State of the Union Speech Poses Major Challenge to Fracking Opponents – January 24, 2012

Natural Gas Looks to Have Bi-Partisan Establishment Support

President Obama’s State of the Union address was a mixed bag for environmentalists.

Official White House photo by Pete SouzaPresident Barack Obama talks with Jon Favreau, director of speechwriting, in the Oval Office a
day before his January 24 State of the Union address.

There were some expected disappointments, most obviously the president’s failure to mention climate change (perhaps the greatest threat facing humanity) except in passing. There were also some pleasant surprises, like the president’s defense of the EPA’s move to update mercury pollution rules, his commitment to use public lands and military installations to boost renewable energy production, his support for increasing energy efficiency as… more

by: Jason Mark

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Keystone XL Victory a Tale of Ambition and Overreach – January 18, 2012

Greens Pushed Just Right, GOP Pushed Too Far

The State Department’s widely anticipated decision that it will reject the proposed 1,700-mile Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline across the United States marks a major victory for the environmental movement.

Photo courtesy tarsandactionKeystone XL Pipeline Protest at White House.

Just a year ago, many greens were bruised, battered, and demoralized after suffering the defeat of decade-long effort to pass comprehensive climate legislation. There was a good deal of soul searching in offices of environmental NGOs. Then, sometime last summer, it was as if all the energy changed, and suddenly a broad range of environmental organizations pivoted, found their voices again, and collectively turned their… more

by: Jason Mark

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Farmageddon Uncovers Government’s Insane Campaign Against Small Farmers – November 17, 2011

New Documentary Film Examines Attack on Raw Milk Producers, Ranchers

The folks who run Athens Locally Grown in northern Georgia might have known they were crossing the law — but they didn’t believe they were doing anything wrong. Yet the managers of the organic food distribution co-op were, in fact, committing an illegal act. Their crime? Transporting raw milk across the South Carolina-Georgia border and selling it to the co-op’s members.

Photo provided

In mid-October 2009, officials with the Georgia Department of Agriculture impounded 110 gallons of unpasteurized milk co-op members had ordered and then, a week later, ordered Athens Locally Grown to pour out all of the milk. The scene of Locally Grown manager… more

by: Jason Mark

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Letter from Occupy Oakland’s General Strike – November 3, 2011

Good Vibes Take on Corporate Rule

On Tuesday night, the eve of Occupy Oakland’s shutdown of the fifth busiest port in the United States, a strange blast of warm wind came up from the Central Valley, over the Oakland Hills and down to the Bay. It was like the No Cal version of LA’s weird Santa Annas, the kind of weather that makes people wired. “This is earthquake weather,” said my girlfriend, Nell Greenberg (who, full disclosure, is the communications director at Rainforest Action Network). “This is when you have earthquakes.”

All photos by Ian UmedaProtestors sweep over a bridge on the way to Oakland Port.

At… more

by: Jason Mark

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Brower Youth Awardees Offer a Jolt of Inspiration – October 17, 2011

Junior Walk

Junior Walk just made my day. Walk, 21, stopped by the Earth Island Journal offices this afternoon, and in the 10 minutes he spent talking with us I felt a real surge of energy and inspiration. Walk is one of the seven winners of the 2011 Brower Youth Awards, given each year by Earth Island Institute to some of the most exceptional young environmental and social justice leaders in North America. And Walk does, in fact, radiate exceptionalism. Born and raised West Virginia, Walk grew up in a community where just about everyone is in some way connected to the coal industry. Like many… more

by: Jason Mark

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