According to a recent United Nations report, one million plant and animal species are on the verge of extinction. The landmark report by a panel of seven lead global assessment experts from universities across the world goes further than previous studies by directly linking the loss of species to human activity. The panel chairman asserted that the decline in diversity is eroding "the foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and the quality of life worldwide." Learn more. 

 

1 million species at risk of extinction

 

  

On May 2 the House passed the Climate Action Now Act (H.R.9) by a vote of 231-190. The bill, which prevents the Trump administration from using federal funds to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, passed with unanimous Democratic support and included Republican votes. The legislation also requires the administration to submit a plan to meet the United States' goals under the agreement to Congress and update it annually. The bill now goes to the Senate where passage will be difficult. Consider sending a note to your Representative in appreciation of the House passing this legislation.  

 

On World Oceans Day, people around our blue planet celebrate and honor the ocean, which connects us all. 70% of our beautiful "blue planet" Earth is ocean which provides our lives with seafood, oxygen, transportation and beauty. However, the capacity of oceans to nourish life is being seriously undermined by human created pollution-especially plastic pollution. About 8 million tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean annually; every minute, one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into the ocean; by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish (by weight). As plastics breakdown, microplastics enter our food supply chain. According to the UN, 11 out of 25 fish species of commercial significance have been found to contain microplastics. Learn more/take action. Ocean fun facts.