Conservation

Here’s how we can save tropical forests

What can Americans do to protect tropical forests? And why do they matter? Well, for one thing, tropical forests can play a critical role in slowing down climate change.

Tropical forests work as Earth’s lungs—they breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen, reducing global warming and cleaning the air. But for years, agricultural companies considered deforestation to be the fastest, cheapest path to profit. Razing forests to make way for crops and cattle accounts for 10 to 15 percent of the pollution that’s changing our climate, and it drives out orangutans, elephants, tigers, jaguars and other threatened or endangered animals.

With your support, Environment America and our national network are calling on companies in the palm oil, soybean and beef industries to commit to zero deforestation. Already, 74 percent of palm oil refineries have taken action—now, we need to call on more companies to make the commitment.

Environmental Defense

Supporters stand for oceans over drilling

From the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the sunny Gulf of Mexico to the frigid Arctic, America’s oceans are beautiful, wild and worthy of protection. But the Trump administration put them at risk when it vowed to open 90 percent of our coastal waters to expanded offshore oil and gas drilling.

Everyone who remembers the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf or the Exxon Valdez spill off Alaska’s coast understands that drilling is a threat to the waters and wildlife we love. And across the country, millions of Americans have spoken out against these dangerous plans.

Thanks to the support and action of members like you, Environment America and our national network held rallies and events, packed public hearings, and delivered more than 35,000 public comments to the Department of the Interior. Together, we can save our shores and coasts from offshore drilling.

Go Big On Offshore Wind 

Offshore wind could fully power Massachusetts

Caption: Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center’s Ben Hellerstein (left) joined New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell (right) to speak about the city’s work to develop offshore wind.

By harnessing the winds that blow off our coast, we could meet Massachusetts’ energy needs many times over, according to a report released in March by Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center.

The report, titled “Wind Power to Spare: The Enormous Energy Potential of Atlantic Offshore Wind,” found that Massachusetts’ offshore wind potential is equivalent to more than 19 times the state’s annual electricity consumption. And if all heating and transportation in Massachusetts were converted from fossil fuels to electric power, offshore wind could still meet the state’s annual energy consumption eight times over.

“We have a practically limitless clean energy resource off our shores,” said Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center’s Ben Hellerstein. “Tapping into our offshore wind potential means cleaner air, healthier communities, and a more stable climate.”