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I really don't like Big Coal

This is a post from Rainforest Action Network's awesome blog, The Understory.  I can't say I got arrested, but I entirely support the sentiment.

This is a post written by Scott Parkin, RAN’s Coal Finance Senior Organizer. Scott was released last night after being arrested in Charlotte, NC while protesting at Duke Energy’s headquarters.

I really don’t like Big Coal.

I don’t like it when they blow the tops of mountains. I don’t like it when their power plants pollute local air and water. I don’t like when coal ash waste poisons whole communities. I especially don’t like how Big Coal is responsible for 42% of global carbon emissions causing catastrophic climate change.

So today, I joined hundreds of friends and got ARRESTED in a peaceful civil disobedience at Duke Energy’s headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Duke Energy is building a new coal fired power plant in Ciffside, NC. If built, the plant is predicted to emit six million tons of carbon dioxide every year for the next 50 years.

All over the country, people like me and you are taking action against big coal. We are all stepping it up and taking more risks to stop Big Coal’s destructive behavior. Protests as far away as California, or as nearby as the mountains of West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The movement to quit coal and stop global warming is sweeping the nation.

It’s time to step this fight against Big Coal and climate change up.

House GOP leader Boehner on ABC: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a carcinogen that is harmful to our environment is almost comical.”

So the House minority leader talked to George Stephanopoulos about the Republican position on climate change. The thorough and intelligent Climate Progress has all the details, so I won't restate them.

 

His exchange Sunday with George Stephanopoulos (transcript here, reprinted below) is still notable for his utter lack of understanding of even the basics of the climate issue.  Boehner said:

George, the idea that carbon dioxide is a carcinogen that is harmful to our environment is almost comical. Every time we exhale, we exhale carbon dioxide. Every cow in the world, you know, when they do what they do, you’ve got more carbon dioxide

The House minority leader is clearly demonstrating his scientific prowess.  Apparently, he is not convinced that carbon dioxide causes cancer.  *gasp!*  But wait, there's more: We exhale carbon dioxide.  Don't tell me we also inhale it!  

Finally, Boehner asserts that cows' digestive systems produce carbon dioxide, instead of methane.  Why couldn't he just say, "I don't know enough about the issue to have an opinion, but I do think that carbon dioxide is in the air..."  

I try not to label all conservative Republicans as being anti-science (or at least scientifically ignorant), but this guy is supposed to speak for the party, isn't he?  

Be sure to read the entire post at Climate Progress. 

44 Arrested Protesting Cliffside Coal Plant

From The Understory:

This morning, the Cliffside Climate Action brought hundreds to Duke Energy’s headquarters in Charlotte North Carolina to protest the construction of the new Cliffside coal facility.

The latest news is that 44 community members and supporters have been arrested, sending a bold message of urgency around the need to get off coal for the health of our communities and the future of our planet.

The Cliffside Climate Action is the latest in the growing wave of civil disobedience demanding that we get our country off dirty energy and coal power. Duke Energy’s continued pursuit of construction of two coal-fired power plants stands in stark contrast to its rhetoric of environmental care.

Let's hope that this will draw national attention to the need to stop building coal-fired power plants, especially those that destroy entire mountaintops. Click here for more photos.

Earth Movie

Disneynature's new film Earth hits theaters -- appropriately enough -- on Earth Day, April 22. Directed by the creators of Planet Earth, this documentary follows three animal families and their amazing journey across the planet we call home. For every ticket sold in the first week after the movie's release, Disney will plant a tree in a Brazilian rainforest.

So watch the stunning trailer and head over to the movie's website for more info. And be sure to hit up the theater next week, while celebrating Earth Day!

EU Phases Out Cosmetic Animal Tests

Animal lovers are celebrating the enforcement of the European Union's ban on using animals to test cosmetics for skin and eye irritancy, sensitivity to light, corrosivity, absorption through the skin and genetic and acute toxicity, whether or not there are alternatives available. This is a great victory for animal welfare and animal rights campaigners, but, unfortunately, it places the United States even farther behind the EU in that area. While vivisection for medical and "scientific" research will take longer to phase out, there is no reason we should not eliminate unneccesary and cruel cosmetic animal testing.

I'm sure many people would be surprised to know how many household products are tested on animals. It is not difficult to learn about the evils of vivisection, however. Even if you are not a supporter of PETA, you may be wondering what you can do to end this practise.

While public protests may not be your style, you can exercise your power as a conscientious consumer by avoiding animal-tested products. Visist CaringConsumer.org to view PETA's list of companies that do and don't test on animals, or check LeapingBunny.org for companies certified by Leaping Bunny as cruelty free. Two cruelty-free products available at Winn-Dixie are Seventh Generation (cleaning products, detergent, etc.) and Mrs. Meyers Clean Day (cleaning products).

In order to fight animal research, you may want to consider not donating to charities that support vivisection. Certain prominent environmental organizations actually support animal testing for products like pesticides and insecticides; however, many of these groups are effective at campaigning for environmental issues, even if they ignore animal rights concerns. In addition, many medical research companies use vivisection. While some experiments are to test new theories, many, such as those that force chimpanzees to inhale tobacco smoke or alcohol, are unnecessary. Furthermore, animals' bodies are different from humans,' so research on animals is not always reliable.

Whether or not you believe that animal experimentation is acceptable under certain circumstances, it is a good idea to be educated about this issue.

To learn more about PETA's campaign against animal testing, you can visit StopAnimalTests.com. (Note that some images and videos related to this subject are unpleasant or graphic.)

Global Warming "Tipping Points"

National Geographic has an article about the areas that would be strongly affected by global warming. Some potential disasters include an iceless Greenland, a dryer Amazon Rainforest, and a permanent El Nino. Check out the photos here.