Tired of being asked for money by campaigns...take a little break to help out a fellow blogger, a foodie community and farmers being affected by the floods.

Subscribe to Edible San Francisco today and we’ll donate 100%of your subscription to the Iowa Farm Aid fund (valid 6/19/08 - 07/01/08).

And why should you do this you may ask? Well...

of Mother Nature. Forget the candidates for a second this evening...what did you do to show support for the planet on this EARTH DAY 2008? Have you showered the pols with "green" without considering their stances on Mother Nature's natural green? Did you hug a tree today?

Submitted for your perusal....BREAKING!...THE EARTH...ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS TO USE.

Exxon appeal rejected in Louisiana contamination lawsuit. Exxon Mobil Corp. suffered a defeat at the Supreme Court on Monday, as the justices refused to consider an appeal by the oil giant of a $112 million damage award in an environmental lawsuit. Associated Press via Anchorage Daily News

Mississippi River debris spilling into lake. As Mississippi River water hurtles through the Bonnet Carre Spillway and into Lake Pontchartrain, it carries the detritus of the American heartland along for the ride. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Happy Earth Day...from Santa Barbara, California home of the national disaster that helped Nixon to create the EPA and spark the Environmental Movement and Earth Day Celebrations.

Ecological disaster brought reality check. Crude oil blasted nine stories into the air on Jan. 28, 1969, from a pipeline that blew out in the Santa Barbara channel. For the environmental movement, this disaster was the spark that launched Earth Day. Bridgeport Connecticut Post

The story goes that Earth Day was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson after a trip he took to Santa Barbara right after that horrific oil spill off our coast in 1969. He was so outraged by what he saw that he went back to Washington and passed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth. - CEC

A lonely bird sings a plantive song for help. No. Not titles of the newest spy books nor codes for meeting a furtive informant. I've been thinking about the sing-song sounds I've been hearing outside my window late at night. A single lonely bird hoping to attract a mate. The image of a single lonely bird could possibly open up ears and eyes to the tragedy that is befalling our towns, our cities, our states, our country...the world.

When was the last time you heard the natural music of the songs of the birds? And, if you haven't heard the cacophany that is supposed to be on-going this time of year, have you stopped for a moment and wondered why?

(more below on the lower "branch"....)

Tired of the political "tit for tat" being thrust upon us via the corporate media? Want some really "meaty" issues to gnaw on and digest? Issues that aren't being highlighted in your news at 10? I submit to you, today's ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS TO USE.

High ammonia levels threaten Des Moines' water. Manure and commercial fertilizers spread on frozen ground contributed to record ammonia levels in water supplies across Iowa this spring, threatening tap water in Des Moines. Des Moines Register

Federal judge blocks uranium company's test near Grand Canyon. A federal judge has blocked a British mining company from exploring for uranium near the Grand Canyon, agreeing with environmental groups which sued the U.S. Forest Service. Associated Press via International Tribune.

My first diary since being threatened by some hatefilled bloggers. I'm still a little skittish after recieving physical threats...but it's an important day today. EARTH HOUR day. 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - boom, boom...out go the lights tonight. And now...more ECO NEWS TO USE!

Lights off! Sydney supports Earth Hour. Sydney embraced its second Earth Hour tonight, as hundreds of thousands of citizens turned off their lights across the city between 8 and 9pm to make a statement against climate change. Sydney Morning Herald

A movement that spans the world. Fellow electricians Justin McInerney and Tony Bautista have never met, and probably never will, but the pair are playing their part in Earth Hour tonight. Sydney Morning Herald

It's the day before Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont go to the polls. We've all seen the Red Telephone commercials. Our Planet has been trying to contact us as to show us how ill it is becoming. No one is picking up THAT phonecall. I want to know why. Now...Environmental News to use.

West Texas radioactive waste site a hot topic. The executive director of the Texas environmental agency is poised to recommend a radioactive waste dump despite a report from agency scientists who said nearby groundwater makes the site unsuitable. Houston Chronicle

Governor shows guts with green initiatives. The governor's State of the State address showed guts when he called for $250 million to stimulate Ohio's involvement in wind and solar, as well as for cleaner uses of coal and other renewable and advanced energy sources. Toledo Blade

orangeclouds has graciously allowed me to diary a VMD (aka Vegetables of Mass Destruction) issue. And, it's an "URGENT TAKE ACTION" variety. Why the urgency you may ask, well...

Though Monday, March 3, the USDA is taking comments on a proposal to change the usage of the term "naturally raised" on beef/livestock product labels in stores. (PDF of Proposal)

Consumer polls indicate the average person imagines meat labeled "Naturally Raised" comes from animals that spent their drug-free lives freely roaming the fields of a family farmer, eating wild flora and being humanely slaughtered. A 2007 Consumer Reports survey shows 83% of consumers assume such labeling means "it came from an animal raised in a natural environment." The USDA, however, has released a standard for "Naturally Raised" meats that is so weak it would apply to a cloned animal raised in the confines of a factory farm.

Would this new label mean the cattle were grassfed? No.
Have had access to outdoors? No.
Were humanely treated? No.

(what to do below the fold...)

Conserve your energy. Take a breather from candidate bashing diaries. Let's talk about ISSUES...shall we?  Now...ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS TO USE!

Radioactive remains: The forgotten story of the Northwest's only uranium mines. One of the world's largest mining companies is trying to wash its hands of responsibility for a costly cleanup of the Northwest's only uranium mines. Seattle Times

Your sewer on drugs. Sewage is more than just filth. It’s evidence of our worst habits, everything from caffeine to cocaine, all ingested and flushed down the toilet. Now scientists are using wastewater to drug-test entire cities, and the results are sobering. Popular Science.

Man...what a week. I'm pooped. Without further adieu, stories on the topic that dare not speak it's name within either Party...ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS to USE! (P.S. No candidates were bashed in the making of this diary...)

Is cabin air making us sick? More and more pilots are reporting that air polluted by engine fumes is making them ill and even incapable of handling their aircraft. So why are passengers not being told? London Daily Telegraph

4 nations, 4 cities take 'climate neutral' pledge. Four nations and a clutch of cities and corporations unveiled a Web-based information hub on Thursday to help meet a pledge to radically cut carbon levels in their economies in coming decade. Agence France-Presse.

Yes. Good News. There IS some out there. Time to highlight...Environmental Good News to USE.

Research hub for electric cars could lead to energy independence. At the Emerging Issues Forum at N.C. State University last week, the governor said he wants North Carolina to create a new generation of batteries within five years. Fayetteville Observer

Program examines how to make schools greener. The Bluegrass Partnership for a Green Community is sponsoring the Green Tools for Green Schools program to show Lexington some low-tech methods to build future green schools and make existing schools greener. Lexington Herald-Leader

Monastery throws switch on green initiatives. With the flip of a switch Sunday, a secluded monastery tucked away in the brush-and-oak-covered canyons north of Escondido's downtown began producing its own energy. San Diego North County Times

I managed to survive the first election. (Full disclosure...I'm working a temp job in an Elections Office) The phlem in the lungs is still not gone after 5 weeks. Still hacking. Our office now has a special election on April 22, the Statewide Primary on June 3 and the Presidential General on November 4. Anyway...onto the topic that the two Donkey candidates aren't talking about. ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS (to use.)

District connects lead with special ed. Galveston Independent School District has too many African-American students in its special education program. And school administrators think it may be due to lead. Galveston County Daily News

Environment not among top campaign topics. The environment has not been a hot topic in the presidential races up to this point. Salt Lake Tribune

(Full disclosure...I am a temp working in an Elections Office)

Yeah. Tomorrow we show up at 6:30 a.m. and work until...well...Buddha knows when. When you go to your polls tomorrow, take into consideration that someone had to call and recruit those people who are working the polling places. Someone had to set up all the signs. Someone had to set up all the tables. Someone had to train the workers. Someone had to get them to send back information so they can get paid. Someone had to supply and set up the polling stations. Someone had make sure there were extra pens, paper supplies, and the ubiquitous "I voted stickers." Someone had to deal with workers calling up the night before saying "well...I don't think I want to do it."

Yeah...betcha hadn't even given that a thought before.

(More rant below the fold)

Full disclosure - I am a temp worker at the local Elections Office. This is my second "tour of duty" at the office.

You know...sometimes it just isn't a conspiracy. Sometimes it's downright human stupidity. You heard me. Plain old freakin' stupidity. And, I will tell you, this election year is really bringing out the stupid AND THE MEAN in people.

Go below "the fold" if you dare.....

Yes. My heart is heavy as today Senator Edwards is leaving the Presidential campaign "reality show." I voted for the Senator via Vote by Mail balloting here in California. My vote was NOT wasted. It went to the only candidate that spoke to me and inspired me via action, not just "talk". Now...wiping the tears...onto Environmental News to USE.

DNREC leaves monitoring to polluters. In Delaware, home of some of the biggest air polluters in the country, the state's air quality management program remains underfunded and understaffed, leaving the reporting of violations up to the companies doing the polluting. Wilmington News Journal

Collapse of water, sewer and public health in Gaza. A stream of dark and putrid sludge snakes through Gaza's streets. It is a noxious mix of human and animal waste. The stench is overwhelming. The occasional passer-by vomits. Inter Press Service.

..and some simple plain trash talk. How we've turned our planet into a big trash can. The Issue that dare not speak it's name in debates...The ENVIRONMENT. Now...Environmental News to USE.

Now...One campaign is bitching about getting Michigan's Delegates...how about creating some solutions for the future for the state, eh?

Appeals court says Dow lawsuit should be class action. Thousands of plaintiffs who sued Dow Chemical say dioxin from Dow's Midland plant got into the Tittabawassee River and has contaminated their properties, dropping house values and making the homes difficult to sell. Detroit Free Press

Yes. I have a temp job at our local Elections Office and have been sitting on my "Vote by Mail" ballot for awhile. It was a little slow today, so thought I would fill out my ballot. For President, I proudly cast my vote for Edwards. He seems to be the only one really talking about the issues that resonate with me. To paraphrase Senator Edwards..."tell me which American doesn't deserve clean air? clean water? Toxin free homes and schools?" Anyway...onto Environmental News to USE!

Rudy Giuliani and air quality after 9/11. In his run for President, Rudy Giuliani has showcased his leadership on 9/11 and in the following days, weeks, and months. But far less understood is how he responded to early concerns about the air quality in Lower Manhattan. New York WNYC Radio

Happy MLK Day. What you don't hear the "corporate media" talking about today is the lack of environmental justice based on race. Sure you hear the panic about lead based paint in toys...but rarely a mention of lead paint in low income housing. You hear the tone of fear in talk of pollution/pesticide and their increasing cancer/health risks, but rarely a mention of the races most directly affected. Your Environmental News...to Use...Don't just dream of a cleaner world...go out and make it so.

Did oil canals worsen Katrina's effects? 10,000 miles of oil canals in the Mississippi River delta may be a key to the role that the oil industry played in the $135 billion disaster, the nation's costliest. Associated Press.

Asthma crisis is a call for all minorities. Such a high number of young African-Americans living in neighborhoods along the Dan Ryan Expressway have asthma that Chicago is often called the epicenter of the disease. Chicago Tribune