NASA Top Climate Scientist Arrested on White House Protest

NASA's leading climate scientist James Hansen, director of the Goddard Institute for Space Science, is arrested Monday outside the White House in a public protest over an oil pipeline.

Alongside actress Daryl Hannah, religious leaders, and dozens of eco-activists arrested Monday outside the White House protesting a planned oil pipeline from Canada to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico stood an unlikely partner -- NASA's top climate scientist and government official James Hansen.

Hansen, a controversial and highly vocal proponent of the argument that man's actions have dramatically affected the planet's climate, is the director of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies -- a position for which he earns a $180,000 taxpayer-paid salary.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/08/31/nasa-top-climate-scientist-arrested/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/30/daryl-hannah-arrested-at-white-house

Get Behind Me, No More Styrofoam!

Sorry Folks!

Been away for a while, finding the answers to the meaning of life gets pretty tough. But fighting pollution is getting easier and easier. That's thanks to all of your support in raising awareness. We've also been able to provide our first CP beach clean up! Nothing better than being at the front of the battle against pollution with the fellow foot soldiers. You are the inspiration and essence of what we are about.

Now, lets keep this rally going and get this petition against styrofoam fully loaded. Click on the Surfrider image below to access the petition and spread it to friends and family like weeds!




It seems like little by little, our voices are definitely being heard and we're taking the initiative against the status quo. As a reminder check out our other sites and blogs listed below. And also below, this photo reminds me of you foot soldiers.

http://www.coastalplayground.com/
http://www.weceeradness.tumblr.com/

Defend the National Ocean Policy

Please ask your Representative to support the National Ocean Policy and oppose any proposal that would restrict its funding or implementation.

Last year, President Obama established the National Ocean Policy to help protect and restore our nation's oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. The policy is already being implemented and is improving collaboration between government agencies, scientists, ocean users, and members of the public.

But now some Members of Congress are attempting to stop the National Ocean Policy with a backdoor attack through an FY12 Interior Appropriations bill. Halting implementation of the policy would reduce our nation's capacity to protect and restore our ocean and coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend upon them. Please make your voice heard and ask your Representative to support the National Ocean Policy and oppose any proposal that would restrict its funding or implementation.

Click here to take ACTION now.  Make your voice heard!!!

http://action.surfrider.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4581

The BOGUS Government

Here at CP we try to keep our activism's main focus on beach environment, but so many things are tied in that sometimes you have to step out and be all inclusive. With that said, the current budget crisis/approval is something that is affecting a wide range of social services that include funds to keep our water supplies clean and safe. Below is a video of the great Keith Olbermann pointing out the hypocrisy of the US Government (or the US Corporation, I should say) and how this affects all of us, the common American. Not the greedy, sloth, rich, fat guy's clinging to money they have no idea what to do with but us, the common Americans that run their companies and get the short end of the stick.

Imagine if all workers came together and initiated a walk out from all these greedy corporations, we'd put an end to their power and essentially destroy their stranglehold and even out the playing field. We'd be able to provide an even share for all of us thru health, education and social services. Let's see them try to put together a car, take out the trash, serve a 100 people's orders, process thousands of paperwork or countless of other things on their own. That would be really nice right about now!

Losing Ground

What if you woke up and found that your local beach had disappeared into the sea and all that was left was waves and a cliff side?

That's what is happening in Australia! One of their beaches has been eroding for a couple of years now and seems to show a grim sign of things to come if global warming accelerates and we do nothing about it. More than ever, signs of weather changes are occuring all over the world. How much more do the world governments need to see to think, "Maybe this is something we should really start looking into?" Just at least THINK it!



Washed away: Rocks and rusting steel are all that now remains of the once beautiful sandy beach at Kingscliff. Photo: Michael Bryant

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/climate-change/tourist-town-despairs-as-hungry-ocean-swallows-beach-20110725-1hwtj.html#ixzz1UTRNglGB

Protest in Newport Beach and across the nation!

Hopefully some of you can come out and support and demand our voices be heard! The protest is against the defecit bill that was approved by congress on Friday which includes many cuts to vital social services. This bill is also affecting funding for the EPA and other environmental efforts that could have a huge impact on the stability of our oceans and beaches. Below is the address for the protest in Orange County, CA.

Where are the Jobs? Jobs Not Cuts Rally
John Campbell's Newport Beach Office
610 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2011, 12:00 PM

STOP KEYSTONE!!

Hello CP family

We have an important petition to be signed and spread to the masses! Its against the proposed Keystone pipeline that would threaten animals, ecosystems and water supplies across the midwest leading down to the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico already has had its share of catastrophe's and it certainly does not need more.

The Keystone company has previously stated that they would invest in technology to avoid future spills but their other pipelines have discredited that notion! Don't believe the PR hype on this. We need to make sure we focus on alternative reusable energies that are a balance for the world and its populations!

Spread the word! This is what CP is all about! Activism! Education! And all with Style!!

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/keystone_obama/index2.html?r=230956&id=25349-3955923-l8CjLGx

What's that smell???

Image courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/geoftheref/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

A little late on the news report here but I thought I would still share some of my thoughts. In the article below, we have a story about a wastewater treatment plant catching fire and disrupting one of the pipes leading to a wastewater spill into the Hudson River. The city of New York had to issue a health advisory due to the spill.

Now, how is it that after centuries of handling wastewaters, we still haven't been able to come up with safer, more eco-friendly ways of cleaning these waters for the benefit of al? These are the types of things that cities and governments should spend on to avoid these types of scenarios so you don't have to smell a compiled pool of everybodies processed culinary arts. Pretty gross right? Hopefully it inspires you to look into how your city treats and manages your neighborhoods because again, everything leads to the ocean.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/07/21/new.york.beaches.wastewater/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

Non-point source pollution

Non-point source or "pointless" pollution is the primary threat to coastal water quality. It includes runoff of litter from the streets, fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, leaky septic systems, and faulty sewage and stormwater systems. People and their everyday habits are both the source and solution to this problem. By keeping informed and making small changes, you can help make our oceans fish-able and swim-able. Remember, whatever goes down a drain, down a storm sewer, into a gutter, on a lawn, or in the air, eventually ends up in the ultimate "sink"... our ocean. Did you know?

The Continental Divide, which runs through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (shown here at Rabbit Ears Pass near Steamboat), is the ultimate North American watershed boundary. Rain that falls in its vicinity either runs off to the west (eventually to the Pacific Ocean) or to the east (eventually to the Atlantic Ocean). That means that runoff from places as faraway as eastern Colorado or New Mexico eventually winds up in the Atlantic Ocean

10 great tips to help our beaches!

10 Tips

1. Leave only footprints in the sand.

Use trashcans or take trash home (carry in, carry out).

Use your beach pail at the end of the day to collect

litter. Scoop the Poop! Bring a bag to clean up after

your pet. After enjoying the beach, organize family

and friends for a cleanup, or join volunteers at COA’s

Spring and Fall Beach Sweeps.

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Buy only re-usable or

recyclable products. Recycling reduces solid waste

and saves resources. If your beach does not have

recycling bins, take your items home to recycle.

3. Litter is lethal to marine life. Avoid bringing

disposable plastics to the beach. Plastics do not

biodegrade and can kill fish, birds, whales, seals,

turtles, and other animals through entanglement and

ingestion. If you see an animal entangled, injured, or

in danger see Tip # 9.

4. The beach is not an ashtray. Never leave

cigarette filters in the sand. They do not biodegrade

and are highly toxic to marine animals that mistake

them for food.

5. Hold the line, never let it go. Keep all fishing

line for recycling and send to: Pure Fishing America,

1900 18th St, Spirit Lake, IA 51360-1099. If not

possible, cut line into small pieces and put in trash.

6. Look, listen, and learn. Observe wildlife from a

distance and do not frighten or disturb beach critters.

Beachcomb for shells, listen for birdcalls, and look

for plants. Identify what you find with a field guide.

7. Report pollution. If you see unusual beach

conditions (garbage slicks, brown or red tides, fishkills)

notify your state. In New Jersey contact the

Department of Environmental Protection by calling

877-WARN-DEP and contact COA.

8. Carpool, walk, or bike to the beach. Cars are a

leading source of air and water pollution. Turn off

your car if idling for more than 30 seconds; this will

conserve fuel, save money, and reduce pollution.

9. Watch what you're dune. Dunes and grasses

protect inland areas from wind and wave action and

help preserve the shore. Dunes provide habitat for

birds and animals. If you see an animal entangled,

injured, or in danger, contact a lifeguard, wildlife

rehabilitator, or the Marine Mammal Stranding

Center

10. Green Boating. Watercrafts should not be

operated in shallow areas. Operate in deeper water

where you are less likely to disturb habitat. Obey

“fragile area” and “slow no wake” signs. Never

discharge debris overboard. Use pump-out facilities.

Misguided Decision on Behalf of Shell Oil Company Puts Arctic Ocean at Grave Risk

Less than one year after the largest oil spill in American history was contained, the federal government has granted preliminary approval of Shell Oil’s plan for drilling in the harsh and remote conditions of the Arctic Ocean.

This move disregards the recommendations of the National Commission on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to close the research and response gaps that exist in the Arctic before deciding whether drilling can safely proceed.

It also ignores the scientific consensus that drilling in the Arctic presents significant risk to the region’s communities, economy, and marine life.

http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/misguided_decision_on_behalf_o.html