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August 9, 2012 | foe.org | donate | forward to a friend
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	Welcome to Friends of the Earth's monthly newsletter, eco-beat, where you get news and updates on our campaigns and ways to take action for a healthy and just world.
	Severe drought creates problems for ethanol mandate As the drought wreaks havoc on corn crops and projected corn yields, federal policies that force large amounts of corn out of the food supply and into ethanol production are coming under increasing scrutiny -- and for good reason. The Renewable Fuel Standard exacerbates food insecurity and hunger in times of severe drought and other extremes that deplete corn supplies. Meanwhile, corn ethanol production degrades the environment and fails to provide a stable or sustainable alternative to oil. At a time when more than half of the counties in the country have been labeled "disaster areas" by the Department of Agriculture due to unpredictable weather and heat waves, it’s neither sensible nor safe to build an energy sector based on water- and weather-dependent crops. Unfortunately, that's just what President Obama's administration and the ethanol lobby are doing by supporting the Renewable Fuel Standard. Read Biofuels Policy Campaigner Michal Rosenoer’s blog post.
	Victory to reduce air pollution from ships On August 1, landmark regulations to reduce air pollution from ships traveling in the waters around North America went into effect. The North American Emission Control Area creates a lower pollution zone in which ocean-going ships will have to use cleaner fuels or employ other technologies to reduce toxic air emissions. According to EPA estimates, the rules will prevent up to 31,000 premature deaths annually by 2030. Read Oceans and Vessels Project Director Marcie Keever’s blog post. Pledge your support for the ECA. BP's Olympic-sized carbon offsets ruse Every four years around this time, TV commercials are full of attempts to bathe corporate logos in the warm flame of Olympic glory. The irony of some corporate sponsorships -- like BP's "Target Neutral" initiative to provide carbon offsets to Olympic athletes and spectators -- isn’t lost on most people. Friends of the Earth believes that carbon offsets as a way of reducing greenhouse gas pollution in the atmosphere are a dangerous distraction. Read Economic Policy Director Michelle Chan’s blog post. Raise us money without spending a dime! Socially conscious phone company CREDO Mobile is contributing millions of dollars to nonprofit groups that are making the world a better place. Friends of the Earth is one of the groups set to receive support, but how much we get depends on your vote. If you’re not already a CREDO customer, you can take action via CREDO Action (we recommend this action to stop Shell from drilling in the Arctic) in order to vote on CREDO Mobile’s 2012 ballot. Please vote now to support Friends of the Earth.
	Sign up to receive email alerts Pledge to support rules to reduce pollution from ships Spread the word about Robin Hood Tell the FDA: Reject Oxitec's genetically engineered mosquitoes End $113 billion in polluter tax subsidies		Tar Sands Blockade to stop KXL Anniversary of Kalamazoo pipeline spill Green energy on trial at World Trade Organization Skeletons in the closet: San Onofre World Bank, coal, India and Einstein
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