Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Union of Concerned Scientists ~~ Today, is Food Day!


Union of Concerned Scientists

Today is Food Day!

To celebrate, I’m sharing a list of my “Top 10” favorite facts from recent UCS reports, including our brand new report, The Healthy Farmland Diet. The Healthy Farmland Diet is the first economic analysis of its kind to show how increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables would not only be healthier for our bodies, but also healthier for the environment and local economies. This report also demonstrates how modest government investments can remove obstacles standing in the way for consumers and farmers to reach this goal. So tell me: what’s your favorite science-based food fact? Use the links below to share it on Twitter to show your support of a healthier food and farm system! You can also share all 10 facts on Facebook or by forwarding this email.

Top 10 Food Facts

Share your favorite science-based fact to show your support for a healthier food and farm system in honor of Food Day!

1. Healthy farms=win-win-win for health/wellbeing of people, economies & natural resources we all depend onj.mp/1c0h1ib #FoodDay2013 Tweet this

2. Sales of locally grown food now total $5 BILLION/year. j.mp/1eNiV7u #FoodDay2013 Tweet this

3. Modest public investments in ~500 farmers markets/year could create >13K jobs over 5 years. j.mp/1aHULHx#FoodDay2013 Tweet this

4. Got (organic) milk? #Organic dairies = better for environment, consumer health & regional economies.j.mp/1aa5xLI #FoodDay2013 Tweet this

5. Shifting policy from supporting junk food to fruits/veg could save $17B in health costs. j.mp/HjDc8I#FoodDay2013 Tweet this

6. Burger with a side of…pills? j.mp/HjDuwq >70% of antibiotics sold in US are used in animal agriculture. #FoodDay2013 Tweet this

7. Only 2% of US cropland is devoted to fruit/veg. Time for smarter gov’t policies. j.mp/HdWQDK #FoodDay2013 Tweet this

8. If Americans ate fruit/veg according to @myplate, US production of fruit/veg would increase by 88%.j.mp/HdWQDK #FoodDay2013 Tweet this

9. Just 1 more serving of fruits/vegetables could save >30K lives/yr. j.mp/HjDc8I #FoodDay2013 Tweet this

10. Scientists have shown that cover crops can reduce nitrogen groundwater pollution by 40-70% j.mp/1c0h1ib#FoodDay2013 Tweet this As you can see, we’ve got the facts on our side AND we’re making progress because of it. Just last week, wedelivered a petition from more than 18,000 UCS supporters to House leadership urging them to proceed with the Farm Bill. They listened, and the Farm Bill process is now moving ahead. Moreover, President Obama listed the Farm Bill as one of his three near-term priorities. With all of this, we’ve got a lot to be excited about—and a lot of work to do. Join us, and this Food Day, share your favorite fact now for a healthier food and farm system!

Sincerely, Ashley Elles Ashley Elles National Field Organizer Food & Environment Program Union of Concerned Scientists

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Luz Maria Hernandez, Immigrant Rights Activist


My name is Luz Maria Hernandez. I am 75 years old.

immigration

My name is Luz Maria Hernandez. I am 75 years old. I am a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. It was my granddaughter who urged me to get involved in the immigration reform movement — and together, on September 12, we were arrested in Washington to demand Congress pass reform with a path to citizenship.

I was not afraid of facing arrest, because I face a much more real and desperate fear: missing out on the lives of my children. Although I’ve obtained my residency, my children have been waiting in Mexico for years to have their visas approved so that we might be reunited. Immigration reform is not about border security or jobs or “getting in a line” — it is about families who have been separated by deportations, or live each day dreading that, like me, they will be separated from their loved ones for years.

You have been a committed activist to the fight for immigration reform, and now I want to ask you to join us in shaping the next phase of the campaign by participating in a non-violent direct action training happening in your community. Together, our communities will make history for the rights and dignity of all immigrant families. Click here to join the below action. Send an RSVP email with your name, location, and the best number to reach you to my friend Grecia, a national field organizer.

Non-Violent Direct Action Training Saturday, October 26th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Seattle, WA

I will do whatever it takes to help those that suffer as my family has suffered, but I am only one person. That is why I am asking you to take action with me, to make a difference.

Stand with me.

Sí se puede,

Luz Maria Hernandez Wisconsinite

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

A Conversation with Elizabeth Krist and Kathryn Keane and More


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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Conversation With
Elizabeth Krist and
Kathryn Keane

Conversation with Elizabeth Krist and Kathryn Keane

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAGGIE STEBER, LYNSEY ADDARIO, DIANE COOK, AND ERIKA LARSEN
We bring together two of the forces behind the new exhibition “Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment”—Kathryn Keane, National Geographic’s vice president of exhibitions, who conceived the idea, and National Geographic magazine senior photo editor Elizabeth Krist, who curated it—to discuss the dedication of the women behind the lens.
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INSTANCE
Michael Christopher Brown
on Instagram

Michael Christopher Brown

#skagitvalley #washingtonstate
LOOK
Serendipity in
Maramureş

Serendipity in Maramures

PHOTOGRAPH BY KATHLEEN MCLAUGHLIN, YOUR SHOT
Photographer Rena Effendi:
“I was happy and lucky to have found Maramureş through Kathleen’s eyes. Although I never worked with Kathleen and never met her personally, while I was traveling around small villages in Maramureş, I kept bumping into people who had known Kathleen (she had spent a few years in the area). People there are very hospitable and do not forget their visitors, especially those who come back.”
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EVENTS & ASSIGNMENTS

Women Vision                                                                  

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The law that let her abuser go


By Fallon Williams
Brookline, Massachusetts

Honor Jennifer Martel: Protect Victims of Abuse

27-year-old Jennifer Martel was a caring mom to a little girl. Working her way through college, Jennifer hoped to become an elementary school teacher. Jennifer’s boyfriend had a long history of criminal activity, including domestic violence, yet was released on his own recognizance after smashing Jennifer’s head into a mirror Tuesday, Aug. 13. Just two nights later, he was found covered in blood after stabbing Jennifer to death in the presence of their four-year-old daughter and neighbors.

While Massachusetts is at the forefront of the war against domestic violence, the recent murder of Jennifer Martel highlights a gaping flaw in the current system. Under M.G.L. 276 sec. 58A, offenders can be released on their own recognizance, without any bail set, within 24 hours of an assault. An emergency restraining ordered was issued against Jennifer’s assailant, but since Jennifer did not appear in court the day after she was attacked, her assailant was released without bail on his on recognizance.

When I heard about Jennifer’s murder, I was moved to create this petition. It seems senseless that this beautiful, caring young woman is gone. Something must be done to ensure this never happens again. As a child, I was a victim of domestic violence and witnessed the abuse of my birth-mother as well. Luckily, my father was able to remove me from the situation. Most children are not so lucky.

Females murdered by a current or former partner account for 30% of homicides against women each year. In many instances of intimate partner homicide, domestic violence is a precursor to murder. More often than not, victims of domestic violence do not take action against their abusers for a number of reasons, including fear of retaliation. Known abusers should not be allowed to walk free without bail within 24 hours of a repeat offense. Special concern should be warranted when there is a child in the home, as well.

I am asking for your signature on this petition, in order to prompt the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to close the loophole that allows repeat, violent offenders to be released without immediate consequence, putting their victims and the public at risk.