Tar Sands activism and arrests continue at the White House, and activists around the world are now joining in from a distance in solidarity. Check out this note and call-to-action from 350.org that I received yesterday (and then more activism stories of the past day or so below that):
Dear friends,
The movement to stop the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is breaking through and gaining momentum.
Here’s how we know that the tide is turning:
- This week has seen the biggest days yet of the “Tar Sands Action” civil disobedience campaign in DC: over 140 people (including Dr. James Hansen of NASA and over 15 faith leaders) welcomed President Obama back from his vacation by sitting in front of the White House. So far, over 595 people have been arrested in DC, and as I type this over 100 are sitting in today.
- Keystone XL is getting a ton of media coverage: in the last few days the issue has been featured in front page articles on The New York Times and The Huffington Post, and great coverage from CNN, NBC, AP, Reuters, and more. (2)
- Along with our partners, we’ve collected hundreds of thousands of signatures on a petition that we’ll be delivering on September 3rd. If you haven’t signed and shared it, please do so today.
- Yesterday, a reporter asked Obama’s press secretary what the President thinks about the protests. The Press Secretary’s answer: “I haven’t talked to him about it.” It’s a good sign that the question was asked at all, but we’ll clearly need to get louder to really get through to President Obama.
Despite the unprecedented groundswell to stop Keystone XL, the Obama administration is still wavering on the pipeline–and honestly, the deck seems stacked to support it. Last Friday, the State Department released an Environmental lmpact Statement that declares the pipeline will have “no significant impacts” – yet it doesn’t mention climate change even once. (3)If we’re going to tip the balance on the Keystone XL pipeline, we’ll need to get louder. You’ve already added your signature, now add your voice by calling the White House.
Can you make a call to the White House? Here’s the phone number: 202-456-1111
Click here for a sample script and some more tips for making a successful call.
Let’s make sure President Obama knows that there’s a massive movement opposing the Keystone XL pipeline.Onwards,
May Boeve – 350.org
Tar Sands Activism
- Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Action Page
- Tar Sands Action Day 12: Another 100 People, Including Landowners, Expect Arrest At Keystone XL Protest
- Tar Sands solidarity protest in Wellington, New Zealand
- ACTION: Call President Obama–ask him to say NO to the Keystone XL pipeline
- Sending a Message to President Obama in Minneapolis
Oil, Coal, & Clean Energy
- Solar HOPE Part 1: Bringing solar to Tanzania
- Get the Shell Out Banner at Picnurbia
- New Coal Infographic for India
- Verdict: Cairn’s oil spill plan is outlandish, simplistic and “wholly inadequate”
Toxic Chemicals
- Support The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011: Write Your Representative
- Detox campaign hat trick: Adidas joins Nike and Puma
- ‘Impossible is nothing’ as Adidas join Nike and Puma in cleaning up their supply chain
Food
Other
- Saving Coral Reefs – Live Chat with Science
- VisionSpring: A Model TOMS Shoes Would be Wise to Adopt
- Rainforest activist asks for protection after death threats
- A Back-to-School Syllabus for Complete Streets Advocates
- All climate is local: How mayors fight global warming
Image via tarsandsaction
Suggested reading:
“Tar Sands Impact on Climate Change,” Skeptical Science, Aug 23, 2011
http://www.skepticalscience.com/tar-sands-impact-on-climate-change.html