| New Documentary Makes a Powerful Case for Co-ops |
 | Food for Change, a compelling new feature-length documentary that’s currently in the works, explores the role of food co-ops as a force for dynamic social and economic change in American culture. From the rise of co-ops during the Great Depression, to the reemergence of food co-ops as an outgrowth of the 1960s Civil Rights, War on Poverty, and anti-war movements, to the new wave of co-op growth occurring across present day America—the film brings a message of hope and empowerment to existing co-op fans, as well as those who are new to the cooperative model. |
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"Andrea Cumpston" <info@ncba.coop>
Dear Green American,
20% of
Amazon.com shareholders
demand action on the climate crisis.
Add your voice to those of concerned shareholders
by taking our Amazon.com action here »
QUESTION:
Is 20% a high enough vote to matter?
ANSWER:
Yes, absolutely! Most shareholders automatically vote how management wants them to, and in this case, Amazon.com management was actively arguing against taking responsiblity for its carbon footprint. For 20% of shareholders to push back is huge, and sends a powerful message to company management. When the company starts hearing the same message from its customers, it must take notice. Please send your message to Amazon.com Celebrate the great green businesses that are leading the way to a greener America. When you vote in our People & Planet Awards you can help three deserving businesses win $5,000 apiece » |
One powerful tool we have to hold corporations to account is shareholder action – when those who own stock use their votes as shareholders to tell corporate management to clean up its act.
A big thank-you to all the share-owning Green Americans who used your investor power to make 2012 an especially successful year for shareholder action.
Most of the shareholder votes happen in the first half of the year, so here's our report to you on recycling, anti-coal, and anti-fracking shareholder victories – and next steps you can take on these issues.
1. Advancing Recycling -- Previous shareholder seasons have achieved meaningful change on recycling at bottled-beverage companies. Concerned shareholders convinced Coca-Cola, Pepsico, and Nestle Waters to adopt recycling goals, and have convinced several companies to support extended producer responsibility (EPR) state legislation in the US. Similar to policies already enacted in 27 EU countries, EPR legislation makes companies responsible for collection and recycling of their post-consumer packaging. Meanwhile, the Dr. Pepper/Snapple Company has been lagging behind, which is why 32% of shareholders voted for the company to adopt recycling goals.
Find 20 plastic things you didn't know you can recycle in the Green American magazine »
2. Striking a Blow Against Coal -- In Green America's report on bad actors in the energy sector, Green America cited Southern Company as the most-polluting utility company in the country. Shareholders are taking notice as well. This year 26% of shareholders demanded that Southern Company report on the adverse effects of its coal-ash disposal, specifically "to reduce environmental and health hazards associated with coal combustion waste contaminating water."
Strike another blow against coal by taking our action in support of tax credits for wind energy »
3. Getting Real on Hydraulic Fracturing -- As many energy companies have begun utilizing the highly destructive natural-gas extraction method known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," concerned shareholders have taken notice. Very high percentages of investors owning shares in Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Ultra Petroleum (28%, 30%, and 35% respectively) voted to demand that the companies report on the community effects of their fracking operations.
Read Green America's editorial on why fracking is dangerous »
****
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Dear Mark,
Next week, on Wednesday, August 22, Governor Cuomo will host a policy summit in New York City. The summit, which will feature
veterans of the Clinton Administration, appears to be a step forward as Cuomo explores a possible 2016 presidential run.
The event happens as Governor Cuomo is moving forward with his reckless plan to lift New York's fracking ban, which he is
expected to announce as early as Labor Day.1
This policy summit is an important opportunity to publicly confront the Governor. We need to make sure he gets the message
that if he wants the support of New Yorkers who care about their environment and the safety of the water they drink when
he runs for president in 2016, he needs to stop moving forward with plans to frack New York.
Details are still being sorted out. Please RSVP if you might be able to attend, so we can stay in touch with you in case
the time or place of the event changes.
What: Governor Cuomo: Don't frack New York! Rally outside the Governor's policy summit.
When: Wednesday, August 22, at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Sheraton New York Hotel, 811 7th Avenue, at 53rd street, New York, NY 10019
When: Wednesday, August 22, at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Sheraton New York Hotel, 811 7th Avenue, at 53rd street, New York, NY 10019
"Zack Malitz, CREDO Action" <act@credoaction.com>****
Other shareholder actions supported by Green America and achieving high votes included demands for home-mortgage policy accountability at the mega-banks (Bank of America and Citigroup), as well as votes for poltical donation transparency at numerous companies (Walmart, AT&T, and ExxonMobil).
Thanks for all you do to demand that corporate America clean up its act,
Alisa Gravitz
Executive Director
Green America
Dear Mark,
Last
month, we told you how American Airlines is doing everything it can to
obstruct democracy and block 10,000 of its employees from voting to form
a union. These workers are still stranded without a voice to protect
themselves as the airline attempts to gut their jobs, benefits, and
working conditions through bankruptcy proceedings.
Yet
American Airlines just celebrated one of its best second quarters in
history – revenue rose 5.5 percent to an all-time high of $6.46 billion.1 Meanwhile, the company is spending enormous sums of money on legal fees just to prevent its workers from having an election.2
We need to make sure more people know about the airline's unjust, unAmerican unionbusting.
Will you take a minute to write a letter to your local paper? Letters to the editor from consumers like you, in newspapers across the country, can help put real pressure on the company.
American
is content to fly below the radar if we let them. But you can ensure
the company's outrageous behavior doesn't go unnoticed in the media. Write your letter now.
Thanks so much for continuing to speak up for workers,
Hilary
Hilary
| "Hilary Woodward, American Rights at Work" <action@americanrightsatwork.org> Yesterday a Russian court found 3 members of Pussy Riot guilty for singing a protest song in a church. Stand in solidarity with Masha, Katja & Nadia with a Free Pussy Riot tshirt, made possible by our friends at the legendary punk club CBGB. Every purchase you make supports our efforts to fight for human rights. "Amnesty International USA" <alerts@takeaction.amnestyusa.org>
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| "RenewableEnergyWorld.com <no-reply@web.RenewableEnergyWorld.com>" |
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