Tell the EPA: Ban cancer-causing glyphosate

The petition to the EPA reads: "Protect the health of children and ecosystems, not Monsanto profits. Ban glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup." Add your name:

Pressure on the EPA is growing as local governments and other countries are starting to ban glyphosate. We have an opportunity to increase that pressure now as the EPA is taking public comments on its outrageous decision that glyphosate is safe. Glyphosate is linked to devastating incidences of cancer, plummeting monarch butterfly populations and catastrophic bee colony collapse. But despite all the evidence, the EPA is still refusing to ban glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto's toxic Roundup weed killer. Public comments are due on July 5. If you sign the petition, we will count your signature in our comment to the EPA. Tell the EPA: Ban glyphosate. Click here to sign the petition. In May, the agribusiness giant Monsanto was ordered to pay $2 billion to a couple who both have cancer linked to glyphosate.1 That was the third time in the past year that courts ordered Monsanto to pay cancer survivors in connection to the toxic chemical.2 Lawsuits from more than 13,000 others are pending.3 But individual lawsuits are not the solution to the harm that glyphosate causes – the EPA should ban glyphosate now. After the International Agency for Research on Cancer found glyphosate is likely to cause cancer, several cities and counties banned the toxic chemical, including the city of Miami and Los Angeles County.4 But the EPA, the agency responsible for protecting us from environmental harm, is still ignoring the evidence. Humans are not the only ones threatened by glyphosate. The chemical is largely responsible for the decline of monarch butterflies and other important pollinators. Since glyphosate entered the market, monarch butterflies have declined by more than 90%.5 Glyphosate destroys milkweed, which is the only plant migrating monarchs can use to lay their eggs. Bees are at risk, too. Recent studies have shown that glyphosate damages their gut bacteria, which weakens their immune system and makes them more susceptible to other problems.6 No company's profits are more important than our children's health and the health of our fragile ecosystems. Tell the EPA to uphold its mission and ban glyphosate. Tell the EPA: Ban glyphosate. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/ban-glyphosate?t=9&akid=32922%2E3130208%2EEfaIJF - Brandy Doyle, CREDO Action Add your name: References: Paul Elias, "Jury: Monsanto to pay $2 billion in weed killer cancer case," AP News, May 13, 2019. Ibid. Ibid. Baum, Hedlund, Aristei and Goldman, Where is Glyphosate Banned?" updated June 2019. Douglas Main, "Monarch Butterflies Have Declined 90%; Conservationists Seek Extra Protection," Newsweek, Aug. 27, 2014. Science News, "Common weed killer linked to bee deaths," ScienceDaily, Sept. 24, 2018.

Seven courtroom victories over the Trump administration and corporate bad actors

Big news to share: in recent weeks there were seven courtroom victories over the Trump administration and corporate bad actors. Here's a quick rundown of the cases:

• Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline: A federal court in Montana ruled in favor of NRDC and our allies that the Trump administration violated the law when it fast-tracked review of the Keystone XL's new route through Nebraska. It ordered the government to go back to the drawing board and conduct a proper environmental review. This ruling throws up yet another obstacle to the climate-wrecking pipeline, and leaves investors questioning the need for the project. Find out more.
• Nerve gas pesticide chlorpyrifos: The U.S. Court of Appeals ordered Trump's EPA to act within 60 days to ban the dangerous pesticide chlorpyrifos, which is linked to learning disabilities and developmental delays in children. The court said the agency had broken the law by allowing the toxic chemical to be used on fruits and vegetables despite solid evidence that it harms the developing brains of children. Find out more.
• Monsanto and toxic chemicals: The California Supreme Court refused to review a lower court decision that rejected Monsanto's attempt to remove glyphosate — found in the company's Roundup pesticide products — from the state's public list of cancer-causing chemicals. The victory sends a clear message that corporations cannot dodge the public's right to information that directly threatens our health. Find out more.
• Endangered porpoises: The Court of International Trade sided with NRDC and our partners by ordering the Trump administration to immediately ban seafood imports from Mexico caught with gillnets that often injure or kill critically endangered vaquita porpoises, rejecting the Trump administration's attempt to narrow an earlier order. Find out more.
• Clean water in California: A federal court in Los Angeles ordered Trump's EPA to protect water quality and health by banning or regulating polluted stormwater discharges from commercial and industrial sites. Find out more.
• Clean water around the nation: A federal judge in South Carolina blocked the Trump administration's illegal suspension of the Clean Water Rule early this year, reinstating critical clean water protections in 26 states. While NRDC was not a party to this suit, we've been staunch supporters of the Clean Water Rule and cheer this decisive win for the millions of Americans whose water supplies are now better protected from pollution. Find out more.
• Safety of chemical plants: A federal appeals court threw out the Trump administration's attempt to delay important safety regulations meant to protect communities from disasters at industrial facilities that use high-risk, hazardous chemicals. The EPA continues its push to chip away at these safety regulations and NRDC, alongside our environmental justice and community partners, the Environmental Justice Health Alliance, Coming Clean, and others, have mobilized tens of thousands of people to send messages to the EPA protesting rollbacks of these critical safeguards. Find out more

NRDC has engaged in more than 60 lawsuits against the Trump administration, and we have notched victories in 21 of the 25 cases that have been resolved. The courts remain our environment's last, best line of defense. Many tough battles lay ahead.

But we will be ready to fight them and to hold this president and his administration to account.

- Mitch Bernard, Chief Counsel, NRDC

More Information:

(As of May 5, 2017) Trump has been sued 134 times in federal court since inauguration

(08/17/2018) Trump Administration Hit With 7 Major Environmental Setbacks In Court In Past Week

Tell Congress: Don't defund cancer research to protect Monsanto

The petition to Congress reads: "Don't let Monsanto interfere with vital cancer research. Stand up for science and continue to fully fund the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer." Add your name: In 2015, the World Health Organization's cancer research program classified the primary ingredient in Monsanto's pesticide Roundup as a probable carcinogen.1 Now Rep. Lamar Smith, the Republican chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, has threatened to cut off the agency's funding in retaliation.2 The World Health Organization's vital cancer research shouldn't be subject to the whims of politicians doing the bidding of corporate campaign contributors. We need an overwhelming backlash to stop this attempt to silence scientific research in its tracks. Tell Congress: Don't defund vital cancer research to protect Monsanto's profits. Click here to sign the petition. Since Monsanto introduced its "Roundup Ready" corn and soybeans in 1996, American agriculture has increased its usage of pesticides dramatically – using more than 500 million additional pounds of glyphosate – the primary ingredient in Roundup – and other pesticides.3 Researchers have long studied a suspected link between glyphosate and kidney disease in farmworkers.4 Through its cancer research arm, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the World Health Organization brought together 17 oncology experts from 11 countries to review the available scientific literature. They found that glyphosate is a "probable carcinogen."5 It should come as no surprise that Monsanto rejected their findings. Monsanto uses the same playbook as Big Tobacco and Big Oil – casting doubt on science in order to continue peddling a dangerous product. Tell Congress: Don't defund vital cancer research to protect Monsanto's profits. Click here to sign the petition. Just like oil companies, Monsanto has found a willing shill in Rep. Lamar Smith, who has made a career out of undermining science to help out industry. Smith has attacked the National Science Foundation, fought environmental regulations and rejected climate science.6 Now during a sham hearing he called simply to bash science on behalf of Monsanto, he frighteningly suggested that the World Health Organization's funding should be cut. It is outrageous that Smith is willing to threaten public health to help out their industry friends. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 39 percent of Americans expected to be diagnosed during their lifetimes.7 Undermining research that could help save lives to protect Monsanto's profits is unacceptable. We need to raise our voices now to stop Smith before his dangerous shilling for Monsanto gains any momentum in Congress. Tell Congress: Don't defund vital cancer research to protect Monsanto's profits. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/fund-WHO?t=8&akid=27552%2E3130208%2EIVFoEw -Brandy Doyle, CREDO Action Add your name: References: Jon Queally, "Glyphosate, favored chemical of Monsanto & Dow, declared 'probable' source of cancer for humans," Common Dreams, March 23, 2015. Tom Philpott, "Here’s the worst, anti-science idea of the week from the Republican Congress," Mother Jones, Feb. 9, 2018. Queally, "Glyphosate, favored chemical of Monsanto & Dow, declared 'probable' source of cancer for humans." Ibid. Ibid. Jeffrey Mervis and Warren Cornwall, "Lamar Smith, the departing head of the House science panel, will leave a controversial and complicated legacy," Science Magazine, Nov. 5, 2017. Carey Gillam, "Commentary: Corporate power, not public interest, at root of upcoming science committee hearing," Environmental Health News, Feb. 5, 2018.

Say no to Monsanto's super poison

Monsanto is launching a super poison that kills plants in its path -- except for Monsanto GMOs. It even flies through the air onto neighbouring land!

But in days we can shut it down.

After a massive outcry from 1,000 affected farmers, a key US state could now ban this poison. This will set a precedent to influence regulation around the world.

Monsanto is mounting an intense pressure campaign, and hoping to keep it to a local fight. But if one million of us sign this petition now, we’ll submit it to the official process and show that the whole world wants this toxic chemical out of our fields and off our food!  Add your name:

Stand up to Monsanto

It's no surprise farmers are up in arms. Dicamba spreads death with the wind, drifting onto their crops, trees, soil, and water. Farmers are now faced with a terrible choice -- switch to Monsanto GMO seeds, or watch their crops die.

It’s a greedy, dangerous scheme that will make Monsanto billions and could destroy our food system.

But we can stop it. 17 US states opened Dicamba investigations and key Arkansas authorities just recommended a ban -- now it is up for a vote. Regulators from the EU to Latin America are watching carefully. If one million of us face down Monsanto in Arkansas, and win a ban, we could stop this deadly poison in its tracks.

For years, the Avaaz community has taken on the David vs Goliath fight to stop the corrupt and dangerous takeover of our food system. And we are winning. Last year, we helped stop Monsanto from opening a flagship GM factory in Argentina, and we stopped the EU from giving a new license to the pesticide glyphosate. Now, we can help win in Arkansas where the next fight begins.

-  Avaaz

Sources:

Arkansas Defies Monsanto, Moves To Ban Rogue Weedkiller (NPR)
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/09/22/552803465/arkansas-defies-monsanto-moves-to-ban-rogue...

This miracle weed killer was supposed to save farms. Instead, it’s devastating them. (Washington Post)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/this-miracle-weed-killer-was-supposed-to-save-farms-...

Arkansas one step from dicamba ban (AgriNews)
http://www.agrinews-pubs.com/news/arkansas-one-step-from-dicamba-ban/article_9a258824-25d7-5e73-a623...

Monsanto Fighting Arkansas Dicamba Ban (Arkansas Matters)
http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/local-news/monsanto-fighting-arkansas-dicamba-ban/806920404

Arkansas one step from ban on controversial herbicide next summer (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-pesticides-arkansas/arkansas-one-step-from-ban-on-controversi...

TELL THE EPA TO PROTECT MONARCHS FROM TOXIC HERBICIDES

Scientists recently reported that there will be 22 million fewer monarch butterflies this year. What's to blame? Big Ag's use of potent glyphosate-based herbicides like Monsanto's Roundup is killing off native milkweed plants that monarchs need to survive. Milkweed is the only food source for monarch caterpillars. So no milkweed means no monarchs.

Demand that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt adopt tough restrictions on the toxic herbicides imperiling monarchs.

Petition wording:

(Feel free to add your own statement. That works even better!)

I am calling on you to undertake swift action to limit the use of glyphosate and other weed killers in light of the critical threat they pose to monarch butterflies. Since the EPA last approved glyphosate in 1993, use of this potent herbicide has skyrocketed across the United States, destroying native milkweed monarch caterpillars need to survive. In fact, scientists recently reported that there will be about 22 million fewer monarch butterflies this year.

Please help increase the monarch's chance of survival by reducing the overuse of glyphosate and other herbicides. Without strong EPA action, glyphosate will continue to wreak more destruction on monarchs -- and we could lose their awe-inspiring migration forever. Please act now to save these majestic butterflies.

Facts about monarchs. 

Tucson's Community Seed Banks vs. Monsanto

What distinguishes Tucson as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy is that we are a model for seed libraries with our world renown Native Seeds Search and Seed Library of Pima County Public Library. The purpose of these seed libraries is to maintain a wide diversity of seeds to combat Monsanto's monopoly on seeds that threatens our food supply.

Then why on earth would the Pima Country Board of Supervisors allow Monsanto to have a greenhouse to experiment with GMOs here in Tucson? Isn't that the antithesis of what Tucson stands for? Why would we use our tax dollars to incentivize them?


The people who represent us, the Pima Country Board of Supervisors, are currently holding hearings on Monsanto.

For more information, read, "Monsanto to grow greenhouse crops in Tucson area."