Category: Responsibility

Wow, please vote!

Madame President

“Unless American voters stand up to him, Mr. Trump will have the power to do profound and lasting harm to our democracy” NYT

Endorsement for Harris from the New York Times:

“It is hard to imagine a candidate more unworthy to serve as president of the United States than Donald Trump. He has proved himself morally unfit for an office that asks its occupant to put the good of the nation above self-interest. He has proved himself temperamentally unfit for a role that requires the very qualities — wisdom, honesty, empathy, courage, restraint, humility, discipline — that he most lacks.

Those disqualifying characteristics are compounded by everything else that limits his ability to fulfill the duties of the president: his many criminal charges, his advancing age, his fundamental lack of interest in policy and his increasingly bizarre cast of associates.

This unequivocal, dispiriting truth — Donald Trump is not fit to be president — should be enough for any voter who cares about the health of our country and the stability of our democracy to deny him re-election.

For this reason, regardless of any political disagreement’s voters might have with her, Kamala Harris is the only patriotic choice for president.”

Read the entire endorsement here:

Opinion | Kamala Harris is the Only Patriotic Choice for President – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Holding Exxon Accountable

“ExxonMobil lied to further its record-breaking profits at the expense of our planet and possibly jeopardizing our health” Attorney General Rob Bonta

peace on earth

Plastic is harmful to our earth and to our bodies. The producers of plastic should be held accountable.

“For decades, ExxonMobil has been deceiving the public to convince us that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis when they clearly knew this wasn’t possible. ExxonMobil lied to further its record-breaking profits at the expense of our planet and possibly jeopardizing our health,” Rob Bonta, Attorney General, California

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/california-sues-exxonmobil-saying-company-deceived-public-about-plastics-recycling

A coalition of environmental groups have joined together to take ExxonMobile to court. Surfrider Foundation, the Sierra Club, Heal the Bay, and San Francisco Baykeeper are taking on the world’s largest producer of single-use plastic polymers for their claims about plastic.

The lawsuit was filed in San Francisco, California and states that ExxonMobile knowingly hid the truth about the harm caused by plastic and misled the public about its recyclability.

Niall McCarthy, partner at the law firm that is representing the coalition, said:

“Some of the greatest progress in American history was caused by civil lawsuits holding the powerful accountable for their actions. This is another such case brought by the most prominent environmental nonprofits in California who are willing, for the public good, to take on a company worth billions. The case will expose the devastation caused by single-use plastics and the deceptive recycling myth pushed by plastic producers such as ExxonMobil. The case, at its core, is about accountability.  ExxonMobil’s promises of being a good corporate citizen are divorced from the reality of its conduct. As detailed in the complaint, ExxonMobil’s single use plastics are smothering California’s environment.”

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-09-23/california-ag-files-suit-against-companies

Change your Shopping Habits

My life changed when I discovered bulk shopping. I love to choose my own amount, and I feel good about not having to purchase items in plastic. Instead of using plastic bags, bring your own reusable containers,

Shopping bulk helps to manage two big issues that contribute to our climate crisis. A shopper can reduce tons of plastic packaging, and choose as much as you need. This reduces food waste. Bring reusable containers, both big and small. Use whatever you have. I reuse glass mustard jars, pasta jars, pickle jars or cloth bags

The article below from Hennepin County tells you how to shop in bulk. the customers and the store personnel are all willing to help you through this journey. I hope you like this new independence as much as I do!!

Deciding where to shop

Pile of potatoes in grocery storeDifferent stores and markets offer varying options for how you purchase food, so your ability to buy just the right amount of food may depend on where you shop.Get familiar with what your grocery store offers for produce and bulk goods. There may be more options than you noticed.
Person putting produce in grocery bagOpt for unpackaged produce when possible. If your store sells packaged items, try nearby stores offering loose produce. By purchasing only what’s necessary for your meal plan (especially fresh produce), you could significant cut the amount of food you waste.

Buying from the bulk section

Bulk section

No, we don’t mean buying in large quantities like at Costco. The bulk section of a grocery store has self-serve food containers where you can take as much or as little as you need. Using the bulk section for things such as grains, beans, or spices can help you purchase just the amount you need and avoid waste.

Here’s how to buy things in bulk:

  1. Choose the item you want to purchase.
  2. Grab the provided bag or, if your store allows it, your own clean container. If you can use your own container, record the weight of the container when empty, before you fill it up.
  3. Fill your container or bag with the food.
  4. Write the product number, listed as PLU, for the item on the bag or on a sticker or twist tie label.

World’s Indigenous People

We are all connected!

This is from the Carbon Almanac!

Today we celebrate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. 

Raoni Metuktire is an Indigenous Brazilian leader and environmentalist. Born in 1932, he has seen a lot of change due to climate change. 

In The Carbon Almanac, we feature his quote and it serves as a reminder that we are all connected.

We all breathe this one air, we all drink the same water. We all live on this one planet. We need to protect the Earth. If we don’t, the big winds will come and destroy the forest. Then you will feel the fear that we feel.

Overshoot Day

WE consume too much stuff, use too much plastic, and create too much garbage. Our consumerism fuels Overshoot Day, but also all our driving around and wasting more fossil fuels than what we need.

Consuming less is good for our air and our water, and over consumption contributes to our climate crisis. We all need to be responsible for the trash we create, but the producers of so much packaging also needs to be held responsible.

Consuming and wasting less is the key!

Today is the day after Earth Overshoot Day. But what does that mean for you?

Earth Overshoot Day is the date when humanity depletes all the natural resources that the Earth can regenerate in the year. So as of today August 2, we are living at a deficit. We are consuming more resources than we can replace.

This metric from the Global Footprint Network is a striking reminder of the importance of taking care of the planet and using resources responsibly. However, it can also serve as inspiration to take action. Individual actions can make a difference to help #MoveTheDate!

What YOU can do to help?

Buy less and reuse instead of purchasing something new.

Reduce your food waste.

Have SMALL families.

Reuse, Reuse, Reuse! A good place to start is by trying to reduce unnecessary purchases, opt for sustainable products, and reuse items whenever possible.

peace on earth

We all need to waste less, and work together to lift up our Earth.

Reading List:

Aug 1, Overshoot Day

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/earth-overshoot-day-2024-how-to-make-the-best-of-this-important-benchmark/ar-BB1qUlt6?ocid=BingNewsSerp

A Plastic-Free Future

Plastic is everywhere. It is hazardous to our health and our environment. Lets work together every day to end the Age of Plastic

These outstanding ideas are from Eureka Recycling!

Practical Tips for Going Plastic-Free 

The most powerful zero waste action we can take is not creating waste in the first place. So how do we go about reducing consumption. Here are some helpful tips: 

  1. Start with the Basics: Swap out single-use plastic bags for reusable ones. Keep a stash in your car or by the door so they’re always handy.
  2. Choose Reusables & Say NO to Single-Use Plastic: Carry your own refillable stainless-steel water bottle and use glass containers for food storage. Repurposing glass pasta jars for food storage can be a good option 
  3. Shop Mindfully: When grocery shopping, opt for products with minimal or recyclable packaging. Choose loose fruits and vegetables over those wrapped in plastic and items in glass or cardboard containers over plastic whenever possible. When shopping for clothes, try to choose used clothes and clothing made of cotton or hemp, which can help reduce microfiber pollution Many clothing, especially synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, are made from plastic polymers. When these synthetic fabrics are washed, they release tiny plastic fibers known as microfibers into the wastewater. These microfibers are too small to be caught by wastewater treatment plants and ultimately end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. 
  4. Evaluate Necessity vs. Want: Before making a purchase, ask yourself if the item is something you truly need or if it’s just a want. Delaying non-essential purchases can often lead to realizing you don’t need them at all.
  5. Borrow or Share: Borrow or share items that you only need temporarily or infrequently, such as tools, books, or recreational equipment, rather than buying them outright. 
  6. Support Plastic-Free Initiatives: Encourage businesses and local governments to adopt plastic reduction initiatives. When possible, support companies that prioritize sustainable packaging and products. 
  7. Make Your Voice Heard: As we work to advance zero waste legislation at the state and federal levels, we know we cannot recycle our way out of the plastic production and pollution crisis. Let’s work together to hold petrochemical companies accountable and change systems to better support reduction and reuse. 

While Plastic Free July lasts for just one month, the habits we cultivate and policies we advocate for can have a lasting impact. By reducing our plastic consumption, we conserve valuable resources, minimize pollution, and protect wildlife. Moreover, we contribute to a shift in societal norms towards more sustainable living practices. 

Join the movement this Plastic-Free July and let’s make every month an opportunity to support a zero waste future. 

And some ways to reduce your exposure to microplastics

Dear President Biden

On the Fourth of July it is my duty to speak out!

Thank you, President Biden for your leadership and for all the years you have been in congress, vice president and president. You have a fabulous legacy of accomplishments, and I thank you many times over.

The Democrats all want to stay on the same page and be team players, but this is such a serious time they need to speak up. I need to express what my friends, family and the American voter is feeling.

We are in a frightening presidential election. The damage Donald Trump will do for the world and the environment is beyond our ability to imagine, and you know that!  Also, the new Supreme Court decisions make it even more imperative that we win this election.

We all deal with age issues. Our backs go out, our knees and shoulders fall apart, and we forget things we don’t want to forget! Unless we are in pain we can deny aging to some extent. We deny that our energy level isn’t what it used to be, and we pretend we haven’t changed.  Unfortunately, age issues don’t get younger. Instead, we need to move to the gratitude stage where we are thankful for all that has been and that we still have the chance to move forward.

We have gratitude, but we also have wisdom. Wisdom is our strength as we age! With all that is going on in the world we need individuals with more energy and new vision at the helm. Our wisdom tells us it is time to step aside for new positive leadership.

Thank you for your service. Now decide governing is more important than running for election. Pass the torch to the future and continue your amazing legacy and try to end these awful wars and continue to protect our precious environment. With gratitude.

The presidency is a very hard job. Thank you, President Biden.

Fight for our democracy!

Hold General Mills Accountable

General Mills is not responding to questions about toxic chemicals in their foods. Please sign the petition below asking them to do better.

Consumer Reports is coming to the General Mills headquarters to demand answers on what the company plans to do to get plastic chemicals linked to cancer and other serious diseases out of its food products.

With consumers at our side, we will be delivering our petition to General Mills calling for immediate steps to eliminate these chemicals – known as phthalates – that Consumer Reports’ tests found in Yoplait yogurt, Cheerios, Progresso soup, and Annie’s Organic pasta.

Help us show company leaders that consumers expect food free of risky contaminants by adding your name to the petition. Already, 30,000 people have signed on, and we need a huge showing of support to get their attention!

Sign the Petition 

In January, our tests of 85 different foods for phthalates found the highest concentration of these risky chemicals in Annie’s Organic Cheesy Ravioli, owned by General Mills. Since these plastic chemicals are known to interfere with the production of hormones – increasing the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and birth defects – we contacted company officials to take immediate action, since Annie’s organic products are marketed to parents of young kids.

Despite these concerning findings, as well as the chemicals showing up in their other brands, General Mills has refused to respond or engage with us. But you deserve answers and assurances that the company is addressing the problem – so we’re headed to corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, MN, with a group of concerned consumers to get them.

Can you support our group by adding your name to the petition we’ll deliver? Let’s show giant food conglomerates that they can’t ignore us when it comes to safety concerns in their products!

Sign the Petition