World-News

Congressmen Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) have introduced a bill that would require producers supplying animal products to the federal government to comply with minimal animal welfare standards. Please ask your representative to co-sponsor and support H.B. 5557, the Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act. It will only take a minute or two, but could make a real difference in the lives of millions of animals.

https://community.hsus.org/campaign/FED_2006_stewardship_act

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Moby Makes Music for Animals: Internationally renowned and Grammy-nominated musician Moby has long advocated for the improved treatment of animals raised for meat, eggs, and milk. The HSUS is proud to introduce to you his powerful video on farm animals, their conditions on industrialized factory farms
https://community.hsus.org/ct/Wp1FRl41hzWZ/, and what each one of us can do to help reduce their suffering.
https://community.hsus.org/ct/Ip1FRl41hzIq/

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0619-04.htm

Pro-whaling Nations Plot Diplomatic Coup
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/2187688/

Japanese Whaling A Barbaric Spectacle
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/2210437/

By Lewis Smith, Environment Reporter http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2226227,00.html

POLAR bears and other Arctic animals are being poisoned in their thousands by man-made chemicals, the wildlife charity WWF has said.

The chemicals are causing serious health problems for wildlife that dramatically reduces its chances of survival in the Arctic environment.

Whales, seals and polar bears are among those found with heightened levels of chemicals in their bodies, according to the WWF report. Effects include suppressed immune systems, weakened and deformed skeletons, cancers, vitamin deficiency and changes in behaviour.

Elizabeth Salter Green, the director of WWF-UK’s toxics programme, said: “What we are seeing here is a mass contamination of Arctic wildlife. We believe it is making these animals less capable of surviving the harsh Arctic conditions and the impacts of climate change. The survival of wild animal populations is threatened.

“Chemical contamination of our environment is spiralling out of control because of poor global chemicals regulation. The Arctic ecosystem is being ravaged by chemicals.”

Chemicals found in Arctic mammals and birds include DDT and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are widely banned but can remain locked in ice for decades. Among those in use today and found contaminating the wildlife are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), used in non-stick coatings for saucepans, which have been linked to neonatal mortality and respiratory problems. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers
(PBDEs), widely used as flame retardants, are also found in high levels.

The report, Killing Them Softly, analysed a series of scientific studies into a range of Arctic creatures to establish what effects contamination had. The WWF concluded that the problem is so severe that, taken in conjunction with other threats, such as the melting ice, extinction is only a matter of time for some species.

Polar bears are already predicted to die out in a century. Most of the contamination is carried from the industrialised world to the Arctic by air and sea currents.

Predator species, such as polar bears and sea lions, are severely affected because their bodies absorb contaminants within food, such as fish.Other animals suffering high levels of toxins include hares, lemmings, wolverines, caribou, walrus, wolves, foxes and reindeer.

PCB levels are so high in polar bears that they could affect their chances of reproducing, and organochlorines reduce their ability to produce the antibodies needed to fight off infections.

Beluga whales have been especially hard hit. Some carcasses are so contaminated “that their bodies are treated as toxic waste”. They have a cancer rate higher than any other wild animal population.

The WWF, launching its report today, is calling on industrialised nations, especially in the European Union, to impose strict controls on chemicals to prevent them getting into the ecosystem. The EU is planning legislation but the WWF fears that it will be watered down under pressure from industry.

Professor Julian Dowdeswell, director of the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University said: “One thinks of the Arctic as a pristine environment. It isn’t. There are all sorts of contaminants carried by the ocean currents and air masses which can disperse them at very high latitudes.

“These contaminants move up the food chain. The way these things appear to be taken into the Arctic food chain is definitely detrimental.”

POISON PROBLEM

Polar bears: impaired immune system, altered hormone production, weaker bones

Seals and sea lions: skeletal deformities, skin diseases, cancers, breeding problems, altered hormone production

Beluga whales: cancers, infections, reproductive problems

Birds: changed behaviour when sitting on eggs, reduced immunity


Informant: binstock

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0616-01.htm

Help Save Whales: Protect the largest creatures on earth!
http://www.care2.com/news/member/870323169/111251

Whaling Foes Dodge Harpoon with Japan Defeat
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0617-02.htm

Japan Seizes Control of Whaling Group after Historic Vote
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/2202839/

Japanese Whaling A Barbaric Spectacle
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/2210437/

Tagung der IWC: Grausamer Walfang droht ausgeweitet zu werden (15.06.06)

Anlässlich der diesjährigen Tagung der Internationalen Walfangkommission (IWC) veröffentlichen Tierschützer neues Filmmaterial. Es zeigt: Ein Wal ist nicht schnell und schmerzlos auf See zu töten. Selbst unter besten Wetterbedingungen dauert der Todeskampf der Tiere viel zu lang. Das Filmmaterial wurde vor einem Monat vor der norwegischen Küste von Hamningberg von Ermittlern der WSPA (Welttierschutzgesellschaft) und der EIA (Environmental Investigation Agency) aufgenommen. Es zeigt wie eine Sprengharpune auf einen Zwergwal abgefeuert wird. Trotz bester Wetterbedingungen dauert es zweieinhalb Minuten bis der Wal tot ist. Die Tagung soll darüber beschließen, ob künftig auch Großwale wieder gejagt werden dürfen.

Die ganze Nachricht im Internet: http://www.ngo-online.de/ganze_nachricht.php?Nr=13816

A message from Sophia

Original Message:

Hi!! Some of you have emailed me and let me know that the link didn't work for you in the previous email I sent out. I am sorry about that; I put the direct link at the very bottom of this email. Thank you for letting me know that it didn't work instead of just ignoring it! This is a very important petition. Thanks again,

Kristy


Animal Bill of Rights

The struggle to end cruelty to animals is not an easy one. But there is something easy you can do right now to make a difference in the lives of abused animals. It's as quick and simple as typing in your name. Through the Animal Bill of Rights, we are working to show Congress a groundswell of support for legislation that protects animals and recognizes their rights. Ultimately, we hope the petition will be a bill. In the meantime, the thousands of signatures on this petition send a clear message to our legislators that Americans strongly support legal protection for animals. When animal-related legislation is proposed, Congress will remember the huge number of signatures on the Animal Bill of Rights. With that in mind, they will cast a vote for the animals.

Sign the Animal Bill of Rights
http://www.aldf.org/petition.asp?sect=action

Thanks!

Kristy

Email Jim Ely the Director of Florida's turnpike system:
jim.ely@dot.state.fl.us,
turnpike.pio@dot.state.fl.us

http://www.wsvn.com/features/articles/carmelcase/MI22509/

Turnpike

Air Date: 06/13/2006

Reported by: Carmel Cafiero

When it comes to the Florida Turnpike - you might think the only thing "wild" is the way some people drive. But there are also thousands of animals co-existing with the cars and trucks in neighboring wetlands. In tonight's Carmel On The Case, investigative reporter Carmel Cafiero shows why the animals living in one section of South Florida are in danger.

WSVN--It might seem like a piece of the everglades.

There are fish who cruise along as if they own the waterway.

Lizards - large and small - who hang on limbs and rest on logs.

Birds looking for lunch and finding it.

Even a family of coots waiting for their eggs to hatch.

But all these creatures aren't living in the everglades, they're living in canals along florida's turnpike.

And it's all being covered up in Broward County to add more lanes from Griffin Road to Atlantic Boulevard.

Bev Hoppe: "There's some poor fishes getting it right there."

That's Bev Hoppe talking to her home video camera.

She took these pictures as the canal behind her home was filled in.

Bev Hoppe: "Oh I found it very sad. I kept saying you know - the poor critters, ya know, all the critters are dying - but nobody care about fish and turtles."

Lots of fish and lots of turtles.

The 500 million dollar project will affect 21 miles of what a spokesperson calls - ditches.

Ditches originally dug back in the 1950's.

Nicole Kalil: "With construction we needed the ditches back to make room not only for the roadway but also for the sound walls which a lot of these neighbors have advocated for very heavily throughout the years."

But some neighbors are also concerned about the wildlife that has flourished along the waterways in the fifty something years they've been around.

Loretta Murray: "Buried alive - all these animals couldn't escape. Where are they going to go to? It's a travesty. It's a graveyard now."

Captain Dan Kipnis: "It says to me we're gonna lose a lot of species - fish, birds, reptiles, snakes, alligators and turtles - things that are normally here - we're gonna lose them."

Captain Dan Kipnis is on the board of directors of the Florida wildlife federation - a citizens organization.

He says the area is much more than ditches.

Captain Dan Kipnis: "There is value to this. Obviously its got animals living in it. We've taken a lot of wetlands out of South Florida - we can't lose more."

Wetlands are critial to the environment because they support a wide variety of plants and animals and are protected by federal law.

But when we asked the spokesperson for the turnpike, she maintained wetlands were not being destroyed.

Carmel Cafiero: "Is this considerd a wetland - area?"

Nicole Kalil: "Again it's - it's a ditch."

Carmel Cafiero: "Is it consider a wetlands area?"

Nicole Kalil: "Not that I know of, but again I will look to experts if you'd like me to find out."

The spokesperson later told us by phone - look up wetlands in the dictionary.

So we took it a step further and contacted the U.S. Army corps of engineers.

It says these areas are considered wetlands.

The corps only issued a permit for the project after turnpike officials agreed to keep this area from peters road to broward boulevard and plant native wetland species.

The records also reflect the turnpike will have to pay into a fund that purchases and preserves wetlands.

Carmel Cafiero: "The Corps of Engineers determined this project will not jeopardize critical habitat for threatened or endangered species. As for the critters that won't live through the project - its the price of progress."

Nicole Kalil: "I think the most important thing to know about this project is that there's no intentional cruelty when the water drains a majority of the wildlife goes out with it."

A bright spot here - those eggs we showed earlier - have now hatched.

The baby birds will be able to fly away when their little piece of paradise - is the next to be paved.


If You Have A Story For Carmel:
Call her in Dade at 305-627-CLUE Or in Broward at 954-921-CLUE Contact: clue@wsvn.com


Informant: SledDogAC

http://tinyurl.com/zv9u9

Japan is poised -- yet again -- to increase whaling operations and wants to overturn the international whaling ban altogether.

Take Action Now!
http://tinyurl.com/zv9u9

Write to the White House urging opposition to Japan's permanent membership on the UN Security Council until Japan complies with international laws for the protection of whales.

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Pro-whaling Nations Plot Diplomatic Coup
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0616-01.htm

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ACTION: Help save whales

As you know the worlds whale populations are in danger. The future of these beautiful creatures was dealt a huge blow today with when pro- whaling nations, led by Japan, succeeded in winning their first vote at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 20 years.

The non-binding decision stated that the 20-year moratorium on commercial whaling was "no longer necessary". It also blamed whales for depleting fish stocks and said non-governmental organisations were a threat.

The short-sighted action occurred because four small pacific island nations (Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Nauru and Kiribati) changed their votes and voting alongside the pro-whaling nations such as Japan and Norway. It has been suggested that Japan, in particular, has put a lot of aid money into the pacific in the hope of gaining the votes of these smaller countries.

You can view more information on this at:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3705494a10,00.html
http://www.greenpeace.org.nz/news/news_main.asp?PRID=929

I would like to encourage you to write to the governments of these countries (Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Nauru and Kiribati) to express your concern at their sudden support for commercial whaling. I am very hopeful a demonstration of public opinion will sway the governments of these countries the next time the issue is voted on.

I have listed some relevant e-mail addresses that you can contact below. If you do send an email, can you please BCC the message to whale_save@yahoo.co.nz (so that I can count an approximate number of e-mails sent). Also please be polite in you message, these a very small and poor nations, and rude or offensive messages to them will be remembered by them and will not help the whales!

NAURU:

Republic of Nauru
Permanent Mission to the United Nations
800 Second Avenue, Suite 400A
New York, NY 10017
nauru@onecommonwealth.org
nauru@un.int

Helen Bogdan
Public Affairs Consultant for Nauru
h.bogdan@bigpond.com

Consulate General of Nauru to Australia
Level 51, Nauru House
80 Collins Street
Melbourne, Vic 3000
Australia
Consul-General
Mr. Vollmer Appi (Acting)
Phone: +61-3-9653-5709
Fax: +61-3-9654-4738
consulate@nauru.com.au


TUVALU:

Tuvalu at United Nations
Permanent Mission of Tuvalu
800 Second Avenue, Suite 400 B
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: (+1 212) 490-0534
Facsimile: (+1 212) 808-4975
enele@onecommonwealth.org

Parliament (Palamene) of Tuvalu
Private Mail Bag
Vaiaku
Funafuti
Telephone: (+688) 20250
Facsimile: (+688) 20253
Email: palamene@tuvalu.tv


SOLOMON ISLANDS (This country is very poor and has been through
significant civil strife, please be very careful and polite with messages):

Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources
Permanent Secretary: Tione Bugotu psfisheries@pmc.gov.sb

Department of Forest, Environment and Conservation
Permanent Secretary: Steve Likaveke psforestry@pmc.gov.sb

Department of Foreign Affairs
Permanent Secretary: Jerry Manele psfa@pmc.gov.sb

Prime Minister's and Cabinet
Permanent Secretary: Fred Ganete pspm@pmc.gov.sb

Director of Foreign Investment: Derick Ahaira
investment@commerce.gov.sb

Department of Infrastructure and Development
Permanent Secretary: John Ta'aru psinfrastructure@pmc.gov.sb

Department of Culture and Tourism
Permanent Secretary: Francis Lomo pstourism@pmc.gov.sb

Soloman Islands Visitors Board: info@sivb.com.sb

Ministry of Provincial Government and Constituency Development
Permanent Secretary: John. M.Tuhaika tuhaika@pipolfastaem.gov.sb

JAPAN

For a list of Japanese embassies or consultates visit:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html

Ministry of the Environment
http://www.env.go.jp/en/
Address: No. 5 Godochosha, 1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 100-8975
Phone: +81-3-3581-3351
MOE@env.go.jp

Prime Minister of Japan
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html

Office of the Cabinet Public Relations, Cabinet Secretariat
Address: 1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8968
e-mail: kanteihp-info@cas.go.jp

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Stop The Slaughter

action at the International Whaling Commission meetings I’m writing you from St. Kitts, site of the 58th meeting of the International Whaling Commission. Our ship, the Arctic Sunrise, after being refused entry for more than a week, entered the waters of St. Kitts today to stage a peaceful protest. We landed on the beach and began placing more than 866 whale tails in the sand to symbolize the number of whales slaughtered by the Japanese government this year. Ten of our activists have already been arrested.

The International Whaling Commission meetings have just ended, and they dramatically displayed how narrow a margin exists between the pro-whaling and anti-whaling nations. A mere 2 votes (remember that number!) prevented Japan from eliminating conservation efforts for dolphins, porpoises, and small whales; and implementing a secret ballot. The Japanese delegation also narrowly lost their bids to abolish the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, exempt themselves from the commercial whaling ban, and kick Greenpeace out of the IWC meetings.

And you should know that your efforts played a major role in these victories. Due to pressure from concerned people around the world, including thousands of emails and faxes from you, Guatemala and Honduras decided NOT to attend the IWC meetings. Those two votes made all the difference. THANK YOU!

But after losing several votes, Japan pulled out all the stops, and actually won a non-binding resolution pronouncing that whales are guilty of over-fishing – by 1 vote! That’s right, the Japanese succeeded in convincing more than 30 nations that whales eat too much fish! And that wasn’t the only fishy thing that happened during the meetings. One of Japan’s pro-whaling allies arrived late to the meetings with their membership fees in cash, in a brown paper bag.

TAKE ACTION
http://usactions.greenpeace.org/action/start.php?action_id=106

We've taken a stand against Japanese Whaling, now it's your turn to send a strong message!

The stage is clearly set for next year’s meeting in Alaska, and it will take everything we have to turn the tide. Now more than ever, the fight to protect whales is at a critical phase. That’s why we’ve announced that we’ll be returning to the Southern Ocean this winter to confront the Japanese whalers again.

Please, support our efforts, follow this story, and share the news with your friends and family.

Sincerely,

Buffy Baumann
Ocean Campaigner

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Japanese Whaling A Barbaric Spectacle
http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/2210437/