For many decades, most Americans have taken it for granted that government should protect the integrity of the water that we drink, the air that we breathe, and the ground that we walk on. It’s about keeping our kids healthy and being good stewards of the Earth. It’s not a Republican issue, or a Democratic issue. It’s a simple values proposition. Unfortunately, Chris Christie doesn’t agree. Governor Christie has proposed a new Department of Environmental Protection Waiver rule that would allow companies to circumvent over 100 guidelines that protect our water, air and land. So, last week, I introduced a resolution holding these proposed rules inconsistent with the law’s intent. Simply put, if the Legislature passes my measure, Governor Christie’s waiver rule will be on its way to defeat. Please join me in saying NO to Chris Christie, by signing this petition. Tell the Legislature that they need to protect our citizens by overturning the governor’s dangerous policy. Governor Christie’s plan is bad environmental policy and bad economics. His proposal would allow those corporations with the deepest pockets to choose which environmental protection rules they will follow, and which they won’t. Determinations will be made without input from the communities and citizens who are affected. This Christie Administration’s scheme will further the economic imbalance between powerful corporations and small businesses. Small businesses will not likely have the resources or influence to go through the waiver process; nor will small businesses have the necessary certainty to know which rules apply to them and which don’t. Please join me in saying NO to Chris Christie, by signing this petition. We cannot allow environmental protection in New Jersey to be undercut by the highest bidder, nor can we allow giant multinational polluters to use their clout and cash to muscle out small businesses. Urge the Legislature to protect our citizens by overturning the governor’s dangerous policy. Sincerely, Barbara Buono Senate Majority Leader (NJ)

Climate science clearly states that we must start NOW or the planet will, AT BEST, be significantly degraded lowering the average standard of living. Environmental groups each has a tree (issue) that it focuses on; but they need to join together and save the forest. The forest will be saved by national climate legislation..

Wolves were recently removed from the Endangered Species Act protections. They are now being hunted, trapped, and snared often suffering terrible pain before death in these barbaric torture devices. Despite the public's support of wolf recovery, and in contravention of the court's holdings that kept them protected the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the urging of special interest groups, pushed wolves off the ESA and into the hands of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming where the state "management" plans call for killing almost all of their wolves. The method by which this was achieved was via a sleazy backdoor non-germane rider that was pushed for by ranchers, sportsmen and hunting groups. This is the first time that any animal was targeted to be removed from the ESA. Not only is it bad for wolves but it has opened the door to target other species from being protected under this key legislation. We need wolves placed back on the ESA by another act of Congress. Take your legislators to task.

Less than 20% of the municipal waste stream was recycled or composted in Colorado in 2009; the rate for the rest of the nation was 34%. Less than half of the counties in Colorado have recycling available for residents at the curb. If we provide better access to recycling at our homes, parks, communities, and businesses, we will have less in our trash piles.

Spending more on Clean energy initiatives will generate investment returns to taxpayers in the form of cheaper overall energy costs. In the future with solar energy ascendant and fossil fuels in decline we will change our nations energy profile to one of a clean unlimited resource as opposed to our existing one of a dirty harmful limited resource.

On Friday, September 2nd, President Obama asked Administrator Jackson of the EPA to withdraw the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, thereby killing, for now, any effort at decreasing air pollution and smog. We need to let him know that this kind of back-pedaling on important issues he previously said he would stand for is not appreciated by his supporters.

Do a Google search for 'Backyard Chickens' and you will discover that our nation is responding smartly to the pressures of economic downturn, overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, and our kids forgetting how to interact with nature and play out doors. MILLIONS of people with back yards are keeping two or three hens (hens don't make noise!) as pets; they fertilize lawn and garden, control pests (most eat stink bugs!), and, yes, as surprisingly sweet pets for kids! MAJOR CITIES allowing back yard hens: New York City, Chicago, Atlanta (home of the CDC), Miami, Albuquerque, Denver, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, Cambridge, Houston, Austin, BALTIMORE, Spokane, Mobile, St Louis, Santa Fe, LIttle Rock, Minneapolis, Burlington, Des Moines, Pittsburg PA, Omaha, Toledo, Ann Arbor, Richmond VA, Louisville KY! Frederick's Municipal Code does not FORMALLY restrict this (see Article 1, Sec 3-1A & 3-8) as long as there is no sale of animals or eggs; keeping as pets is legal, but currently our Animal Control Dept interprets the Code INCORRECTLY and will impound a hen from your own back yard. LET'S GET THEM TO STOP. Sign this petition to tell our Mayor and Aldermen to instruct our Animal Control Officers to ALLOW up to 3 hens per 1/10 acre lot as long as they are not a nuisance to the neighbors! Frederick should join the MAJOR CITIES OF AMERICA and let us have a few hens for fun and pest control (did we mention they eat stink bugs?)

Most of our major cities are putting Chloramine in our drinking water. Chloramine is Ammonia + Chlorine. Hundreds of people are complaining of rashes and other ills as a result of this chemical being added to our water. Mothers who don't know chloramine is in the water are making baby formulars with this chemical. People are "cooking" with chloramine water and taking showers and baths in this chemical as well. Filters may not prevent this chemical from getting in your water. Contact your government officials and make some noise or this will continue to happen.

Styrofoam is estimated to take decades to centuries to degrade as it sits in our landfills. It leeches out toxic chemicals, potentially into our food, and certainly into the environment. And yet, it is the most popular take out container in a majority of restaurants. We can change this by urging restaurants to go the way of progressive cities like Denver - ditch the styrofoam, upgrade to a more eco-friendly to-go container!

People need jobs. The country needs renewable clean sustainable energy sources. It is time to invest in our own future and create the life we all want to live. China is beating us at prices for solar panels. We need our government to invest in our healthy futures for some life giving resources....instead of life diminishing consumption. Support green energy projects.

Stop dropping Yellow Page Directories at every door step. People use the internet to access businesses. Stop filling the landfills with unwanted, superfluous yellow page directories that nobody wants.

Tell President Obama and Congress it is time to take a stand for the environment, Jobs are important, especially if you are out of work, but this is the only planet we have. You can try to get another job if you lose one, but you can't get another planet. Come on people look to the future or we will not have one.