We do not wish to have more hotels on our Aina.

Our elected officials should be beholden to the people, not wealthy special interests. But the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) undermines that principle every day. ALEC sells corporations private access to lawmakers so they can push their extreme agenda -- while claiming to be a charity so its corporate donors can write off their donations on their taxes. ALEC is committing tax fraud, and it’s weakening our democracy. So today, we’re releasing even more proof: hundreds of documents showing how after funneling millions of dollars to ALEC, oil giant Exxon received private access to legislators to push its anti-environmental agenda. In 2012, Common Cause filed a whistleblower complaint with the IRS to expose ALEC’s abuse of its charity status. Then, last year, ALEC threatened legal action against Common Cause -- accusing us of lying when we said ALEC was denying climate science. But we won’t be intimidated, because we have the facts on our side. We’re releasing hundreds of documents that show how Exxon used ALEC as a vehicle to secretly push its extreme legislative agenda and undermine the scientific consensus on climate change. Between 1998 and 2014, Exxon contributed over $1.7 million to ALEC -- and in return, ALEC lobbied for more than a dozen bills that directly benefited Exxon, including blocking and undermining climate science, renewable energy, and environmental and health safety rules. This is undeniable proof that ALEC is a lobby group -- not a charity like it claims. The IRS doesn’t have any more excuses for inaction -- it’s time to hold ALEC accountable.

As Hurricane Matthew makes landfall today in Florida, millions of people face uncertainty and danger in the days ahead. Unfortunately, due to climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution, catastrophic weather events like this may now be part of the new normal. Yet, at both the vice presidential and first presidential debates, there wasn't a single question about climate change. For the first time, ABC and CNN have both agreed to consider questions submitted online by the public for inclusion during the debates, and several of the top vote-getting questions are related to climate change. Voters deserve to hear the candidates answer a straight-forward question climate change. We must ask a question that cuts to the heart of the issue and exposes just how ill-prepared a Donald Trump presidency is to address the reality of climate change. CNN has a promising history of questioning candidates on climate change. In March, CNN anchor Jake Tapper questioned both Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. John Kasich about their plans to address sea level rise at the Republican presidential debate in Miami. With one candidate who tweeted that climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese, the American people deserve to know the candidate's true plans to deal (or not to) with climate change. For the upcoming town hall debate, the responsibility to ask these critical questions lies in the hands of the moderators and the networks who have agreed consider questions submitted by the public.

If something "probably" causes cancer, it's time to stop using it. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer has identified the herbicide glyphosate, commonly sold as Roundup, as a “probable human carcinogen." Americans are being regularly exposed to glyphosate through their air, water, and food – and that’s not right. It's time for the EPA to suspend the use of glyphosate until a meaningful evaluation of the herbicide's carcinogenicity is done. The FDA should also begin monitoring and enforcing tolerance levels for glyphosate residues immediately. Sign the petition to urge EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to protect public health and end the use of Roundup!

Contaminated soil has been found at Western Middle School, Greenwich High School and around New Lebanon Elementary. These events are not coincidental. They are related and indicate a troubling pattern, given the type of contaminants and toxins. We as parents and taxpayers have the right to know if our parks and playing fields are safe and we are demanding proof. Because the existence of toxins like Lead, Arsenic, Chlordane and PCB's are not limited to public schools-- they (separately and together) have been found at multiple locations including Byram Shore Park, William Street ball field and Armstrong Court-- we are demanding comprehensive, professional soil testing every park and public school field where children play. This testing should begin before December 1, 2016 with results certified and made public before March 31, 2017. Proposed Testing Sites: Bible Street Playground Binney Park Bruce Park Christiano Park Cos Cob Park Eastern Greenwich Civic Center Havemeyer Field & Greenwich Common Loughlin Playground Pemberwick Park Roger Sherman Baldwin Park Western Greenwich Civic Center William Street Playground Cos Cob School Glenville School Hamilton Avenue School International School at Dundee Julian Curtiss School North Mianus School North Street School Old Greenwich School Parkway School Riverside School Central Middle School Eastern Middle School For more info on contaminated soil found at various locations in Greenwich, please visit: http://patch.com/connecticut/greenwich/pesticides-arsenic-found-soil-around-new-lebanon-school-0 http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Greenwich-s-William-Street-field-clean-up-7948120.php http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Consultant-calls-for-soil-remediation-at-9208790.php http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Arsenic-found-in-ground-near-Byram-Park-pool-5936071.php http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/High-PCB-counts-close-Greenwich-High-School-1644522.php http://greenwichfreepress.com/uncategorized/epa-investigation-at-armstrong-court-includes-multiple-agencies-36107/

We are American Jews and allies who are interested in Palestinian human rights. Safe & clean water is a human right. People in Gaza don't have adequate clean and safe drinking water. This petition asks John Kerry for a State Dept investigation into Israel's culpability in this water crisis, because we give Israel $3+ billion per year, and US law doesn't allow our tax dollars to go to counties that abuse human rights.

For the safety and longevity of our children, our homes and even our business we can no longer delay or apply half measure to what is a very serious issue! Investment must be made in the form of legislation. Corporations must be made to act for the good of themselves and their customers if anyone wishes to have a future on this planet. WE NEED COURAGEOUS ACTION BY OUR GOVERNMENT.

To Stop this company from devastating our people, wildlife, land & water. For a map of the proposed Atlantic Sunrise pipeline, please copy the link below and paste in your browser: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1h9te0ao1SkBL47UR_QIx_MhMmqY&usp=sharing

The Clean Water Act has been critical in cleaning up America’s waterways, but two Supreme Court decisions have left our small streams and wetlands vulnerable to toxic dumping. Fortunately, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Clean Water Rule restores important pollution protections to these waterways, which impact the drinking water of 1 in 3 Americans, support businesses and recreation, and provide homes for wildlife. But Big Polluters want to keep their free pass to pollute our waterways and are pushing their allies in Congress to block this important rule by any means necessary. Send a message today to your Members of Congress telling them to protect our water by opposing all attacks on the Clean Water Rule!

The Grand Canyon is an icon of our American heritage, known around the world for its beauty and magnificence. But right now, it’s facing serious risks from greedy corporations — including some who represent the Koch brothers who want to open up areas of the Grand Canyon to radioactive uranium mining. Arizona’s Native American tribes, small businesses, and conservation groups are all joining together to ask President Obama to permanently protect 1.7 million acres of the Grand Canyon. Can we count on your support too?

Representatives of the International Indigenous Youth Council of Standing Rock and Oceti Sakowin Youth encampment have requested that Senator John Barrasso (R- WY) hold a Senate committee hearing on Indian Affairs in response to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline. As the 114th Congressional session is coming to an end, the window of opportunity is closing to give notice to other Senators, as required by procedural rule 4.a for the Indian Affairs committee. Barrasso's legislative director, Stewart, told the Youth Council representatives that Senator Barrasso, “has other priorities than Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline.” This dismissal comes at a time when nearly 300 Native tribes have rallied in support with the Standing Rock Sioux, and this issue has garnered national and international attention, including “solidarity protests” in 40 states and worldwide, and coverage by the mainstream print and tv media. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe, and Native and non-Native allies, have raised particular concern about desecration of historical sacred sites and burial grounds. Meanwhile, construction resumes in North Dakota, continuing to disturb and destroy sacred sites and burial grounds, sacrilege in Treaty terms. Protect the sacred, respect treaty law, and hold an Indian Affairs Senate committee hearing on the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Ocean's Keeper is a start-up organization that is dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of our oceans. We want to ban the bag in Myrtle Beach to not only keep it clean for locals and tourists to enjoy, but to also keep that garbage out of the oceans. Help us by signing our petition to end plastic bag usage in Myrtle Beach, SC!