Hi all!!

The University of California, San Diego student organization: VEG (Vegetarian Environmentalist Group) is happy to present an online petition which aims to reduce the livestock industry via means of removal of governmental subsidies for livestock farmers as well as implementation of tax for livestock products for their detrimental external social burden on the environment. If you are still unfamiliar with the relationship between livestock production and the environment, I have listed the key facts below. Here is our petition link:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/livestock-production-reduction-for-the-environment


Please support us and help us spread the word! This is definitely an attempt at a baby toward in the right direction!
Thank you!

---UCSD VEG
http://ucsdveg.blogspot.com/

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: SUMMARY OF LIVESTOCK'S IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

(SOURCE: 2006 UNITED NATIONS FAO REPORT, LIVESTOCK'S LONG SHADOW)
Our current livestock industry is responsible for emitting 37% of all human-induced Methane, 65% of all human-induced Nitrous Oxide, 9% of all human-induced Carbon Dioxide, and 64% of human-induced Ammonia. The Carbon Dioxide equivalent of livestock industry emissions is 18%, which is greater than all transportation combined (transportation CO2 equivalent is 12%). So, we need to decrease the livestock industry along with turning to alternative transportation systems (like biking!!). We cannot just pin global warming on one single source and go from there, all aspects need to adapt to the current climate crisis.

In addition to the greenhouse gas emissions, livestock current needs 36% of the world grain and 74% of the world soy to sustain its industry. If you think about it, this is not sustainable at all in the long run. It is definitely not an efficient usage of world crop supplies.

Now let’s talk water. Water is essential for survival. Did you know that California currently imports 100% of its clean water supply? Yes... and we are not increasing our world water supply. Yes, there are technologies being researched to desaltize the ocean waters, but think about the cost of that. It’s not a quick and easy solution. The best solution would be for everyone to be frugal. While major medias are telling us to conserve water during showers and toothbrushing, they are leaving out a major part of water usage.

According to the Stockholm International Water Institute, 20% of all world water supply goes to industries, 10% of all water goes to households, and 70% of all water goes to producing food. These statistics awaken a lot of people because if you think about how much water we use in industries and households (it’s A LOT), many folds more is going to agriculture. Now get this: within the agricultural business (which uses 70% of all our clean water), 1 POUND OF LETTUCE takes 23 gallons of water to produce, 1 POUND OF WHEAT takes 25 gallons of water, 1 POUND OF APPLES take 49 gallons of water, 1 POUND OF CHICKEN takes 815 gallons of water, 1 POUND OF PORK takes 1,630 gallons of water, and 1 POUND OF BEEF takes 5,214 gallons of water. (You can do some research online to see how to have defined these water usage values according to pounds) So now the question is, one plate of dinner will fill most of us up (some go for seconds, thirds, but anyways..). If you fill that one plate with meat, that’s 6000 gallons of water or more. If you fill that one plate up with rice and veggies (this can be tasty faux meat too!), it takes less than 100 gallons of water. Please, be frugal and responsible. Imagine a planet with no more water.

Here are just some additional costs of livestock production. Did you know that livestock farming land takes up 70% of all agricultural land, and 30% of world's ice-free terrestrial surface? Yup. And for the forest lovers (we should all love forests, they are the lungs of our planet), 70% of the Amazon rainforest is currently being occupied by pastures; feedcrops occupy a large sector of the remaining 30%.

Everyone talks about saving energy now with new bulbs, solar power, etc. Well why not talk about food, too. The livestock sector requires 16 times more fossil fuel energy than other sectors of agriculture. Moreover, livestock is increasingly being fed with grains and cereals that could have been consumed by humans, converting only up to 33% of its nutrients for our consumption.

Lastly (for my purposes), the U.S. livestock sector alone produces 900 million tons of manure annually. Immense lagoons used to store waste are known to heavily degrade the surrounding air and water, creating dead zones within our clean bodies of water. Besides harming our precious marine life, it’s nice to know that we are surrounded by 80% of water of this planet. So if our ocean dies, we probably don’t have much of a chance for survival either.

All in all, it’s good that we are more aware of global warming and finally (most people) recognize it as partially (if not mostly) human caused. Now, besides being frugal, using a reusable bag, riding a bike or taking the bus, changing lightbulbs, and saving shower time, please also change your diet. It really makes a huge impact, even though it seems like you’re just intaking a piece of meat, that piece of meat came from loads of environmental damage (as well as suffering!). Inaction is inexcusable. If you’re a non-vegetarian, go vegetarian. If you’re already a vegetarian, go vegan. If you’re already a vegan... go organic Of course, if you can go straight to organic vegan that is the best for the environment in terms of personal contribution. Be Veg, Be Green, Save the Planet. (doubtful? do

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Calling all tree lovers in the UK!!!

BAA are trying to get permission to expand the existing single runway at Stansted Airport. Their first planning application was turned out last year, but they submitted a second one on 11th March 2008.

The most worrying thing about this is that if BAA's plans are approved, then FIVE ancient and irreplaceable woodlands would be lost. These are :

* Philipland Wood would be cleared for the new runway. Although only part of this site is undisturbed ancient wood, the boundary is indistinct and the site as a whole is included as a Wildlife Site in recognition of its value as a large woodland are which retains a varied flora and fauna.

* Round Coppice - this 4.54 hectare ancient woodland would be cleared for parking. Contains Oxlip, dog’s mercury and bluebell abundant in the ground layer.

* The Wilderness - a 4.76 hectare ancient woodland would be destroyed by an apron and cargo development.

* Pigeon Wood - this 1.88 hectare ancient woodland would be destroyed by airfield development.

* Priory Wood - part of this site would be lost and it would be subject to increased degradation. Priory Wood is a 7.16 hectare ancient woodland has a very rich flora. In 1938, Priory Wood was compulsorily purchased by the British Airports Authority to make way for airport roads. In the process, part of it was destroyed. Thousands of oxlips flower during April to May. Further destruction of this habitat should be prevented.

Even though a smaller area of land is proposed in the second set of plans, the same amount of woodland would be lost - not to mention the extra noise and pollution!

The main site is : http://www.stopstanstedexpansion.com/

There is also a campaign being run by The Woodland Trust, in which you can send an objection to the local council via email or letter : http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/campaigns/index.htm

If anyone in the UK would like to add their voice to the objections, I would be very grateful!

Thankyou for your time,

Kathy

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See realted article... Some three-dozen American cities across the country have lost more than one quarter of their tree canopies since 1972, according to American Forests, a Washington D.C- based nonprofit. http://www.americanforests.org

http://www.care2.com/news/member/577339509/633088

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Move your mouse over each location to see how your clicks and purchases are protecting

http://www.care2.com/news/member/577339509/595085

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Stop The U.S.A. from cutting funding for rainforest conservation

Treasury Department will cut funding for the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA), the largest pool of U.S. government money exclusively for helping developing countries conserve threatened tropical forests, according to the Tropical Forest Group, a forest policy group based in Santa Barbara.

http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/564419

Please Note this Care2 Story & Forward in your Network

ACTIONS:

Please Contact Your Senator by Mail, Phone and in Person.

If you live in the USA, please contact your senator and let them konw this is not acceptible - request that they increase the proposed funding proposal from $20 million to $40 million and to sign on as a co-sponsor of the bill - find your senator here:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm 

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My Green Click

Visit this site to have a Tree planted for free now Thank you for your support! Please check your inbox for confirmation, so that a donation can be made.

The issue of manmade global warming is a heated debate. Movie stars and politicians alike are putting the issue up for debate with movies like The 11th Hour and An Inconvenient Truth, but planting a tree is simply a good thing to do, like recycling. Trees are a beautiful natural resource and they happen to absorb carbon dioxide or CO2, a common greenhouse gas. With your help, we hope to have an impact on climate change and the world.

Check your email for updates from MyGreenClick and more ways to conserve energy and protect the environment.

- The MyGreenClick Team

http://www.care2.com/news/member/577339509/563368

Please Note This Care2 News Story. Please Plant A Tree

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What a wonderful gift we could be giving to all the Endangered Animals and Rainforest this year!

Make Your Holiday Greener!

Shop to save The Rainforest. Give back the life that we have been given. When you shop, shop where it matters! A great way also to combat Global Warming and save Endangered Species!

http://www.care2.com/news/member/577339509/546604

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Alert: THE NATURE OF THE ARCTIC LAPPLAND WILL BE RUINED IN FINLAND BY AGNICO EAGLE FROM CANADA ...    




This happens and worse if we don't stop them:

AGNICO EAGLE FROM CANADA IS GOING TO RUIN THE SENSITIVE LAPPLAND NATURE BY DIGGING GOLD

They use poisons like syanide and arsenic

View this petition 

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/214519849

Please sign and forward this petition. 

If we stop them:

                             

Thank you: Jasmin Sariell

http://www.care2.com/c2c/people/profile.html?pid=924406850

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This *Click to donate* spot is working again:::

http://www.ettklickforskogen.se/engelska/ettklickeng.asp

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Just want to say thank you for this very important thread.  Very much appreciated.  Bringing petitions to our awareness gives us a chance to help our beloved friends who cannot speak for themselves.

Blessings and light to you all.

Marisha

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http://forests.org/action/alert.asp?id=gunns

Please pass link petition on...

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Please sign my Amazon Rainforest petition

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/127728111 

Please ignore the "deadline" of the petition. We are going to keep it going until we get 100,000 signatures

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I received their Christmas catalogue today and NOT one of their paper items is on recycled paper.

What do WSPA actually do anyway, and surely they realise that cutting down trees to make Christmas cards is a sure way of destroying the habitats of millions of species. Surely a company that's says it raises funds for bears and lions shouldn't be marketing cards made from trees.

Please pass this on to others, charities that purport to be in business for the sole purpose of raising money to help wildlife should be responsible in their actions. 

I was under the impressions that the word Wildlife included flora as well as fauna. 

Their online shop is www.wspashop.co.uk

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Finland's forests and forest landscapes have been impoverished by intensive commercial forestry to a degree that has affected every Finn's experience of the natural world. Forests have become younger, their tree composition varies little, and once even common forest species have become rare.

New nature reserves are urgently needed to preserve Finland's naturally occurring forest biodiversity. Creating these reserves would also ensure that citizens in all parts of the country would have access to the natural forests they now miss. Around 1500 km2 of forest is clearcut annually in Finland; this needs to be balanced by increased protection, as well as more widespread use of environmentally benign forestry methods in commercial stands.

Currently only around two per cent of forests are protected in the region covering all the provinces of South Finland, Pohjanmaa, SW Kainuu, and SW Lapland. The majority of additional forest nature reserves can be realised through protecting government, municipal, and company-owned commercial forests and restoring them to more natural conditions. It is important to achieve larger protected entities, which also have the greatest recreational potential. Protection of privately-owned forests will require the Finnish parliament to approve new financing instruments with which to compensate landowners.

Finland’s forests are among the most intensively managed in the world.

Finland has some 20 million hectares of forests. Only about 4,1 % of the forest area is protected. In the southernmost Finland only some one percent of forests are protected. The Finnish forest management model has resulted in the rapid conversion of natural forests into monotonous industrial forests that lack many key features of boreal forest ecosystems.

Forestry is the most serious threat to species survival in Finland. Unless there is a significant increase in the amount of protected forest area and a parallel improvement in the standards of forest management, hundreds of species face extinction within the next 50 years.

http://www.thePetitionSite.com/takeaction/221556448

Don't let the "forest" industry destroy Finland's boreal forests and species diversity, for monotonous monoculture "tree farms"! Sign the petition and pass it on to your friends! For the trees and the animals and the birds: Barbara T.

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Hi Wendy & All! 

I thought we might have  one  specific Tree PETITIONS & ACTIONS Thread,  where we can  ALL  post  ANY/ALL  Petitions & Actions  (i.e.  Letters, E-mails, Faxes, etc.)  re:  Trees! 

. . . I felt it went right along with the Theme of our Group . . . Of course, if you'd rather not have this Thread,  Wendy,  please feel free to delete it!  

Here are a few  Links  to quite a few  Tree and/or Forest Petitions,  to get us started  ( but please  do  make sure to read what eachPetition is about before signing! ) . . .

http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&cof=AWFID%3Ae8f47b4d101302bc%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fdingo.care-mail.com%2Fpetitions%2Fgoogle_header_trans.gif%3BLH%3A94%3BLW%3A310%3BBGC%3A%23e0e0ad%3BT%3A%23000000%3BLC%3A%23666633%3BVLC%3A%23999900%3BALC%3A%23ff0000%3BGALT%3A%23008000%3BGFNT%3A%23000000%3BGIMP%3A%23000000%3BDIV%3A%23666633%3BLBGC%3A%23e0e0ad%3BAH%3Acenter%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepetitionsite.com%2F%3B&domains=www.thepetitionsite.com&q=tree&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.thepetitionsite.com

http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&cof=AWFID%3Ae8f47b4d101302bc%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fdingo.care-mail.com%2Fpetitions%2Fgoogle_header_trans.gif%3BLH%3A94%3BLW%3A310%3BBGC%3A%23e0e0ad%3BT%3A%23000000%3BLC%3A%23666633%3BVLC%3A%23999900%3BALC%3A%23ff0000%3BGALT%3A%23008000%3BGFNT%3A%23000000%3BGIMP%3A%23000000%3BDIV%3A%23666633%3BLBGC%3A%23e0e0ad%3BAH%3Acenter%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepetitionsite.com%2F%3B&domains=www.thepetitionsite.com&q=trees&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.thepetitionsite.com

http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&cof=AWFID%3Ae8f47b4d101302bc%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fdingo.care-mail.com%2Fpetitions%2Fgoogle_header_trans.gif%3BLH%3A94%3BLW%3A310%3BBGC%3A%23e0e0ad%3BT%3A%23000000%3BLC%3A%23666633%3BVLC%3A%23999900%3BALC%3A%23ff0000%3BGALT%3A%23008000%3BGFNT%3A%23000000%3BGIMP%3A%23000000%3BDIV%3A%23666633%3BLBGC%3A%23e0e0ad%3BAH%3Acenter%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepetitionsite.com%2F%3B&domains=www.thepetitionsite.com&q=forest&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.thepetitionsite.com

Everyone please feel free to add  ANY/ALL  Petitions & Actions you feel are relevant!     

Máire, aka

Cosmic Rhino  ] :< )

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