Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Backing Interior Away from Steep National Park Fee Hike • Friends of the Earth




Yosemite. Yellowstone. Grand Canyon. Zion. These national parks are iconic symbols of the beauty of the United States, and our dedication to protecting our most beautiful landmarks.  Since their creation in the late 19th century, national parks have become a very big deal—for the U.S., and for the visitors from around the world who love them.
And they’re a big deal for good reason. The National Park Service (NPS) designates and preserves our lands, creates equal access to the outdoors for all Americans, and ensures these natural spaces will exist far into the future-not just for latter generations, but also, for the integrity of the land itself. 
What’s not to like? Maybe paying $70 to take your family on a visit
In October of 2017, NPS proposed a controversial idea: increase the entry fee of the 17 most visited national parks in the U.S., with fees at the most popular parks jumping from $30 to $70. 
The idea of pricing millions of Americans out of visiting these beloved spaces is wholly un-American. Secretary Ryan Zinke’s decision prioritizes money over public access, and further undermines the challenges facing low-income families and individuals. National parks should be for everyone, and affordability should not be a deterrent…

more: Backing Interior Away from Steep National Park Fee Hike • Friends of the Earth


World History Timeline - Vivid Maps




“It is impossible to show everything that has happened in world history on a small poster. The main part of this Chart shows the rise and fall of the great empires and nations through history. It is arranged according to continents, and where possible continents that are next to each other on the globe are next to each other on the chart. It shows how people moved out of their homeland to conquer new territories, sometimes far from home. Each continent is shown in a limited color range, for example, Europe if red-orange-yellow. You can easily see when a European state took control of a country outside Europe because its color remains ‘European’ even though it is outside Europe. The length of the color shows the length of time the empire lasted and the width shows how extensive was the territory they controlled…"

more: World History Timeline - Vivid Maps


Sunday, April 8, 2018

How the United States Looked Before The EPA | Fortune.com




Here is a selection of some of the best photographs among the EPA's "Project Documerica" collection that shows the impac
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Back in 1970, then-President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the Environmental Protection Agency. Just after its creation, the EPA created a photo-documentary project called "Project Documerica." Its purpose? To "record the state of the environment and efforts to improve it."



Similar to the famous photography program by Rex Tugwell's and Roy Stryker's Farm Security Administration, which depicted daily life in Depression-era America, the project examined the "rapid decaying" of the United States' environment. It focused on "environmental concerns of the early 1970s: water, air, and noise pollution; unchecked urbanization; poverty; environmental impact on public health; and youth culture of the day." The project also showed the country's commitment to solving these problems by showing "positive images of human life and Americans’ reactions, responses, and resourcefulness…"



VIEW ::: How the United States Looked Before The EPA | Fortune.com


Friday, April 6, 2018

The Assault on Environmental Protest | American Civil Liberties Union




More than 50 state bills that would criminalize protest, deter political participation, and curtail freedom of association have been introduced across the country in the past two years. These bills are a direct reaction from politicians and corporations to the tactics of some of the most effective protesters in recent history, including Black Lives Matter and the water protectors challenging construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock…