Blogging for a Healthy Gulf
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 Margo will be ending her journey this Saturday, the culmination of Margo’s 1,200 mile journey from Miami to New Orleans to raise awareness about protecting the Gulf of Mexico and our oceans. Margo will end her journey with a celebration about her message of conservation of the Mexican Gulf. Come out and celebrate the end of Margo’s journey on the Lake Pontchartrain beach on Lakeshore Dr (directly across from the University of New Orleans).(The event will be held at the Lake Pontchartrain beach on Lakeshore Drive, directly across from the University of New Orleans. To get there take Elysian Fields approaching the lake and UNO. Go around the traffic circle and take a left (head west) on Lake Shore Drive. Go over the hump as you cross the lake levee and take your first right into a small parking lot. There's a HUGE pothole on the right hand side of the entrance, so bear LEFT as you pull in. We will be in the grass on the beach in front of the old bandstand. Check it out on google maps!)
We’re featuring some of Margo’s latest blog posts from her “healthy oceans blog” below. From Margo’s May 18th Posting “Joe Murphy, the Florida coordinator for the New Orleans based Gulf Restoration Network, told me about one of his buddies who had hiked the entire Appalachian Trail. According to his friend, there's thing called "trail magic," which basically is described as a serendipitous event that helps one along the way. “This has happened to me on all of my paddle journeys, and it is always the result of the kindness of strangers. That folks have been willing to host, feed, and support me, or simply store my boat on their property, is definitely part of the "trail magic." Yesterday I paddled a 50 mile stretch from Perdido Key to about five and a half miles of my intended destination across the Mobile Bay Inlet. The currents were ripping. “My support team at Gulf Restoration Network was scouting out options for escort boats - from the Coast Guard and the State Police. They weren't available because all of their assets were already engaged in search and rescue operations. That was a great indicator, right there, to pull ashore and wait for another day to continue my journey.… “My unplanned stopover at Fort Morgan was made possible through Blanton Blankenship, who let this Yankee sleep in one of the old houses there. There was no food, but I could at least walk the mile and a half to a restaurant where, after dinner, a very, very nice couple drove me back so I wouldn't have to walk all alone in the dark.… “Let's hear it for "trail magic!" This trip would not be possible without it. I might redefine it, though. I think trail magic is the goodness found in the hearts of all people as well as our own creative ability to latch on to a potentially positive occurrence or situation and make it an actual beneficial reality.” From Margo’s May 19th Posting “Today's early paddle got me safely through the Mobile Inlet and into the cozy harbor at Billy Goat Hole here on Dauphin Island, where I'm staying in the student housing at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.… “The Estuarium was extremely interesting to me. Its entire focus is on wetlands and how their health directly impacts the health of our coastal waters and beyond. It brings home the land-sea connection, and our impact on this vital process, unlike any exhibit I've ever seen before. What is quite sobering, though, is a quote at the entrance from Dr. James Karr, the director of the Institute for Environmental Studies in Seattle. It reads-"The window of opportunity to reverse the trend in declining water resources is closing because of the extent of the loss of watershed processes upon which those resources depend." “I also got to meet Dr. John Dindo, the chairman of the Discovery Hall Programs and senior marine scientist, who told me about all the wonderful programs that the DISL has for all ages. Educational outreach is their goal, as well as research, and it does seem that every kid in Alabama will have an opportunity to learn something about marine science and the importance of wetlands. “We so need more of this!” (Margo gave an interview to WLOX news station in Biloxi, MS last night about her journey)
Megan Morikawa is an intern at the Gulf Restoration Network, spending her community summer in New Orleans as a Robertson Scholar from Duke University.
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 Margo Pellegrino is a paddler on a mission. An avid environmentalist, Margo has already paddled the entire eastern seaboard, raising awareness of ocean conservation in her Miami to Maine Paddle in 2007. Now she is paddling the Gulf of Mexico to raise a similar message of conservation for a healthier gulf. Beginning in Miami and ending in New Orleans, Margo is currently three quarters through her ~1,000 mile journey. She will be landing in New Orleans on May 23, ending her third major trek for environmental awareness. Margo has been paddling over 40 miles some days and has encountered everything from sea turtles to industrialized harbors filled with litter and debris along our Mexican Gulf. She keeps a blog with the latest updates about her experiences during her trek along the coast.
A mother of two, Margo is interested not only in keeping her oceans clean for today, but tomorrow as well. She states, “I am paddling the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of Florida to spread my message of hope and a call to action.”
The Gulf Restoration Network is a proud sponsor of Margo’s expedition and, along with the National Resource Defense Council, has been supporting Margo as she stops along various coastal cities along Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Sending a local message, Margo has been talking to local media about her fight for a healthier gulf. Her journey demonstrates how anyone with a passion to save the environment can truly make a difference in environmental awareness and conservation.
Megan Morikawa is an intern at the Gulf Restoration Network, spending her community summer in New Orleans as a Robertson Scholar from Duke University. |
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Here's a great post from our friend Len Bahr, showing that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Though LSU's firing of Ivor VanHeerden has gotten a fair amount of attention and outrage recently, it's not the first time academic freedom and legitimate research for a healthy environment and safe communities has been shut down at Louisiana's flagship campus due to political concerns.
In addition, Len covers the conundrum of Senator Landrieu and Congressman Melancon, who have seemingly chosen to be roadblocks to effective climate change measures instead of supporters of legislation necessary to secure the future of their coastal constituents. I guess the short-term needs of campaign contributors is currently winning out over the long-term needs of the planet.
Aaron Viles is GRN's campaign director |
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Listen | White House, Senate Dems Oppose Torture Commission, Energy Lobbyists Tried to Debunk Global Warming Despite Own Scientists’ Findings, Activists Conclude Indigenous Climate Summit, and more. (4/24/09 Democracy Now)
Interview with Allison McCrary and Aaron Viles on why they are picking on Shell Oil at Jazz Fest this year. Sound not available for this show.
Allison McCrary is a 2nd year law student at Loyola College of Law, the President of Public Interest Law Group, and a local community organizer around the Wiwa v. Shell case. Ms. McCrary talked about the human rights case against Shell in US civil courts. The "Wiwa" in Wiwa v. Shell refers to Ken Saro-Wiwa, an activist, author, and leader of the Ogoni people in their battle to protect their native homelands from damaging extraction practices. Mr. Saro-Wiwa was arrested by the Nigerian government along with 8 other activists and sentenced to death by hanging which led to the sanctioning of the Nigerian government by the international community. Allison will be part of a group canvassing at this year's Jazz Fest to raise awareness about the human rights case. For more information about the local Wiwa Campaign go here: www.shelljazzfest.com.
Aaron Viles, Campaign Director for the Gulf Restoration Network talked about oil accountability and the impact that the oil industry has had on Louisiana's wetlands. He said if you go to Jazz Fest on Saturday May 2nd, look up. There will be a plane flying over the Fest with the message "Shell-Hear the Music-Fix the Coast You Broke". Mr. Viles said they raised enough money for two hours of fly time thanks to a video request by Dr. John.
Shell Oil value statement
Both Allison and Aaron agreed that Jazz fest is great and supporting Jazz fest is a good thing. They explained that they are campaigning at the Fest because Shell is sponsoring it and will be paying close attention to the festival.
Casey DeMoss Roberts is the Special Projects Coordinator at the Gulf Restoration Network and a host for the weekly talk radio show on WTUL New Orleans Community Gumbo. |
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 In this Baton Rouge Advocate story, available here, I make the arguement that there's far more to do to make sure that the Hurricane Highway is no longer a threat to communities from Chalmette to the Lower 9.
“While they shut the channel down to boat traffic, MRGO is still an accident waiting to happen,” said Aaron Viles, of the Gulf Restoration Network."
Look at the whole article to see more details about the closure, and the need for more work and a commitment to restore the wetlands MRGO has destroyed.
Aaron Viles is GRN's Campaign Director |
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Last month 25 local, regional, and national conservation and environmental groups gathered in Gainesville, Florida with representatives of government agencies and foundations for a “Nature Coast Strategy Gathering” to begin more coordinated efforts to protect and preserve Florida’s Nature Coast. Organizations attending the event included plenty of GRN member groups and friends such as Citrus County Council, Homosassa River Alliance, Save Our Suwannee, Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition, Gulf Coast Conservancy, Naturecoast Sierra Club, Alachua Audubon Society, Putnam Land Conservancy, Nature Coast Conservancy, Withlacoochee Area Residents, Wild Florida Adventures, The Conservation Fund, Environmental Alliance of North Florida, Audubon of Florida, Florida Panther Society, The Gulf of Mexico Foundation, TOO FAR, SouthWings, Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Suwannee St. Johns Sierra Club, Southeast Environmental Institute, and Florida Defenders of the Environment.
The Nature Coast, one of Florida’s longest natural coastlines, stretches from just north of Tampa Bay to the Florida Panhandle. It represents one of Florida’s most wild, undeveloped, and pristine coastlines and is defined by spring fed rivers, coastal marshes and wetlands, seagrass beds, and coastal hammocks. As more coastal habitat for marine and coastal species is lost across Florida and the Gulf, the Nature Coast increasingly becomes more important for recreational and commercial fish species, marine mammals, sea turtles, and migratory birds.
“Florida’s Nature Coast is one of our best chances in the Gulf of Mexico region to protect and preserve a mostly intact, wild coastline. We need to be thinking in terms of future generations and the environmental legacy we are leaving them.” said Caroline Douglas of SouthWings, one of the organizations sponsoring the event. “SouthWings works across the southeastern U.S. to help conservation groups educate the public about our environment, and this is as good as it gets in terms of opportunities to work together for a long-term healthy relationship between people and the planet that sustains us.”
While much of the Nature Coast is either undeveloped or conserved as public lands, increasing pressure from mining and development proposals is encouraging conservation groups from across the state to work together to ensure that this slice of old and wild Florida is not lost to the dredge or to the bulldozer.
Personally, I am thankful that so much of the Nature Coast is protected as public lands. Now we must work to connect those places with wildlife corridors and ensure what is in public ownership is well managed. We have got to draw a line in the sand and fight poorly planned or destructive projects that threaten the Nature Coast. The threat is real and growing, and the bulldozers are at the gates of Eden.
It was great to see residents and advocates from as far away as Tampa and Tallahassee spent time working together to develop plans for conserving the Nature Coast, and hear presentations from experts at the University of Florida who discussed water and land issues in the Nature Coast. Prof. Christine Klein, of the University of Florida College of Law, shared information with the group about the future of water law and policy in Florida. Dr. Tom Hoctor, of the University of Florida Center for Landscape and Conservation Planning, updated those gathered on the latest work to connect large areas of public lands in the Nature Coast, and on efforts to protect Florida Black Bears in the region.
One theme that emerged throughout the day was the need for conservation groups to work with diverse stakeholders including hunters, recreational and commercial fisherman, tour operators, local business owners, chambers of commerce, and those in the aquaculture or agriculture fields to link a sustainable economy with sustainable management and use of natural resources. In the Nature Coast the environment is the economy, and protecting natural systems ensures future generations have both clean air and water, and a chance for a sustainable economy.
Wildlife and landscape photographer Eric Zamora, who recently finished a 100 mile canoe trip to explore and photograph the Nature Coast , shared a series of incredible and moving photo images with the group to capture the magnificence and majesty of the natural areas along the Nature Coast. Zamora is beginning the planning and groundwork for an ambitious undertaking in 2010, “Life on the Edge” which will include him canoeing and exploring over 250 miles of the greater Nature Coast.
“I am from north central Florida, so the Nature Coast is very special to me,” Zamora said. “Being able to hike, boat and fly over the Nature Coast, working to ensure it is protected from unsustainable development, is a dream come true. But it is vital that the scenes I have photographed and my experiences are shared with a broader audience for my work to have meaning. The story of the Nature Coast must be known.”
This gathering was one of the first steps in a growing and exciting effort to unite communities and organizations along the Nature Coast to work together to oppose projects that threaten the Nature Coast and proactively work together to protect the region and expand the eco-tourism and sustainable natural resource economy in the region. Organizers and attendees plan to formalize a coalition, develop and launch a website, host a large conference in the next year to bring statewide attention to the Nature Coast, and to work more closely together to share resources to protect the region.
Joe Murphy is the GRN's Florida Coordinator |
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A group of conservation organizations is suing the National Marine Fisheries Service to force action quickly to protect threatened and endangered sea turtles from death and injury in the Gulf of Mexico bottom longline fishery. Earthjustice, the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, and a coalition of conservation groups are urging the Fisheries Service to impose immediate protections for the imperiled species.
For more information, read the GRN's press release, http://healthygulf.org/press-releases/groups-sue-national-marine-fisheries-service-to-protect-sea-turtles.html
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Thanks to the Louisiana Bucket Brigade for putting together a great event! Speakers, food, beer, and great groups spreading the word about their great work. It was a lot of fun to produce the music, and bring the crowd such a fantastic lineup of NOLA, coast-conscious artists!
Big thanks to the other Coastal Lines of Defense groups: Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. Also the event couldn't have happened without Sustainable Waves, MC Mike Theis from Mix 92.3 and volunteers Carl Basye and Annie Morris. |
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*This blog was originally posted to LACOASTPOST.com, an independent, interactive forum for an ongoing informed discussion of the status and future of the Louisiana coast. The mission of LACOASTPOST.com is to provide a real time venue in which to debate the current and projected state of our coast, including scientific, socioeconomic, fiscal and political issues.
Three hundred fifty “350.” That’s the critical number that represents a safe climate. 350 means a stable civilization. It is the number we need to get back to and very soon because we are already at 387 and growing - well over the safe limit.
But what is 350? Global warming pollution can be estimated by measuring the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere in parts per million (ppm). Our civilization sprang up in the 270-290 ppm range and we have enjoyed a safe, stable level during the ten thousand years or so of the Holocene Epoch, since what is generally acknowledged as the dawn of agriculture and cities. But just over a hundred years ago, we started pumping carbon into the air at exponentially increasing rates, without a care in the world. Based on detailed analyses of ice cores through ancient glaciers we know that atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are higher now than at any time during the last 800,000 years!
Climate experts have recently warned that there are dangerous tipping points that could be triggered if the 350 ppm threshold is exceeded much longer. Fossil fuels allowed the enormous advancement of our civilization - but not without a cost. Now the climate bill has come due and we must find a way to live within our means.
350.org is a dynamic organization started by one of my heroes, Bill McKibben, noted writer, professor and political organizer. This talented man delivered the keynote address last week at the Tulane Law Evironmental summit, hosted by the Tulane Law School on April 3-5, an annual project totally managed by law students. According to Law Faculty Advisors Oliver Houck and Mark Davis, this year’s summit was exceptionally successful, with over 400 registrants, a dramatic increase from the previous average of about 150. Attracting speaker McKibben no doubt accounted for some of this success.
McKibben wrote The End of Nature in 1989, the first book about climate change. Since that time he has continued a prolific writing career, including co-authoring a book with his colleague, Nobel laureate Al Gore. The keynote address lasted for well over an hour, keeping the packed hall spellbound. McKibben modestly described how he progressed from politically-naive climate change proselytizer living in the second smallest state (Vermont), to the grass roots organizer of a global movement that has exceeded his fondest hopes. He outlined the progression of his political education, including learning how to attract media attention by getting arrested.
He told a wonderful anecdote about being invited several years ago by noted environmental activist Granny D Haddock to join a climate change protest at the US Capitol. They were both ultimately arrested and this man from Vermont, tall enough for the NBA, found himself bent over and handcuffed to this wonderfully feisty but tiny woman in her nineties.
During his remarks McKibben suggested that our current atmospheric level of 387 ppm of atmospheric carbon is to Mother Earth what a similar level of blood cholesterol would be to a sedentary sixty-something smoker subject to swilling sweet drinks. There’s no question what the human patient would hear from her doc. Momma Earth would hear similar warnings from her climate doctor, “You are in grave danger of rising seas, severe weather changes, mass species extinctions, etc).”
In fact our planet got its last major check up almost four years ago in Montreal in the form of the Kyoto Climate Accord (November 30, 2005). The prognosis at that time was bleak - carbon levels were rising rapidly with no end in sight. Clearly we have ignored the warnings; now the question is whether it is already too late to change our habits.
Editor’s Note (Len Bahr): Another notable speaker at the summit was Mike Tidwell, author, Bayou Farewell, who has also gained broad recognition as a spokesperson for action on climate change. It was recently noted on LACOASTPOST.com that Tidwell was investigated during 2007 by the Maryland State Police under former Gov. Ehrlich for his radical activism on climate change.
Watch the 350.org video here http://www.youtube.com/user/350org and pass it on. We need to keep 350 in our minds and in the email boxes of our representatives.
SAVE THE DATE: October 24, 2009 is the date of an extraordinary global climate change initiative - October 24th 350 Action in New Orleans. Email me to get on the action list!
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Casey DeMoss Roberts is the Special Projects Coordinator for the Gulf Restoration Network. |
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In case you've missed it, we've fired off another salvo in our effort to urge Shell Oil Company to truly be a leader for Louisiana's coastal wetlands and step up to fund large-scale restoration efforts.
Dr. John's personal appeal to the public to support efforts to counterbalance Shell's PR efforts at Jazz Fest have gone well, with a front-section article in the Times-Picayune today, a post in the Gambit blog, seven hundred YouTube views, and a couple hours of banner towing time.
Inevitably, when we target Shell, we get a lot of questions along the lines of "why?" "are you crazy?" "aren't they the only oil company actually DOING something?"
I thought I would take a couple moments to lay out some of our reasoning.
- Shell didn't do it, the Corps did: While there are many forces at work in our coastal crisis, researchers I trust, such as LSU's Gene Turner, and the late Shea Penland of UNO peg the oil and gas contribution at 40-60% of the problem. Yes, the levees/jetties along the Mississippi River are a huge problem and long term would kill the coast, and we work on that too, but when you add in the effects of thousands of miles of oil and gas canals the problem takes decades to unfold instead of centuries. To see Walter Williams short film which lays out the scientific and legal rationale for oil companies to pay for the coast, head here.
- When Shell did some of the damage, no one knew it was a problem: Maybe for some of the first exploration in the wetlands in the 30's and 40's. But in 1971 when the Corps environmental assessment was published, the truth came out - oil exploration and development killed wetlands. Did Shell and friends then stop? No, they just had to lobby harder for permits. This letter details their footprint since 1983 alone.
- The State said it was okay: That's right. The state of Louisiana granted permits for the activity, and collected some revenues in exchange. In case you missed it, the State is also ponying up a fair amount of money for this fight. So should Shell and friends.
- Shell cares: You're right. Shell does care. They have a long history in our community. I used to park my car (yes, I drive a car) in the parking garage at One Shell Square, the tallest building in NOLA. They are the largest corporate sponsor of the America's Wetland/America's Energy Coast PR effort. They bring you Jazz Fest. They built ice houses after Katrina/Rita destroyed fishing (and energy) infrastructure. They apparently lobbied Congress in favor of OCS revenue sharing with the affected coastal states. Just because they care, we can't let them off the hook for their direct impacts. Shell mad eover 40 billion dollars in profit last year - the company needs to pay for real, on-the-ground coastal restoration to make up for the damage they've done.
Shell has been a leader in our community, they need to keep leading. One of the oil companies needs to step forward, and say, we'll pay. I think Shell is the most likely to actually do that, but it won't happen without a public outcry. We know that the cost of restoring our coast and securing our communities is new estimated in the range of $100b. I wouldn't ask Shell, or even the oil and gas sector to pay all of that, but I would argue the payment should be commensurate with the impact. The State is paying, the Feds are paying, but it's going to take more to get to that $100b. Enter Shell and friends. Anyone who argues that oil interests shouldn't pay, must not be that serious about fixing the problem. As my friend Mark Davis has said, we shouldn't have any sacred cows in this discussion about solving our crisis.
We've taken on Shell before, and found them to be relatively thoughtful and responsive. In fact, when the Gumbo Alliance (a coalition made up of conservation groups and recreational and commercial fishing interests) urged Shell to pull out of their off-shore, fish killing liquefied natural gas terminal, Shell eventually dropped the project. We worked with an international effort to hold Shell accountable for the environmental impacts of their projects. We didn't go after Exxon, who also had an LNG project on the books. We went to Shell's shareholder meeting in the Hague. And while we were asking the Shell board, president and shareholders to address our concerns (and being served coffee, chocolates and after the meeting, Heineken) Exxon was putting Greenpeace protesters in jail for a similar demonstration.
Unfortunately, the folks we've worked with before are from a whole different sector of the company, and are nowhere to be found on this effort. When we sent Shell this letter, they replied with this response, a form letter. Not terribly insightful. So we're working with Dr. John, Walter Williams and anyone who is willing to help tell the truth about our coast, and urge oil industry accountability for the impacts they have had on our wetlands.
Aaron Viles is GRN's Campaign Director |
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