Tag Archives: Rainforest Action Network

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Girl Scout Cookies


Yes, we love Girl Scout cookies. They support the important work of the Girl Scouts, and they’re ridiculously tasty.

Here’s the problem: Almost every type of Girl Scout cookie contains palm oil, which is commonly harvested through the clearing and burning of irreplaceable tropical rainforests.

This method harms the global ecosytem, endangers local indigenous populations, and threatens the survival of orangutans, humankind’s closest relative.

It would be easy to change — Girl Guides, an equivalent organization in the United Kingdom, recently eliminated palm oil from its cookies and has even offered Girl Scouts USA help to do the same.

Girl Scouts Madison Vorva and Rhiannon Tomtishen, both 15-year-olds from Michigan are urging Girl Scouts USA to make the switch. Click here to add your name to their petition.

Five years ago, while doing research for a Girl Scouts Bronze Award, Madison and Rhiannon were horrified to learn that the cookies they sold contributed to this serious global problem. The two girls have written letters and made presentations to Girl Scouts USA, and even launched something called Project ORANGS (Orangutans Really Need and Appreciate Girl Scouts).

These girls are the embodiment of the Girl Scouts’ mission to build “girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” But instead of becoming poster children for the organization, Girl Scouts USA is still giving their campaign the run-around.

Madison and Rhiannon need our support. They’ve launched a campaign on Change.org with the help of the Rainforest Action Network. Please sign their petition today:

http://www.change.org/petitions/make-girl-scout-cookies-rainforest-safe?alert_id=SkDUpVJLTF_YKVwqoGhho&me=aa

Thanks for taking action,

– Judith and the Change.org team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Rainforest Action Network


With Earth Day only a couple of weeks away, many of us are taking a moment to reflect upon the state of the planet. Let’s see here: nuclear meltdown, continued drilling in the Gulf, ever shrinking forests all over the world. Ugh. We can’t deny it looks pretty depressing.

That’s why, when the going gets tough on the environment, the tough get actors…and Girl Scouts! That’s right. Entertainers and intrepid young activists can be just the inspiration we need during the darkest of times. Sometimes you gotta go big. Enjoy.

Table of Contents

1.Mountaintop Removal: An American Tragedy

2.Born To Be Wild 3D with Morgan Freeman

3.Rainforest Hero Badge for Girl Scouts

4.Vote for RAN!

5.You Be the Judge

6.RAN Earth Day Poster Contest

7.A (Mr.) Big Cup of Tea

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Mountaintop Removal: An American Tragedy

With the generous help of actress Susan Sarandon, RAN is issuing a major wake up call about mountaintop removal for everyone still unaware of its tragic effects. Please watch and share this incredible video with everyone in your life who may not yet know about what’s happening in Appalachia. To share it with the CEOs of banks still funding MTR, Take Action below. http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=9LtARQ%2Fq9hTacIqS7AB99tTC6ssp7cWk

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Born To Be Wild 3D

Morgan Freeman narrates the uplifting tale of orphan baby orangutans on their journey from ravaged forests, to rehabilitation, and back into the wild. Shot in breathtaking IMAX 3D, Born To Be Wild takes you right into the heart of Indonesia’s rainforests with Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas and a cast of incredibly charming creatures that even the most cynical curmudgeons (even those at Cargill) will not be able to resist.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=cNbw61F62gm5ue7ZOeaOQNTC6ssp7cWk

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Rainforest Hero Badge for Girl Scouts

Over the last two weeks,10,000 of you have signed our petition to the CEO of Girl Scouts USA asking her to get rainforest-destroying palm oil out of Girl Scout cookies. We’re off to a great start! Now we need your help to create a sea change from within. We’ve created a special limited edition renegade Rainforest Hero Badge, that Girl Scouts can earn using our new toolkit. Please share this with the Girl Scouts in your life!

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=W980YV5qU%2B332YJiau28rNTC6ssp7cWk

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RAN Earth Day Poster Contest

ATTN: Teachers and Students. How are you celebrating Earth Day in your classroom? Not sure yet? Join RAN and Tiki the Tiny Tiger for our annual Earth Day Poster Contest

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=SIB8C03gMWF1LSZDGcxEItTC6ssp7cWk

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Vote for RAN!

RAN is excited to be on the CREDO ballot for 2011. The more votes we get, the bigger the donation we receive, so we need your help! Voting is easy—just go to credomobile.com/ballot and cast your ballot for RAN. Not a CREDO member? No problem! Simply take an online action at credoaction.com first and then cast your vote.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=P%2BAEW66nZrQfJNajDxYzmdTC6ssp7cWk

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You Be the Judge

Chevron has found a U.S. federal judge who is a little too willing to help the company launch counter-attacks against Ecuadoreans suing Chevron for environmental and cultural damages in the Amazon. Let CEO John Watson know that shady and abusive legal tactics won’t change the facts that Chevron is guilty.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Q1HpWF9myx%2B7AAtECZfwGtTC6ssp7cWk

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A (Mr.) Big Cup of Tea

This Earth Day, actor, RAN supporter and tea enthusiast Chris Noth is launching a new tangerine green tea called “Sweet Florida Dream.” As part of LOVA Tea’s Charity Collection, the sales of the tea will be benefiting Rainforest Action Network. Thanks Big!

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=aKCVqOEOFnul6p5hWVbB5NTC6ssp7cWk

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

RAN:Against all odds -Rebecca Tarbotton, Rainforest Action Network


Some days I feel like the impossible is happening right in front of my eyes. Against insurmountable odds, small groups of people really can make incredible change.

Less than a year ago—with you by our side—RAN took on the U.S. children’s publishing industry. We confronted massive, well established publishers, like Simon & Schuster and Penguin. Sure, these publishers have a couple hundred times our staff and resources—but that’s never stopped RAN from taking on a fight.

Together, we got the top eight publishers in the country to make significant commitments to protect Indonesia‘s rainforests. We are winning.

That’s the difference your support makes—and that’s why I’m asking you to show that support today by making a donation to RAN.

We’ve just got two stubborn publishers left to go in this fight—Disney and HarperCollins. Ironic that the companies that have profited from The Jungle Book and The Giving Tree are the last ones left standing in the fight to get rainforest destruction out of kids’ books. We need your support today to tackle these final contenders.

I know we’re making a difference, and I know it’s because of you. I can’t actually express just how much your support means to Rainforest Action Network and the survival of forests around the world. So I’ll just keep it simple. Thank you.

For the planet,

 Rebecca Tarbotton

Executive Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Will Disney do right by rainforest​s?


Reading a bedtime story to your kids shouldn’t mean you’re contributing to the destruction of irreplaceable rainforests. Pretty obvious, right? But Disney Publishing and HarperCollins disagree.

These two publishing giants are using paper linked to Indonesian rainforest destruction to print their children’s books. We can change that.

We’re taking the fight to protect Indonesia‘s rainforests straight to the companies responsible for this tragic destruction—and we need you with us. Make a gift today to help RAN shine a spotlight on those responsible for the destruction of Indonesia’s tropical forests.

Already, you and I are having a significant impact. After months of conversations and negotiations—and good old-fashioned RAN activism—eight of the largest American book publishers have committed to get controversial Indonesian fiber out of their books.

We need your support to make sure these eight publishers do what they say they’re going to and push the last two laggards, Disney and HarperCollins, to follow suit. Donate today to support the campaign to protect Indonesia’s rainforests.

www.ran.org

Rainforest-free paper is a readily available alternative – there’s no reason for these publishers to support the devastation of a precious and fragile ecosystem. It’s up to us to make sure Disney and HarperCollins get the message and change their ways.

Help us keep the momentum going by making a donation to stop the destruction of some of the richest tropical forests on the planet.

www.ran.org

Every little bit helps. Your voice – and your generous support – can change the way HarperCollins and Disney do business. We’ve already had a big impact with this campaign. Only with your support can we take on—and win—ambitious fights like this. Click here to make your gift.

www.ran.org

Let’s show them what committed activism can do and make sure this story has a happy ending. Nobody should have to choose between books and rainforests.

Thank you for all that you have done to get us this far—and all that we will do together in the future.

For the forests,

 Robin Averbeck

Rainforest Free Paper Campaign

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the Panther … the RAN newsletter


In the past month we’ve seen a major wave of power shifts across the globe. From Sidi Bouzid to Cairo to Wisconsin, The People are taking power out of the hands of those who’ve proven unworthy to wield it. This is a rare and precious moment in time when people like you and me have both the inspiration and the momentum to command our future. What’s it gonna be?

Table of Contents

*Powershift 2011

*Keep the Pacific Northwest Beautiful

*Girl Scouts Fight for What’s Right

*Disney Destroys Magic Kingdom

*Chevron Found Guilty

*People Power Round-Up

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Powershift 2011

From April 15th-18th, over 10,000 young leaders will converge on Washington, DC to stand up for our future, to reclaim our democracy from big corporations and push our nation to move beyond dirty energy sources that are harming the health of people and the planet. Rainforest Action Network will be there in force. Join us.

The Young Activist’s Guide to Building a Green Movement and Changing the World

by Sharon J. Smithttp://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=4OmzaavFOQZfsyGe10QTT2CTi529yBdgh

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Keep the Pacific Northwest Beautiful

Across the U.S., carbon-spewing coal plants are being shut down and permits for new plants are getting blocked left and right. Coal producers desperate for new markets are gearing up to ship tons of coal overseas, and are vying to build dirty coal ports on the beautiful Pacific Northwest coast. Protect the West Coast, block the coal ports before they get built

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Girl Scouts Fight for What’s Right

From Thin Mints to Samoas to Tagalongs, Girl Scout cookies are full of deliciousness. Sadly, they are also full of rainforest-destroying palm oil. How depressing. Are eco-minded cookie lovers supposed to give up the sublime joy of Girl Scout cookie season? Not if scouts Madison Vorva and Rhiannon Tomtishen have anything to do with it. Get behind these Girl Scouts to get palm oil out of Girl Scout cookies for good!  http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=byDshiyfhbSEuZn3Rf3noGCTi529yBdg

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Disney Destroys Magic Kingdom

Mr. Walt Disney once said, “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” We agree. Though in Mr. Disney’s absence, his company is printing children’s books that threaten a truly magical kingdom, Indonesia’s remaining rainforests. Tell Disney Publishing to protect Indonesia’s rainforests and choose rainforest-safe paper now.

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Chevron Found Guilty

After 18 years of litigation, Chevron has been found guilty of polluting the Ecuadorean Amazon with billions of gallons of oil waste. Facing a historic judgment of more than $8 billion, Chevron has vowed not to pay to clean up its mess. The oil giant has enlisted a cast of crooked professionals to sabotage the justice process, and we intend to expose them. Meet Chevron’s Human Rights Hitmen.  http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=wSJYl9nMMmLy5kksUjTlamCTi529yBdg

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People Power

Over the past four weeks, we’ve witnessed incredible moments in people’s movements around the world. Here’s a glimpse into some of the latest revolutions and a taste of those to come…

*Kentucky Has Risen

*Egypt’s Youth Revolution

*Wisconsin Police Join Protesters in Madison

*Citizens United: Time to Amend the Constitution

*RAN, 350 and Greenpeace Call for Mass Non-Violent Action Now