We're now a hundred days away from October 24, the day when together we'll manage to change the debate on global warming--away from narrow politics and towards a planet with a future.

"Together" is the key word in that sentence--it won't happen without you. We need every hand on deck in these last precious weeks.

And to make sure all those hands are working in harmony, it would be an enormous help if you could fill out this quick survey to help answer some key strategic questions for 350.org moving forward. Your answers will help our team better serve the growing international climate movement, and will help determine how we play our cards in the months ahead. The poll is just 8 questions long--visit this link to add your voice:

http://www.350.org/survey

So far, things are going better than we could possibly have hoped. I've just come back from Turkey, where we helped organize a three-week training session for young activists from across Central Asia. They're spreading the 350 message across vast swaths of the planet where there's barely been an environmental movement before.

Tomorrow I get on the plane for India, the Maldives, and the countries of the Middle East--check out the website for regular updates from me, and from our organizing staff all over the globe. And of course, we have pictures--yes, those are 350 kayaks in the shape of 350, and 350 activists from the Dominican Republic on the Spanish BBC, and much more on our blog.

( An example of what's under the cut: If you know people who love to climb mountains, here's a letter to spread from some of the world's greatest climbers; here's one from our finest oceanographer; from some of our leading businesspeople; for farmers and food activists; and from leaders of faith communities. As you can see, this is spreading far beyond normal environmental circles--it's turning into a true movement. )

P.S. Please help pass this update around--my younger and more technologically adept colleagues assure me that if you have a Facebook or Twitter Account, you can re-post it with just a couple of clicks:

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Daring move, which is what's needed if we are to SAVE OUR COLLECTIVE ASSES.

Please go sign their petition.

At the moment I am sitting in a campground in Cache Creek, BC and tomorrow I will be biking into Kamloops. I'm part of Pedal for the Planet which rousing public demand for real action on climate change from the Conservative government when the next climate talks take place in Copenhagen in December.

Nadia and Martina are sisters who are the heart and soul of this campaign. They have put a lot of work into it and they aren't shying away from engaging people. Tonight they walked around the whole campground talking to people, asking them to send postcards to PM Harper/Bush with the clear message that Canada must not stand alone in refusing to take action on climate change. One of the funny moments came when Nadia launched into her opening speech and the people at the campsite said they weren't German so then Martina immediately switched into German and talked to them. She said that Germany is doing much better than Canada and they agreed but said it wasn't enough. Unfortunately they couldn't participate in the campaign because they weren't residents of Canada.

I had much lower expectations for this trip than last year's Tar Sands ride but already I feel like it is going to be more effective. Yeah! That is my happiness for today.

You can follow the trip on Twitter with Pedal4thePlanet.

Just letting the comm know about the bike ride I am starting on Friday, Pedal for the Planet: Canada to Copenhagen. The ride starts in the north, west and east regions of Canada and will converge on Ottawa with the message that Canada must sincerely participate in the Copenhagen talks in December and help make a treaty that effectively protects the Planet.

What you can do:
- Call your MP and ask if they have signed the KyotoPlus pledge.
- Get your Canadian friends and family to call their MPs (especially if they are foot-dragging Conservatives)
- join us for a few hours of riding if we are passing through your area.
- follow us on Twitter: Pedal4thePlanet

The Harper Conservative government is about as asinine as the Bush administration when it comes to environmental issues. We have to show them that we have the political will even if they don't. There is a good chance there will be another election sooner than later. Make it clear that you will not support any candidate who does not have a strong environmental platform.

Hey gang. 

I'm really interested in finding websites or organizations that have done the legwork in finding ethical (i mean UBER-ethical) consumer goods manufacturers and farmers.  I'd like to know where to spend what little money I have, and I would absolutely LOVE to spread the knowledge as well.  You know, like, the most mindful and pristine businesses only.  Or the most honest, well thought out corporations.  Stuff like that.   

The least carbon footprint per capita... Uh.  Wait a minute.  NM that part for now.

PEACE and good cheer.....     The future truly believes in us!  
Say no to human and animal rights violations, and say no to products that are produced by grossly wasteful means, and say yes to locally farmed foods and goods (until we can have a teleportation device invented up)...

Many people are constantly asking us: “How are you going to arrange proper living conditions and other facilities for the sunlanders? How are you going to organize Sunland’s economy?” Some people even express doubts in our fairness, while quite the contrary others reproach us in unrealism and keenness on empty fantasies. In this short article I shall try to prove that the Sunland project is a genuine project and more over its significance goes beyond the framework of an ordinary settlement in some obscure location.

What we want to create on Sunland? If people think that we want to create some kind of village with customary middle-class conditions like in any American town, they are wrong. We want to demonstrate an alternative living style.

Hi,
I was thinking about taking an open university degree. Because I have an interest in enviromental issues, ecology and peak oil I though either Environmental Science or Studies would be a good choice but I dont realy see much difference between the two.

Can someone explain the differencies or perhaps would like to suggest taking one over the other for whatever reasons?


regards,


Neal

Only chenging relationship of each other is a way to safe world.

From EarthJustice:
Did you know that the oil and gas industry, thanks to Dick Cheney and his old friends at Halliburton, are exempted from the Safe Drinking Water Act?

That's right: thanks to a provision slipped into the highly-controversial Energy Policy Act of 2005 at the request of Halliburton, Exxon and a handful of other corporations, the oil and gas industry was exempted from having to comply with critical provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act -- a law that protects underground sources of drinking water for millions of Americans.

This exemption has allowed hydraulic fracturing -- a process that increases oil and gas yields by shooting an oftentimes toxic brew of chemicals underground at high pressures -- to go completely unregulated by federal law.

Hydraulic fracturing is already suspected of endangering drinking water in six states. However, due to the "Halliburton Loophole" exemption, EPA lacks the authority to investigate instances of contamination and cannot regulate this controversial practice.

Thankfully, concerned members of Congress in both the House and Senate have recently introduced legislation to close the "Halliburton Loophole" and ensure that Big Oil has to follow the same laws that every other industry does. H.R. 2766, introduced by Diana DeGette (D-CO), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Jared Polis (D-CO); and S. 1215 introduced by Bob Casey (D-PA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) would regulate hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Please contact your congressperson and senators and ask them to cosponsor these important pieces of legislation.

TAKE ACTION: Protect Your Drinking Water From Toxic Chemicals - Sign the Petition

Hello all!

I'm switching to a more green way to get around. A bike of course!

Think mountain bike capabilites, with the cuteness of a city bike.

Does anyone know of a brand or two that would fit those characteristics?

For those of you wanting to live as chemically free as possible, and who care about how/where the products themselves are produced (i.e. cruelty-free & made in the U.S.A.), here's a list of some good products to purchase:

Method (www.methodhome.com) - Sells dishwashing soaps (including a new gel-release dishwasher cube), hand soaps, laundry detergents & fabric softners, surface & window cleaners (including cleaners to tackle sensitive metal & glass surfaces), floor cleaners (they also sell a special brand for hard wood, marble & tile flooring), toilet & ultra scrubbing cleaners for bathroom surfaces, and scented products (soy candles, oil rings/oil sticks, and plug-in scenters).

Seventh Generation (www.seventhgeneration.com/) - Sells baby items (chlorine-free diapers, wipes, training pants), laundry detergents (including a baby formula, chlorine-free bleach, dryer sheets, and concentrated detergents), dishwashing soaps (including a new gel-release dishwasher cube), hand soaps, surface & window cleaners, floor cleaners, toilet & ultra scrubbing cleaners for bathroom surfaces, and feminine products (chlorine-free & organic cotton tampons and pads).

Mrs. Meyers (www.mrsmeyers.com/) - Sells baby items (shampoo, lotion, oil, diaper balm, lip & cheek balm), laundry detergents (including a baby formula & oxygen stain remover), dishwashing & hand soaps, surface & window cleaners (including a baby formula), and room fresheners (candles & sprays).

Scotch Brite (www.scotchbritegreenerclean.com) - sponges (biodegradable absorbant & expanding soft sponges made from 60% Bamboo Rayon and 40% cotton, packaging made from 80% recycled content paper; soap-loaded biodegradable sponges with phosphorous-free soap, packaging is made from 100% recycled content), bamboo wipes (for use wet or dry; made from 100% natural fibers derived from 82% Rayon from bamboo and 18% PLA from corn, packaging made from 80% recycled content), natural fiber scouring & scrubbing pads (made from 50% natural agave plant, sponge contains 100% natural materials, of which 23% is recycled paper), and absorbent cloths (wipes like a cloth; absorbs like a sponge, washable and reusable, biodegradable).


You can pick all of these up in your local Target store. FYI: Target is trying to go seriously green by installing solar panels on store roof tops, installing water-saving toilets & sinks in their restrooms, using eco-friendly paper & soap products in their bathrooms, eliminating paper catalogs entirely, making their website audio friendly for the blind, and they already sell a bunch of organic & fair trade food, clothing, and accessory brands. They are a really good alternative to buying at other big name grocery/department stores.

I just got back from one of the most fun weekends I've had. I'm sunburned, sore, slightly bruised, tired, and incredibly satisfied!

Becoming an Outdoors Woman is currently in 44 states and 8 Canadian provinces. It's a weekend event with volunteer instructors, specifically designed for women who want to learn about skills and activities to be more comfortable doing outdoor things. I want to highly recommend this to everyone and their mom :) of every activity level. It was a blast!

Friday I took an intro to firearms class in the morning and shot rifles in the afternoon. Saturday I didn't get into the archery, so I did handguns instead, then learned some woodsman skills. This morning I got a chance to try skeet shooting with a shotgun. My mom was less comfortable and interested in guns, though she did take the intro class. She did wild edibles Friday, turns out you can eat half our yard! Saturday she learned map & compass and woodsman skills too. This morning she took a walking stick defense course.

Different states offer different courses, but at every one I'm sure you'll meet a great bunch of women and learn a lot. I really can't express how awesome it was. And for anyone nervous about ability level we had woman who had attended multiple BOW events aw well as one woman using a scooter to get around. Most of us first timers are excited for next year already. :)