(Houston, TX) Today, public health groups blasted ExxonMobil Chemical Company for blocking new restrictions on toxic chemicals that damage children’s health and pollute local communities. Outside its corporate headquarters, protesters unveiled a giant twenty-foot rubber ducky, a favorite bath toy often made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which contains toxic chemicals known as phthalates (pronounced ‘THA-lates’), which are produced by ExxonMobil at its Baton Rouge, LA factory.
Yesterday, a contingent from the Gulf Coast joined twelve thousand people in a nonviolent protest against dirty energy at the White House. The advocates are trying to stop President Obama from approving the Keystone XL pipeline. If built, the 1,700-mile pipeline will stretch all the way from Alberta, Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast, where "tar sands" sludge would be refined into oil.
Lax regulations on chemicals put everyone at risk. A fast-moving, "out of control" fire erupted at the Magnablend Chemical Company in Waxahachie, Texas, this afternoon. The fire has forced the evacuation of at least one elementary school in this Dallas suburb, and the nearby Navarro College, according to news reports. Residents have been advised to stay indoors to avoid dangerous gasses.
Last month, Bridge the Gulf and Gulf Change partnered to create the first edition of X-Change, a Gulf Coast-based newsletter focused on environmental justice. X-Change features “good people doing good work”, including personal stories by Gulf Coast community members who are facing environmental justices issues, and updates on the work of local organizations working for sustainable, thriving communities.
Community groups from all over Texas are gathering to unite in opposition over the planned Keystone XL pipeline Sunday, September 18, 2011. The Canadian project reportedly cost more to construct than the value of the expensive tar sands oil it will carry from Alberta, Canada to Port Arthur and Houston, Texas.
The Norwood Thompson playground is a gathering place for all ages in Gert Town. It is a place of fellowship for residents of this New Orleans neighborhood, and provides a break for working mothers to spend time with their children.
But it is also destined and designed as an accident waiting to happen. As you will hear and see from the children and adults who use it, the playground is an environmental health hazard.
Earlier this year, an amazing list of 20 environmental and social justice leaders issued an invitation to help fight for our climate. I read it. I thought about it. I shared it on FB. And then I pretty much forgot about it, returning my attention to GRN's efforts to protect and restore the Gulf.
On August 23 a delegation of more than 20 Gulf Coast citizens, including myself, BP first responder clean-up workers, fishermen and community organizers will be traveling to Washington D.C. to join our voices with indigenous leaders, scientific experts, celebrities and environmentalists in opposing the proposed Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline.
As an organizer who is relatively new to the issue of environmental justice, it has been very enlightening to hear the experiences of community members.
Yesterday, a contingent from the Gulf Coast joined twelve thousand people in a nonviolent protest against dirty energy at the White House. The advocates are trying to stop President Obama from approving the Keystone XL pipeline. If built, the 1,700-mile pipeline will stretch all the way from Alberta, Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast, where "tar sands" sludge would be refined into oil.
Lax regulations on chemicals put everyone at risk.
Last month, Bridge the Gulf and Gulf Change partnered to create the first edition of X-Change, a Gulf Coast-based newsletter focused on environmental justice. X-Change features “good people doing good work”, including personal stories by Gulf Coast community members who are facing environmental justices issues, and updates on the work of local organizations working for sustainable, thriving communities. 
Community groups from all over Texas are gathering to unite in opposition over the planned Keystone XL pipeline Sunday, September 18, 2011. The Canadian project reportedly cost more to construct than the value of the expensive tar sands oil it will carry from Alberta, Canada to Port Arthur and Houston, Texas.
The Norwood Thompson playground is a gathering place for all ages in Gert Town. It is a place of fellowship for residents of this New Orleans neighborhood, and provides a break for working mothers to spend time with their children. 
BP first responder clean-up workers, fishermen and community organizers will be traveling to Washington D.C. to join our voices with indigenous leaders, scientific experts, celebrities and environmentalists in opposing the proposed Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline.
