Canada- Connect To The Ocean

Dear Minister Shea and Members of Parliament Day and Kamp,

I am concerned that our oceans are in trouble and showing signs of declining health. I believe we have an opportunity to act now so they may be prosperous for many years to come.

Since 1996, the Canadian government has promised a marine planning process and more marine protected areas in the Pacific Coast Integrated Management Area (Pncima). More than a decade later, less than 1% of Canada’s oceans are protected.

Our oceans support communities and livelihoods from coast to coast. I believe we must manage oceans in a way that protects marine ecosystems and makes conservation a priority. Protecting our oceans is a strategic investment for the future.

I urge you to commit government capacity and funding that would guarantee a marine planning process that establishes a comprehensive system of marine protected areas in Pncima. Please ensure that the upcoming federal budget has a specific allocation on this issue.

Please advise me on your intentions on this matter.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: David Suzuki Foundation)

Canadians want a Torture Inquiry

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

I am very concerned by the recent testimony of senior intelligence officer Richard Colvin.

According to Mr. Colvin, who served in Afghanistan and is currently posted to Canada's embassy in Washington, the government received repeated warnings that people who were taken prisoner and transferred to Afghan authorities by Canadian troops were tortured by the Afghans. Yet the Canadian government failed to act.

I support the call for an independent public inquiry into the possibility that government and military officials abandoned their responsibility to ensure Canada acted within Canadian and International law, and upheld Canadian values.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Ceasefire)

CC: NDP Leader Jack Layton
Liberal Party Leader Michael Ignatieff
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe

Canada: Protect BC coast from Oil Tankers

Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper,
Premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell, and
The Embassy of the People's Republic of China to Canada Ambassador Lan Lijun,

In the summer of 2009 the China National Petroleum Corporation announced that they were seeking the support of Canadian political leaders in a 'strategic alliance' to help establish a major energy corridor (like Enbridge's Northern Gateway project) linking Western Canadian oil to the Chinese market. "A larger commitment must be made to fully utilize our mutual strength," your spokesperson said.

Respectfully, I join with thousands of British Columbians and Canadians in rejecting this proposal. The risk of an oil spill in our salmon rivers, or along our abundant coast is too great. I reject the current review process for this project and support the decision making authority of BC's First Nations over activities in their traditional territories. Enbridge's project affects over 40 First Nations, many of whom have never signed treaties with Canada.

In 2006 PetroChina one of China's state owned oil companies announced that they were withdrawing their support from Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline and tanker project to British Columbia's coast. As rationale, PetroChina's spokesperson referred to First Nations and regulatory issues.

I would like to respectfully draw your attention to the fact that these issues remain; that I am one of thousands of British Columbians who oppose this project, and that I will do everything in my power to ensure that an oil pipeline between Alberta and BC's north coast is never built!

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Dogwood Initiative)

UN Climate Summit: Countdown to Copenhagen

Right Hon. Stephen Harper,

Today I’m joining millions of people around the world calling for action on climate change. I’m ready and I want my voice to count.

I’m calling on you as Canada’s Prime Minister and on all world leaders to sign an ambitious, fair and binding agreement safeguard our future at the crucial UN climate change summit in Copenhagen this December.

Action on climate change is not only good for our environment. Global action on climate change will also open up tremendous job and business opportunities in the emerging clean energy economy – new opportunities that Canada can be a part of.

Climate change is a serious threat to our prosperity and our future. But, the greatest threat is our own inaction.

For the sake of the health of our economy, environment and future, I’m urging you to ensure that Canada signs onto a strong agreement at the UN climate change summit.

Paul Malouf
(source: David Suzuki Foundation)

cc:
The Honourable Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
The Honourable Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
The Honourable Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party

Canada: Stop Soot Now

Urge Prime Minister Stephen Harper and key members of his administration to take the lead on reducing black carbon pollution

Prime Minister Stephen Harper,

Rapid reduction of black carbon emissions is a key component of an effective Canadian response strategy to slow global and Arctic warming and avert potentially catastrophic tipping points. It will also provide immediate health benefits. I am very concerned about the impacts of black carbon on the Canadian Arctic, and on the health of all Canadians. I urge you to act on this issue now.

The impacts of soot are particularly hard hitting in Canada's Arctic. Recent studies show that they may account for half of Arctic warming and are a major cause of respiratory illnesses such as lung cancer and asthma. In fact, they contribute to over 1.6 million premature deaths each year worldwide. Air currents can carry soot thousands of miles from where it is produced. As a result, soot produced from diesel engines, marine vessels and other activities in southern Canada, the United States and elsewhere end up in Canada's Far North. Soot also has localized impacts with emissions from maritime vessels being a leading source in the North.

But decisive action to reduce these emissions can have immediate positive impacts for our health and environment because its effects are short lived (soot stays in the atmosphere for only days or weeks). This is a component of climate change on which Canada could "get ahead of" and "lead" public opinion and public policy.

Canada needs a black carbon emissions reduction strategy that knits together domestic and international action. We need stricter federal standards for diesel engines and other sources of soot pollution, and increased financial and technological assistance to developing countries to reduce black carbon pollution from diesel, home cooking and heating and other sources.

Key components of that strategy should be:

• implementation of Canadian policy and regulations to reduce domestic black carbon emissions from diesel engines, agriculture and marine vessels, such as the tightening of particulate matter emissions standards for diesel engines, including use of shore power for ships at berth; increase transportation efficiency requirements through retrofits and turnover of trucks and ocean-going vessel speed reduction; require heavy-duty vehicle emission reductions; and put in place black carbon mitigation initiatives for the Canadian Arctic.
• increased support for technology transfer for the mitigation of black carbon emissions in developing countries by providing clean diesel technology, air pollution control technology for dirty industrial facilities, and resources for transitioning to cleaner residential heating and cook stoves in these countries. increased support for regional air pollution control measures, and for the development of regional and global frameworks for integrated approaches for mitigating air pollution and climate change.
• assistance to Arctic Indigenous Peoples to bring forward their perspectives on short-lived climate change drivers to technical meetings and conferences, including within the Arctic Council and the United Nations Environment Programme.
  

Your leadership on this issue is vital to protecting our Arctic environment and the health and way of life of Canadians. The technologies exist to substantially reduce soot emissions in Canada. Now is the time to take action!

I urge you to undertake regulatory and policy initiatives and provide incentives to encourage the use of these technologies and reduce soot emissions and their impacts immediately.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Ecojustice)

President Obama: Reject dirty Canadian tar sands oil

Don't let Canadian tar sands undermine America's clean energy future

Dear President Obama,

I appreciate the steps your administration has begun to take to help reduce global warming and to encourage green energy and transportation solutions.

During your upcoming meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Harper, please tell him that America does not need expanded Canadian tar sands oil production to meet its transportation needs and that existing tar sands oil development needs to be cleaned up and its global warming pollution regulated under an absolute emissions cap. I also urge you to keep the climate and energy discussion focused on promoting a low carbon economy consistent with your energy and economic proposals, including moving America off of its dependence on oil.

Tar sands development has been called the most destructive project on earth because of the excessive global warming pollution it produces and the way its toxic mining operations devastate Alberta's boreal forest and waters.

Please give Prime Minister Harper the message that tar sands oil expansion has no place in America's clean energy future.

Paul Malouf
(source: NRDC)

100 days to save the climate: Demand our leaders lead

President Barack Obama, United States of America
President Hu Jintao, People’s Republic of China
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil
President Nicolas Sarkozy, France
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, United Kingdom
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany

I call upon you, not as representatives of your countries, but as leaders of the world, to demonstrate the leadership that high office demands and take personal responsibility for your government’s response to climate change and to attend the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December, in person.

Decisions which will be made at this meeting will impact the lives of everyone alive today, and determine the shape of humanity’s future.

This is the world’s best chance to avoid runaway climate change.

You owe it to the world to set aside narrow national interest, to safeguard our future, and to do what you were elected to do: lead.

My request is simple: promise now to make Copenhagen count and personally attend the Summit.

Paul Malouf
(source: Greenpeace International)

Canada too needs leadership on green energy

Dear President Obama,

Take it from us Canadians, you do not want to lock your country into relying on the world’s dirtiest oil from Canada. When Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visits you on the 16th, don’t be fooled by his messages of climate action. Harper remains a climate action denier. In his latest Climate Action Plan, he proposes letting the fastest growing source of GHG emissions in the country off the hook. While all other sectors will be expected to reduce their emissions, the tar sands industry will be allowed to increase their greenhouse gas pollution.

You have shown tremendous leadership in investing in the creation of clean energy jobs in the United States. Canadians support these initiatives and hope it is those that will be the focus of your conversation with Prime Minister Harper. It’s time to talk about how we break our oil addiction and no longer support the most destructive project on the face of the planet. I ask that you instead inspire our Prime Minister to show leadership in transitioning to clean, green and just energy future for Canada.

As a Canadian, I am asking you to end your reliance on Canada’s dirty oil, so that we too can join the rest of the world in taking meaningful action on climate change and create the millions of green, just jobs that we know are also possible here, north of the border.

Thank you,

Paul Malouf
(source: Sierra Club of Canada)

President Obama: End our dependence on dirty and destructive oil

Dear President Obama,

In February you acknowledged that tar sands oil creates a "big carbon footprint".

When Prime Minister Harper visits you this week, say no to continuing our dependence on dirty and destructive tar sands oil from Canada . Climate change is one of the most serious national security threats we face.

We could be creating millions of new clean energy jobs here in the United States instead of shipping money to oil companies to increase pollution.

We're serious about creating a new clean energy economy, and on September 16th let Prime Minister Harper know you are too. That means reducing our reliance on Canada's dirty oil, and putting risky money being spent on pipelines and refineries into the clean energy economy of the 21st century.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Dirty Oil Sands)

ExxonMobil, Shell, BP & Chevron: Come Clean

Aug. 18, 2009 - Greenpeace activists put astroturf and oil company logos in front of the American Petroleum Institute's headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Greenpeace protest calls attention to the US oil industry’s plans to have oil workers attend rallies against U.S. climate action while masquerading as concerned “energy citizens,” faking grassroots support in a practice known as "astroturfing."

Dear CEO,

Greenpeace recently obtained an email memo, addressed to you as a member of the American Petroleum Institute (API), calling for help organising a series of "Astroturf" (fake grass-roots protests) rallies to oppose urgently needed climate legislation in the United States. The memo outlined a campaign to use oil industry employees posing as "Energy Citizens" to rally against climate change action. This campaign would promote misleading and outdated information, to scare the US politicians into acting against OUR best interests, in defense of your profits.

Twenty one years ago, the API used a very similar tactic when it set up the Global Climate Coalition to undermine the science around global climate change, and to create doubt through generating "news" stories. Eleven years ago, they were exposed, and discredited, resulting in many of the members withdrawing support for this project. The debate has now moved on in terms of the weight of scientific evidence available, and the shift in public opinion. But, some corporations remain entrenched in their old ways.

Some API members now claim that they acknowledge the scientific evidence of climate change and its dire implications. The recent API ‘Energy Citizen’ campaign was not supposed to publicly 'oppose' legislation, but the memo to API membership shows that killing the Waxman Markey Clean Energy Bill or slowing political momentum on climate action is clearly their intent.

As a member of the API, your membership fees are funding this deceptive project. Already this year US corporations have spent US$ 82 million lobbying the US Congress.

Catastrophic climate change threatens to; wipe out a quarter of the world’s species, displace over a billion people and make poverty permanent - all within the lifetime of our children.

If we are to avoid these terrible consequences the world needs a transparent, democratic and honest debate on climate change policy, and it needs urgent action. You can help achieve both these things by:

• Demonstrate your disapproval of the continued use of similar tactics by API by publicly withdrawing membership altogether,
• Make a public statement calling on the head of state in every country where you do business to support cuts of greenhouse gas emissions of 40% by industrialised countries as a group by 2020.
• Making clear your company's position on cap and trade and or taxation as a means to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions
  

I am sending this letter to the CEOs of: BHP Billiton, BP, Chevron, Conoco, Exxon, General Electric, Halliburton, Shell and Petrobras.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Greenpeace)

Veuillez soutenir KYOTOplus!

Monsieur Harper,

Je me soucie beaucoup de la question des changements climatiques et ça me choque de voir que votre gouvernement ne prend pas ce problème au sérieux. Les glaciers fondent, les glaces de mer de l’Arctique disparaissent, le niveau des océans s’élève, les épisodes climatiques extrêmes sont de plus en plus fréquents. De toute évidence, les effets des changements climatiques se font déjà sentir et il est clair que le temps presse.

Votre gouvernement doit agir maintenant, et de façon très concrète, pour lutter contre les changements climatiques.

J’ai déjà signé la pétition KYOTOplus parce que veux que le Canada pose des gestes concrets pour protéger notre climat. La campagne KYOTOplus vise aussi à obtenir l’appui des politiciens canadiens et je vous demande par la présente de bien vouloir signer la lettre d’appui qui vous est destinée.

La campagne KYOTOplus demande au gouvernement de s’engager à réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre d’au moins 25 % par rapport au niveau de 1990 d’ici 2020. La cible actuelle de votre gouvernement pour 2020 est bien inférieure puisqu’elle consiste à réduire les émissions de 20 % par rapport au niveau de 2006. Cela correspond à une réduction de moins de 3 % par rapport au niveau de 1990 .

Même si le Canada réussissait à atteindre cette cible, le pays émettrait encore 133 millions de tonnes de gaz à effet de serre de plus qu’en adoptant la cible de KYOTOplus.

En plus d’endosser la cible de réduction de KYOTOplus, je vous demande d’appuyer l’adoption d’une taxe nationale sur le carbone dont les revenus serviraient à financer des programmes de lutte aux changements climatiques. Nous avons aussi besoin d’un système musclé de plafonnement et d’échange de droits d’émissions pour les grands émetteurs industriels. Il nous faut une réglementation et des normes sévères pour les véhicules automobiles. Nous devons faire des investissements importants dans le secteur de la conservations de l’énergie et des énergies renouvelables. Bref, il faut des mesures concrètes et efficaces pour réduire les émissions, rapidement.

Pour éviter que les conséquences dévastatrices des changements climatiques, il faut absolument réduire radicalement nos émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Et le Canada doit s’allier avec les autres pays du monde pour adopter une entente solide de réduction des émissions pour la période d’après-Kyoto lors de la réunion des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques qui aura lieu à Copenhague en décembre 2009.

Le Canada doit cesser de contribuer au problème des changements climatiques; il doit maintenant faire partie de la solution.

S’il vous plaît, signez dès maintenant la lettre d’appui à KYOTOplus destinée aux politiciens. Il en va de l’avenir de notre planète.

Veuillez recevoir, Monsieur le Premier ministre, l’expression de mes sentiments les plus respectueux,

Paul Malouf
(source: Greenpeace Quebec)

Cc: Michael Ignatieff
Jack Layton
Gilles Duceppe

RBC to "Cease & Desist" Financing the Tar Sands

Director of Corporate Environmental Affairs Sandra Odendahl
General Counsel and Executive VP David R. Allgood
Senior Counsel, RBC Law Group Panagiota Dafniotis
Senior Counsel, RBC Law Group Panagiota Dafniotis

RE: Water & Land Rights Infringement

It has come to my attention that you have financed, loaned, and/or made available through your subsidiary, RBC Capital Markets, various funds that have been used to finance tar sands projects in violation of the traditional land and water rights of First Nations peoples of Canada. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, said funds include:

• RBC loaned $5.55 billion to Suncor Energy on June 1, 2007. Suncor was fined $850,000 in April 2009 for illegally emitting hydrogen sulfide from its Firebag tar sands facility, and for dumping untreated sewage into the Athabasca River which flows through the territories of numerous First Nations communities.
• RBC loaned $1.79 billion to Canadian Natural Resources on June 12, 2007. CNR will be Canada's biggest tar sands producer by 2020; its Horizon project alone will cover 115,000 acres.
• RBC loaned $860 million to Enbridge Pipelines on Sept. 26, 2008. Almost 1,000 members of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe nation have signed a petition against Enbridge's proposed tar sands pipeline which would run through their territory arguing that the environmental damage to their Native brothers land in Canada is too great.
  

Furthermore, production of oil from tar sands bitumen produces between 3 and 5 times the greenhouse gas pollution of conventional oil production. In addition, tar sands are the largest source of projected new greenhouse gas pollution in Canada. Climate change is an issue that banks cannot continue to ignore.

I believe you should understand our concerns as I've seen content on your own website arguing, that forests provide cultural and economic resources for the local populations that rely on these natural systems to sustain their way of life and that the cultural and economic values of the people indigenous to these areas are threatened by rampant deforestation.

I would ask that you immediately take the following actions to remedy the situation:

1. Require clients to provide evidence of Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) from First Nations on projects and activities affecting their communities. FPIC reflects international law, minimizes conflict, and was adopted by TD Bank Financial Group as part of its Environmental Management Framework in 2007.
2. Phase out financing and advisory to projects related to oil sands, which adversely impact, in a non-reversible manner, critical natural habitats or freshwater resources used for drinking water. French bank Dexia adopted this global best practice as a part of its Energy Sector Guidelines in 2008.
3. Develop an action plan to reduce financed emissions of climate change pollution related to lending activities. This new global standard was announced this month by Unicredit Bank as part of its "Green Deal" with WWF to reduce C02 emissions by 30% by 2020.
   

I trust this matter can be resolved quickly and amicably and look forward to receiving your confirmation that you will comply with the terms of this letter, failing which I will continue to support Rainforest Action Network's campaign to end your company's financing of the tar sands.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Rainforest Action Network)

Québec: End Intact Forests Destruction Now

Minister Normandeau,

Today, Greenpeace activists are protesting in front of your offices in Québec City. They are there to demand that you stop the destruction of the last remaining intact areas of Quebec’s Boreal Forest. As you know the forest is vital for communities, for jobs, for wildlife and for protecting our climate.

You have put forward a new forest law to reform the forest sector. Unfortunately, the law will encourage the further destruction of our last intact forests and ensure that threatened woodland caribou disappear. I want to see the Quebec Boreal Forest protected. The new law as it is currently written does not do this.

I strongly support the activists who are disrupting work at your ministry. We can not allow you to continue with business as usual. It is your duty to ensure responsible management of our forests and the creation of new and large protected areas

Please do the following to ensure that the forest is protected and responsibly managed:

1. Launch a conservation plan to protect our intact forests and ensure the implementation of this plan before giving logging companies any more land;
2. Put in place a network of large protected areas in the allocated forest that will safeguard endangered species such as woodland caribou;
3. Require real sustainable forestry that is based on the needs of the whole forest not just the needs of logging companies. Don’t turn our forest into tree farms.
   

Mrs. Normandeau, the future of the Boreal Forest and the communities that depend on it is in your own hands.

Please act now.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Greenpeace Canada)

Québec Premier Charest: Stand Strong for Clean Energy!

Canada's Premiers meet in Regina August 5 - 7, 2009.

Global warming & green jobs will be on the agenda.

Dear Premier Charest,
commentairespm@mce.gouv.qc.ca

When you attend the Premiers’ meeting in Regina this August, please defend your province’s interests by insisting that all industry sectors across Canada – including the tar sands – make their fair share of global warming pollution cuts in any national cap and trade system.

If tar sands emissions are allowed to grow, other sectors will have to cut emissions even more to accommodate. This would not be fair. Canada needs emissions cuts in line with what scientists tell us are needed to pass along a safe climate to our children, and all parts of Canada must do their fair share to make those cuts as we transition to a green energy economy.

Tell Premier Stelmach “No” to more tar sands pollution!

Yours sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Environmental Defense)

Canada is Stuck in the Tar Sands

Dear Michael Ignatieff,

I am increasingly concerned that you are stuck in the tar sands and in need of help to quickly get out. I am writing you today to highlight my concerns with the tar sands and to let you know that Canadians across the country are ready to help you out of this mess.

To put it simply, the tar sands represent the wrong direction for Canada. With three to five times the greenhouse gas emissions as conventional oil, and dramatic environmental and social impacts, Canada will not be able to meet its Kyoto commitments with the tar sands continuing as normal.

Moreover, the tar sands are becoming the dirty backbone of Canada’s economy. Rather than turning Canada into a supposed energy superpower, our reliance on the tar sands is preventing our nation from creating a new energy economy fit for the future.

Mr. Ignatieff, I am deeply concerned that you and Prime Minister Harper are singing from the same tune on the tar sands. It seems to me that you both want to increase tar sands production, export as much of the dirty oil as possible, and possibly, sometime, try to fix the many environmental impacts. Let’s be clear, there are no technological ‘silver bullet’ solutions for addressing the impacts of the tar sands.

Even worse, both you and Prime Minister Harper seem to be offside with President Obama’s plans to promote low-carbon fuels and build a new energy economy.

Along with Canadians in Alberta and across the country, I want you to know that I am here to help you. It is not too late to get your head out of the tar sands and stand up for a new energy future for Canada.

With regards,

Paul Malouf
(source: Tar Sands Watch)

Cc: Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democrats
Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada

Secretary of State Clinton: US Don't need dirty tar sands

Secretary of State Clinton,

Right now, while many Americans -- including your administration -- are working together to build a clean energy economy, the most destructive oil project on Earth is sneaking across our border. This project, the Canadian tar sands -- a massive plan executed by Big Oil and their allies in Canada's government -- is coming into the United States pipeline by pipeline, refinery by refinery, permit by permit.

This project is so huge that it will undermine our climate leadership, perpetuate our addiction to oil, pollute our air and water, violate Indigenous land rights in both Canada and the U.S., and lock us in to a dirty energy infrastructure for decades just when we are finally trying to move to a new clean energy economy.

In the words of President Obama: I believe in the new clean energy economy. I believe in green jobs, energy independence and tackling our climate, energy and economic challenges all at once.

Tar sands do not fit into our new clean energy economy. Secretary Clinton, I urge you not to grant any State Department permits for the Alberta Clipper pipeline, or any other dirty tar sands pipelines.

Thank you.

Paul Malouf
(source: Rainforest Action Network)

Secretary Clinton - Say No to the Tar Sands

Dear Madame Secretary:

As Canadians we are deeply concerned about the tar sands and their impact on a new energy economy.

There is something you should know. There is a massive stealth oil project threatening the United States. It’s called the Canadian tar sands. It’s sneaking into the United States pipeline by pipeline, refinery by refinery, permit by permit.

This project is so huge that it will undermine North America’s climate leadership, perpetuate addiction to oil, pollute air and water, threaten the Great Lakes, criss-cross the Northern Plains and Native American reservations, and lock North America in to a dirty energy infrastructure for decades just when we are finally moving to the new clean energy economy.

Tar sands do not fit in the new clean energy economy. Secretary Clinton, I urge you not to grant any permits for the Alberta Clipper pipeline or other tar sands pipelines.

Sincerely,
Paul Malouf
(source: Tar Sands Watch)

End Mountaintop Removal- Overturn the Bush 'Fill Rule'

President Barack Obama,

Thank you for taking the initial steps towards confronting the devastation of mountaintop removal coal mining.

Mountaintop removal has no place in a new green energy future. An energy policy that turns mountains into moonscapes and poisons headwater streams and drinking water is not a policy I can support.

Restoring science to the permitting process and providing needed oversight is important-but it is simply not enough.

At this moment, Appalachian families are living with unsafe drinking water, increased flooding and high disease rates related to mountaintop removal and need your help now. Current laws cannot protect these Appalachian communities until the 2002 Bush “fill” rule is overturned. The previous administration’s legacy of weakening regulations for the benefit of industry must be remedied without delay.

The process of overturning the Bush “fill” rule must begin immediately before more mountains are destroyed and more communities are torn apart. A truly clean, just and renewable energy future cannot begin until the devastation of mountaintop removal ends.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: I Love Mountains)

CC: Lisa Jackson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Nancy Sutley, White House Council on Environmental Quality

President of Brazil: Overturn MP 458 & come to Copenhagen

To His Excellency, Mr. Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil

RE: Please overturn the worst aspects of MP 458, & come to Copenhagen

In early June, the Brazilian Congress amended and approved a bill, originally introduced to grant land title rights to 300,000 properties that have been established illegally across approximately 67 million hectares of public land in the Amazon.

The rules set by the Provisional Measure (MP) number 458, written by the executive branch of government, will add pressure to the Amazon and make it even more vulnerable to deforestation. The bill, which awaits your signature, may be perceived as an open invitation for the invasion of public lands in the region.

The amendments introduced by Congress have made a bad law even worse, and will allow unscrupulous companies and land grabbers to obtain property titles. Prior deforestation will not be taken into account when land titles are issued and owners of large properties may also, after three years, sell the land and profit from violence and crime.

After Congress passed the bill, Senator Marina Silva, former Minister of the Environment, wrote an open letter asking you to veto three articles of the MP 458 which directly benefit occupants of vast tracts of Amazon land, rather than small scale farmers, and support parties interested in converting invaluable forest areas into cash.

This year’s climate negotiations represent one of the most important periods of human history. Your decision will send a clear message to the world and tell them how seriously you take your leadership role in tackling Amazon deforestation and global climate change. It will indicate whether history will remember you as the President who saved the Amazon and helped protect the world’s climate, or as the man who surrendered to the interests of those involved in illegality and climate destruction.

I understand you have publicly indicated that you will not let this bill pass as proposed. I urge you to stick to your words and to overturn the worst aspects of this legislation to ensure global efforts to tackle climate change will not be overrun by continued deforestation of the Amazon. I also ask that you take personal responsibility for securing an effective climate deal by attending the Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December and guaranteeing a positive outcome.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Greenpeace International)

Peru Violence, US Silence

Representative Earl Blumenauer
Representative Lloyd Doggett
Representative Nancy Pelosi
Representative Sandy Levin

RE: Take a stand for Peru's peaceful democratic process

Tens of thousands of people have sent letters to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking her to help stop the Peruvian Government from murdering any more Indigenous activists in the Amazon. I am writing to ask you to do the same -- the US must condemn human rights abuses and environmental destruction.

Peru's government claims that the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement is the rationale for its decrees that open rainforest lands to be developed and the rights of Indigenous peoples to be trampled. After peaceful protests, a violent crackdown began in which dozens of people have been killed.

I am calling on you to take a stand for Peru's peaceful democratic process and respect for the basic human rights of Peru's Indigenous peoples.

Please, Representative, I am asking you to publicly denounce this violent crackdown on peaceful protest in the name of free trade, and call on Secretary Clinton to publicly call for the killing in Peru stop so that democracy and human rights can prevail.

Thank you,

Paul Malouf
(source: Rainforest Action Network)

Stop the killing and abuse in Peru immediately

Dear Secretary of State Clinton,

Peru's government claims that the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement is the rationale for the brutal repression of human rights. I am calling on you to take a stand against the violent crackdown of peaceful protest in Peru, and in favor of a peaceful democratic process and respect for human rights.

Peru's president, Alan Garcia, opened up Peru's lands to multinational corporations for oil and gas exploration by executive order, bypassing Peru's Congress and any debate in Peru's democratic government. While the congress reviews whether these executive orders are constitutional, which is highly doubtful, tens of thousands of Indigenous peoples have been peacefully marching and blockading to prevent the rainforests they depend on from being exploited, and engaging unprecedented popular support from Peru's citizenry.

Then the violent crackdown began. In Bagua Grande at least 25 Indigenous people and 9 police officers have been killed. A subsequent conflict at an oil pumping station has left many more dead or unaccounted for after government forces fired on peaceful protestors from the ground and from helicopters. Government troops are enroute to another location in Achuar territory and further bloodshed is feared.

Garcia argues that the US is requiring that the land rights of the Indigenous peoples be waived in favor of international resource exploitation. We believe the US Government must take a stand and formally demand that Peru recognize the rights of forest peoples, repeal the questionable laws, and institute a democratic process to ensure that rights are respected and safety is restored.

Please, Secretary Clinton, denounce this violent crackdown on peaceful protest in the name of free trade. Demand that the killing stop and that democracy and human rights prevail in Peru.

Sincerely

Paul MAlouf
(source: Rainforest Action Network)

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park in Danger

Canadian environment Minister Jim Prentice,
Bristish Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell &
Secretary Ken Salazar

I am writing you to support the international petition to declare Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site "In Danger."

Proposals to mine the Flathead River Valley just miles upstream from Glacier National Park for coal, gold, and coalbed methane gas harm this international valley and national parks forever--destroying miles of river habitat and cutting into the heart of the best grizzly bear habitat in North America.

Until the British Columbian headwaters of the river valley are placed off-limits to mining companies, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park will be "In Danger." Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and the Flathead River Valley form the very heart of the greater Crown-of-the-Continent, the most pristine and protected ecosystem in North America. The Canadian Flathead River Valley is a magical place of great wildness that deserves similar protection.

Please save this international treasure by encouraging Canada to immediately put a permanent stop to drilling and mining activities in the Flathead River Valley.

Thank you for considering my request.

Paul Malouf
(source: National Parks Conservation Association)


cc: United Nations World Heritage Committee

Ban Canadian Asbestos Now

Over 25 organizations signed a statement urging Ottawa to ban the production and export of asbestos, supporting a call by three Grade 10 students from BC. Their MP, Nathan Cullen, is presenting the bill in the House of Commons on June 1, 2009.

Dear Mr. Harper, Mr. Ignatieff and M. Duceppe,

Asbestos is a killer - all forms are categorized by the World Health Organization as known cancer-causing agents. It is impossible to manage asbestos safely. That's why all industrialized countries have banned or stopped using all forms of asbestos.

We no longer use asbestos in Canada. Our government is spending millions of dollars to remove it from the Parliament Buildings. Meanwhile, Canada continues export chrysotile asbestos to developing countries, promoting it as a safe, desirable product for homes and schools. Canada is the only advanced Western country to block efforts to label chrysotile asbestos as a dangerous substance.

Please hear the plea of Chloe Staiger, Hayley McDermid and Claire Hinchliffe, three Grade 10 students from British Columbia, and dozens of health, environmental and social justice groups

I join them in asking that you, without delay:

• stop funding the Chrysotile Institute
• introduce legislation to ban the use and export of asbestos
• create a national registry for asbestos disease
• provide just and adequate transition assistance to workers and communities involved in the asbestos industry
• ensure that fair compensation is provided to all people across Canada with asbestos-related disease
• take responsibility for harm caused by asbestos placed in houses on First Nations reserves and on army bases
• support the listing of chrysotile asbestos under the Rotterdam Convention
  

I urge you to do the right thing. Ban the production, use and export of all forms of asbestos immediately.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Prevent Cancer Now)

End asbestos exports / Fin les exportations d'amiante

Dear Party Leaders,

Canada’s export of asbestos to developing countries is indefensible. We know asbestos is deadly. We are spending millions to remove it from the Parliament Buildings and from schools and homes across Canada.

I urge you to support the private members bill titled “An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (asbestos),” submitted on June 1, 2009, by Nathan Cullen, MP (NDP – Skeena-Bulkley Valley) to end Canada’s asbestos trade.

The Quebec asbestos mining area has transformed its economy so that today only 7 per cent of jobs are in the asbestos industry. Please assist this transition and the remaining 400 asbestos miners.

I look forward to your reply,

Paul Malouf
(source: Right on Canada)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
NDP Leader Jack Layton
Liberal Party Leader Michael Ignatieff
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe

PM Sigurdardottir of Iceland: Please Stop Whaling

Dear Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir,

I am writing to offer my congratulations on both your election victory and your appointment as Prime Minister of Iceland and to wish you every success in the formidable task you have ahead of you, to restore Iceland’s economy and reputation.

Out of chaos comes opportunity; after nearly two decades under the same political rule, your government can create a new future for Iceland – one that is not only economically but also ecologically sustainable.

Already Iceland is a leading nation in harnessing renewable energy, but the issue of whaling is a constant impediment to Iceland being viewed as a truly global environmental leader. Stopping whaling and instead strongly advocating eco-tourism and whale-watching as an alternative would not only be a strong signal of intent from the new administration, but it would also bring significant economic benefits to Iceland. It is not in Iceland’s best interests to allow the country to be held hostage by a small group of men who want to hunt whales.

According to the Icelandic Tourist Board, more than 500,000 people visited last year. Almost 115,000 people of these people went whale watching, with more than 20% of them citing whale watching as an important reason for visiting Iceland, spending millions of dollars in the process.

Another 115,000 people have signed a Greenpeace ‘Iceland Pledge’, stating that they would seriously consider visiting Iceland if Iceland stops whaling, as well as agreeing for their contact details to be shared with the Icelandic government. Their business could generate as much as US$117 million in income for Iceland, much more than the planned whaling programme. At its peak the Icelandic whaling industry only generated US$4million.

In the economic regeneration of Iceland, it is important to consider not just what can be earned through whale watching and tourism, but also what can be lost through a full scale resumption of commercial whaling.

As you are aware, major supermarket chains that import Icelandic seafood, such as Waitrose and Whole Foods, have recently voiced their concerns over the plan to resume whaling, warning that it may force them to reconsider their purchasing policy.

I urge you, Prime Minister, to take this opportunity to put decades of damaging policy behind you, and become a world leader in whale conservation and eco-economics. I ask that you cancel Iceland’s five year commercial whaling quota, starting with this summer’s hunt for endangered fin whales. I also request that you instruct your new representative at the International Whaling Commission to vote for whale conservation at the meeting in June.

I hope that in the coming weeks Greenpeace will be able to release to your government the details of those who have signed the Iceland Pledge, and strongly advocate Iceland as an environmental model for other nations to follow.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Greenpeace International)

CC: Jón Bjarnason, Minister of Finance, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture for Iceland

Urge Parliament to Act on Climate Change: Pass Bill C-311

Send an e-message to the leaders of all the political parties represented in Parliament. Pass Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act

Dear Party Leaders,

I am writing to ask you to support the swift passage of Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act.

Bill C-311 would ensure that Canada does its fair share to prevent dangerous climate change. It would set national greenhouse gas emission targets, following recommendations from the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Canadians want our country to play a leadership role when nations gather in Copenhagen in December to finalize a global climate treaty that will apply after 2012. We need to take action to prevent the dangerous impacts of climate change – droughts, famines, water shortages, devastating hurricanes and mass extinctions of many of the world’s plant and animal species.

I am asking that all parties to work together to pass the Climate Change Accountability Act as soon as possible. For the sake of the environment and future generations, we need to take action now.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Sierra Club Canada)

Do Not Deploy Canadian CF-18 Fighter-Bombers to Afghanistan

Stop CF-18 warplanes from being deployed to Afghanistan

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

I oppose the deployment of CF-18 fighter bombers to Afghanistan.

Air strikes are the leading cause of civilian deaths from NATO military operations. Canada cannot claim to be defending Afghan women and children while coalition air strikes killed more than 500 civilians in 2008, according to the United Nations.

I urge you to state clearly that Canada will not deploy CF-18 fighter-bombers to Afghanistan. Furthermore, your government should support a diplomatic end to the conflict, and bring Canadian troops home as soon as possible.

I look forward to your reply.

Paul Malouf
(source: Ceasefire)

CC: NDP Leader Jack Layton
Liberal Party Leader Michael Ignatieff
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe

Shell: Stop Gas Flaring Now!

Shell: Do the right thing - end gas flaring in NigeriaDear Mr. van der Veer,

You are no doubt aware of the devastating impact gas flaring has on the health of Nigerian people and their land—as well as the harmful impact it is having on our climate.

Flaring in the Delta region causes respiratory illnesses, blindness, cancer and birth defects amongst local people. The toxic compounds in the gas have entered streams and fields, endangering the fishing and farming people rely on for their subsistence and livelihood. But the impact does not end in Nigeria. Gas flaring has caused more greenhouse gas emissions than all other sources in sub-Saharan Africa combined, thereby worsening climate change, which has damaging consequences for us all.

This atrocious practice must end. Shell has promised to stop gas flaring countless times. These broken promises aggravate the communities that continue to suffer the effects of 24-hour flaring and show a flagrant disregard for our climate that belies your professed concern.

The Wiwa v. Shell trial beginning in May has once again put a spotlight on your business in Nigeria. People across the planet will remember how Ken Saro-Wiwa and members of the movement he led fought to end gas flaring. This message is a sign of my commitment to continue their struggle.

You have said that you will soon step down as CEO of Royal Dutch Shell. As you do, I believe you have a choice of what kind of legacy you will leave behind; one of broken promises or one of leadership on this issue in doing the right thing by ending gas flaring.

I urge you to take this opportunity to end the injustice of Shell's gas flaring in Nigeria once and for all.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: ShellGuilty)

PM Stephen Harper: No Special Treatment for the Tar Sands!

Tell the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
No Special Treatment for the Tar Sands!

Dear Prime Minister Harper:

As a citizen of Canada, I want my government to show true leadership on the international stage in fighting global warming.

Tell the Prime Minister: No Special Treatment for the Tar Sands!

I am deeply concerned by media reports that your government is seeking special treatment for the tar sands in the context of global pollution cuts.

Canada and each of its industries and regions must do its fair share of cutting greenhouse gas emissions in line with what scientists tell us is needed to have a secure climate.

Ultimately, such pollution cuts foster the transition to a new economy that Canada should be leading in order to create jobs here at home.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: Environmental Defense Canada)

Sec. Salazar: Reverse Bush admin Attacks on Endangered Species

Tell Interior Secretary Salazar to reverse Bush administration attacks on endangered species

Interior Secretary Salazar,

I strongly urge you to withdraw the Bush administration's last-minute rule changes that undermine enforcement of the Endangered Species Act and its protections.

The Endangered Species Act is our nation's strongest law for protecting wildlife. But before leaving office, the Bush administration issued changes to the act that allow federal agencies other than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to decide whether their own actions may pose a threat to protected wildlife. Given that some agencies' interests are likely to be directly at odds with the well being of endangered species, these changes eliminate essential safeguards.

Additional changes prohibit the consideration of the impact of global warming pollution on polar bears and other species especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. At a time when climate and the environment are top concerns to the American public, our government should be doing more, not less, to protect endangered wildlife from these threats.

Provisions in the omnibus spending bill signed by President Obama allow you to erase President Bush's devastating rules and ensure that the Endangered Species Act remains an effective tool for safeguarding our nation's wildlife.

I urge you to withdraw both the Bush midnight Endangered Species Act "consultation" regulations that weaken protections for all of our nation's imperiled species and the "4(d)" rule that weakens Endangered Species Act protections for polar bears.

Sincerely,

Paul Malouf
(source: NRDC)