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10 Environmental Victories and Triumphs of 2013

December 31, 2013, indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com | “With all the talk of rising temperatures, acidifying oceans and melting polar ice, it is hard to see the healthy trees for the forest, as it were. Yes, the emerald ash borer and the mountain pine beetle are making inroads, and yes, extreme weather is becoming the norm. But it’s important, too, to note the environmental triumphs and victories that tribes either helped engineer or benefited from, or both.”

Connie Ashby shared a link.

10 Environmental Victories and Triumphs of 2013
indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com
Amid all the dire predictions, here are some environmental victories to celebrate for 2013.
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Filed under: Uncategorized

A Wild Success – Endangered Species Act

December 31, 2013, www.orionmagazine.org | “2013 is drawing to a close, and I doubt if one of the most significant events in my home state of Utah finds itself on anyone’s year-end list of consequence. A small wildflower that grows in the Kaibab Formation in Washington County known as a Gierisch mallow (Sphaeralcea gierischii) has finally been granted protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Only eighteen populations or communities of these plants remain on Earth, approximately 5,000 to 8,000 individuals. This vibrant orange crepe-petaled flower with yellow stamens can be seen squeezed between Interstate 15 and the Virgin River.”

“the article mentions a few that have been removed from the list…there have been many but oh so many more to go. The gray wolf, the prairie dog, the Calif condor, bald eagle are a few mentioned in this article…however it doesn’t mention the whopping crane, the brn bear, green sea turtle, Key deer, Florida panther, Kirtland’s warbler, American alligator…I think I read there are over 100 that have been removed…but I’m sure many must be put on the list daily…
A Wild Success | Orion Magazine
www.orionmagazine.org
December 31, 2013, by Terry Tempest Williams The Endangered Species Act celebrated its fortieth birthday on Saturday”
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Filed under: Animals & Plants, Compassionate Actions, Endangered Species, Insects, Plants

Conservation Group Turns Christmas Trees Into Salmon Habitat

Untitled

December 27, 2013, earthfix.opb.org | “Before you kick your dying Christmas tree to the curb, consider this: Members of the conservation group Trout Unlimited would love to turn that tree into fish habitat.”

Connie Ashby shared a link. conservation Group Turns Christmas Trees Into Salmon Habitat · EarthFix · Oregon Public Broadcasting earthfix.opb.org. Before you kick your dying Christmas tree to the curb, consider this: Members of the conservation group Trout Unlimited would love to turn that tree into fish habitat.

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Filed under: Fish, Pollution, Recycling & Plastics, Restoration, Rivers & Wetlands, Sustainable Forestry, Trash cleanups

New York City bans Styrofoam

polystyrene

December 20, 2013, www.treehugger.com | “New York’s City Council voted unanimously to ban the use of polystyrene (Styrofoam) containers yesterday. New York is now the largest U.S. city to implement such a ban on single-use foam containers. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to sign the bill into law before leaving office at the end of the year. NBC New York reports that Bloomberg supports the ban.”

Win! New York City bans Styrofoam
www.treehugger.com
Unless the foam industry finds a recycling solution, polystyrene containers will be history.
  • Robert Brothers likes this.
Dec 20, 2013 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Pollution, Recycling & Plastics, Trash cleanups

In Big Victory, PA Supreme Court Rules Local Towns Retain Zoning Power

Photo: GREAT NEWS: In a major victory over #fracking, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has overturned a controversial portion of a law that would have stripped local community control over fracking. http://ow.ly/rW2ni Seven Pennsylvania towns and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network challenged the law (Earthjustice filed an amicus brief in support). As our attorney Deborah Goldberg says, “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that stripping away the rights of local communities to protect themselves from fracking isn’t just bad for the environment, it’s bad for democracy.” The pivotal ruling also comes before Ohio’s Supreme Court considers the very same question. Click SHARE or LIKE to congratulate our partners for their stunning victory over fracking! TELL US >> Do you believe cities and towns have a right to ban fracking within their borders? (photo by Mark Schmerling)

December 19, 2013, earthjustice.org | “Today the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned a portion of a controversial state law—Act 13—that sought to override local zoning laws related to the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.”

GREAT NEWS: In a major victory over #fracking, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has overturned a controversial portion of a law that would have stripped local community control over fracking. http://ow.ly/rW2ni
Seven Pennsylvania towns and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network challenged the law (Earthjustice filed an amicus brief in support). As our attorney Deborah Goldberg says, “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that stripping away the rights of local communities to protect themselves from fracking isn’t just bad for the environment, it’s bad for democracy.” The pivotal ruling also comes before Ohio’s Supreme Court considers the very same question.
Click SHARE or LIKE to congratulate our partners for their stunning victory over fracking! TELL US >> Do you believe cities and towns have a right to ban fracking within their borders?
(photo by Mark Schmerling)
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Dec 19, 2013 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Energy - Polluting, Energy - Renewable, Fracking

Australian Marine Conservation Society

December 19, 2013, www.facebook.com | “Thanks to everyone who called, emailed, wrote to, or contacted the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). They have extended the time for making a decision on the dumping permit from Christmas Eve until 31 January 2014. We will keep up the Fight for the Reef!”
DELAYED..Thanks To Everyone Who Called, Emailed, Wrote to or Contacted the
(Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority!)
They Have Extended the Time for Making a Decision on the Dumping Permit from Christmas Eve..Until…January, 2014!
*We Will Keep Up Fighting for the Reef!*
Thank You, for Your Encouragement/ Support !
Please Continue..
Thanks to everyone who called, emailed, wrote to, or contacted the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). They have extended the time for making a decision on the dumping permit from Christmas Eve until 31 January 2014. We will keep up the Fight for the Reef! — with Daphne Jondonero Solis Carroll.
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Dec 19, 2013 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Ocean Pollution, Oceans, Pollution, Water

Russian parliament officially adopts Amnesty bill in 3rd reading

December 18, 2013, www.facebook.com | “This means the #Arctic30 are granted amnesty.  We’re relieved, but we’re not celebrating. The Arctic 30 spent two months in jail for a crime they didn’t commit. The charges should never have been brought in the first place.”

BREAKING: Russian parliament officially adopts Amnesty bill in 3rd reading. This means the #Arctic30 are granted amnesty.
We’re relieved, but we’re not celebrating. The Arctic 30 spent two months in jail for a crime they didn’t commit. The charges should never have been brought in the first place.
They may soon be truly free, but there’s no amnesty for the Arctic. They may soon be home, but the Arctic remains a fragile global treasure under assault by oil companies and the rising temperatures they’re driving.
Right now our thoughts are with our Russian colleagues. If they accept this amnesty they will have criminal records in the country where they live, and all for something they didn’t do.
  • Robert Brothers likes this.
Dec 18, 2013 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Climate, Energy - Polluting, Local Policy, National Policy, Oil, Protests

Big Win for Clean Water: Clark County Agrees To Improve Salmon Habitat and Comply with Stormwater Pollution Laws

December 18, 2013, earthjustice.org | “Clark County Commissioners voted today to improve salmon habitat and reduce dirty stormwater pollution as part of a binding settlement agreement with neighborhood and conservation groups. ‘This is a win for clean water and healthy salmon runs in Clark County,’ said John Felton, chair of the Rosemere Neighborhood Association. ‘This is a good result for the community as a whole.'”

Connie Ashby

Big Win for Clean Water: Clark County Agrees To Improve Salm…Clark County Commissioners voted today to improve salmon habitat and reduce dirty stormwater pollution as part of a binding settlement agreement with …
Dec 18, 2013 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Fish, Protection, Restoration, Rivers & Wetlands

Natives rally with new force against Malaysia’s extractive land policy

December 17, 2013, worldwire.presscentre.com | “‘Respect native rights,’ hundreds of protesting indigenous people have sent a clear message to the state government of Sarawak, the Malaysian state on the island of Borneo. They have held rallies in towns as well as in rural areas. As the international human rights day was celebrated on December 10, the protesters criticized their government’s land policy and spoke out for the protection of their human and indigenous rights.”

“Borneo Natives rally with new force against Malaysia’s extractive land policy
worldwire.presscentre.com
Malaysian Borneo comes under fire: natives have held several rallies to protect their ancestral lands from the government’s extractive land policy furthering logging, plantations and dam development. The protests stand symbolically for the strengthening of the indigenous movement in Sarawak. SARAWAK…”
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Filed under: Earth Ceremonies, Forests, Native Peoples, Native Peoples, Land, Protection

Huge Appellate Victory In Canada for Ecuadorian Rainforest Communities

December 17, 2013, stevendonziger.com | “A court of appeal in Ontario, Canada this morning just dealt Chevron a stunning reversal of fortune in its long attempt to evade paying the Ecuador environmental judgment.  The decision is attached; a press release with additional comment is forthcoming. In summary, the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled that Ecuadorian indigenous and farmer communities indeed have the right to pursue all of Chevron’s assets in Canada to enforce the $9.5 billion Ecuador judgment.”

“Breaking News: Chevron Loses! – Huge Court Victory In Canada for Ecuadorian Rainforest Communities
stevendonziger.com
December 17—A court of appeal in Ontario, Canada this morning just dealt Chevron a stunning reversal of fortune in its long attempt to evade paying the Ecuador environmental judgment. The decision is attached; a press release with additional comment is forthcoming. CLICK HERE to view and/or downloa…”
  • Merry Bindner, and Connie Ashby like this.
Dec 17, 2013 GoodNews FortheEarth on Facebook Leave a Comment
Filed under: Earth Ceremonies, Forests, Native Peoples, Native Peoples, Land, Protection, Restoration, Sustainable Forestry