International Campaigns
• A UN peacekeeping force is poised and ready to bring aid to the people suffering from escalating violence in Darfur, Sudan. But they might never make it to Darfur if the Sudanese government doesn’t agree to let them in. Remind President Bush and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan that the international community is watching, and that we refuse to let the atrocities in Darfur continue.
• Despite global protests, Gunns Ltd. is clear-cutting the world's tallest hardwood trees and ancient old-growth forests in the most despicable ways imaginable. This company is responsible for:
o clearcutting roughly 44 football fields of pristine forests everyday
o destroying 400 year old trees
o firebombing the clear-cut land with napalm, incinerating wildlife habitat
o poisoning hundreds of thousands of the surviving wildlife with 1080, a toxin banned in many countries
Join the fight to save this precious ecosystem.
• WSPA is seeking 10 million signatures to let governments of the world know that we are serious about achieving a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare at the United Nations. The UK-based group has launched the Animals Matter To Me campaign, which represents the biggest-ever global animal welfare initiative linking the entire animal welfare movement under one strategic goal—global recognition that animals are sentient beings, capable of feeling pain and suffering. Show your support.
• Overfishing has reduced red snapper populations to less than 3 percent of their historic levels! This is a serious threat to the long-term health of the Gulf of Mexico. At the rate we're going, there won't be any harvestable red snapper left for future generations of fishing communities that depend on them. Take action.
National Campaigns
• Please continue to spread the word on the wildlife values of this special place and help fend off serious threats from energy development of sensitive wetland habitat around Alaska's Teshekpuk Lake. We need to keep up the pressure on the Administration to call off the sale once and for all.
• The Fur Products Labeling Act requires that any garment made of fur list the type of animals used and the country in which the animals were killed. However, a loophole in the law exempts garments made with up to $150 worth of fur from being labeled. U.S. Representatives Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) and Jim Moran (D-VA) have introduced H.R. 4904, The Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2006, which would close this loophole. This bill would also be an added layer of protection against any illegal dog and cat fur coming into the country as trim on unlabeled garments. Help give consumers the right to make informed choices about whether or not to wear fur.
• Congressman Jim Ryun (KS, R) has just introduced “Haley’s Act”, HR 5909, to protect the public and improve the welfare of big cats kept at USDA licensed facilities. Haley’s Act seeks to prohibit direct contact between big cats and the public at USDA licensed facilities, and to significantly raise fines for violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Show your support.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has initiated fast-track market approval of an illegal, genetically-engineered (GE) rice variety that has contaminated long-grain rice throughout the South, throwing rice markets into turmoil and causing potential harm to consumers and the environment. The variety, known as LL601, was developed by Bayer CropScience. Bayer field-tested LL601 from 1998-2001, but for unknown reasons never applied to USDA for market approval. A public comment period is open now through October 10th. Tell USDA NOT to approve this illegal, inadequately tested rice, and to hold Bayer CropScience accountable!
• According to the new research the average summer temperatures have increased by two or three degrees off the north coast of Alaska since 1950s. Rising temperatures mean that polar bears are forced into long voyages, as the ice flows from which they feed melt, become smaller and drift farther apart. Switching to energy-efficient lighting is a simple step we can each take to save energy, save money, and help protect our environment. October 4th is ENERGY STAR Change a Light Day. Help fight this global climate change by replacing at least one standard lightbulb with an energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has begun rewriting long-standing rules meant to keep a single company from buying up too many television stations, radio stations and newspapers in individual markets and they are asking for the public’s comments on these possible changes. The new rules are likely to result in even more media consolidation and less diversity in local news and entertainment choices. The FCC is seeking comments from the public.
• Although kinkajous may appear cute and cuddly, they are wild animals that belong in the rainforest eating tropical fruit, not ducking from flashbulbs on fashion runways or sipping lattes in the cafes and trendy clubs of Los Angeles. Please send a letter today to demand that Paris Hilton stop collecting and exploiting exotic wildlife and that she immediately free Baby Luv, the kinkajou!
California Campaigns
• The Clean Hydrogen bill, which guards against hydrogen fuel being produced by dirty energy sources like coal, has been passed by the state legislature! SB 1505 ensures that environmental standards are in place for hydrogen fuel production in California. Please send Governor Schwarzenegger an email today asking him to sign SB 1505!
• SB 1578, the bill to ban dog chaining as the primary means of confinement, has now passed both Houses of the State Legislature and moves to the Governor’s Office for his signature. This bill would prohibit chaining or tethering a dog to a stationary object as a primary means of confinement. Urge the governor to support this bill.
• If passed AB 2862, would give the California Department of Consumer Affairs the regulatory authority to establish specific standards of care and provide tools for improved enforcement of pet store laws. Your input is still vitally needed to ensure the passage of this animal protection bill.
• Proposition 89 on the November ballot sets tough contribution levels on corporations, unions, and individuals. And it would ban contributions from lobbyists completely! Join the list of Californians who want to put citizen rights at the forefront in Sacramento!
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