Millions of Illinoisans spend their summers basking on Lake Michigan's shore and rely on it for drinking water. Yet the Lake continues to be treated like a personal sewer for the region’s largest polluters.

The ink from Jerry Brown's signature is barely dry, but some in the plastics industry are already threatening to repeal the new law that bans single-use plastic bags in California. This isn’t anything new. For eight long years, some in the industry have blocked the bills Environment California fought for and introduced at the local and state level. But we have prevailed, and today, 127 cities and towns—40% of the state—is living bag free. Our statewide bill has just become law. Instead of adapting to become a better steward of the environment, now some in the industry are saying they want to put the law on the ballot and repeal it. Together, we can keep them from overturning this monumental victory for keeping plastic out of the Pacific. But it’s going to take all of us weighing in.

Over 100,000 tons of single-use plastic bags are thrown out each year—in California alone. Those bags end up in the beaches, rivers, and other open spaces, causing harm to wildlife and marring the landscape. But, thanks to a new law signed by California governor Jerry Brown, single-use plastic bags will be banned in the state starting next July. Governor Brown’s actions create a safer environment for California, from the turtles and seabirds who regularly mistake these bags for food, to the Pacific, where toxic chemicals leak from the plastic and pollute the ocean, to the volunteers who work tirelessly to clean the bags from beaches and parks. Join me in thanking Governor Brown for making the right choice for Californians and becoming a leader in the fight to ban plastic bags across the country.

I am a farmer who's well water is in peril due to a neighboring proposed pipeline. Farmers know first hand how pipeline construction effects both the environment and the economy. We need our voice to be heard.

I'm starting this petition because All People, and industries depend on the clean water for survival and recreation. I am a Wisconsin artist. Like many, I enjoy fish, wildlife, and the beauty and tranquility of the great out doors. The proposed GTAC mine in Wisconsin's pristine Penokee Mountains near Lake Superior and the Bad River Indian Reservation threatens WI, the Great Lakes bio-region, Native wild-rice-culture, and regional health. We have a responsibility to ourselves and future generations to protect the "commonwealth" of air, forests, land, waters and Life. "Treasures out & waste in" is a recipe for perpetual poisoning. Mining, and nuclear/hazardous waste trade for profit and jobs cannot justify the ruin of Life & Life sustaining resources for eons to come.

Royal Dutch Shell Oil is preparing to once again attempt to drill for oil in the Arctic. Shell has shown, year after year, that they are not "Arctic ready" and can not be trusted to operate responsibly in these icy, desolate seas. The last time they tried--in 2012--they had to suspend operations after two of their drilling ships suffered serious accidents, one of them washing ashore. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard found numerous pollution control equipment violations on the ships after inspecting them. It was also found that they did not have adequate spill prevention and cleanup equipment available for potential spills. Shell isn't ready for the Arctic and the Arctic will never be ready for Shell.

A public hearing has been scheduled before the Division of Aquatic Resources on October 3, 2014, regarding the approval of rules for the Hā'ena Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area. The Hā'ena Rules propose to prohibit the taking of aquatic life for commercial purposes and to prohibit commercial activities disruptive to the natural environment. A copy of the proposed rules can be found at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2014/05/Haena_13-60.8dr.pdf.

In the past decade, protections for waters of the United States have been stripped away by the Supreme Court. EPA's rule will restore Clean Water Act protections that have been lost for 55% of Illinois waterways. Clean water is necessary for public health, recreation, business, and for our children's futures.

Millions of Illinoisans rely on Lake Michigan and other Illinois waterways for drinking water, yet the Lake continues to be treated like a personal sewer for the region’s largest polluters. EPA's rule will restore Clean Water Act protections necessary to public health, recreation, and business, that have been lost for 55% of Illinois waterways.

Bees play a crucial role in our food system -- producing 1 of every 3 bites of food we eat -- but out of control pesticide use is wiping them out and putting our food system at risk. That’s why thousands of concerned citizens are coming together to send the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency an urgent message to put an immediate stop to the use of bee-killing pesticides. The EPA is responsible for regulating the pesticides that are killing our bees—neonicotinoids—and they have so far fast-tracked the approval of these bee-killing chemicals instead of taking a hard look at their effects and protecting pollinators from their harms. Worse, they’ve ignored calls to take action on these pesticides from beekeepers, environmentalists, scientists, and even Members of Congress. That’s where we come in. Last Spring, Center for Food Safety and a coalition of beekeepers, environmental and consumer groups filed a lawsuit against the EPA for its failure to protect pollinators from these dangerous pesticides. But the EPA has still not responded to our legal action, so your pressure on the agency to take immediate action to protect our pollinators is critical! Honey bees and other pollinators are essential to a healthy food supply and environment. Right now, bee losses are unsustainable. It is urgent that our regulatory agencies take more aggressive action to prevent further declines of pollinators, and acknowledge the role that pesticides play. If we don’t come together to save our bees, who will?

New York state agencies are in the process of permitting several new gas-fired power plants such as the CPV Valley Energy Center in Orange County. These plants would be fueled by fracking in Pennsylvania and predicated on fracking in New York. This is the wrong road to take if we want a viable and sustainable energy policy that advances us toward 100% usage of renewable resources. Fracking is an inherently dangerous industrial process that is devastating communities in Pennsylvania as well as in New York, through its related infrastructure. We are opposed to the sale, transportation, and use of fracked gas. We demand that all New York state public officials as well as state agencies reject this project that depends on and facilitates fracking.

I already find it hard as it is to find quality food for my family. Having the option to use the USDA organic seal as a guide would be helpful if it were accurate to the presumption that it is truly safe of any harmful chemicals. The USDA has repeatedly permitted certifications of organizations known to not meet the legal requirement for said certification. Two examples are CCFO and Oregon Tilth. Organic Farming should entail requirements – Free of synthetic chemicals of any kind – Free of genetically modified organisms – Free of irradiation, pasteurization or sterilization – Produced in soils of enhanced biological activity – Produced via reputable farming strategies such as on crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, mechanical cultivation, approved mineral-bearing rocks and aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity, to supply plant nutrients and to control insects, weeds and other pests. Our food supply needs to be properly labeled.