Via the Union of Concerned Scientists:

We Need Leadership, Not New Nuclear Weapons

The Bush administration is seeking funding for an initiative to develop new nuclear weapons and recondition the weapons manufacturing infrastructure left over from the Cold War—launching a new, costly, and unnecessary cycle of nuclear weapon design, development, and production.

At the same time, many prominent people, including former Republican Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and George Shultz, are calling for the United States to take the lead in efforts toward a “World Free of Nuclear Weapons.”

It’s time for real leadership and dialogue on nuclear weapons, not to build new ones. Join these efforts today by urging your senators and representative to reject funding for the administration’s misguided plans and to use their leadership, voice, and votes to help achieve the goal of zero nuclear weapons.

——————–

Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts ucs union of concerned scientists nuclear weapons nukes war war on terra war on terror

Via the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Urge your Representative to Support Renewable Energy

Energy from the sun, wind, and water lasts forever, and conserves resources for future generations. By requiring utilities to generate an increasing percentage of their electricity from renewable resources—rather than fossil fuels which emit global warming pollution when burned—a national renewable energy policy would dramatically expand America’s use of solar, wind, geothermal, and energy from crops. Just yesterday, a new bill was introduced in the House that could be our best chance to finally pass strong, national renewable energy policy—but early support is needed. Please urge your representative to co-sponsor this vital bill today.

———————

Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts ucs union of concerned scientists renewable energy climate change global warming energy

Via the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Tell Congress to Reject ExxonMobil’s Tactics and Take Real Action on Global Warming!

For years, ExxonMobil has been undermining science and casting doubt on the facts about global warming—just like the tobacco industry tried to mislead the public about the dangers of smoking.

On January 3, the Union of Concerned Scientists released a new report documenting ExxonMobil’s use of Big Tobacco tactics to delay meaningful action on global warming. It’s time to call on the new Congress to reject ExxonMobil’s disinformation campaign. Tell your senators and representative to eliminate billions of dollars in tax breaks for major oil companies and support bills that ensure reductions in global warming pollution.

View Smoke, Mirrors, and Hot Air: How ExxonMobil uses Big Tobacco Tactics to Manufacture Uncertainty on Climate Science (pdf).

—————

Tagged: environment environmental environmentalist environmentalism action+alerts ucs union+of+concerned+scientists global+warming climate+change oil ExxonMobil congress

Via the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Are our children so naughty they deserve coal for decades?

For generations, children have been threatened with coal in their stocking for being naughty—but giving kids coal fired power plants is a punishment that can last 40 years or more.

Today, coal provides about half of our nation’s electricity—at great cost to our health, land, water, and climate. Coal power is currently America’s single biggest source of global warming pollution and brain-damaging mercury emissions. In addition, coal mining pollutes our drinking water and is an extremely dangerous occupation.

Now, utilities across the country are pushing to build more than 150 new coal-fired power plants. Most of these plants would use old “pulverized coal” technology—designed to last at least 40-50 years. But it’s not too late to tell Congress our kids deserve better than coal.

This holiday season, ask your members of Congress to start the new year fresh by promoting energy efficiency and clean, renewable sources of electricity like wind and solar. Click here to send an email to your senators and representative today.

—————–

Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action+alerts ucs union+of+concerned+scientists coal energy alternative+energy

Via the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Challenge Your Candidates To Address Global Warming

You ask the questions. We help you get answers.

Ask the candidates for US House and Senate some tough questions about global warming and energy.

Energy affects nearly every aspect of our lives. Our nation’s energy choices affect the taxes we pay, the cost of heating our homes and getting to work and school. These choices affect the health of our communities and the safety of our nation. And with global warming, our energy choices are already affecting the world we leave to our kids.

One of the most powerful ways to tell future policymakers what’s important to voters is to ask them questions about the issues that affect us all, and to remind them that we want answers.

QuestionsforCandidates.org is an on-line toolkit you can use to ask candidates about their position on energy and global warming, remind them to answer your questions, and then view share their answers with others.

Take a few minutes to send a questionnaire to the candidates in your area - you’ll be glad you did - and we’ll all be better off for it.

———–

Tagged: environment environmentalism action+alerts UCS Union+of+Concerned+Scientists global+warming 2006+midterms midterm+elections

Via the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Use Your Gas Receipts to Demand Fuel Efficient Choices!

Polls show many Americans are downright disgusted with high gas prices—and Congress knows it. We need to take that pain at the pump and make it into a real symbol that Washington cannot ignore. Congress’ return from August recess is the perfect time for us to make it crystal clear that Americans see more fuel-efficient choices in cars, pickups, and SUVs as the way to reduce pain at the pump.

Send your senators a personalized gas receipt, and get all your friends to do it, too!

Visit the UCS action center for additional ideas and info.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Union of Concerned Scientists Action Network - action [at] ucsusa.org
Date: Sep 5, 2006 10:11 AM
Subject: It’s Time to Vote: Choose Your Science Idol!

It’s Time to Vote: Choose Your Science Idol!

Our summer of independent science is coming to a close, but there’s one important step left–it’s time to cast your vote for your favorite scientific integrity cartoon at ucsaction.org/ct/8pMUMAY1tRuS/

Earlier this year, we offered thousands of UCS supporters and other Americans the chance to enter Science Idol: The Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest. Then, throughout the
summer, artists from all over the country took the challenge and submitted hundreds of entries. Next, our four celebrity judges helped narrow those entries down to our 12 finalists. Now it’s up to you to choose the winner–Vote now!

ucsaction.org/ct/8pMUMAY1tRuS/

At the end of September, the cartoonist with the most votes will win an all-expenses paid trip to have lunch with the celebrity judge of his or her choice, plus:

* $500

* A signed copy of Dude: The Big Book of Zonker by Gary Trudeau

* Winning entry printed in Catalyst and featured on the UCS website

* Winning entry promoted on Cartoonbank.com

* Winning entry printed on cover of 2007 Defending Science calendar

* Fifty copies of the 2007 Defending Science calendar, including one signed by all celebrity judges

But the prizes aren’t just limited to the cartoonists–everyone who votes will be entered in a drawing to win one of 50 copies of the 2007 Defending Science calendar featuring the work of our top 12 finalists! Give your friends the opportunity to win by visiting: ucsaction.org/ct/i1MUMAY1tRuL/

Voting will close on Saturday, September 30, 2006, at 11:59 p.m. EST and we’ll announce our grand prize winner the following week. You can only vote once, so choose carefully–Vote Today!

Sincerely,

Michael Halpern
National Field Organizer
UCS Scientific Integrity Program

Via the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Tell McDonald’s to Remove the Hummer Toys

Even as gas prices and global warming are starting to change American consumers’ attitudes on fuel economy, McDonald’s “Hummer of a Summer” campaign is peddling toy versions of the iconic gas-guzzling H1, H2, and H3 SUVs. Ironically, this promotion targets kids—a group especially at risk from the myriad respiratory and heat-related illnesses caused by smog-forming and global warming pollution from autos.

In 2003, UCS activists successfully pressured McDonald’s to cut back its purchases of meat from suppliers who overuse antibiotics that are important to fighting human disease. Now tell Don Thompson, Chief Operations Officer of McDonald’s USA, to demonstrate support for children’s health and the environment by removing the Hummer toys from its Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals.

From the Union of Concerned Scientists:

Tell the Senate to Support Better Fuel Economy

The average fuel economy of American automobiles has stagnated for over 20 years, despite advances in vehicle technology. Current gasoline prices coupled with concerns about our nation’s energy security have resulted in renewed momentum in the Senate for action on fuel economy standards.

Two important measures have recently been introduced that, while using different approaches, would both improve auto fuel economy if consistently implemented. The Feinstein-Snowe “Ten-in-Ten” bill requires a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon for cars, SUVs, and pickups by 2017. The Obama-Lugar-Biden Fuel Economy Reform Act mandates an annual increase in overall fleet fuel economy of four percent.

Please send a letter to your senators today urging them to cosponsor both of these important fuel saving bills.

The June 2006 edition of Greentips, published by the Union of Concerned Scientists, is now available online.

This month’s topic: “Anyone can buy green energy.”