Move On: Google recently released a list of the organizations it sponsors, and it includes groups that consistently deny climate change. Google claims to be an advocate for climate change policy, but the company has made generous donations to organizations like CEI that were instrumental in pushing the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and reverse Obama-era environmental protections. In addition, Google has contributed to groups like State Policy Network, an umbrella organization including the Heartland Institute, a known anti-science think tank. Google employees upset by the company’s behavior have even criticized Google for reportedly funding 111 members of Congress who voted against climate legislation 90 percent of the time.
>>>Urge Google CEO Sundar Pichai to stop funding organizations that deny climate change.
CREDO Action: The bald eagle, beluga whale, whooping crane and American grey wolf: All could be a distant memory if the Trump administration’s heartless and greedy extinction plan remains in effect. Earlier this year, despite massive public opposition, Trump and his minions pushed through dangerous regulations to gut the Endangered Species Act, open up protected areas to fossil fuel development and line the pockets of big polluters. Progressive champion Rep. Raul Grijalva recently introduced critical legislation called the PAW and FIN Conservation Act of 2019 that would repeal these rule changes. Congress should immediately pass this bill to stop Trump’s handout to the oil and gas industry and protect and recover precious, threatened wildlife.
>>>Tell Congress to save the Endangered Species Act.
Humane Society International: Every five years, the world’s largest animal sacrifice takes place at the Gadhimai Temple in the Bara district of Nepal. On December 3, following a month-long celebration or “mela,” the festival culminates in the ritual slaughter of tens of thousands of animals, including water buffalo, goats, chickens, pigs, pigeons, ducks and rats, who are decapitated with blunt metal tools. At its height in 2009, around half a million animals were slaughtered. In 2015, animal sacrifice was banned at this festival following negotiations and campaigning by HSI, Animal Welfare Network Nepal and People for Animals. But public pressure is still needed to enforce this ban.
>>>Urge Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli to end this killing once and for all.
Cause for concern…
- In bleak report, U.N. says drastic action is only way to avoid worst effects of climate change (Brady Dennis, The Washington Post)
- Scientists warn: Nine climate tipping points now active—could threaten the existence of human civilization (SciTech Daily)
- Nearly 40% of species are very rare and are vulnerable to climate change (Jasmine Demers, Arizona Daily Star)
- Climate change threatens West Virginia’s red spruce forests, putting endangered species more at risk (Kate Mishkin, Charleston Gazette-Mail via InsideClimate News)
- EPA proposal lets toxins flow at struggling coal plants (Ariel Wittenberg and Benjamin Storrow, E&E News)
- German navy accused of killing porpoises during exercises (Ben Knight, Deutsche Welle)
- Tribe feels forgotten as flooding brings misery to struggling community (Nina Lakhani, The Guardian)
- U.S. annually uses 388 million pounds of potentially fatal pesticides banned in the EU, China and Brazil (Madison Dapcevich, EcoWatch)
Round of applause…
- To understand climate change better, we need more Greta Thunbergs, not more scientific data (James Rose, South China Morning Post)
- Thousands of people have stopped flying because of climate change (Isabelle Gerretsen, CNN)
- Consuming less linked to higher personal well-being and lower psychological distress (University of Arizona, Science Daily)
- Rats are more social than we thought, and use the same brain region humans use to empathize with others (Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, ScienceDaily)
- This school is the first in the world to use synthetic frogs for dissection (Liam Pritchett, LIVEKINDLY)
- Meat industry cannot block California animal protection law: U.S. judge (Jonathan Stempel, U.S. News & World Report)
- Only cage-free eggs to be sold in Michigan under new state law (Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press)
- Vegan design applies the plant-based lifestyle to your entire home (Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens)
- This vegan burger releases 98% fewer greenhouse gasses than a beef patty and causes 78 times less water pollution (Scott Lynch, Gothamist)
- Mars becomes world’s first major candy company to produce vegan chocolate (Vegconomist)
- Farm Sanctuary’s “Thanksliving” celebrates animals with a vegan feast (Bridget Shirvell, Civil Eats)
Parting thought…
“The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say we will never forgive you.” —Greta Thunberg at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York, September 23, 2019
Earth | Food | Life (EFL) explores the critical and often interconnected issues facing the climate/environment, food/agriculture and nature/animal rights, and champions action; specifically, how responsible citizens, voters and consumers can help put society on an ethical path of sustainability that respects the rights of all species who call this planet home. EFL emphasizes the idea that everything is connected, so every decision matters.
Click here to support the work of EFL and the Independent Media Institute.
Questions, comments, suggestions, submissions? Contact EFL editor Reynard Loki at [email protected]. Follow EFL on Twitter @EarthFoodLife.