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Environmental Roundup: May 30, 2008
 The nuclear power industry could benefit up to $92 billion dollars of the auction revenue through a "Zero to Low Carbon Energy" fund. Additionally, any effort to either cap or tax global warming pollution creates a potential new market for nuclear power, since carbon polluting energy sources now have an extra cost of business.
Already, the nuclear industry receives more subsidies than any other electricity generating technology, excluding hydropower; between 1943 and 1999, nuclear power received 96 percent of electricity generating technology subsidies. These subsidies should not come as too much of a surprise; nuclear energy is extremely costly. Also, building nuclear power facilities takes a long time; it is unlikely that nuclear will be able to make a dent in global warming before it's too late.
Rather than flushing billions of dollars into an moribund, unsafe, expensive, and slow growing industry, climate legislation should focus on safe, clean, cheap renewables such as wind and solar.
Take action with our ally, CREDO Mobile, and tell Congress to reject these handouts!
Take Action | Press Release | More on the Lieberman-Warner Global Warming Bill
Also in this issue:
- Killer Cribs Report Receives National Attention
- Climate Equity Campaign Speakers Tour
- Having a (Green) Ball
Killer Cribs Report Receives National Attention
 Friends of the Earth released the Killer Cribs Report on May 20, which found that commonly used baby and children's products and upholstered household furniture contain dangerous levels of toxic chemicals called halogenated fire retardants. The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric aired a two part series called, "Is Fire Retardant a Harmful Toxin?" You can watch here: Part One and Part Two. You can also watch San Francisco CBS 5's coverage of our Press Conference.
Graco, a major manufacturer of infant and children's products, responded to our report the day it was published and said that it wanted to do the right thing, but refused to commit to ending its use of these chemicals in their children's products.
Friends of the Earth urges activists to tell Graco to be an industry leader and end the use of halogenated fire retardants.
Take Action | Learn More about Killer Cribs | Press Release | Safe Baby Products
The Climate Equity Speaking Tour: Washington DC, San Francisco and Colorado, June 2-8
 The Climate Equity Campaign is a coalition of groups seeking immediate action on the global warming crisis and its impacts on poor people around the world. Although rich countries have contributed disproportionately to the amount of global carbon emissions which cause global warming, it is poor people across the world who are hit first and hardest by the effects of climate change.
Join us to learn about the real effects of climate change on communities around the globe, with Nnimmo Bassey from Friends of the Earth Nigeria and Mina Susana Setra from Indonesia.
Click here for specific dates and times!
Having a (Green) Ball
More than 320 people turned out to the sold-out Green Ball on May 16th to support Friends of the Earth. Chevy Chase served as MC and fellow comedian and actor Robin Williams performed stand-up comedy as part of the evening's entertainment at the brand new Cavallo Point Eco-Resort, Conference Center and Environmental Institute on the coast of San Francisco Bay.
 It was a special evening, especially for the recognition awarded to three outstanding environmentalists. Friends of the Earth recognized California Assemblyman Mark Leno for his work in sponsoring a bill to replace toxic fire retardants in furniture and toys with safe alternatives and Tom Sargent for his work in restoring historic buildings at two Bay Area locations. President Brent Blackwelder presented the Green Globe Youth Award to Jessica Assaf, a high school senior who, since the age of 15, has led a campaign to create teen awareness and political activism to get toxic chemicals out of cosmetics.
The event raised $100,000 for Friends of the Earth's programs. A big thanks to all our donors and sponsors!
Pictured: Mark Leno, Jessica Assaf, Jenny Assaf, Carly Wertheim, Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder
Photo Credit: Margot Duane/planetmargot.com
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