What’s one thing you wouldn’t expect at the bottom of the deepest natural trench in the world? Plastic pollution. But scientists have now found plastic in organisms in the Mariana trench.1       Plastic pollution enters the environment by the ton. Plastic foam never fully degrades, meaning every single bit of polystyrene foam ever made is still out there, polluting our oceans and threatening […]

By Kirk Weinert, senior writer and advisor Another ocean creature has been found eating a steady diet of plastic: starfish. In October 2018, researchers discovered microscopic traces of eight different plastics in the stomachs of starfish, sea stars and brittle stars collected between 1976 and 2015 near Scotland. This means these creatures have been ingesting plastics for at least 40 years. “This data […]

Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to our oceans. Environmental Action is tackling the issue, but we need your help. The Threat of Plastic Pollution Plastic litter breaks up in the environment, forming tiny, insidious particles called “microplastics.” It’s been clear for some time that this kind of pollution is harming the ocean, but now we know: microplastics are far […]

Together, we’re working hard to stand up for the wildlife and wild places that make our planet amazing.     Conservationist and author Edward Abbey once said, “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” Over the past few months, many of our country’s wild places and wild creatures have been put at risk. Plastic is piling up in our […]

The winner of the September 2018 Thneed Trophy is the ever-so-humble one-time-use plastic straw. Yes, it’s darned convenient and it makes it easier to drive while drinking (soda). But, unless you have particular disabilities, is it really necessary? Ask the sea turtle with a straw crammed up his nose. Think about the tiny plastic beads swimming in your beer. And the […]

Plastic pollution threatens wildlife and the environment, but your message to Chipotle can help reduce plastic waste. Chipotle and Plastic Straws First, it was McDonald’s in the United Kingdom… and a test here in the US.1 Then, it was Starbucks.2 Then, Ikea, America Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hyatt Hotels, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Sea World. They’ve all announced they’ll no longer be handing out […]

Our oceans are choked with plastic, and the animals that live there are suffering for it. Download and print several copies of this letter, and then take them to businesses near you to encourage local businesses to stop using polystyrene.       Last month, a whale died in Thailand after swallowing 17 pounds of plastic. In April, a dead sperm whale washed ashore […]

In this week’s social media shares from Environmental Action: working for wolves, dicamba’s dangers and more. Social Media Shares for Twitter Social Media Shares for Twitter More than 11,000 people have signed our new petition for gray #wolves. Have you? 🐺 If you haven’t added your name, please sign @EnviroAction’s petition now: https://t.co/RPwCkbpHnE 🐺 Already signed for wolves? RT and encourage your friends to help […]

A World Health Organization (WHO) working group just announced that they have concluded that styrene, a foundational component of polystyrene foam, probably causes cancer.1 In addition to this plastic foam polluting our rivers, lakes and oceans, and harming wildlife, it also risks human health. If enough of us speak up, we can convince our leaders to ban harmful plastic foam. Add […]

Check out this week’s social media shares, including stories on funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, offshore oil and gas drilling and more. Please share any of these posts on Facebook or Twitter to spread the word for the environment. Social Media Shares for Facebook Social Media Shares for Twitter An urgent warning from Christoper Solomon on the proposed #PebbleMine in Alaska: “Don’t give […]