Save Organic Standards!

Under pressure from the Organic Trade Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has once again weakened the standards for organic. Without any input from the public, the USDA changed the way the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) decides which non-organic materials are allowed in certified organic. Since the NOSB meets every six months, the list of non-organic and synthetic materials allowed in organic will get longer and longer with time. The USDA didn?t give the public an opportunity to comment on the change, but that doesn?t mean they?re immune to public outcry. Please sign and share this petition to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack asking him to reverse this disastrous new rule.

Stop Pebble Mine From Destroying the Largest Wild Sockeye Salmon Run in the World

The proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska will destroy the largest sockeye salmon run in the world — and mining giant Rio Tinto holds the key to saving it. If built, the Pebble Mine would be the world?s largest open-pit copper and gold mine. It?s vital that we stop this mine — for the sake of the wild salmon, and for Alaskans who depend on local salmon to survive. Rio Tinto owns a huge share of Northern Dynasty Minerals, the company that will operate Pebble Mine if the US government approves it. But there?s some good news — one company has already dropped out, and Rio Tinto may be reconsidering its holdings in Northern Dynasty. The proposed Pebble Mine threatens to pollute miles of pristine streams and wetlands in and around Bristol Bay, the home of 40 million sockeye salmon. The Bay supplies nearly 50 percent of the world?s commercial sockeye, generates $480 million in annual revenue, and supports 14,000 jobs a year. Another mining giant, Anglo American, dropped its stake in Pebble Mine last year after originally investing $541 million in the project. Rio Tinto may be seriously considering pulling its shares and support from Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Mine. If Rio Tinto drops its support, the project will likely die. These companies know that groups working on the ground will fight to the end to protect Bristol Bay.? Please add your name to the petition to Rio Tinto to dump its support for this toxic mine.

The Keystone XL Resistance Training Tour Returns

This weekend, more than 300 people are expected to turn out to build the network of tens of thousands of pipeline resisters?people ready to stage non-violent civil disobedience actions in their home towns to stop the Keystone XL pipeline and the disastrous effects of more tar sands development. RAN?s crew of all star trainers are lined up to host the two day workshops in Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and Austin this weekend, and will carry on next weekend in Ann Arbor, DC, Los Angeles and New York City. If your interested, its not too late to sign up and get trained! Also, check out the video below for facts about the pipeline.