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3 Important Dates in the Fight Against Fracking
From Americans Against Fracking
The next two months – between now and October 16 – are going to be very important. We have the potential to make great strides. There are three key dates coming up you will be hearing about a lot. Here’s what’s going on.
On September 21, the People’s Climate March is happening in New York City. This promises to be a powerful day of action and a fantastic opportunity to highlight the climate impacts of fracking and why the practice needs to be banned. Find out more about the march including transportation options here: http://peoplesclimate.org/
On October 11 will be the Global Frackdown, the international day of action to ban fracking. Groups from around the world and across the United States will be holding actions relevant to their specific campaigns, calling for a ban on fracking and related activities. Find out more about the Global Frackdown and sign your organization up as a partner here: http://www.globalfrackdown.org/org-endorsement-form/
On October 16, the comment period closes on the EPA carbon rules – rules that encourage transition to gas and therefore more fracking. While executive action to address climate change is needed and welcome, the solution is obviously not one that also encourages more fracking and its significant climate impacts. That’s why generating comments about these rules is so important, and also why many AAF member organizations will be campaigning hard to make the point that fracking = climate change and rules to address climate should not promote gas and encourage fracking.
Combined, these three focal points provide a tremendous opportunity for our movement to push back against fracking and the false narrative about gas as a transition fuel. Look out for notices about conference calls, details about these events, sample alerts, and sign-on letters as we build over the next couple months.
Stay involved. Nothing is inevitable.
Onward,
Back to School Guide to PVC-free School Supplies
The Center for Health, Environment and Justice Back to School Guide to PVC-free School Supplies is ready so download it now (pdf) before you go shopping for your kids this coming back-to-school season!
Our 7th annual guide features the best tips to avoid phthalate-laden vinyl plastic in popular children’s school supplies in over 40 product categories, from backpacks and binders to laptops and lunch boxes. Over the past few weeks, our staff scoured the internet and store shelves to find the latest and best PVC-free products available for your family. We’ve created this guide to empower parents, teachers and consumers across the country to find safer school supplies. We even put together a new wallet-sized version that you can easily print and take to the store!
Why shop for PVC-free School Supplies?
Vinyl is the most toxic plastic on the planet. From production to use to disposal, vinyl uses and releases hazardous chemicals linked to asthma, cancer and birth defects that are building up in our children’s bodies and food supply. Our research has uncovered elevated levels of toxic phthalates in common school supplies, like Disney products.
Thankfully safer products are available – there’s no need for us to use this poison plastic!
So go ahead and check out our Back to School Guide to PVC-free School Supplies, and share it with your friends and family today:
Yours for a healthy future,
Lois Gibbs
Executive Director
Center for Health, Environment and Justice
CHEJ, 105 Rowell Court, First Floor, Falls Church, VA 22046
Master Gardener Training
The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association is offering its bi-annual intensive training course again in 2015. The course is the first step toward master gardener certification. Master gardeners volunteer to educate the public about and promote good and sustainable gardening practices. For the class of 2015, we have an exciting curriculum and lineup of teachers—extension educators, college professors, master gardeners, and professional horticulturalists–covering the complete range of gardening topics.
October 1 is the deadline for applications for the class, which begins in January and runs one day a week through mid-April. For more information, please visit http://www.wmmga.org/class-of-2015. The application form is also available there.