It's a terrible fact: Due to the inactive, indoor nature of their childhood, today’s kids may be the first generation in U.S. history to live shorter life-spans than their parents.
What if you could help reverse this alarming trend by having a great time in the great outdoors? Register now for NWF's {Kids Site}Great American Backyard Campout at www.backyardcampout.org and spend June 25th catching fireflies, taking nature walks and singing campfire songs—while making a significant difference in the health of our nation's children.
Great American Backyard Campout raises much-needed funds for NWF's programs that connect kids and families with the benefits of nature, helping them lead active, happy, longer lives.
As soon as you register at you’ll receive a link to your personal online Participant Center so you can start planning your campout and have the opportunity to support our mission and fundraise. You’ll also gain access to recipes, activities and crafts to make your night under the stars one-of-a-kind.
One night can make a big difference for our nation's kids. Camp out this June 25th to help American kids get outside and get healthy!
Register today just cilck on title link at top of page.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Senator Cardin Introduces Bird Conservation Act
Senator Cardin
Last week, Audubon filled the great hall at the Organization of American States, joining conservation leaders from the U.S. and beyond to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Senior Interior Department officials were in attendance, as were Ambassadors from Brazil, Panama, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. Both the Interior Department and our international partners recognized the important contributions of this seminal act to hemispheric conservation and called for its continued support. Meanwhile, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), one of the most steadfast and outspoken champions for bird and wildlife conservation in the U.S. Senate, introduced his bill aiming to reauthorize the Act and increase funding. Look for an opportunity to voice your support for international bird conservation soon through our alert system.
Last week, Audubon filled the great hall at the Organization of American States, joining conservation leaders from the U.S. and beyond to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Senior Interior Department officials were in attendance, as were Ambassadors from Brazil, Panama, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. Both the Interior Department and our international partners recognized the important contributions of this seminal act to hemispheric conservation and called for its continued support. Meanwhile, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), one of the most steadfast and outspoken champions for bird and wildlife conservation in the U.S. Senate, introduced his bill aiming to reauthorize the Act and increase funding. Look for an opportunity to voice your support for international bird conservation soon through our alert system.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Action Update
Important victory for Joshua Tree National Park
Last month, more than 11,000 of you sent messages urging the Obama administration to oppose a developer's petition to build the country's largest garbage dump on 3,500 acres of federal land surrounded by Joshua Tree National Park. All told, the administration received more than 106,000 comments from around the country, and we are thrilled to report that, on February 25th, the Interior Department reversed its decades-long position and opposed the dump developer's petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. This substantially weakens the developer's case and may persuade the Supreme Court to reject the petition, leaving in place lower court rulings that protect the park. Thanks (and congratulations!) to all of you who helped achieve such a remarkable victory for this iconic American treasure
Last month, more than 11,000 of you sent messages urging the Obama administration to oppose a developer's petition to build the country's largest garbage dump on 3,500 acres of federal land surrounded by Joshua Tree National Park. All told, the administration received more than 106,000 comments from around the country, and we are thrilled to report that, on February 25th, the Interior Department reversed its decades-long position and opposed the dump developer's petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. This substantially weakens the developer's case and may persuade the Supreme Court to reject the petition, leaving in place lower court rulings that protect the park. Thanks (and congratulations!) to all of you who helped achieve such a remarkable victory for this iconic American treasure
Friday, June 11, 2010
Hello Everybody,
Victory!!!!!
Today the the Senate defeated Senator Murkowski's Resolution to cripple the Clean Air Act, and let oil and other corporate polluters off the hook.
By a narrow margin, the Senate voted 53-47 to uphold EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas pollution and put science ahead of politics when it comes to public health and putting our country on a clean energy path.
Thank you for sending emails to your Senators — more than once! It took a strong and concerted outcry from many Americans to defeat this resolution. Our work is not finished until we have comprehensive energy and climate legislation but we will continue to work toward that goal and we know we can count on your help.
Thank you!
Victory!!!!!
Today the the Senate defeated Senator Murkowski's Resolution to cripple the Clean Air Act, and let oil and other corporate polluters off the hook.
By a narrow margin, the Senate voted 53-47 to uphold EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas pollution and put science ahead of politics when it comes to public health and putting our country on a clean energy path.
Thank you for sending emails to your Senators — more than once! It took a strong and concerted outcry from many Americans to defeat this resolution. Our work is not finished until we have comprehensive energy and climate legislation but we will continue to work toward that goal and we know we can count on your help.
Thank you!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Hydrokinetic Energy
Hydrokinetic technologies produce renewable electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of a body of water, the energy that results from its motion. Since water is 832 times denser than air, our tides, waves, ocean currents, and free-flowing rivers represent an untapped, powerful, highly-concentrated and clean energy resource.
Estimates suggest that the amount of energy that could feasibly be captured from U.S. waves, tides and river currents is enough to power over 67 million homes. Based on current project proposals, experts predict that the country could be producing 13,000 MW of power from hydrokinetic energy by 2025. This level of development is equivalent to displacing 22 new dirty coal-fired power plants avoiding the annual emission of nearly 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, as well as other harmful pollutants like mercury and particulate matter. The avoided carbon emissions in 2025 would be equivalent to taking 15.6 million cars off the road.
Last year, the Minerals Revenue Management department of the Mineral Management Service reported $9.9 billion in royalties from all mineral exploitation. Of that, MRM collected $5.8 billion for all federal offshore drilling of oil and gas.
Lets ask President Obama to begin using some of our billions of dollars worth of off shore oil royalties to stimulate this growing industry.
Sign Petition Here
Estimates suggest that the amount of energy that could feasibly be captured from U.S. waves, tides and river currents is enough to power over 67 million homes. Based on current project proposals, experts predict that the country could be producing 13,000 MW of power from hydrokinetic energy by 2025. This level of development is equivalent to displacing 22 new dirty coal-fired power plants avoiding the annual emission of nearly 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, as well as other harmful pollutants like mercury and particulate matter. The avoided carbon emissions in 2025 would be equivalent to taking 15.6 million cars off the road.
Last year, the Minerals Revenue Management department of the Mineral Management Service reported $9.9 billion in royalties from all mineral exploitation. Of that, MRM collected $5.8 billion for all federal offshore drilling of oil and gas.
Lets ask President Obama to begin using some of our billions of dollars worth of off shore oil royalties to stimulate this growing industry.
Sign Petition Here
Sunday, May 23, 2010
"The American Power Act"
Take the quiz below to assess where you stand on the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill, AKA "The American Power Act", announced last week.
The bill's intent is "To secure the energy future of the United States, to provide incentives for the domestic production of clean energy technology, to achieve meaningful pollution reductions, to create jobs, and for other purposes."
It sounds like there's something for everyone, right? At almost a thousand pages, there should be! But opinions vary. In trying to placate enough constituents to get a viable bill, a lot of trade-offs have been made. Can you accept them? Take this handy quiz and find out....and tell us what you think and how you scored! If you don't want to do the math by hand, an interactive version is available here.
The Quiz:
1. I Believe 350 is:
a. A great temperature for baking cookies.
b. A noble but unachievable goal.
c. The upper limit for a safe and just planet (e.g. 350 parts per million of CO2)
2. My View On Offshore Drilling:
a. States should be able to decide.
b. Three words: "Drill baby drill".
c. Two words: Deepwater Horizon.
3. Carbon Offsetting:
a. The best way to make an immediate impact on climate and support sustainable development.
b. A flawed tool, but with fixes should be part of the solution.
c. Is like paying someone else to not have an affair so you can.
4. Nuclear Power:
a. Three words: "Fission baby fission".
b. Ugh. Painful to consider but necessary.
c. Think Chernobyl, and where exactly do you plan on storing the waste?
5. International Cooperation:
a. If China doesn't do their part, what's the point?
b. If we lead others will follow.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
6. Agribusiness:
a. US agriculture needs help, not regulation.
b. Paying farmers/ranchers to follow better environmental practices makes sense.
c. "Sustainable agriculture" does not mean subsidizing beef and big farms.
7. Climate Change and Jobs:
a. Green jobs are the future.
b. Climate legislation is a job killer.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
8. Pricing Carbon:
a. Let's discourage emissions, but without punishing consumers or businesses.
b. Fossil fuel is a sin...it's time for a sin tax.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
Your Results:
Give yourself 3 points for each "a" answer, 2 points for each "b" and 1 Point for each "c".
19-24 : This bill fits you like your favorite pair of blue jeans.
15-19: Life's full of trade offs. You'll take the good with the bad.
0-14 : You take comfort knowing that the bill probably won't pass anyway.
If you scored 15 or more, you may want to encourage your senator to support the bill here.
More information on each question and how we based our scoring is listed out below.
How We Based Our Scoring:
1. 350:
The bill seeks to cut emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by more than 80 percent by 2050. These goals are consistent with what was promised by the President in Copenhagen, but fall well short of both UN targets and what is necessary to reduce CO2 concentrations to 350 ppm.
2. Offshore Drilling:
The bill encourages off shore drilling, but the states can opt out if it is within 75 miles of their coast. It gives states over 1/3 of the revenue to protect their coastlines, and money for land and water conservation.
3. Offsets:
Up to 2 Billion tons of offsets could be used for hitting reduction targets, emphasizing forest preservation and carbon sinks, and waste/agricultural changes both domestically and internationally. Includes additional oversight for offsets.
4. Nuclear Power:
A very heavy emphasis is placed on nuclear power. Increased funding for nuclear loan guarantees to $54 billion, and provisions for tax credits for construction of new facilities.
5. International Cooperation:
The bill stipulates that, in the event that no global agreement on climate change is reached, an international reserve allowance program would be implemented. This would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on emissions pay a comparable amount at the border in order to avoid "carbon leakage."
6. Agribusiness:
Farms are exempted from mandatory action. The bill would create agricutural revenue through a domestic program that lets agricultural interests receive credits if they make reductions in emissions, which could then be sold into the offset/permit market.
7. Climate Change and Jobs:
While proctionalism has been a concern, offshoring of emissions intensive industries (aka "climate leakage") is also a concern. If no global agreement on climate change is reached, the bill would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on limiting emissions pay a comparable amount at the border. In addition to protecting domestic jobs from climate leakage, the bill proposed spending on retraining of workers and developing "emerging careers and jobs in the fields of clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, and climate change adaptation."
8. Pricing Carbon:
The bill would set a price on carbon ($12-$25 per ton), but would give away plenty of permits to business, potentially send revenues back to consumers in the form of energy rebates (or use the money for defiect reduction), and protect low and middle-income families.
The full text of the bill can be found at http://kerry.senate.gov/americanpoweract/intro.cfm
You can support senate action at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/122/Support-the-climate-bill
Read more: global warming, climate bill, sustaintmc
The bill's intent is "To secure the energy future of the United States, to provide incentives for the domestic production of clean energy technology, to achieve meaningful pollution reductions, to create jobs, and for other purposes."
It sounds like there's something for everyone, right? At almost a thousand pages, there should be! But opinions vary. In trying to placate enough constituents to get a viable bill, a lot of trade-offs have been made. Can you accept them? Take this handy quiz and find out....and tell us what you think and how you scored! If you don't want to do the math by hand, an interactive version is available here.
The Quiz:
1. I Believe 350 is:
a. A great temperature for baking cookies.
b. A noble but unachievable goal.
c. The upper limit for a safe and just planet (e.g. 350 parts per million of CO2)
2. My View On Offshore Drilling:
a. States should be able to decide.
b. Three words: "Drill baby drill".
c. Two words: Deepwater Horizon.
3. Carbon Offsetting:
a. The best way to make an immediate impact on climate and support sustainable development.
b. A flawed tool, but with fixes should be part of the solution.
c. Is like paying someone else to not have an affair so you can.
4. Nuclear Power:
a. Three words: "Fission baby fission".
b. Ugh. Painful to consider but necessary.
c. Think Chernobyl, and where exactly do you plan on storing the waste?
5. International Cooperation:
a. If China doesn't do their part, what's the point?
b. If we lead others will follow.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
6. Agribusiness:
a. US agriculture needs help, not regulation.
b. Paying farmers/ranchers to follow better environmental practices makes sense.
c. "Sustainable agriculture" does not mean subsidizing beef and big farms.
7. Climate Change and Jobs:
a. Green jobs are the future.
b. Climate legislation is a job killer.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
8. Pricing Carbon:
a. Let's discourage emissions, but without punishing consumers or businesses.
b. Fossil fuel is a sin...it's time for a sin tax.
c. The free market will sort it all out.
Your Results:
Give yourself 3 points for each "a" answer, 2 points for each "b" and 1 Point for each "c".
19-24 : This bill fits you like your favorite pair of blue jeans.
15-19: Life's full of trade offs. You'll take the good with the bad.
0-14 : You take comfort knowing that the bill probably won't pass anyway.
If you scored 15 or more, you may want to encourage your senator to support the bill here.
More information on each question and how we based our scoring is listed out below.
How We Based Our Scoring:
1. 350:
The bill seeks to cut emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and by more than 80 percent by 2050. These goals are consistent with what was promised by the President in Copenhagen, but fall well short of both UN targets and what is necessary to reduce CO2 concentrations to 350 ppm.
2. Offshore Drilling:
The bill encourages off shore drilling, but the states can opt out if it is within 75 miles of their coast. It gives states over 1/3 of the revenue to protect their coastlines, and money for land and water conservation.
3. Offsets:
Up to 2 Billion tons of offsets could be used for hitting reduction targets, emphasizing forest preservation and carbon sinks, and waste/agricultural changes both domestically and internationally. Includes additional oversight for offsets.
4. Nuclear Power:
A very heavy emphasis is placed on nuclear power. Increased funding for nuclear loan guarantees to $54 billion, and provisions for tax credits for construction of new facilities.
5. International Cooperation:
The bill stipulates that, in the event that no global agreement on climate change is reached, an international reserve allowance program would be implemented. This would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on emissions pay a comparable amount at the border in order to avoid "carbon leakage."
6. Agribusiness:
Farms are exempted from mandatory action. The bill would create agricutural revenue through a domestic program that lets agricultural interests receive credits if they make reductions in emissions, which could then be sold into the offset/permit market.
7. Climate Change and Jobs:
While proctionalism has been a concern, offshoring of emissions intensive industries (aka "climate leakage") is also a concern. If no global agreement on climate change is reached, the bill would require that imports from other countries that have not taken action on limiting emissions pay a comparable amount at the border. In addition to protecting domestic jobs from climate leakage, the bill proposed spending on retraining of workers and developing "emerging careers and jobs in the fields of clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, and climate change adaptation."
8. Pricing Carbon:
The bill would set a price on carbon ($12-$25 per ton), but would give away plenty of permits to business, potentially send revenues back to consumers in the form of energy rebates (or use the money for defiect reduction), and protect low and middle-income families.
The full text of the bill can be found at http://kerry.senate.gov/americanpoweract/intro.cfm
You can support senate action at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/122/Support-the-climate-bill
Read more: global warming, climate bill, sustaintmc
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Clean Air Act is under attack.
Hello Everyone,
Email your U.S. Senators today. Tell them you oppose efforts to weaken America's Clean Air Act.
The Clean Air Act is under attack and we need your help today! The Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill that would dismantle one of America's most important environmental laws, the Clean Air Act. This attack, sponsored by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, lets big oil and big polluters off the hook by blocking efforts to hold polluters accountable for their harmful global warming pollution.
Please email your Senators now—it will only take a few moments, but could mean the difference on this critical vote.
As hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil surge into the Gulf Coast, threatening birds, wildlife and our coasts, Senator Murkowski is helping the oil companies and their allies by undoing the Clean Air Act and keeping America addicted to oil. This assault—the Dirty Air Act—would put public health at risk and reverse efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act.
We need to stop this attack on the Clean Air Act and make sure that Congress focuses on the task at hand passing strong climate legislation that will cut our dangerous dependence on oil, reduce global warming pollution, and protect our environment.
Help us keep America's Clean Air Act strong. Tell your Senators to reject the Murkowski Dirty Air Act.
Do you know someone else who cares about protecting our Clean Air Act? Help us to spread the word:
Tell-a-friend!
Trouble with the "Take Action" links in the message? Try cutting-and-pasting this link into your web browser: www.audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?id=860
Email your U.S. Senators today. Tell them you oppose efforts to weaken America's Clean Air Act.
The Clean Air Act is under attack and we need your help today! The Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill that would dismantle one of America's most important environmental laws, the Clean Air Act. This attack, sponsored by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, lets big oil and big polluters off the hook by blocking efforts to hold polluters accountable for their harmful global warming pollution.
Please email your Senators now—it will only take a few moments, but could mean the difference on this critical vote.
As hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil surge into the Gulf Coast, threatening birds, wildlife and our coasts, Senator Murkowski is helping the oil companies and their allies by undoing the Clean Air Act and keeping America addicted to oil. This assault—the Dirty Air Act—would put public health at risk and reverse efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act.
We need to stop this attack on the Clean Air Act and make sure that Congress focuses on the task at hand passing strong climate legislation that will cut our dangerous dependence on oil, reduce global warming pollution, and protect our environment.
Help us keep America's Clean Air Act strong. Tell your Senators to reject the Murkowski Dirty Air Act.
Do you know someone else who cares about protecting our Clean Air Act? Help us to spread the word:
Tell-a-friend!
Trouble with the "Take Action" links in the message? Try cutting-and-pasting this link into your web browser: www.audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?id=860
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Make Your 2010 Be Out There Resolution
In the last two decades, American childhood has moved indoors. The average boy or girl spends just four to seven minutes outdoors every day.
Studies show that children who spend regular time outdoors are healthier, happier and grow up with a love of nature.
We hope you will make this online resolution to get outside more in 2010! If you do, you'll get exclusive tips and activities to make the pledge a reality.
The National Wildlife Federation encourages all Americans to Be Out There™ and support its national campaign to give back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: childhood’s essential wildness and connection to the natural world.
Join the Be Out There movement in 2010 for the health of our nation’s children.
Here are the facts:
•The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of daily unstructured free play as an essential part of children’s physical and mental health and social development.
•Outdoor play increases physical activity levels and builds active, healthy bodies, an important strategy in addressing the obesity epidemic.
•Lack of outdoor time and inadequate doses of sunlight are creating a generation of children deficient in Vitamin D, setting them up for increased risk of bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.
Lets get the kids back outside!!!!
Studies show that children who spend regular time outdoors are healthier, happier and grow up with a love of nature.
We hope you will make this online resolution to get outside more in 2010! If you do, you'll get exclusive tips and activities to make the pledge a reality.
The National Wildlife Federation encourages all Americans to Be Out There™ and support its national campaign to give back to our children what they don’t even know they’ve lost: childhood’s essential wildness and connection to the natural world.
Join the Be Out There movement in 2010 for the health of our nation’s children.
Here are the facts:
•The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 60 minutes of daily unstructured free play as an essential part of children’s physical and mental health and social development.
•Outdoor play increases physical activity levels and builds active, healthy bodies, an important strategy in addressing the obesity epidemic.
•Lack of outdoor time and inadequate doses of sunlight are creating a generation of children deficient in Vitamin D, setting them up for increased risk of bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.
Lets get the kids back outside!!!!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Nature Conservancy introduces the Climate Wizard – interactive online tool for tracking temperature increase projections under climate change
“To many, climate change doesn’t seem real until it affects them, or their backyards. From the food we put on the table to the animals that make our country unique, this study shows that none of us is immune if temperatures continue to rise as projected,” said Jonathan Hoekstra, Director of Climate Change for The Nature Conservancy. “In many states across the country, the weather and landscapes could be nearly unrecognizable in 100 years.”
With ClimateWizard you can:
•view historic temperature and rainfall maps for anywhere in the world
•view state-of-the-art future predictions of temperature and rainfall around the world
•view and download climate change maps in a few easy steps
ClimateWizard enables technical and non-technical audiences alike to access leading climate change information and visualize the impacts anywhere on Earth. The first generation of this web-based program allows the user to choose a state or country and both assess how climate has changed over time and to project what future changes are predicted to occur in a given area. ClimateWizard represents the first time ever the full range of climate history and impacts for a landscape have been brought together in a user-friendly format.
With ClimateWizard you can:
•view historic temperature and rainfall maps for anywhere in the world
•view state-of-the-art future predictions of temperature and rainfall around the world
•view and download climate change maps in a few easy steps
ClimateWizard enables technical and non-technical audiences alike to access leading climate change information and visualize the impacts anywhere on Earth. The first generation of this web-based program allows the user to choose a state or country and both assess how climate has changed over time and to project what future changes are predicted to occur in a given area. ClimateWizard represents the first time ever the full range of climate history and impacts for a landscape have been brought together in a user-friendly format.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Civil Disobedience alive and well in Denmark.
COPENHAGEN - Danish authorities are bracing for a massive demonstration today in Copenhagen expected to draw tens of thousands of people on the sidelines of UN climate talks, fearing it could turn violent.
Police have beefed up security at Denmark's land and sea borders in a bid to prevent troublemakers from entering the country.
"We reinstated border controls a few days ago and we will turn back people we suspect of coming to Copenhagen with the sole aim of disturbing the peace,"said Copenhagen police spokesman Flemming Steen Munch.
Violent far-left groups have already threatened via Internet sites to join the protests against the climate negotiations, which they say do not address the concerns of the poor countries most threatened by global warming.
Police have warned potential agitators that they will respond "firmly" to acts of violence.
The demonstration is expected to gather between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on various estimates from police and organizers.
The six-kilometre (four-mile) march, organized by 515 organisations from 67 countries, will depart from the Christiansborg Castle where parliament sits, crossing the city centre to end up at the Bella Centre where the climate conference is being held.
"Our hope and goal is that this big demonstration will be a peaceful party, festive and without mayhem," Munch said, adding: "But we know from experience that some destructive elements will infiltrate the demonstration."
"We are ready to meet any and all situations, and will not allow the troublemakers to rule," he warned.
Police have informed shopowners and inhabitants on the demonstration route that the event may turn violent. Buses and trains packed with protesters are expected to arrive from other European cities, including Berlin, Kiel, Bremen, London, Amsterdam and Milan. "A number of Swedes have already been turned back at the border because they had a history of vandalism in Sweden. They also had paint bombs in their luggage," Munch said. "We've also stopped some buses in order to check passengers' identities and their luggage," he added.
On Friday, police were out en masse, some of them in riot gear, as smaller demonstrations were held throughout the city. Some 35 Danish and foreign protesters were taken into custody "as a preventive measure" as police suspected "they might commit illegal acts," another police spokesman, Rasmus Bernt Skovgaard, told AFP. Under Danish law they can be held for 12 hours without charges being pressed. They were part of a group of some 250 anti-capitalist protesters calling themselves "Our Climate - Not Your Business," demonstrating at various locations around the city and arguing that industry was turning the climate crisis into a business opportunity.
Meanwhile, civil society climate groups 350.org, TckTckTck and AVAAZ were also jointly organizing more than 3,000 candlelight vigils around the world on Friday and Saturday, said 350.org founder Bill McKibben. "They are in support of this AOSIS stand," he said, referring to a demand by the Association of Small Island Nations that the world commit to preventing global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
"These are tiny nations, but they have an army behind them, an army of civil society the world over who understand that these are the only people at this conference talking about scientific reality."
Police have beefed up security at Denmark's land and sea borders in a bid to prevent troublemakers from entering the country.
"We reinstated border controls a few days ago and we will turn back people we suspect of coming to Copenhagen with the sole aim of disturbing the peace,"said Copenhagen police spokesman Flemming Steen Munch.
Violent far-left groups have already threatened via Internet sites to join the protests against the climate negotiations, which they say do not address the concerns of the poor countries most threatened by global warming.
Police have warned potential agitators that they will respond "firmly" to acts of violence.
The demonstration is expected to gather between 40,000 and 80,000 people depending on various estimates from police and organizers.
The six-kilometre (four-mile) march, organized by 515 organisations from 67 countries, will depart from the Christiansborg Castle where parliament sits, crossing the city centre to end up at the Bella Centre where the climate conference is being held.
"Our hope and goal is that this big demonstration will be a peaceful party, festive and without mayhem," Munch said, adding: "But we know from experience that some destructive elements will infiltrate the demonstration."
"We are ready to meet any and all situations, and will not allow the troublemakers to rule," he warned.
Police have informed shopowners and inhabitants on the demonstration route that the event may turn violent. Buses and trains packed with protesters are expected to arrive from other European cities, including Berlin, Kiel, Bremen, London, Amsterdam and Milan. "A number of Swedes have already been turned back at the border because they had a history of vandalism in Sweden. They also had paint bombs in their luggage," Munch said. "We've also stopped some buses in order to check passengers' identities and their luggage," he added.
On Friday, police were out en masse, some of them in riot gear, as smaller demonstrations were held throughout the city. Some 35 Danish and foreign protesters were taken into custody "as a preventive measure" as police suspected "they might commit illegal acts," another police spokesman, Rasmus Bernt Skovgaard, told AFP. Under Danish law they can be held for 12 hours without charges being pressed. They were part of a group of some 250 anti-capitalist protesters calling themselves "Our Climate - Not Your Business," demonstrating at various locations around the city and arguing that industry was turning the climate crisis into a business opportunity.
Meanwhile, civil society climate groups 350.org, TckTckTck and AVAAZ were also jointly organizing more than 3,000 candlelight vigils around the world on Friday and Saturday, said 350.org founder Bill McKibben. "They are in support of this AOSIS stand," he said, referring to a demand by the Association of Small Island Nations that the world commit to preventing global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
"These are tiny nations, but they have an army behind them, an army of civil society the world over who understand that these are the only people at this conference talking about scientific reality."
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Watch Oceana in Copenhagen | Oceana North America
Oceana is making a splash at the Copenhagen climate summit. Watch the following videos of our work to get the word out about the effect of climate change and ocean acidification on the oceans.
Oceana presented a new Google Earth tour of the Arctic, narrated by board member Ted Danson. The tour highlights the impacts of climate change on Arctic people and ecoystems, particularly melting sea ice, ocean acidification and increasing industrialization.
OneClimate interviewed Oceana climate scientist Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb about corals and ocean acidification.
Finally, check out this video of Oceana chief scientist Mike Hirshfield answering questions about overfishing and ocean acidification in Copenhagen."
Oceana presented a new Google Earth tour of the Arctic, narrated by board member Ted Danson. The tour highlights the impacts of climate change on Arctic people and ecoystems, particularly melting sea ice, ocean acidification and increasing industrialization.
OneClimate interviewed Oceana climate scientist Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb about corals and ocean acidification.
Finally, check out this video of Oceana chief scientist Mike Hirshfield answering questions about overfishing and ocean acidification in Copenhagen."
EW's person of the month. Ryan Newmen NASCAR's # 39
Land conservation in America is about protecting wildlife and scenic areas and giving Americans great places to experience the outdoors. Racing for Wildlife is an exciting venture that invites millions of Americans who love NASCAR and the outdoors to help save America’s legacy around the country.
Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Stewart-Haas Racing Army Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cub Series car, loves being outside, whether he’s behind the wheel in a race or fishing off a dock. Ryan has teamed with The Conservation Fund – one of America’s top-rated land protection organizations – to launch Racing for Wildlife. Together, they are bringing a message to the NASCAR community and fans of all ages to protect, respect and enjoy America’s special places.
Across the nation, natural places are increasingly being lost to development. Woods and grassy meadows are giving way to shopping centers and subdivisions. As a result, families have fewer opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature. In an effort to help preserve America's special places, the Ryan Newman Foundation has teamed up with The Conservation Fund to launch Racing for Wildlife, a creative campaign to build an American land legacy for generations of race fans who share Ryan's love of the outdoors.
Together, The Conservation Fund and the Ryan Newman Foundation are leading the effort to preserve some of these special places—and are turning to the millions of Americans who love NASCAR and the outdoors to help. Each year, Racing for Wildlife will pursue a new conservation project that offers recreational opportunities near urban areas, so families can easily enjoy these protected places.
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