For the Earth: TODAY sign Waxman’s global warming bill & other to do’s

Happy Earth Day!

National Global Warming Bill – Petition
Please Sign NOW–TODAY!!

California Rep. Henry Waxman and Massachusetts Rep. Markey have crafted a bill called the “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. ” This bill has the support of an incredible list of Heavy Hitters in the environmental movement (see this partial list)!! A petition is being circulated to let Congress know that we want them to pass this bill.

Sign the Petition. Please. Sign the Petition Here.

This Earth Day, take action to save your planet by calling YOUR member of Congress at 202-224-3121 and asking them to support the Markey-Waxman climate bill! The Markey-Waxman climate bill is a reasonable measure that moves the US toward a green energy future and new economy based on renewable energy. It will go a long way toward pollution reduction requirements that help SAVE OUR PLANET! Earth Day Network looks forward to working with Chairmen Markey and Waxman on strengthening the bill even further – but we need your help and support first! Call 202-224-3121 and ensure a cleaner, greener future for us all! Sincerely, Kathleen Rogers President

While individual actions like bike riding instead of driving, recycling and using recycled materials, eating less, and living creatively on the earth DO add up and DO make a difference, it is minute compared to getting the government to change laws and policies and getting companies to change their business practices which support living resiliently and sustainably on the earth.

It does add up: drops in a bucket will eventually fill the bucket. For example, it takes 6 gallons of water to produce a head of lettuce, but it takes over 1,000 to produce a cheeseburger with lettuce, because the feed for the cows is so inefficient to grow, plus the emissions for the tractors is very high, according to  GREENandSAVE, a leading “green” resource for anyone who wants to save money and the environment, as well as create a healthier home and overall lifestyle. They’re offering a FREE download of their Eco Family Guide, a 12 page guide with tips for kids and parents – http://tinyurl.com/harogreen1

A British study claims that staying slim can help the planet. Lean populations, such as that in Vietnam, the researchers say, consume 20% less food and produce less greenhouse gas emissions than populations in which 40% of people are obese (close to the U.S. figure). The researchers also say that slimmer people are more likely to avoid using cars because their bodies are healthier, and that transport-related emissions are lower because it takes less energy to transport slim people. This makes me wonder: What kind of diet is best for getting and staying slim and saving the planet? (Smoothies using local fruits and not imported bananas?) How can we best encourage Americans to eat figure- and earth-friendly? Is there a consistent correlation between slim populations and healthier environments? Here is a link to the press release on the study: http://tinyurl.com/cfbvh7

Another recent study advocates that a return to a 1970s lifestyle would also address climate change; that study also mentions Americans increased obesity.

Moms Rising wrote to point out that: children ages 6-11 are four times more likely to be obese than children were a generation ago. That’s according to a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Statement Regarding Release of Estimates of Obesity Prevalence Among U.S. Children and Teens, http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/product.jsp?id=31611, Beyond Health Care – New Directions to a Healthier America, Robert Wood Johnson Commission to Build a Healthier America, p. 7. http://www.commissiononhealth.org/Report.aspx?Publication=64498

Today, nearly one-third of all children are overweight or obese, placing them at heightened risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and many other serious diseases. Tell Congress to strengthen the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) so that more children in child care settings can benefit from nutritious meals and snacks.

http://momsrisingaction.org/t/1546/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27119

Tell Congress to act now to provide nutritious food to our most vulnerable children and prevent lifelong health problems due to poor childhood nutrition. Please take a minute to forward this message on to friends and family so we can build pressure on Congress to take action now to protect the nutrition and health of children.

And the health of the planet!

Changing your diet and your life does help. Adding your voice to others clamoring for change, and participating in actions which encourage business to change, is the BIGGEST thing you can do for the Earth today and every day.

Al Gore writes,

In order to solve the climate crisis, we can’t just change light bulbs — we need to change laws.

We’re closer today than ever before. Right now, Congress is debating clean energy legislation that will jumpstart our economy and help solve the climate crisis.

On this Earth Day, can I depend on you to support this crucial legislation?

Yes. I’ll get 10 people to sign the petition in support of clean energy legislation within the next week.

This is the historic comprehensive energy legislation that we’ve been waiting for. It will create millions of jobs and help solve the climate crisis by closing the carbon pollution loophole.

After so many years of inaction and obstruction, it’s incredible that we have finally reached this point. But the legislative process is never easy. With powerful forces fighting hard to maintain the status quo, it will take all of us working together to seize this moment.

Today, you are one of more than two million Repower America members, and tens of millions of Americans, who want to take positive action for our planet. This is it — a chance to demonstrate nationwide support for clean energy to our leaders in Congress, and help to bring about a new economic era based on clean energy.

So please, talk to your friends. Talk to your parents or grandparents. Start a conversation with a co-worker. And ask them to join with you and the millions of other Americans who want Congress to support clean energy jobs by closing the carbon pollution loophole.

Yes. I’ll get 10 people to support this historic clean energy legislation in Congress.

I support clean energy but I’d like to help in other ways.

Your efforts have brought us this far. I hope you take this opportunity to make this a historic Earth Day.

Here are more ways to celebrate Earth Day:

Earth Day/Earth Month: Good Days to Celebrate Love & Life!

Earth Day 2009 Celebrations, Free How To Go Green e-Book, Teen Green Book & more

Some SoCal Earth Month Events 2009

In addition to being Earth Day, today is Jeans Day–wear denim to show your support for people who have been raped, and for laws which recognize that rape is a serious crime.