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en-vi-ron-ment
noun
1: the totality of circumstances surrounding an organism or
group of organisms, especially:

a: the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors
(as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism
or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form
and survival
b: the aggregate of social and cultural conditions that
influence the life of an individual or community -en-vi-ron-men-tal

This page is for anything pertaining to the environment.
i.e. the air, global warming, wildlife, erosion, environmental justice, permaculture, oceans, urban gardens, streams and rivers, your back yard. It goes on and on- to all areas of the earth.

"We shall never understand the natural environment until we see it as a living organism" (Paul Brooks)


environment 30-Apr-2013 10:28

Tim De Christopher's Peaceful Uprising

From the open publishing newswire: At a time when the debate over climate change is finally gaining post-election traction and hot topics such as fracking and the Keystone XL pipeline have captured public attention, the documentary Bidder 70 is poised to showcase a movement that has steadily gathered force, particularly among millenials, who harbor grave concerns for the increasingly perilous future. The feature-length documentary chronicles how renowned activist Tim DeChristopher's civil disobedience blazed new opportunities for the climate justice movement.
Tim De Cristopher's Peaceful Uprising

On Dec. 19, 2008, University of Utah economics student Tim DeChristopher disrupted a highly disputed Bush administration Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oil and gas lease auction in Salt Lake City. Not content to merely protest outside, DeChristopher entered the auction hall and registered as bidder 70. With no intention of paying for leases starting at $2 per acre, he outbid industry giants on 77 pristine Utah land parcels surrounding American treasures like Canyonlands National Park, and effectively safeguarded from drilling 22,000 acres of land worth $1.7 million, before the auction was halted.

Although incoming Interior Secretary Ken Salazar invalidated the auction two months later, DeChristopher's brave commitment and actions rewarded this remarkably principled young man with two federal felony indictments carrying penalties of up to ten years in prison and $750,000 in fines. Awaiting trial with the threat of prison looming, the 27-year-old environmentalist escalated his activism and evolved into a charismatic and ingenious climate justice leader. He co-founded Peaceful Uprising, a grassroots group dedicated to defending a livable future through empowering non-violent action.

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environment | health 30-Mar-2013 16:02

Oregon residents Sound the Alarm on coal dust, coal export and climate change

Raging Grannies singing coal carols at the Capitol Building, Salem From the open publishing newswire: Columbia Riverkeeper reported on their facebook page that 425 people attended the midweek rally in Salem to stop coal export. See pictures of the rally on Demotix. You can read more about the fight to stop coal export from the Pacific Northwest at Power Past Coal.

The fight against coal export is an international one. Newcastle residents in New South Wales, Australia are fighting against the T4 coal loader being built to expand coal export from the world's biggest coal port. It is the same fight to stop King Coal in Australia and in the United States. One of the three companies keen to export coal from the Powder River basin is Ambre Energy, a Queensland based company.

This youtube video by Greenpeace USA explains the issue of coal export from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana through the Pacific Northwest and the impacts this will have: Get the Coal Energy Facts: Help Us Stop Coal Exports.

One of the speakers at the Salem rally was Dr Patrick O'Herron, Trauma and acute care surgeon, Salem Oregon, who attended the rally with several medical colleagues representing over 600 health care representatives in the Pacific north-west sounding the alarm on coal exports.

His speech, which I have transcribed. Watch the video on youtube: Sound The Alarm Rally Doctor on Coal: It Will Make You SICK!:

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Video by Jim Lochart is posted 12-Mar-2013 22:42

Rally to Stop Coal Exports in Oregon on March 13!

From the open publishing newswire: On April 1, the state of Oregon will decide whether or not to approve the Morrow Pacific coal export project. If approved, it would be the first of five proposed coal export facilities to get a green light in the Northwest and open the flood gates for others, creating a climate nightmare. With the health, safety, and economy of dozens of communities from Montana to Oregon at stake, we are sounding the alarm to stop coal exports in the Northwest.

NO ON COAL EXPORTS RALLIES

Salem - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 13
Front steps of the Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE, Salem, OR>

Hood River - Noon to 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 13
Riverside Community church, 4th and State, Hood River, OR

Transportation to Salem: PORTLAND: Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Sierra Club office at 1821 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR. [Map]
VANCOUVER: Meet at 9:15 a.m. at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Office, 1007 E Mill Plain, Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA.

Questions: Contact Laura Stevens at laura.stevens@sierraclub.org.

Recent Salem Rally Opposing Coal

Recent Salem Rally Opposing Coal [Video posted by Jim Lockhart on 4-8-13]

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corporate dominance | environment 05-Feb-2013 12:43

Fluoride Kills

From the open publishing newswire: fluoride the corrosive chemical hydrfluorosilicic acid spills and eats away concrete --Healthy Kid coalition claims this corrosive chemical if added to our pristine Portland water supply will prevent cavities --Not-- It appears this hydrofluorosilicic acid will eat the enamel right off your children's teeth [...]

Fluoride will erode the enamel off the teeth. High doses of fluoride will cause severe pitting and discoloration of the teeth. Systemic ingestion of fluoride because there is NO way to control the dose once fluoride (hydrofluorosilicic acid) is added into the water system leads to more people suffering from the symptoms of fluorosis.
It is the bright minds that brought us the mercury amalgams and those whom even once endorsed smoking as safe the AMA and ADA are endorsing fluoride like this (hydrofluorosilicic acid )is all the rage. Only drink too much of this fluoride kiddies and the ADA says this product will rob us all of our pearly whites, and weaken our bones. Fluoride is dangerous. It is even says so on the back of the tooth paste tube— poison --spit do not swallow—Adding fluoride (hydrofluorosilicic acid) to the public water system and claiming it is safe to drink, bathe, cook , and grow your vegetables in is asking our children and our animals to ingest high amounts of this acid. Acidity n high levels in our bodies' causes' cancer. Hello not to mention forcing huge populations of our children and their parent's pocketbooks to a life of cosmetic dentistry servitude or chemo therapy. Of course only if the child is lucky enough to have parents with money/ insurance who will be able to correct the cosmetic negative affects of fluoride. Everyone else will be destined to go through life with a cosmetically damaged smile,lower IQ and bone loss.

Watch the video below
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=szL2Ofzvpcs


Please learn about the negative health affects on Endangered salmon

 http://www.nofluoride.com/Salmon.cfm

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environment | government 10-Jan-2013 08:59

Portland City Council Meeting

we should always be watching From the open publishing newswire: very confusing???

January 9, 2013 at city hall, all five of the members were present and for the most part, paying attention. Commissioner Fish was a little late but did not miss much. Actually, there was not much to deal with during the 90 minute meeting, except this item:

"TIMES CERTAIN

*21 TIME CERTAIN: 9:30 AM - Authorize the Bureau of Transportation to acquire certain permanent and temporary rights necessary for construction of the SW Boones Ferry Rd - SW Stephenson St Project, through the exercise of the City's Eminent Domain Authority (Ordinance introduced by Mayor Hales) 15 minutes requested."

This request did turn interesting; it did go a lot longer than 15 minutes as requested, and there were a number of citizens who objected to the limited way the city was going ahead with this project. One woman said straight out that the change will not deal at all with the biggest problem they have and that is speeding. I was a little confused by this because I thought this was a simple problem that was going to be finally answered by the city--wrong!

This was presented as an emergency which means that you have to get all the members to agree or they would have to do a second reading and more discussion. The cost of this project is not cheap, in the range of over a million bucks. [...]

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actions & protests | environment 05-Jan-2013 23:27

CROSS-BORDER SOLIDARITY WITH THE WET’SUWET’EN NATION

Photos of Resistance From the open publishing newswire: The Chevron on the corner of MLK and NE Fremont got a little snowy this afternoon when members of various local activist groups gathered to show their support for the Wet'suwet'en Nation.

The Wet'suwet'en Nation consists of 5 clans who reside in an area located in British Columbia. They have been engaged in a fearless struggle against the Pacific Trails Pipeline, an underground pipeline system that would stretch for almost 300 miles from Summit Lake to Kitimat, British Columbia. Chevron Canada Ltd. is heavily-invested in the project, and its completion would grant them 50% of the Pacific Trail Pipelines Limited Partnership. The pipeline is proposed to transport 1,000 million cubic feet per day, about 700,000 barrels, and much like our own little Morrow Pacific Project, the natural gas would be destined for Asian markets. The project would create a direct line of access to the Spectra Energy Transmission pipeline system, resulting in a veiny bi-national network of toxic channels and conduits. The Wet'suwet'en Nation has been calling for solidarity actions from their allies in order to gain support for their movement. In response, today (01.05.2013) members of Portland Rising Tide and Community Alliance Against Coal shut down the Chevron on the Corner of NE MLK and NE Fremont with mounds of snow, while others handed out fliers and waved signs. Snowballs and fun whizzed through the air but it wasn't long until the Portland Police were called to break up the festivities. Police officers were literally knocking the snow out of protestors' hands and shoving people towards the sidewalk in an attempt to end the protest. In spite of this, group members deemed the action a success and are looking forward to continuing to support the Wet'suwet'en Nation in their struggle against the merciless pursuit of profits.

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environment 20-Dec-2012 12:13

Action Alert! Don't Let Them Rush Fluoridation Once Again!

From the open publishing newswire: Then at 2pm join us at the City Council meeting as we urge Commissioner Nick Fish to reject fast-tracking the fluoridation vote and instead support creation of an independent scientific review panel to report the current science on the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation to voters.

While Commissioners Amanda Fritz and Dan Saltzman have strongly criticized the effort to move up the fluoridation vote by a year, Mayor Sam Adams and Commissioner Leonard are ready to throw fair process and democratic values under the bus once again and support fluoridationists' efforts to fast-track the vote.

Commissioner Fish says he's leaning towards supporting the latest effort to rush through fluoridation, which would leave no time for Join the "Don't Rush Fluoridation Again!" Rally TODAY at noon at City Hall!formation of a scientifc review panel. Come help us change his mind!

We know what a truly independent review of the current science will show, and Portland deserves to know the truth about fluoridation.

AND IF YOU HAVEN'T CALLED AND EMAILED THEM ALREADY:

Mayor Sam Adams mayorsam@portlandoregon.gov 503-823-4120 Nick Fish nick@portlandoregon.gov 503-823-3589 Amanda Fritz amanda@portlandoregon.gov 503-823-3008 Randy Leonard randy@portlandoregon.gov 503-823-4682 Dan Saltzman dan@portlandoregon.gov 503-823-4151

Please be respectful in your comments.

Thanks for your support and we hope to see you at the rally and hearing on Thursday!

Related Post by Madame Karnak:
THE LETTER THAT I SENT TO THE PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL AGAINST FLUORIDATION

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actions & protests | environment 07-Dec-2012 07:03

Activists say NO to Ambre Energy

From the open publishing newswire: On Thursday, December 6th the Department of Environmental Quality held an informational meeting to hear community concerns over the Coyote Island Terminal Project (Port of Morrow).

Activists from around the Pacific Northwest gathered at the Ambridge Events Center in Portland on Thursday night to voice their opposition to the Coyote Island Terminal Project, which is spearheaded by Brisbane, Australia-based Ambre Energy. Tonight's informational meeting was hosted by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and was the third such event held in Oregon regarding the controversial coal terminal. While the project did have some supporters in attendance, a majority of the people were there to send the message that Oregon and the Pacific Northwest will not tolerate 8.8 million tons of coal slinking through its backyards each year.
If approved, the terminal would be constructed at the Port of Morrow and serve as a hub for shipping coal to the Asian-Pacific market, making it the only operational coal export terminal on the U.S. West Coast. According to Ambre Energy's website, 3.5 million metric tons of coal would be shipped each year in the first phase of the project, with that number increasing to 8.8 million tons during the second phase. The Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for reviewing the permit applications submitted for the project and will make a decision whether or not to grant Ambre Energy the right to transport metric tons of toxic crap through the region. [...]

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community building | environment 16-Nov-2012 10:21

Join or Lead a Tree Care Team

From the open publishing newswire:
Join or Lead a Tree Care Team in 2013 Learn tree care skills while helping to improve the health and productivity of urban fruit trees!

Each Tree Care Team will care for a cluster of PFTP-registered fruit trees, visiting each tree once per season to complete the full spectrum of care. Each team is instructed & guided by two 'Team Leaders' with experience and skills in organic fruit tree care. This is a unique opportunity to develop strong skills in organic fruit tree care, meet new people, and care for trees providing food to your community!

Members and Leaders will participate in ten 3-hour work-parties over an 11-month period (January-November, 2013). Topics/tasks will include: Winter & Summer Pruning, Young Tree Training & Care, Pest & Disease Management, Fruit Thinning, and more. At the end of the program you will receive a certificate of completion.

Volunteer position descriptions for Tree Care Team Members and Tree Care Team Leaders are available on our website: www.portlandfruit.org

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environment | sustainability 25-Oct-2012 07:01

Radical Mycology Convergence 2012 Port Townsend [Documentary]

From the open publishing newswire: The second Radical Mycology Convergence was held in Port Townsend, Washington. This volunteer-run four day event attracts mycologists and fungal enthusiasts to share skills about the benefits of fungi in terms of bioremediation and human uses. Port Townsend, WA, USA, 10/22/2012.

[video]  https://vimeo.com/52069765
[homepage]  http://alexmilantracy.com

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actions & protests | environment 25-Aug-2012 12:05

Stand Against Coal Exports in Oregon

From the open publishing newswire: RSVP now to join us on Tuesday as we gather with city leaders for a press conference in front of the Army Corps' offices in Portland.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Press conference at the Army Corps District Office
WHEN: Tuesday, August 28 at noon
WHERE: 330 SW 2nd Ave (between Oak and Stark, just north of the Morrison bridge), Portland [Map]
Questions: Contact Laura Stevens at  laura.stevens@sierraclub.org or by calling 503-238-0442 x305

RSVP:

 link to action.sierraclub.org

[homepage:]  http://www.columbiariverkeeper.org/our-work/coal-export/

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corporate dominance | environment 13-Aug-2012 09:54

Outlaw Matriarch of the Fox Mountain Pack Ordered Dead by Feds

From the open publishing newswire: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has ordered the killing of an alpha female Mexican gray wolf for crimes against the cattle industry. She is accused of being the ringleader of a six member pack that has killed four cows in southwestern New Mexico over the last several months.

Extirpated from the wild by the 1950s, reintroduced through captive breeding programs in 1998, Mexican grey wolves are far from recovered. The outlaw matriarch of the Fox Mountain Pack—last seen roaming the mountainous woodlands of the northwest portion of the Gila National Forest—is one of only 58 of her kind left in the U.S. Southwest. And though Mexican gray wolves are endangered and federally protected she is now on the federal government's hit list. There's no telling how long she and her pups can hold out in the cover of pinion and ponderosa pine or the conifers of the colder peaks of the range with a warrant out for her life. The ranchers who suffered the loss of cattle have already been reimbursed.

Will the Fox Mountain Matriarch outwit the cattle lobbyists and government assassins long enough for an injunction?

(505) 248-6920 Fish and Wildlife Services' Division of Endangered Species and Habitat Conservation in Albuquerque, New Mexico

(505) 842-3292 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southwest Region (this is the organization that will probably carry out the order to kill the wolf)

homepage:  link to earthfirstnews.wordpress.com

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corporate dominance | environment 13-Aug-2012 09:48

Video: Keep Nestle Out of the Gorge Rally

Keep nestle out of The Columbia Gorge From the open publishing newswire: Rally held at Terry Schrunk Plaza at the end of June protesting Nestle proposal to build a new bottling plant in the town of Cascade Locks on the Columbia River, capturing the pristine water of Oxbow Springs. Nestle would like to tap up to 100 million gallons of water a year from the Oxbow Spring. The spring is part of the Herman Creek watershed, known for its outstanding trail system. Herman Creek is also a thermal refuge for threatened steelhead.



Keep Nestle Out of the Gorge Rally

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