industrial Primary Forest Destruction

By Ecological Internet's Rainforest Portal with Rainforest Rescue
http://www.rainforestportal.org/
& http://www.regenwald.org/international/englisch/

July 6, 2009

TAKE ACTION HERE NOW:
http://www.rainforestportal.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=png_redd_logging


Knighting of illegal logger and carbon market corruption plague Papua New Guinea's (PNG) attempts to receive carbon money for protecting rainforests. Let Prime Minister Somare, and England's Queen and Prince of Wales, know PNG climate and biodiversity protection under UN REDD carbon markets requires an immediate end to industrial primary rainforest destruction by logging and oil palm. And certainly no royal knighthood for criminal loggers.

TAKE ACTION NOW:
http://www.rainforestportal.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=png_redd_logging


DISCUSS THIS ALERT:
http://www.rainforestportal.org/issues/2009/07/alert_tell_papua_new_guinea_an.asp

OLD FORESTS REDD RAGE AND NEARTH REVOLUTION

Earth and her humanity need old forests to exist. And all enabling their destruction, including potential carbon markets paying for 'sustainable forest management' in primary forests, are legitimate targets for an Earth Revolution.
By Dr. Glen Barry, Ecological InternetEarth Meanders come from Earth's Newsdesk, http://www.ecoearth.info/newsdesk/http://www.ecoearth.info/earthmeanders/
For too long those feeding upon the trough of "sustainable" forestry have been perpetuating the myth that primary and old growth forests can and should be harvested using "Sustainable Forest Management" (SFM) techniques. Old Forests are key to ecosystem, biodiversity, human and the Earth System's survival. Along with other intact natural terrestrial, aquatic and marine habitats; old forests are the internal organs of the Planet and regulate the Earth System to maintain conditions conducive to life. Primary forests logged for the first time are permanently ecologically damaged in terms of composition, structure, function and dynamics.I am stunned, dumfounded and enraged at the wholesale selling out of the climate and forest, led by big environmental NGOs (BINGOs). The latest positive idea for an ecologically sustainable Earth -- Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Diminishment (REDD) -- to pay for ancient forest protection with carbon monies, is at this very moment being watered down to mean business as usual first time logging of primary forests that forever destroys ecosystems and habitats. Like "sustainable development" and "certified forestry", the REDD concept of paying for protection of old forests' carbon stores, biodiversity and ecosystem is being taken over by industry.Current thinking is that REDD will not primarily pay for avoided deforestation -- that is keeping and benefiting locally from standing old forests -- but instead pushes long-failed and mythical "sustainable forest management" in the world's remaining dwindling primary forests. Latest REDD proposals as part of the UN climate policy process focus upon paying for everything but keeping old forests standing. I am absolutely appalled at the environmental movement for rolling over on climate offsets in general, and their tolerance or promotion of "sustainable forest management" for the world's remaining primary forests, rather than strict protection. I am enraged and indignant. Well known NGO's obstinate support for Forest Stewardship Council's certification of first time primary forest logging as "well-managed", while implying sustainability, has set the stage for industrial logging to be falsely marketed as a climate change solution. On the back of NGO greenwashing, first time industrial logging of primary forests is now claimed to be beneficial to climate, never mind that most timber products are in the landfill decomposing within years, and that current and future forest carbon stores are reduced for millennia. Nothing fills me with such rage as the selling out of ancient life giving forests by greens and BINGOs. Under REDD+ UN climate proposals, sustainable forest management, clearing of primary forests to be replaced by plantations, and selective logging of never before industrially harvested forests, could all be granted carbon credits. To solve climate change, your tax monies are to be used to pay to log the last primary and old growth forests which hold and remove unbelievably vast amounts of carbon. This is like being against slavery and committing to treating your slaves better at the same time. Old forests make Earth habitable. The fact that such an ecological ignorant and ludicrous notion as logging old forests with carbon monies for alleged climate benefits is being entertained illustrates clearly the failure of Western democratic consumption system. Along with other political signals, such as ridiculously low carbon emission reduction targets being set by rich industrial economies, emerging economies refusal to reduce emissions, as well as a clear lack of understanding how these targets will be met within the dominant economic growth paradigm, all indications are that current prevailing economic and government systems are inadequate and are unable to respond to looming ecological collapse and end of being.Old forests are our home. We and many species have evolved there or nearby, and are utterly dependent upon their carbon storage, biodiversity, soil, water, wildlife, rain and other ecosystem processes they provide. Earth is faced with an unprecedented emergency as its surface is scoured of life and the ecologically cumulative biosphere collapses. Nothing impacts climate, water or oceans more than denuding natural forests. To advocate cutting down the last bits of old forests that allow us to live, to be paid for by money to address climate change, is an outrageous crime against humanity that cannot go unchallenged. I am absolutely appalled at the environmental movement for rolling over on demanding sufficient climate policy. The forest movement has been piddling about with certified forests, once off protests, demonstration projects and market campaigns for decades. Specifically, their promotion of industrial scaled "certified" or "sustainable" forest management of old forests, rather than strict protection and local community eco-forestry, illustrates the death of ecological science based free thinking adequate to solve the Earth crisis on hand. And meanwhile Earth continues to be scraped of its forest skin. The degree of corporate collaboration (including by BINGOS) to find ways to profit financially from ecological Armageddon is sickening. It is this desire for endless profit that has brought us to the edge of global ecocide. Any organization, individual, company, government, BINGO or other espousing industrial first time logging of remaining primary and old growth forests is a criminal and liable. They do not understand the imperatives of ecological science, and that our way of life is destroying the ecosystems required for our and all life. And as such they are legitimate targets for protests of many sorts. I have come to believe the only way to bring about global ecological sustainability will be an Earth Revolution to overthrow the whole stinking and unsustainable system of growth in economy, population and inequitable consumption. We are failing to maintain Earth's ecological infrastructure, and it is now time to seriously raise our game and only pursue what is necessary to ensure humanity and Gaia's shared survival. Human survival depends upon paying local peoples and governments to protect and restore old forests, while helping local peoples and governments benefit from them remaining standing. If REDD is not gotten right at Copenhagen (and ambitious short term emissions reductions targets set), than the only manner to achieve global ecological sustainability will be to overthrow the industrial growth machine. Any such Stewardship Revolution would be well advised to focus upon those that continue antiquated processes of burning and cutting Earth to death. Those scouring the Earth of biological life must no longer go unpunished. Whatever it takes, old forest logging and other industrial destruction must end now.Failure at Copenhagen and immediately after to protect old forests, put in place immediate emissions reductions, and urgently address over-population and inequitable consumption will mean our only chance of ecological survival is revolutionary action. If international efforts to address climate change instead intend to clear the last remnants of an intact global ecosystem, they will need to be resisted using all means necessary. We may or may not choose to wage war upon those we know are destroying being, but failure at Copenhagen will make violent revolution THE only way to save a habitable Earth populated by complex life including humans. For life and Earth, it is time to revolt.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS GREATEST HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGE FACING THE WORLD

Climate change is greatest humanitarian challenge facing the world as heatwaves, floods and forest fires become more severe
by John Vidal
Global Warming is already responsible for 300,000 deaths a year and isaffecting 300m people, according to the first comprehensive study of thehuman impact of global warming.
It projects that increasingly severe heatwaves, floods, storms and forestfires will be responsible for as many as 500,000 deaths a year by 2030,making it the greatest humanitarian challenge the world faces.
Economic losses due to climate change today amount to more than $125bn ayear - more than the all present world aid. The report comes from former UNsecretary general Kofi Annan's thinktank, the Global Humanitarian Forum. By2030, the report says, climate change could cost $600bn a year.
Civil unrest may also increase because of weather-related events, the reportsays: "Four billion people are vulnerable now and 500m are now at extremerisk. Weather-related disasters ... bring hunger, disease, poverty and lostlivelihoods. They pose a threat to social and political stability".
If emissions are not brought under control, within 25 years, the reportstates:
€ 310m more people will suffer adverse health consequences related totemperature increases
€ 20m more people will fall into poverty
€ 75m extra people will be displaced by climate change.
Climate change is expected to have the most severe impact on water supplies. "Shortages in future are likely to threaten food production, reducesanitation, hinder economic development and damage ecosystems. It causesmore violent swings between floods and droughts. Hundreds of millions ofpeople are expected to become water stressed by climate change by the 2030.".
The study says it is impossible to be certain who will be displaced by 2030,but that tens of millions of people "will be driven from their homelands byweather disasters or gradual environmental degradation. The problem is mostsevere in Africa, Bangladesh, Egypt, coastal zones and forest areas. ."
The study compares for the first time the number of people affected byclimate change in rich and poor countries. Nearly 98% of the peopleseriously affected, 99% of all deaths from weather-related disasters and 90%of the total economic losses are now borne by developing countries. Thepopulations most at risk it says, are in sub-Saharan Africa, the MiddleEast, south Asia and the small island states of the Pacific.
But of the 12 countries considered least at risk, including Britain, all butone are industrially developed. Together they have made nearly $72bnavailable to adapt themselves to climate change but have pledged only $400mto help poor countries. "This is less than one state in Germany is spendingon improving its flood defences," says the report.
The study comes as diplomats from 192 countries prepare to meet in Bonn nextweek for UN climate change talks aimed at reaching a global agreement toreduce greenhouse gas emissions in December in Copenhagen. "The world is ata crossroads. We can no longer afford to ignore the human impact of climatechange. This is a call to the negotiators to come to the most ambitiousagreement ever negotiated or to continue to accept mass starvartion, masssickness and mass migration on an ever growing scale," said Kofi Annan, wholaunched the report today in London.
Annan blamed politians for the current impasse in the negotiations andwidespread ignorance in many countries. "Weak leadership, as evident today,is alarming. If leaders cannot assume responsibility they will failhumanity. Agreement is in the interests of every human being."
Barabra Stocking, head of Oxfam said: "Adaptation efforts need to be scaledup dramatically.The world's poorest are the hardest hit, but they have donethe least to cause it.
Nobel peace prizewinner Wangari Maathai, said: "Climate change is life ordeath. It is the new global battlefield. It is being presented as if it isthe problem of the developed world. But it's the developed world that hasprecipitated global warming."
Calculations for the report are based on data provided by the World Bank,the World Health organisation, the UN, the Potsdam Insitute For ClimateImpact Research, and others, including leading insurance companies andOxfam. However, the authors accept that the estimates are uncertain andcould be higher or lower. The paper was reviewed by 10 of the world'sleading experts incluing Rajendra Pachauri, head of the UN'sIntergovernmental Panel On Climate Change, Jeffrey Sachs, of ColumbiaUniversity and Margareta Wahlström, assistant UN secretary general fordisaster risk reduction.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2009
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(US) PRESS RELEASE-RADICAL ENVIRONMENTALISTS OPPOSE OBAMA'S NATIONAL FUEL STANDARDS FOR 2016

Washington, D.C.: In response to the National Fuel Standards releasedby President Obama today, the North American Earth Liberation FrontPress Office (NAELFPO) called on the President, members of Congressand the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take furthersignificant action to eliminate the harmful emissions caused bypassenger vehicles and trucks.
"The 35 miles per gallon standard for passenger vehicles set for 2016does not go far enough to stop the harmful greenhouse gases that arecontributing to global warming," stated Lisa Nesbitt, spokesperson forthe NAELFPO. "With polar ice caps melting that will inevitably causesea levels to rise thereby displacing and threatening the lives ofmillions globally, the United States has a responsibility tosignificantly reduce the CO2 emissions from vehicles."
According to the NAELPO, the United States currently rates behindEurope, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and China in both milesper gallon requirements and greenhouse gas emissions. While the newnational standards set the requirement for passenger vehicles at anaverage of 35 m.p.g. by 2016, that still leaves the U.S. behindEurope, Japan and likely Australia and China. By 2016, Europeancountries project an average standard for passenger vehicles at justunder 50 m.p.g., with Japan at 48 m.p.g.
--full story:http://cleveland.indymedia.org/news/2009/05/39450.php

WORLD'S FIRST VEGETARIAN CITY!

World's first vegetarian city!! Following UN findings on climate change
http://www.fairhome%20.co.uk/2009/%2005/19/the-%20worlds-first-%20vegetarian-%20city/
The world’s first vegetarian cityby David Masters May 19, 2009

In an effort to prove that the United Nations is not completely ignored by everybody, city councillors in Belgium have decided to follow UN advice on food habits and impose a vegetarian diet on residents for one day per week.
According to the UN, livestock is responsible for a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the world must reduce its meat consumption if it is to have any chance of fighting global warming.
Last year, the head of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Dr Rajendra Pachauri, said the world’s population must cut back on eating meat and move towards vegetarianism.
Pachauri suggests starting by eating vegetarian food for one day per week – and this is the action being taken by Ghent city council to reduce its carbon footprint and tackle obesity in the city.
Civil servants and elected council officials at Ghent City Council will not be fed meat at their workplace eateries on Thursdays.
City residents will be encouraged to follow their lead, and from September, school children will find meat taken off the canteen menu on Thursdays.
Local restaurants are being urged to replace their Thursday menu with meatfree dishes, and to only offer meat that day as part of a special smaller menu.
In addition, 90,000 vegetarian street maps are being printed to help residents and visitors find the best places in the city for veggie food.
Announcing the veggie day, city councillor Tom Balthazar told Ghent residents that the move will be “good for the climate, your health, and your tastebuds.”
According to research by the University of Southampton, children with a high IQ are more likely to become vegetarian as an adult.
-- http://www.societyofpeace.org/"Promoting peace & compassion for ALL living beings"
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They did not print my reply to the twit who stated vegetarianism is not eco friendly but they printed this one :-

Veganism IS eco-friendly :
"In response to Cesar Rodriguez [Metro, Fri] - choosing not to eat meat and other animal products is one of the most eco-friendly actions possible.
A vegan diet uses one third of the land and water needed to produce a meat-based diet, not to mention that 18 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are produced by the livestock industry - a figure higher than the entire transport industry, including aviation. Meat eating is quite simply unsustainable. "
Charley Roberts, Derby.
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Go Vegan with Bob Linden Radio Show needing help desperately to resume
Hi Everybody,
I know we are all worn out and exhausted from the KPFT pledge drive, but I just received an urgent call from Bob Linden in California, who started the vegan radio movement. His show has been off the air for two weeks, and he is desperate for donations to resume broadcasting. He asks if anyone could send $20, or even $5 on behalf of his show, that it would make a tremendous difference. He is really struggling and asking for the hat to be passed around to get him back on the air. He is reaching out for help in California as well, but asks for any friendly support he may have here in Texas. He mentioned that he was able to receive a large donation from a very kind benefactor, who also gave kindly to our show here on KPFT during this recent pledge drive. However he needs $3,000 to get back on the air, so any other donations could still add up to help him.
If you could spare another $5 or $20 to help Bob out, please follow the steps below, and leave him a message to know some help is on the way. I heard a real sense of panic in his voice, so I am going to do what I can, and promised him that I would help get the word out here in Texas.
Thanks, and extra thanks to people who already helped with our pledge drive,
Jerrilyn
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"Go Vegan with Bob Linden" Radio Show
Bob@GoVeganRadio. com 818-623-6477NO NEW PROGRAM THIS WEEK / next new program weekend of May 23, 24- returning to KTLK-AM-1150 SUNDAY MAY 24 10AM - on brief hiatus "If you don't like to miss a week of this program, if you don't like the idea of us taking a hiatus, support this program financially and we'll be there for you, the animals, and the environment every week.These may be hard times because of the economic environment, but please remember - times are always hard for the animals, oppressed with no vote, with no voice in mainstream media - except for this radio program - which relies on your tax-deductible donations and the advertising sponsorships for vegan and cruelty-free products and services. DO YOU WANT THIS PROGRAM TO CONTINUE? We are facing the economic challenges of an economy where advertising dollars and donations are diminished - but the animal suffering is not. Don't leave the animals voiceless. It costs $2500 weekly to pay for airtime and production costs."
Any amount that you can send today will be greatly appreciated, whether it be $5 or $5,000. CLICK the DONATE button on the left, or make your check payable to
GO VEGAN RADIO / IHCand mail to
International Humanities Center860 Via De La PazPacific Palisades,CA 90272GO VEGAN RADIO- a project of 501c3 International Humanities Center

Paul McCartney Calls on Pamela Anderson to Help Tackle Global Warming

Written by Andrew Williams



Music legend Sir Paul McCartney is seeking to enlist the help of an unlikely candidate in the battle to solve climate change, ex-baywatch starlet Pamela Anderson.

Apparently, his royal beatleness made the plea in a direct two page letter to Anderson, following her ongoing loyal support of animal rights group PETA. McCartney, a staunch advocate of vegetarianism for more than thirty years, was spurred on by a growing awareness that reduced meat consumption or vegetarianism is the “single most effective” way to tackle global warming.


» See also: Human Global Warming: What are the Main Causes?
» Get Planetsave by RSS or sign up by email.
Macca’s letter stresses that a reduction in meat consumption would also help stabilise food prices on the global food market, but goes on to say that “Unfortunately, with higher incomes, societies, even in the developing countries, are turning to greater and greater consumption of animal proteins, which reduces the availability of food grains for direct consumption by impoverished human beings.”

Personally, I wouldn’t want to place responsibility for the future of mankind solely in the peroxide ones hands, but any publicity is good publicity right?

Image Credit - Slagheap on Flickr (Hmm… not sure what he’s eating there though, maybe this predates his herbivorous conversion?)

Scientific Proof of Global Warming

Written by Brian Liloia




Despite any confusion that you might be facing, the facts on global warming are not up for debate.

It is true that there are some natural causes of global warming. However, there is no doubt amongst the world’s leading experts that the current dangerous warming trend is primarily caused by humans.


» See also: Human Global Warming: What are the Main Causes?
» Get Planetsave by RSS or sign up by email.
Proof From the Experts
Human activities are most likely causing global warming according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. The results of this report are significant since the IPCC is the leading group of scientist that evaluate climate change-related research.

There’s no reason for you to doubt the scientists. There are some people who will attempt to confuse you by claiming that the idea that humans cause climate change is “just a theory” and therefore shouldn’t be taken seriously. But this is a dangerous misrepresentation of how scientists use the word ‘theory’. (If you are interested, you can quickly learn how to stop the spread of this kind of misinformation using these innovative tactics).

The evidence is overwhelming in its support of the theory that humans cause climate change. The most important piece of evidence for you to understand is the direct correlation between the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global average temperatures. As carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased, so has the average temperature on Earth. In fact, many of the activities you do every day contribute to this problem.

You need to understand
the basics of scientific theories
You’re probably used to using the word ‘theory’ to indicate that you are uncertain about something. When scientists use the word ‘theory’, they mean it in a different way than you are probably used to using it in casual conversation.

Scientific theories are like facts. Scientific theories are well-tested and generally believed to be true by the scientific community. You don’t doubt the scientific ‘theory’ of gravity because the evidence so overwhelmingly supports it, and popular culture has come to accept it as a fact. However, scientists wouldn’t consider gravity’s existence a fact because they always leave open the possibility that new evidence will lead to a new theory.

Global warming is as accepted as gravity in the sense that human-caused global warming has been researched extensively and almost all scientists believe it is happening.

Are Catastrophic Effects
Around the Corner?
There are many dangerous effects from global warming that have the potential to cause the extinction of humanity. Fortunately, there is still time to reduce these effects, but you must take action.

You should start by making sure that everyone has access to good information. That is why it is critically important that you learn to share this proof before it’s too late.

Related Articles:

How Do Humans Cause Global Warming

How to Prevent Global Warming with Straw Bale Construction

Decrease Your Carbon Footprint Living in a Tiny House

(Image credit: flickr via Gilbert R.)

Human Global Warming: What are the Main Causes?

Written by Brian Liloia




To understand how humans cause global warming, it is important that you are aware of the link between your daily activities and the greenhouse effect. Furthermore, once you understand this, it is easy to see that you have the power to help stop global warming from getting worse.

The primary way humans cause global warming is by burning fossil fuels. This increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, which leads to an increase in the Greenhouse Effect.



How Your Daily Activities
Contribute to the Problem
Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been using fossil fuels to power machines. Now, nearly everything you consume, nearly every product you buy, and many of your daily activities involve the use of fossil fuels. You contribute to global warming:

When You Drive or Fly
Every time you drive a car, carbon-rich auto exhaust enters the atmosphere. The use of jet fuel in plane travel adds even more to your carbon footprint than does car travel.

When You Eat Meat and Exotic Foods
The food industry, especially the meat industry, is one of the primary sources of greenhouse gases, according to some recent studies.

Eating food that is shipped long distances adds to greenhouse gas emissions. Consider the fact that the average food item you eat travels over 1000 miles from farm to fork. In addition, conventional agriculture uses massive amounts of petroleum-based fertilizers.

Eating beef and drinking milk also adds to greenhouse gases, since cows emit significant amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas even more potent than carbon.

When You Use Electricity
Although some power generation is now being done with solar and wind energy, the chances are high that the electricity you use is generated from coal-burning power plants.

When You Move Into
A New Development
If you decide to move into a new suburban development near the edge of town, you’re increasing the profits developers get from cutting down trees and paving over farm land. When farms and forests disappear, the land loses the ability to absorb carbon, and emissions from other activities have an even greater effect.

What You Can Do
The effects of global warming have the potential to be devastating to humanity and the planet, which is why you must act now.

Related Articles:

How Do Humans Cause Global Warming


How to Prevent Global Warming on Your Way to Work

Ways to Prevent Global Warming Through Natural Building


Why Going Vegetarian for One Day Will Help Stop Global Warming

(Image credit: flickr via db™)

Save Polar Bears and Undo Bush’s Weakening of Endangered Species Act

Written by Jake Richardson


So far 46,000 online signatures have been gathered by the Center for Biological Diversity to support the re-writing of the Bush administration’s regulations which allow for the emission of greenhouse gases to not be considered as a threat to wildlife habitats and wildlife like the polar bear, even though global warming is clearly harming polar bears.
They also removed the capacity of the Fish and Wildlife service to monitor wildlife conservation impacts for federal projects involving timber sales, and dam construction.



The Bush administration’s revisions to the ESA were a blow to the act, and need to be removed. “These policies eviscerate the central Endangered Species Act process — Fish and Wildlife Service oversight — that has protected endangered species for 35 years, and they exclude the greatest future threat to endangered species — global warming — from consideration under the Act. ” states their website. The Obama administration has said publicly they want to revise Bush’s weakening of the act, but so far the revisions have not taken place. Congress passed legislation granting Secretary of the Interior Salazaar 60 days to rewrite parts of the ESA, but it has not been done yet. There are only about 20 days left to do so.

The Center of Biological Diversity is collecting signatures from the public who want to show their support for strengthening the Endangered Species Act, and protecting the world’s remaining polar bears. Please vist their site and consider signing the online petition.

Image Credit: Ansgar Walk