"Some have even suggested that coal state representatives in Washington should block any advancement of national health care reform legislation until the coal industry’s demands are met by the EPA. I believe that the notion of holding the health care of over 300 million Americans hostage in exchange for a handful of coal permits is beyond foolish; it is morally indefensible."
-- Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV)
In this issue:
1) Take Action: Help the Endangered Beluga Whale Recover
2) Take Action: Support a Global Deal
3) Global Warming: Endangerment Finding Final
4) Missives From Copenhagen: Almost Like Being There
1) Take Action: Help the Endangered Beluga Whale Recover
The Cook Inlet beluga is an isolated and distinct population of beluga whale and one of the most endangered populations of marine mammals in the world -- only about 300 individuals remain. To give the beluga population a legitimate chance to recover in the face of increased oil and gas drilling, new proposed coal strip mines and port expansions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service has proposed designating more than 3,000 square miles of ocean as critical habitat for the highly endangered Cook Inlet population of the beluga whale.
Tell NOAA that designating critical habitat is a crucial first step in protecting this iconic species!
2) Take Action: Support a Global Deal
President Obama's decision to attend this month's international climate negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark and his announcement of provisional U.S. emission reduction targets of 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, demonstrate leadership in the fight to combat global climate change.
A strong start in Copenhagen will allow the U.S. and the world to achieve final, binding domestic and international climate agreements later in 2010.
Ask your senator to support President Obama in his work to pursue a fair and ambitious international agreement.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced yesterday that it finalized the finding that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases represent a significant threat to public health and welfare.
Based on tens of thousands of public comments and years of work by EPA's career staff and scientists, this "endangerment" finding paves the way for regulatory action on global warming and gives the government a key tool to hold polluters accountable for their contribution to global warming.
4) Missives From Copenhagen: Almost Like Being There
Koh-puhn-hey-guhn or Koh-puhn-hah-guhn? No matter how you say it, the world is focused on Copenhagen as international global warming discussions get underway. You can be a part of the action too. Just join the Copenhagen group on Climate Crossroads to get updates, pictures, videos and more from the Sierra Club volunteers and staff on the ground in Denmark.
Join the discussions to share your thoughts on the latest developments and see what we can do in the states to help.