Dakota Access Protesters Trashed the Land?

Dakota Access Protesters Trashed the Land?  So, they are being accused of doing so, is it true?

On February 7, the Trump Administration gave the final green light to the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, bringing an end to the efforts of thousands of water protectors gathered to protest its construction. The media coverage at Standing Rock has been divided at best, and even now, as the last of the people have been forced to evacuate, they are accused of trashing the land around them.  

People all over the world started arriving last August (and even earlier) because they want clean energy and believe it is time we fight our dependence on big oil with greener technologies, not pipelines that threaten our precious ecosystems. The thousands of protectors who gathered made their presence and voices stand in unison not only to protect the waters potentially affected by this pipeline, but to show that it truly is hip to be green. As Louise Liu pointed out in Business Insider, the protest helped reshape “the national conversation for any environmental project that would cross the Native American land,” despite ultimately losing the battle against NDAPL. We hope that the conversation will also continue at national and even global levels to stand in solidarity against companies who harm our earth.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has refused to extend the deadlines needed for the protectors to return to the land and collect the donations and their personal belongings held at the camp. Because of the winter, especially with freezing and thawing temperatures that create tremendous mud, many people cannot return to collect their items. The USACE’s refusal to work with them will cost taxpayers roughly $1 million for them to complete the cleanup. Many belongings have been bulldozed and tossed into the landfill.  

What a waste.

Depending on your point of view, you’ll find a story about the cleanup (or lack thereof) that suits your worldview. This type of relativism lends many to believe that “alternative facts” can be used to label anything that doesn’t match how we see things. But in some cases you can leave all of that behind, and just do what you know to be right. Being green can happen, no matter what facts you want to listen to. 

Being green is about small, tiny choices you can make all day long— regardless of what you believe about protecting our environment. Many people choose to bring less and less chemicals in their homes. From cleaning products to organic food to the creams we rub on our skin, there has been a strong movement to “green ourselves up” from the insides of our homes to the insides of our bodies. We want to protect our family’s health. We make these choices apparent with the products that we buy, and when you see the availability increasing you know that the demand is also raising for these types of conscious consumerism. It is Hip To Be Green! Many of us choose not to bring toxins into our personal environments, even if climate change is not something we choose to acknowledge or think about. However, you can also make small, tiny choices that help to keep our planet clean. You can be an earth protector every day.  Whether “Green” is only to protect your family’s health or to protect the Earth, It is Hip To Be Green!  

Mothers all over the world making a difference

Mothers all over the world making a difference

September 30, 2010
| by itshiptobegreen

This year has been a difficult one in many ways.  It has been a year of economic changes, challenges and discord among the parties.  It has been a year of devastation to many due to the Gulf Oil Spill and the many lives it has effected or killed; human, plant and animal.  It has been a year of record heat in some areas and devastating cold and flooding in others.  One thing I’ve noticed about myself and other Mothers around the world,  we are getting more outspoken about our children’s health and future on this planet.  I feel a deep passion within me, that just has to speak out, about the issues that have been procrastinated to the point of ridiculous proportions and do something about it.  It saddens me that all this procrastination on laws being hung up in government quick sand just may cause us to not make the changes in time to prevent major irreversible climate devastation..  I see it everywhere, Mom’s taking the stance to do something to make some kind of noise loud enough to be heard.  Some have radio talk shows, some t.v shows, some blogs and some get into government and me, I write letters to the White House, my local and state government.  This is the time that women around the world feel compelled to stand up and be heard.  For so many centuries women had the back seat, and then the passengers seat in matters such as this.  I’ve seen decades go by where women’s rights have been fought for and won. I’ve seen women get stronger and more powerful over the years. Still we have not been heard enough and haven’t stood up and said ” I’m not going to let you ignore me”, but now we are!  But, this isn’t a battle over women’s rights this is a fight for our children’s future. This is a great time for women all over the world to unite and say ” I want to see change now so that my children will have a future!”. One thing about Mom’s, we will fight for our children’s safety. Now is the time. I hope that the clean energy bills will be passed and I hope that everyone goes out and votes this November, this is a very important election.  Vote for the change that we need to get the world cleaner air and safer food for everyone, but especially for our children.

Women are responsible for 85% of the purchases made in households. With that much buying power we have the ability to make changes based on our purchases.  This is why, as a Mom, what we buy for our children and our families has a huge impact on the changes that occur in the marketplace.  By buying Green, Non-toxic, chemical free products, we are speaking out with our buying power and the manufacturers are following suit.  We can also call manufacturers and tell them we want Greener products.  Ask them why they are not producing a more eco friendly product.  I have called manufacturers to tell them they need to offer replacement parts , use Greener plastics and I’ve written HP and told them they could do better in the Green department.  If a company gets enough calls they will listen.

On the other side of purchasing, Women also have power by refusing non essential items when purchasing.  I refuse plastic bags ( and they really try hard to get me to take one), I refuse plastic eating utensils, I refuse plastic toys at fast food restaurants, and I refuse to have my bed sheets changed everyday when I travel.  Mom’s, we have the power to make a huge difference in our children’s lives now and in the future.  Let’s take advantage of the power and be heard!

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