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| News From the Center |
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By Dan Ehresman The past two months have brought several important milestones—some hopeful and some frightening. On Earth Day we celebrated the Northcoast Environmental Center’s 42nd Anniversary—a number of significance not only because of the NEC’s work spanning over four decades but also because, according to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. We hope that this can only mean good things for the year ahead.
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| Confirmed Japan Tsunami Debris Washes Ashore on the North Coast |
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By Dan Ehresman As Japan progresses in their efforts to rebuild their ravaged communities, so too does the drifting debris continue to make its journey across the Pacific. To help gain a better understanding of the extent and distribution of tsunami debris in California, the NEC, in collaboration with the California Coastal Commission, has been coordinating monitoring events on Humboldt and Del Norte County beaches.
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| Protests Urge Gov. Brown to Ban Fracking |
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By Californians Against Fracking Anti-fracking documentary filmmaker Josh Fox joined farmers, public health professionals, environmentalists and people living near fracked wells to launch Californians Against Fracking, a new statewide coalition to ban fracking. The simultaneous launch events in San Francisco and Los Angeles included rallies and delivery to Governor Jerry Brown of more than 100,000 signatures on petitions to ban fracking.
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| This Summer, Zero Waste is Fair Game |
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By Margaret Gainer Organizers for the Arcata Plaza’s largest fairs and festivals are hoping to reduce the amount of waste they generate this summer. Zero Waste is the new standard for best practices in integrated waste management because it is comprehensive, thorough, emphasizes prevention first in the strategies employed, and fosters local value-added manufacturing opportunities for the collected materials. In summer 2013, event attendees will start to see new collection designs, better signage, and more volunteers trained to help them participate in waste reduction. Results will be monitored and measured in order to learn how to improve the process each year.
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| Whose Hand is Guiding the General Plan Update? |
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On Monday, June 3 (the day EcoNews went to press), a Board of Supervisor’s hearing took place to consider changes to the guiding principles of Humboldt County’s General Plan Update. Just days before the scheduled hearing, Second District Supervisor Estelle Fennell offered a rewrite of eleven guiding principles to Planning Director Kevin Hamblin, explaining that she’s “been hearing from several people” about the existing principles and that both she and 1st District Supervisor Rex Bohn would like to see her alternative version discussed. How do Fennell’s guiding principles differ from the existing ones? They put a stronger emphasis on property rights and rural development and deemphasize environmental protections.
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| Humboldt Marches Against Monsanto |
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On Thursday, May 25, over 700 Humboldt residents gathered in Eureka to protest genetically engineered foods (GMOs) and the chemical giant Monsanto. Over 52 countries and 436 cities participated in the global “March Against Monsanto” to raise awareness and voice opposition to the growing amount of GMO foods in our food supply. Local videographer Mo Hollis attended the March and described the scene as “the biggest protest I’ve seen in Eureka.” Hollis produced a video report about the March for the Lost Coast Outpost.
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Pulic Comment Period Now Open to Inform North Coast Marine Protected Area (MPA) Monitoring
California Ocean Science Trust, March 27, 2013
Roadless Rule Surives Final Legal Challenge
EarthJustice, March 25, 2013
California Commission Rejects Navy Sonar Project That Threatened Whales, Marine Mammals
Center for Biological Diversity, March 8, 2013
Pesticide Manufacturer Contests EPA Decision to Ban 12 d-CON Products
American Bird Conservancy, March 7, 2013
Scientists Predict Extinction in 20 Years for Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles; Conservation Efforts Needed Immediately
Center for Biological Diversity, February 28, 2013
Five Executive Actions Against Climate Chaos: What the President Should Announce in State of the Union Speech
Center for Biological Diversity, February 11, 2013
Stop Green Diamond's Plans to Clearcut Around Strawberry Rock
Friends of Trinidad Forests, February 5, 2013
Federal Klamath Dam Removal Report Finalized
Karuk Tribe, February 4, 2013
To help gain a better understanding of the extent and distribution of debris from the Japan tsunami in California, the NEC, in collaboration with the California Coastal Commission, has been coordinating monitoring events on Humboldt and Del Norte County beaches. Trash and debris are not just unsightly, but also can cause serious problems for the many birds, fish and animals that depend on our rivers, coasts, ocean and land habitats.Our next Tsunami Debris Monitoring and Cleanup events are coming up: Saturday June 29 at Samoa Beach, and Sunday June 30 at Point St. George Beach in Del Norte County.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Action Alert: Supervisors Vote to Change General Plan Guiding Principles Without Public Review
On Monday, June 3, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors did an about face on the Guiding Principles of the County’s General Plan Update. Despite requests from many speakers for more time to review a new set of principles that were released just three days before the hearing, the Board voted 4-1 to substantially alter the original Guiding Principles. The Board needs to hear from you to ensure that they restore a meaningful public process that seeks to balance the interest of our broad community, rather than one that serves the self-interest of some developers, Realtors, and large property owners.
CLICK HERE to read the NEC's press release about the Board's misguided decision.
CLICK HERE for more you can do!
On World Oceans Day people around the planet celebrate and honor the
body of water which links us all, for what it provides humans and what
it represents. The world’s oceans generates most of the oxygen we breathe, regulates our climate, feeds millions of people around the world, and provides limiteless inspiration! Officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009, on June 5 this year the City of Arcata passed a resolution for World Oceans Day as well. We thank the Arcata City Council for recognizing the NEC in their proclamation!
CLICK HERE to view the proclamation.
CLICK HERE for more information about World Oceans Day.
June 5 is World Environment Day!
Part of the United Nations Environment Programme, this year's theme is Think.Eat.Save.
Given the enormous imbalance in lifestyles and the resultant
devastating effects on the environment, Think.Eat.Save encourages you to become more aware of the
environmental impact of the food choices you make and empowers you to
make informed decisions. Global food production occupies 25% of all habitable land
and is responsible for 70% of fresh water consumption, 80% of
deforestation, and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. It is the largest
single driver of biodiversity loss and land-use change.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Our Office in the Creamery District
If you haven't visited us in awhile, don't forget we are now located in the Greenway Building (formerly the Yakima building, near the Creamery building) at 1385 8th Street (near the corner of 8th and N) in Arcata. The Greenway Building provides us with opportunities to host meetings and events, as well as collaborate with the many other green non-profits and businesses (Friends of the Eel River, Greenway Partners, Ocean Conservancy, and Plan It Green, to name a few) located in the same building.
Our new office is located in Suite 226, up the stairs from the rear entrance. CLICK HERE for directions to our new space!
Local Events Calendar
