There is a War on the Environment

There is a War on the Environment
911 2011

“When you throw something away, where is away ?” Julia Butterfly

American Manufactures admit to releasing over 4 billion pounds of pollutants into our water, air and land, annually. Mercury, one of these pollutants, is known to cause damage to the brain, kidney and lungs. Disturbingly, mercury is becoming so prevalent in our oceans and food that the American FDA and EPA has issued a warning that women of child bearing age should not eat the following fish (http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/product-specificinformation/seafood/foodbornepathogenscontaminants/methylmercury/ucm115662.htm) updated in 2004. Why so along ?. These governing bodies are known for their lax regulatory rules and are some of the weakest regulatory agencies of all developed countries. As levels of toxins rise in our oceans and food, does the acceptable level of exposure rise? This same paradox applies to many other situations.

The situation in the Gulf of Mexico was the latest example of Government inefficiency and corporate self interest, at the cost of the world’s oceans, water, food, even our own health. However, despite the many negative impacts of the oil spill, I see this as an opportunity to unite for the health of the oceans. The planet’s survival, let alone our own, now rests in our hands. What we “Can Do” is the foundation on which we, citizens of the world, must stand. To take a course of non-action is to consent to continued environmental degradation. We, the Environmental Cleanup Coalition, invite you to rise to the occasion as Stewards of the Water. We invite you to take action and become part of a movement that demands responsibility with honor.

The surface area of Earth is 70% water and we, as its temporary guests, consist of approximately 70% water over the course of our lifetimes. When we cry, it is salt water; when we sweat, it is salt water. The blood in our veins has nearly the same salt content as the oceans. The health of the oceans is self care at the core. Oceans provide 70 % of the oxygen in our atmosphere. Oceans provide sustenance for 50% to 70% of the world’s population. It’s time to take responsibility for our future, looking seven generations ahead.

Does anybody remember on what principles this country was founded? “We The People”.

Your voice can be heard the loudest by where you spend your money. Start with who you bank with. Local Credit Unions, for example, keep money within the community. Large banking institutions support foreign interests and many environmentally damaging businesses.

2^nd . Means of making an impact is to consider your next purchase. Where was it made? It is best to keep jobs in the USA. Is it a green, Eco-minded company? Do you really need the latest techy gadget or new car? American Car manufacturers minimum MPG standards just went up with a mandate of 35.5 MPG by 2016*. This is a standard that Europe and many other developed counties adopted many years ago. The Ford Model T got 25 MPG off the assembly line in 1908 **. Who has a vested interest in burning more fuel year after year? Big Oil companies, the same three who are responsible for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, who now have three new oil rigs in the place of one highly defective rig. In response to the New Horizon Oil Spill, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) fined British Petroleum for over 760 safety violations***. Why does it take the largest environmental disaster in US history**** to uncover such blatant illegality?

3^rd. You are what you eat; is it organic ? Your family deserves to be healthy. The long term effects of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), such as wheat, corn, soybeans, etc. have not been tested. The United States is the only country in the world where GMO foods do not have to be labeled for human consumption. Why? It is a liability to the companies that experiment with our food. Pesticides, Fertilizers, Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals are entering our oceans, rivers and food chains. Many toxins are affecting amphibians, such as frogs. Amphibians are some of the most sensitive organisms and a clear indicator of the future of our species.

4^th. Does your seafood meet the Marine Stewardship Counsel’s (MSC) safe fishing practice standards? Ask at restaurants, meat departments and farmers markets if their products meet these qualifications. The fishing industry as a whole is the most wasteful, throwing back dead 20 to 50% of what they catch, as unintentional by-catch. Most importantly, buy local, because shipping food across the planet is very inefficient and if you buy it, you condone this practice.

5^th. Do you know where your drinking water comes from and what is in it? Water contained in plastic bottles absorbs the properties of the plastic as is sits in the bottle. Sunlight and heat degrade plastic faster, causing more chemical assimilation into the water. Americans purchase 2.5 million water bottles every hour *****. Buy a reuse-able water bottle for everyone in your family. Buy a water filter for your home, office and business. These items will pay for themselves in less than a year.

6^th. You make the call. Your elected officials want to hear from you. Voice your concerns by calling your congressmen, governor, senators and president.

7^th. Grow your own (organic of course) edible garden. Even a small window box can provide kale, lettuce, tomato’s, radishes and much more. Eating something you’ve grown yourself feels great; try it!

8^th. Bring no more chemicals into your house or business. Many homes have toxins in the laundry room or under the kitchen or bathroom sinks. Think about where your chemicals are going once they go down the drain. Imagine your sink draining straight into your vegetable garden. What would you put down the drain? If chemicals don’t enter your home, there is no chemical waste to dispose of.

9^th. Invest in alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, renewable, and sustainable systems for your home and business. There are many tax credit programs available for those alternative energies.

10^th. Donate your time to your favorite charity or non profit or pick a new one. Beyond just your money, charities need people power. The suggested minimum tithing of many philosophies is 10% of your income and 2% of your time, these are minimums.
11^th. Be prepared for a natural disaster; world wide they are increasing in frequency and intensity. Family and Individual emergency preparedness are key to survival.

With the empowerment of yourself and others, comes a level of security and a peace of mind. There is much in our world that is dysfunctional, broken or needs to be shifted. Pick one and focus. Educate yourself, educate others and take action.

Be prepared;
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html
http://72hours.org/build_kit.html
http://www.lifesecure.com/
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11100551

*http://www.begreennow.com/2009/05/minimum-auto-mpg-raised-by-obama-administration/