Here is the page that lets me pass on some great information in order for you to become better educated and more involved in regards to what is going on with the environment today. These environmental issues not only deal with nature but also involve politics, fair trade, labor issues, our economy, world food supply, health issues, and the very livlihood of ourselves and those dearest to us. You may have never set foot in a National Forest or Park before, or may not even care about the health of our planet; but the quality of our everyday lives is directly connected with the health of the environment. Right now is the time to start treating the Earth with the respect and reverence it has long deserved.
There are things all of us can do to help.
The fastest and easiest method of fighting for what is right is by using your wallet to support companies which operate in an environmentally and socially conscience way. In todays world, unfortunately everything comes down to profit margins. If profit margins suddenly dropped at say, Burger King, because they are cutting down the rainforest, then the company would probably change their ways of doing business. At least in the Pacific NW there is a great option, Burgerville, an extremely conscious company whose stores are powered solely on wind energy, they use locally raised, and ethically treated animals, buy locally grown and harvested berries and vegetable, etc, etc. Unfortunately, this option is not available everywhere. If profit margins suddenly dropped at Folgers, because people stop buying that coffee because the beans are grown where a rainforest once stood, and the actual growers of the beans were only paid pennies per hour, then their ways of doing business would probably change. Plus, doesn't it feel good to support companies that treat employees fairly, that offer you a healthy product, and truly are concerned about the environment. Here is a great website to help you find places which deserve your hard earned money: (i'm still looking myself, haha)
Some of these links are groups you can join, some are ideas to make your life more environmentally friendly, some are links to current issues, etc., etc.
www.sierraclub.org, www.defenders.org, www.npca.org, www.earthjustice.org, www.rainforest-alliance.org, www.nature.org, www.nrdc.org - All of these organizations are dedicated to the preservation and protection of the last remaining truly wild places on earth, and the plants and animals which inhabit them. Each one fights to uphold laws which protect the environment (and our health), works hard to save new lands which are vital for wildlife from being destroyed by development or resource extraction, and protects already existing parklands from being ruined due to the actions of oil, gas, housing, and mineral companies. If you took some time to explore these website, you would be shocked to learn of the constant assaults on OUR public lands. Its quite depressing and infuriating, but if everyone out there was aware of what is going on and spoke up against this destruction, things would be alot different.
www.savetheredwoods.org- Standing beneath a redwood tree and looking up is one of the most amazing things a person can do to feel the absolute power of nature. Unfortunately these remarkable trees are only found in a few small pockets on Earth. Most of their original range has been plowed over to make room for housing developments, roads, and strip malls. This organization is at the forefront of the mission to preserve remaining redwood habitat, and obtain additional habitat needed to ensure that we will always have these iconic trees on Earth.
www.adesu.org - The official website for the Alliance for Sustainable Development in the Indigenous Communities of B.C. This organization is dedicated to the financial and social development of native cultures in and around Baja, California in a manner which is in harmony with the Earth. Baskets, pottery, artwork are all sold by these amazing tribes, and all proceeds in turn help support their traditional way of life.
www.gcwolfrecovery.org - An organization dedicated to the reintroduction of wolves in the Grand Canyon ecosystem. These amazing animals were nearly hunted to extinction, and still today face many challenges in their efforts to simply survive on this planet. Today, wolves are only found in a few parts of the country, and this organization is fighting to bring them back to their rightful place in northern Arizona.
www.wildernesscommittee.org - The official website of the Wilderness Committe, who are fighting for the protection of some of the most amazing landscapes and wildlife you will ever see in your life. British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but that beauty is constantly threatened by the interests of developers, mining companies and Canada's own government. Hmmmm....... sounds like the United States.
www.willamette-riverkeeper.org - The official site for Willamette Riverkeeper. A non-profit organization whose goal is:"to enable the Willamette to function more naturally, with cold, clean water, and provide healthy habitat for fish and wildlife. Further, we believe that a river with good water quality and abundant natural habitat is a basic right for all people. The Willamette River belongs to all of us, and should be protected as such". The Willamette River is a beautiful river running right through Portland, Oregon. But this river has been mis-treated for many years, and now sections of it are actually a Superfund site. The organization is fighting to make the responsible parties (private companies) pay for the damage they caused instead of taxpayers.
www.organicconsumers.org - If you value your health, and the quality of the food you eat, this site is an absolute must to check out. The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The OCA deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children's health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other key topics. We are the only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation's estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers. A great, great site.
www.greatlakesdirectory.org - a great organization whose misssion is to provide education and promote community involvement focused on restoring and protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem.
www.gcbl.org - (GreenCityBlueLake). A wonderful website and organization dedicated to helping to turn Cleveland into a green city, and promote the health of Lake Erie.
Essential information about GreenCityBlueLake
- Our vision of "sustainability" — Northeast Ohio as part of the global movement that is defining the future.
- Objectives of GreenCityBlueLake — The objectives of a community knowledge network for sustainability.
- Sponsors — Who is supporting this initiative, and how your organization can benefit from an association with the cool work to make our region more sustainable.
- Rules for participation — Go here to learn more about how to be an effective and appropriate user who contributes to the civic dialogue.
- Tips for using the site— Basic tips for understanding how this works.
- Contact us — Reach the people who are responsible for this site, and send them your questions and comments.
GreenCityBlueLake is designed to help you:
- Share your ideas about how to make Northeast Ohio a better place.
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- Understand the important issues shaping the future of the region.
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