Tag Archives: obama

Bees are dying


Petitioning EPA, Environmental Protection Agency

Ban the chemical that’s killing our bees

Petition by Nancy Addison
Dallas, Texas
132,940
Supporters

Tell your Senators to protect southern resident orcas and Chinook salmon today!


Defenders of Wildlife
Less Than 80 Left

Orca (c) R. Marate

Southern resident orcas have lost 10% of their population since being added to the Endangered Species List.

Take Action
Tell your Senators to protect southern resident orcas and Chinook salmon today!

by Elizabeth Ruther, Defenders of Wildlife

Endangered southern resident orcas could soon be starved to extinction.

Known as the “fish-eating orca,” these whales have relied almost exclusively on Chinook salmon for thousands of years to survive. But increased human activity has disrupted this balance and decimated the Chinook salmon population – and if we don’t act soon, southern resident orcas will be in real danger of running out of food.

ACT NOW: Tell your Senators to save the last of the southern resident orca whales!

Hydroelectric dams, over fishing and habitat destruction have all contributed to the endangered status of Chinook salmon. The Columbia-Snake River basin once produced more salmon than any other river system in the world. But today, less than 5% of the historic number of fish returns to the watershed to spawn. Without a healthy population of Chinook salmon, it is doubtful that the southern resident orca population will ever recover.

These whales are struggling against pollution, marine noise, vessel traffic and a shortage of food. With their population in jeopardy, southern resident orcas were finally added to the Endangered Species List in 2005 – since then, they’ve lost close to 10% of their population with fewer than 80 of these whales left in the wild.

That’s why it’s so important that we defend the Endangered Species Act (ESA), for animals like the southern resident orca and the Chinook salmon. Because of human activity, these two species are now forced to rely on ESA protections to survive.

Tell your Senators to take action before it’s too late!

Scientists agree that restoring abundant populations of wild Columbia and Snake River Chinook salmon must be our top priority to help save and recover the southern resident orca.

Orcas are culturally and economically important to Washington State. Southern resident orcas attract between $60-$75 million dollars per year in tourism, and healthy population levels have been linked to maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. Yet despite their significance, not enough is being done to ensure the survival of the remaining population.

It’s up to Washingtonians like you, who care so much for our wildlife, to stand up for these amazing creatures.

Ask your Senators to step up and fight for our southern resident orcas!

Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Ruther Elizabeth Ruther
Northwest Program Representative
Defenders of Wildlife

The President Joins a Conversation on Poverty


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President Barack Obama participates in a discussion about poverty during the Catholic-Evangelical Leadership Summit on Overcoming Poverty, at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., May 12, 2015. From left, moderator E. J. Dionne, Jr., Washington Post columnist and professor in Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy, Robert Putnam, professor of public policy at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Yesterday, President Obama traveled to Georgetown University to sit down with Harvard professor Robert Putnam and American Enterprise Institute president Arthur Brooks to share his views on poverty in America. The President also outlined what we can do to ensure every American — no matter who they are, where they come from, or where they live — has access to the opportunities they deserve.

If you missed the discussion, here’s three important things that the President said.

Tell Us: How Are You Your Brother’s Keeper?


The President makes a statement.

President Barack Obama walks with mentees on the South Lawn of the White House, Oct. 14, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Last year, the President launched the My Brother’s Keeper initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color, and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential.

Share with us how you’re helping a young person in your community, or how someone you looked up to helped you get ahead.

P.S. — Join the conversation online and share your stories or videos on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #MyBrothersKeeper, and we’ll feature some of your stories on WhiteHouse.gov and White House social media channels over the coming days.

President Obama Delivers a Statement on the Shooting in South Carolina

On Wednesday night, a gunman opened fire at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine people including pastor and state senator Clementa Pinckney. The Department of Justice is opening a hate crime investigation into this tragedy, and yesterday morning, the President gave a statement on the tragedy from the White House Briefing Room.

WATCH HERE

Your Health and Our Environment: How Can We Protect Both?

On Tuesday, the White House will convene a Summit to bring together health and medical professionals, academics, and other stakeholders to empower people and communities with the information and tools they need to protect public health in the face of climate change.

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West Wing Week: “Her Map & Compass”

This week, the President congratulated My Brother’s Keeper mentees, presided over the ceremonial swearing-in of Loretta Lynch as Attorney General, and stopped by a congressional baseball game and picnic. Meanwhile, the First Lady crossed the Atlantic in the name of Let Girls Learn and Let’s Move!

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Get this poison off our shelves


Get this poison off our shelves
Top scientists just warned Monsanto’s herbicide probably causes cancer. It’s huge news and US regulators are scrambling to respond. But Monsanto is going all out to get the report retracted! Only a massive public campaign can get this poison suspended. Join the urgent call:

SIGN THE PETITION