Our parks are critical in the fight against the ongoing climate crisis. Without the necessary funding to maintain and expand public lands, we jeopardize our ability to fight the climate crisis through economic stewardship and to protect our natural resources for future generations.     National parks and forests are home to countless species of plants and animals, many of which are endangered. Insufficient funding leaves them vulnerable to invasive species, habitat destruction, and climate change impacts. The park rangers that protect these parks are essential not only for maintaining park landscapes but also for ensuring public safety and education. Without proper staffing,  fewer rangers are available to educate visitors about conservation and safety, and there are fewer resources to protect our lands from damage and misuse.    These are funding cuts that will impact communities across the country. National parks and forests are an important part of the local economy, supporting tourism, jobs, and small businesses. Substantial cuts to these programs will harm communities that depend on parks for income and tourism. National parks are also one of the few spaces left that are usually free or inexpensive and open to the public.    We must reverse course: Our parks and forests, and all the rangers who keep them safe and taken care of, need us now more than ever. Sign the petition to demand that Congress push back against these cuts and ensure that park rangers have the resources they need to protect our natural heritage and fight climate change. 

Help make our voices heard by joining together to amplify our collective message to West Norriton Township elected officials to reject the proposed re-zoning and Protect Betzwood’s Green Space!

It’s important because if we don’t speak up now! Rates will continue to rise and we will continue to be expected to pay them regardless of the price on the bill. The city doesn’t have reliable utility assistance for its residents. Community Service doesn’t have funding… Most community organizations will tell you that the bill can’t exceed $200 dollars in order to receive assistance. So majority of our residents don’t qualify for the assistance. It’s important to remember the cost of living and minimum wage that the state still hasn’t graduated from. 

Revamping the Process for State Record Fish Collection: A Call for Change State record fish represent the pinnacle of angling achievements and are often some of the oldest and largest members of their species. These remarkable creatures are not just trophies; they are vital to the ecosystems they inhabit, carrying genetics that contribute to the health and growth of future generations. Unfortunately, the current process for verifying state record fish fails to reflect their importance, leading to unnecessary harm to these extraordinary specimens. Under existing guidelines, potential record-breaking fish must be frozen for verification purposes, as required by organizations such as the Outdoor Writers of Ohio. If not frozen the fish still will usually not make it back to the water. This antiquated practice is not only detrimental to the individual fish but also to the broader ecosystem. Freezing a fish for verification removes its valuable genetic material from the waterway, impacting the species’ population and genetic diversity. Along with not knowing the true potential weight of a fish. Given the advancements in technology and fisheries science, it’s time to adopt modern, sustainable methods that allow for proper record verification without compromising the survival of these iconic fish. The Case for Change Fish that achieve record-breaking size have typically survived decades in the wild, overcoming environmental pressures, predators, and the angling community itself. Their survival is a testament to their resilience, and their genetic makeup is a resource that benefits the entire ecosystem. Removing these fish permanently from the water not only deprives the environment of their presence but also sends the wrong message about the values of conservation. The outdated requirement to freeze or euthanize potential record fish undermines the progress that has been made in sustainable fishing practices. Today, there are numerous ways to accurately measure and verify fish without causing their death. From high-resolution photography to certified measuring devices and digital scales, technology provides reliable alternatives that align with conservation principles. Failing to adopt these advancements perpetuates an unnecessary loss of life and diminishes the broader ecological benefits that these fish provide. Conclusion State record fish are more than just symbols of angling success; they are cornerstones of their ecosystems and guardians of genetic diversity. By transitioning to a modern, conservation-focused verification process, we can celebrate the achievements of anglers while ensuring the survival of these extraordinary fish. It’s time for state wildlife agencies, conservationists, and anglers to work together to adopt sustainable practices that honor both the sport and the environment. With the right changes, we can set a new standard for responsible fishing and leave a legacy of preservation for generations to come.

Dear Neighbor, I hope this message finds you well. I’m reaching out to talk about an important opportunity to support our community’s growth and energy future. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District is benefiting from historic investments that are creating jobs, lowering energy costs, and strengthening our energy resilience. Here are just a few of the ways the IRA is making a difference right here at home: • $13.4 million for solar power and energy storage in Durango, boosting clean energy innovation. • $16.6 million to expand a solar array in Alamosa, diversifying our local energy mix. • $250 million for wind turbine production in Pueblo, creating good-paying jobs for our families. In addition to these remarkable projects, programs like Solar for All are expanding access to clean, affordable energy for low-income families. This legislation is not just about energy—it’s about ensuring a strong, sustainable economy and a brighter future for everyone. Unfortunately, there is growing pressure to roll back the progress we’ve made. That’s why I’m asking you to join me in signing a petition to urge Representative Jeff Hurd to continue supporting the IRA. By standing together, we can ensure our district remains a leader in clean energy and economic resilience. Your voice matters. By signing this petition, you’ll help protect the benefits we’ve already seen and ensure that these opportunities continue to grow for future generations. Let’s work together to ensure that our community continues to thrive. Thank you for taking the time to support this important effort.

We hold it as a fundamental truth that every person has a right to a livable planet. A healthy environment is not merely a condition of existence but the foundation upon which all other rights exist. Preservation of this foundation, therefore, is more than just a practical necessity; it is a moral obligation and a collective responsibility. Governments, established to protect the rights of the People, are thus charged with safeguarding the environment as a foundation of those rights. Through their collective efforts, governments can achieve what individuals cannot so readily achieve themselves, including the stewardship of natural systems—air, water, biodiversity—that transcend borders and generations. However, when governments fail to fulfill this obligation, the duty to act is not relinquished but reverts to the people, who remain dependent upon and inseparable from their environment. The Paris Agreement represents a global promise by governments to fulfill their moral obligation by restoring and preserving our most foundational right—the right to a livable planet. Failure to uphold the promises of the Paris Agreement represents a dereliction of government’s most sacred duty. Yet default on this debt does not mean it is forgiven, for the obligation to protect the environment is intransmutable and demands fulfillment regardless of government default. Rather, in the face of inaction, this debt reverts to the People. And so, the burden of this sacred obligation falls to us. It is not enough to wait for leaders to act or to defer this duty to future generations. In the face of inaction, we must rise as stewards of the Earth, bound by a shared commitment to protect the foundation of life itself. Therefore, we sign on to the Paris Agreement. We sign on to demand that our leaders honor their commitments under the Paris Agreement and take steps to fulfill its promise. We sign on to call upon our states, cities, and local communities to lead where nations have not, proving that action at every level can drive global change. We sign on because the absence of leadership cannot become an excuse for abdication, because the urgency of this moment cannot be ignored, because a future where prosperity and sustainability go hand in hand is not just an aspiration but an imperative. By joining together, we affirm that the Paris Agreement is not just a document but a framework to restore and preserve our most foundational right—that of a livable planet. It is the people—acting with hope, clarity, and purpose—who will meet this challenge, and by our joint efforts, ensure that humanity’s obligations do not go unmet.

President Biden put a pause on 18 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export approvals last year to allow the Department of Energy (DOE) to do a study that was released just before the holidays. He was acting on the calls made by environmental and climate advocates and all of you who added your voices via petitions and many other actions. We argued that the DOE was failing to do its job of determining if proposed LNG projects are in the public interest. The analysis released last month was refreshingly frank it its findings that, indeed, they are not in the public interest at all and that they are unnecessary to boot! Secretary Granholm's statement provides a concise overview of the study's conclusions. Unfortunately, the study did not prompt the Biden administration to use the analysis to reject pending and future LNG export projects. The controversial pause found its way into the presidential campaign when Donald Trump vowed to undo it and approve the projects when he takes office. The study's release triggered a 60-day comment period that is scheduled to end on February 18. This petition will be submitted to the docket, but it's not enough. Here's why: - We don't know if Trump will terminate the comment period on January 20. Therefore, we need to gather as many comments as we can by January 19. - We don't know if Trump will take down the comments already submitted. - We do know that a petition, even if it's signed by a million people, will only count as one comment (it's something in a category of things I call Stupid Regulator Tricks). Although they don't count as separate comments, a large number of signatures gets regulators' attention. Given what we do know and what we can only guess about at this point, we're asking everyone to take the additional step of submitting an individual comment to urge the administration to reject the pending projects. That way, the comments will be counted if Trump doesn't remove them. We've come up with a way of collecting comments that makes it easy for you to submit one and allows us to store your documents if he does remove them. Your comments will be valuable for judges to consider in the court cases that will surely ensue. You can use what we're calling our EZ form here. If you prefer to submit a comment directly to Regulations.gov, you can find it here. We ask that you sign our petition even if you don't want to submit an individual comment. We'll post it to the docket on January 19.

Science for the Public Good: An Open Letter to the 119th Congress I am asking you to defend the science and scientists that keep Americans safe. The Trump administration's current agenda promises to eviscerate the protections that Americans count on and support: clean air and water; safe food and medicine; products that won't harm us; and protection from extreme weather and other damaging effects of climate change. Without strong federal science, people will suffer, and historically marginalized communities will continue to bear the burden of these harms. Independent science can inform strong public policy that puts the health, safety and welfare of Americans first. Protecting rigorous and independent science is a common-sense, nonpartisan goal. The reason behind the Trump administration's radical proposals to sideline science and scientists is crystal clear: science stands in the way of polluters and special interests unleashing unprecedented amounts of pollution that would put short-term profits over people, no matter the cost to current and future generations of Americans. The first 100 days of the Trump administration will be absolutely essential for taking action that can save science that saves lives. Science supporters in your district and state are mobilizing to fight back and prevent the politicization of science and firing of scientists who help protect our families and communities. As a constituent and supporter of the Union of Concerned Scientists, I am asking for you to take the First 100 Days Pledge for Science: • First, advocate for efforts at any federal agency to follow and/or implement a scientific integrity policy in their agency.  • Second, oppose the elimination of federal agencies or their staff directly or indirectly including through draconian budget cuts, reclassifying staff, or abruptly moving agency headquarters, all of which are a transparent and explicit effort to decimate scientific expertise and decision-making. • Third, defend the safeguards that protect the health and safety of people across the United States, especially those overburdened by pollution. This includes the nation's bedrock public health and environmental laws—such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act—that are and must continue to be based on the best available independent science. This is a critical time to show the administration that members of Congress of both parties are united in championing the science that helps protect the communities they represent. I am asking for your support.

healthcare is a basic human right, and no one should be denied care due to financial barriers. A universal healthcare system would improve public health, reduce inequality, and create a more productive society by ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, can get the care they need when they need it. Together, we can build a more just and equitable system that benefits everyone.

OUR KIDS ARE AT RISK - BENZENE IS A KNOWN CARCINOGEN CHILDREN’S HEALTH IS AT RISK: The World Health Organization (WHO), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognize benzene as a hazardous air pollutant and a known carcinogen.  These organizations emphasize that children are particularly vulnerable to benzene exposure due to their developing systems and greater relative intake of air.  Exposure to benzene is associated wit respiratory problems and leukemia.  Google it - it’s terrifying! ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: Increased emissions and traffic have the potential to harm not only preschoolers, but the entire neighborhood.  The plan to store 120,000 gallons of fuel underground - doubling their current capacity of 60,000 gallons of underground storage. INSUFFICIENT REVIEW: This project was deemed EXEMPT from ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.  The Culver City Planning Commission granted Costco an exemption from doing an Environmental Impact Report which would require an analysis on impacts on traffic, noise, air quality, and water quality - the report would require an analysis to the impact on the preschoolers, a “sensitive receptor” population.’’ HOW YOU CAN HELP: 1. SIGN THIS PETITION 2. VISIT OUR WEBSITE - https://www.futurenotfossils.com/ 3. EMAIL THE CITY COUNCIL Please email the Council members (templates below) to express your opposition to the relocation. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Utilize and customize one of the templates: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i9Rmq3FbnwyYTgHw6MoqHwh8MFYDqJSplB3dXvJSAm8/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-xtzm9RAUOCznXCu2eFY4ENednAEeD8nHiwcoSU5lew/edit?usp=sharing 4. SPREAD THE WORD Please share this issue with friends and neighbors.  The more voices we have, the stronger our message. Thank you for standing with us in this fight. Sincerely, Noah & Alba Beller

I struggle to find the difference between taking some 50 unfilled balloons and strings and tossing them out in the parking lot of your local park and receiving a hefty fine for littering but fill those same 50 balloons and fill them up and let them go and float away to become your neighbors problem and in many cases vet bill no one cares. How is this not considered littering?  When questioning our local North Sewickley police department it was stated that they didn't care and if that's the case what else don't they care about ? In a township that consists largely of land used for agricultural purposes and farms why aren't we taking this seriously? Are we this naive sitting here in 2024 to not understand that once these balloons go up that they come back down somewhere else to become someone else's problem and expense? As someone who has worked heavily in agriculture and wildlife conservation for all of my life I plan on presenting these questions to our township and finding the answers to these questions.There is so many other wonderful ways to celebrate lost loved ones such as planting a tree or candlelight vigil.If you care about the negative impact releasing balloons causes to our animals,wildlife,environment, and also our neighbors please take a moment to sign my petition.

Why the increased permitting fees are essential: • A properly funded Air Program could mean more effective health protections from dangerous air pollution. Without the increased permitting fees, the Air Program could be weakened, further harming Allegheny County residents who already suffer from asthma and other health problems.  • Increased permitting fees would be paid by plant operators and applicants – NOT taxpayers. • This is especially important as the County is facing a large budget deficit.  • The fee increases are monies that would supplement the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Air Program budget at no cost to taxpayers. • Approving the fee increase shifts the burden of covering these costs to, in most cases, million - and billion dollar industries that can easily afford to pay it.  • The fee increase essentially makes these companies cover the costs of obeying the law. • An adequately funded ACHD is critical to protecting the health of Allegheny County residents. Currently, the staff working to protect our air quality is under-resourced and overworked. https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2025/01/26/iulia-vann-allegheny-county-health-department/stories/202501190046 • The Clean Air Act requires ACHD to charge Title V facilities fees that are sufficient to cover the cost of administering the program.  • This critical fee upgrade is long overdue and is something the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) recommended in their 2018 audit of the ACHD Title V Air Program • The large companies that profit from polluting Allegheny County’s air increase the burden on ACHD and make ACHD’s work more vital. Increased fees would help ACHD hold them accountable. Who is against the fee increases? • U.S. Steel is lobbying hard against the increased fees, a company that can easily afford to pay these increased permit fees: • U.S. Steel disingenuously claims that the fee increases would have a detrimental impact.  • Under ACHD’s proposed fee increases, U.S. Steel’s annual total Title V fees for its Allegheny County facilities would be just 0.009% ($165,000) of U.S. Steel reported earnings of $2.14 billion in 2023.  • Compared to such monumental earnings, any claim that the significantly smaller Title V renewal permit fee, required only once every five years, would impact U.S. Steel’s coffers further strains credulity.  • The Clairton facility alone released 1.1 million pounds of toxic emissions into the air in 2021.  • Despite all evidence to the contrary, U.S. Steel also argues that its “steelmaking process is done in the safest and most environmentally responsible manner.” Yet in just the first quarter of 2023, ACHD found more than 1,500 instances of non-compliance at U.S. Steel's Clairton Plant alone.  • U.S. Steel’s egregious level of noncompliance required significant ACHD resources to identify and rein in, including for inspections and enforcement actions.  • Yet U.S. Steel's three Mon Valley facilities each currently pay an annual fee of $8,000 for the facility’s Title V permit - an inadequate amount. • This imbalance between ACHD’s time and effort necessary to ensure compliance and the current fee structure exemplifies that raising the fees is needed and warranted.  • Additionally, for smaller facilities that emit less than 50 tons per year, the current fee of $8,000 will increase to only $15,000.  • The fee schedule thereby ensures that the largest facilities that most burden the community and ACHD are the focal point of these fee increases.