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Tonight's editor: patrickz
All views expressed by today's editor do not necessarily represent those of eKos or eKos listed diarists.
In our first edition of 'Editor's Choice', I'm happy to shine the spotlight on Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse's well-researched diary, Eco White Privilege:
Thanks to the Fossil Fuel Privilege, everyone pays a Fossil Fuel Tax when we pay the external costs (e.g., health care, quality of life) as corporate welfare for the fossil fuel industry. But poor/minority communities pay far more for a "separate but equal" life of living in areas of the industrial dumping grounds where a number of contaminated sites and industries pollute air, water and land. Society wants the goods and services produced as long as the polluting industries are NIMBY.
Multiple studies document that polluting industries are more likely to be located in minority neighborhoods. For years, our government has acknowledged the disparate treatment with the adverse impacts on health, education and quality of life. Yet, instead of a law to prohibit this racism, our government provides the remedy of an unenforced policy.
Environmental racism is not a subject that gets much attention from our media or politicians, though it has been well-documented:
Our government has known for decades that poor and minority communities have been targeted with disproportionate impacts of a multitude of harmful environmental effects. In 1970, the "United States Public Health Services (USPHS) acknowledged that lead poisoning was disproportionately impacting African Americans and Hispanic children." In 1971, the "Presidents’ Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) annual report acknowledge[d]" that "racial discrimination adversely affects urban poor and quality of their environment." A 1983 GAO (Government Accountability Office) study of 4 landfill sites found that "Blacks comprised the majority of the population in three of the four communities studied" and thus bear the burden with the distribution of environmental risks.
What can one do to remedy an injustice? Sadly, "the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a separate case that there is no private right of action to sue under Title VI to enforce disparate impact regulations." Currently, the EPA enforces a Clinton era Executive order:
So, the EPA finally created an Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to provide a place where a complaint could be filed, investigate allegations and potentially revoke federal funds to implement this policy. However, during 1993-1998, the complaints were processed slowly, and the EPA found that none violated Title VI. In 2009, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the OCR showed a "systemic refusal to address allegations of discrimination in the use of agency funds." There was a "consistent pattern of delay by the EPA" to ignore complaints filed, failing to respond until after the frustrated citizens filed a lawsuit.
Unfortunately, legislation has been hard to come by:
Efforts over the years to enact environmental justice laws to prohibit racism, provide a private right of action, or even to codify into federal law the EO policy have failed.
I highly recommend dropping by and reading PDNC's excellent diary in full. She will also be writing for the EcoJustice series on Monday about measures we can take to improve this situation.
Tonight's news and notes section focuses on biodiversity loss. Earth's web of life developed over billions of years, facing many challenges and bottlenecks along the way. Now, in a geologic instant in time, humans are disrupting that web through pollution, habitat destruction, overhunting and climate change. Scientists are watching the decline of species all over the world, and each year make ever more dire predictions.
Our Antarctic feathered friends are in trouble:
ScienceDaily (Sep. 9, 2010) — Penguin biologists from around the world, who are gathered in Boston the week of September 6, warn that ten of the planet's eighteen penguin species have experienced further serious population declines. The effects of climate change, overfishing, chronic oil pollution and predation by introduced mammals are among the major factors cited repeatedly by penguin scientists as contributing to these population drops. Prior to the conference, thirteen of these penguin species were already classified as endangered or threatened. Some penguin species may face extinction in this century.
More than 180 penguin biologists, government officials, conservation advocates, and zoo and aquarium professionals from 22 nations have convened in Boston for the five day International Penguin Conference, which is being hosted this year by the New England Aquarium. The conference is held every three to four years, and this is the first time that it has been held in the Northern Hemisphere.
Penguins are found exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere with a single species on the Galapagos Islands at the Equator to four Antarctic penguin species that are most well known to the public, yet 13 other species also live in South America, southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and on the many sub-Antarctic islands. Throughout their ranges, nearly all of penguin species are in significant decline or under duress due to a host of common factors.
African penguins, recently listed as endangered by the IUCN, are already struggling due to habitat destruction and commercial fishing. Their numbers have been cut by 80% over the last 50 years.
Other species in less immediate danger, such as the famous Emperor Penguin, are at still at risk due to climate change. A 2009 study predicted a decline of 87% in the Terre Adelie colony by 2100 due to melting sea ice.
Over-consumption = extinction?
This is a message that politicians don't want to hear, particularly in an election year with a sluggish economy. But if we truly want to make a dent in biodiversity loss, we should pay heed to the conservation scientists who are advocating it:
ScienceDaily (Sep. 9, 2010) — An innovative grouping of conservation scientists and practitioners have come together to advocate a fundamental shift in the way we view biodiversity. In their paper, which was published September 9 in the journal Science, they argue that unless people recognise the link between their consumption choices and biodiversity loss, the diversity of life on Earth will continue to decline.
Dr Mike Rands, Director of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and lead author of the paper, said: "Despite increasing worldwide conservation efforts, biodiversity continues to decline. If we are to make any kind of impact, it is critical that that we begin to view biodiversity as a global public good which provides such benefits as clean air and fresh water, and that this view is integrated not just into policies but also into society and individuals' day-to-day decisions."
The conservationists, from conservation organisations as well as academia, recognise that biodiversity loss is typically the result of unintended human actions and therefore raises unique difficulties. They state, "The impacts of a particular action are often distant in space and time. This makes effective regulation difficult, as no single body has jurisdiction over the world's biodiversity."
As bad as Republicans tend to be on environmental issues, we must point out when one of them does the right thing:
North Dakota's Republican governor appeared to distance himself Friday from GOP congressional candidate Rick Berg's assertion that Social Security coffers could be bolstered by horizontally drilling under the state’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
A spokesman for Gov. John Hoeven, the favorite to replace retiring Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), told the Fargo (N.D.) Forum newspaper Friday that "the governor does not support drilling within national parks."
Help Pakistan
Greg (Three Cups of Tea, Stones Into Schools) Mortenson's non-profit (CAI) recommends supporting a local (Pakistani) group to which donations will likely have a large, immediate, and lasting impact-
Human Development Foundation
http://www.hdf.com
(800) 705 1310
From their page about the flooding:
HDF is committed to work towards relief and reconstruction efforts in flood affected HDF program areas including Mardan and Tandoo Muhammad Khan. HDF already has the existing infrastructure and a team of trained employees and volunteers in place. Currently there is need for basic necessities like tents, blankets, cooking sets, utility containers, soap and bedding as well as, basic healthcare.
More details and videos at their site and their YouTube channel.
• • • • • •
Other groups that deserve support as well.
Doctors without Borders (MSF):
DONATE
The Red Cross:
DONATE
OXFAM:
OXFAM's Pakistan page:
With an estimated 6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, I am concerned that so far the international community hasn’t responded with the speed or on the scale warranted by a disaster of this magnitude.
DONATE
• • • • • •
From the US State dept.
How You Can Help:
Text "SWAT" to 50555; $10 goes to fund for flood victims
WarrenS made a New Year's Resolution to write a letter advocating climate action every day. The result is over two hundred letters to congresspeople, newspapers, President Obama, and more. Warren has even had letters published in the New York Times and the Boston Globe.
Learn Warren's letter writing technique here. Be sure to steal his stuffand visit his blog.
Month 9, Day 11: Inspiration or Expiration?
An email from Bill McKibben:
Dear friends,
I just walked out of a disappointing meeting with the White House: they refused to accept the Carter solar panel we came to Washington to deliver and said that they would continue their “deliberative process” to discuss putting solar panels back on the White House roof.
My 9/11 letter to POTUS:
Dear President Obama,
I just heard that your staff refused to accept the solar panel that Bill McKibben and his team brought back to the White House after thirty years. Apparently you are going to continue the “deliberative process,” rather than simply saying “yes” to an idea that is obviously a good one — an idea that has broad-based support all over America.
An idea that would motivate thousands of people to get moving and put solar panels on their homes.
An idea that would give a boost to American manufacturers of renewable energy technology — manufacturers who are being left in the dust by China’s advances in this area.
An idea that would demonstrate your genuine commitment to energy independence.
An idea that would help mobilize the nation around the battle against climate change.
Alas, what we get instead is a deliberative process.
A deliberative process that won’t motivate anyone. A deliberative process that does nothing for American manufacturers. A deliberative process that says nothing about energy independence or climate change.
How long will this deliberative process take? Perhaps until after the elections? I have news for you and your team: the Republicans don’t care whether or not you install solar panels; they’re insane, and they’ll pillory you over trivialities regardless.
How hard would it have been to say “yes”?
Yours Regretfully,
WarrenS
Penguins!
and... flying penguins? ;)
Heh.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention RLMiller's excellent work exposing Republican climate denial zombies. Both diaries have been posted at the Grist website (here and here). Thanks to everyone who has helped out with the research. If you know of any climate zombies in your state running for national office or governor, please mention them in the comments.
LaughingPlanet started a(nother) Google group do address the crisis in Pakistan. Anyone who would like to get involved or get alerts when a new HELP PAKISTAN diary is posted, please join.
< ==== CLICK THE PIC
Thanks.
(All times Eastern!)
eKos diaries from Friday, September 10, 2010 |
Diary | Author | Time (Eastern) | Tags |
National Snow and Ice Data Center: August 2010 ice | billlaurelMD | 7:44:54 PM | eKos, DK GreenRoots, environment, arctic sea ice, global warming |
Eco White Privilege | Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse | 2:55:55 PM | environmental racism, environment, racism, ecojustice, ekos |
An election about science? | A Siegel | 2:18:17 PM | republican party, ekos, nature magazine, science, republican war on science |
Making Room for Wildlife to Improve Livelihoods | NourishingthePlanet | 9:10:19 AM | Nourishing the Planet, State of the World, Livestock, Wildlife, conservation |
BP Catastrophe Liveblog Mothership: 108 | Gulf Watchers | 6:00:00 AM | Recommended, Oilpocalypse, BP, Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico, LMRP |
eKos diaries from Thursday, September 09, 2010 |
Diary | Author | Time (Eastern) | Tags |
Pakistan Crisis Deepens, Water Rising, More Rains Falling | FishOutofWater | 11:26:38 PM | Recommended, eKos, Pakistan, Help Pakistan, Indus River |
Stupid Goes Viral: Climate Zombies in IA, MO, UT, VT, and WA | RLMiller | 6:47:56 PM | Recommended, eKos, climate change, global warming, IA-Sen |
Line-dried clothing: an "uncivilized" energy smart choice? | A Siegel | 4:09:50 PM | the washington post, ekos, china, clothes drying, technology |
Village Green: What is a 'sustainable community'? | Kaid at NRDC | 2:30:46 PM | eKos, sustainablity, communities, cities, equity |
Great News: White House to meet McKibben about solar panels (w/ Action Items) [BONUS!: Hate mail] | LaughingPlanet | 2:15:25 PM | Recommended, Solar, Solar Panels, White House, ekos |
Coal Ash, a Rancher's View | Bruce Nilles | 11:06:41 AM | coal, coal ash, EPA, Sierra Club, eKos |
BP Catastrophe Liveblog Mothership: 107 | Gulf Watchers | 5:59:29 AM | Recommended, Oilpocalypse, BP, Deepwater Horizon, Gulf of Mexico, LMRP |
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