Mission #5
Although direct action with “Gaia-powers” makes for fun fiction, in the real world we have to employ different powers to make a difference. And you, my friends, have the power to make a difference! Blogger, “Treehugger,” requested a “doing mission” vs. an “observing mission.” She’s smart, we can love Gaia all we want, but unless we DO something to help her…
View the video above and then use the links below to make your voice heard in Washington D.C. The Mission Log offers a bit of guidance and a sample letter.
- START HERE: Defenders of Wildlife have a nice letter-writing overview. Scroll down for the links to find the name and address of your Congressman/woman, Senator and the President of the United States.
- World Wildlife Fund: U.S. laws can reach around the globe!
- National Resources Defense Council: They lobby Congress to protect the earth, air and water. See how many issues they are working on. Maybe one of them is your issue!
- Sierra Club: Like NRDC, they talk to Congress about laws that you may care about. There is a great list. Also, if you join, (I’m a member) you get a nice backpack and a great magazine!
- Oceana: They are fans of Gaia Girls Way of Water and do a lot of work to protect the oceans.
- Humane Society of the United States: HSUS seeks to help and protect those with no voice.
- Rainforest Action Network-Kids: Click Kid’s Action, and then play some games when your done!
This entry was posted on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm and is filed under Archeived Posts, Summer of Gaia 2008. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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Tree_Hugger says:
Thanks Lee! here is a video dedicated to help save gaia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD59cqejzWA
Scout says:
hmmm…I was thinking about doing one about the Oikomi thing (is that what its called?) and maybe get people to think about it and try to help stop it but I’m not sure how that will work if I send it to the president…
OH but there is this place called Second Chance and you can give them stray or hurt animals and they help them maybe I could send a letter about getting people aware of that place if they ever find an injured animal!
and p.s.-YEAAAAAAAAAAAH HONORABLE MENTIOOOON!!!!! It brings back memories of Track and Field and that darn 100 meter dash
adrie says:
I can’t wait! But I have one question. Do we post our letters and send or just send?
-adrie
Lee Welles-author says:
If you want to copy what you wrote and blog-post it, that’s great. If not, let us know who you sent it to and what you talked about.
(FYI: The last mission of the summer is also going to be “doing mission.” It’s gonna be very cool!
Scout says:
Last mission!? *gasp!* Oh well I’m still excited for it. I don’t know what to write still though….I guess I’ll just do second chance
Lee Welles-author says:
There will be two more missions after this one and than the final mission will be another “doing mission.” That will come out around Labor Day and you fine Gaia folk will, hopefully, take it on for the school year! Scout, the NRDC link has three good topics about the oceans. Are you familiar with how Low Frequency Sonar can harm whales and dolphins? That might be a good one for you!
adrie says:
I’m going to post my letter. I’m writing to the president (possibly senator and or congressman) . Here’s my letter.
Dear President Bush,
My name is Adrienne and I’s like to talk to you about factory farming. Animals are being mistreated all over. Chickens have their beaks cut off and are sometimes left to die in dumpsters or plastic bags. Piglets are left together without their mothers in concrete pens and they get so stressful they bite each others tails off. At birth cows are slaughtered and have their tails docked (cut) off. Factory farms also have an impact on human health. T hey give out harmful pollutants that can make those who live nearby unhealthy. Lot’s of animal waste comes from these factory “farms”. The waste goes into the water, which people might depend on for drinking, so factory farms are also unsafe for humans. If you were the animals or people, wouldn’t you want to put a stop to all of this? That’s what I’m asking you to do. If you could even try to stop one even minor factory farm, it would be terrific for everyone. You can get t-he meat you want, just from free range or organic farms. I also want to talk to you about Puppy Mills. Think of cute little puppies and dogs: Terriers, German Shepards, Border Collies, Sheep Dogs. Now think of hundreds of dogs in cages, 3, 4, or 5 in one. ‘Their feet are badly hurt form walking on the wire floor of the cages most of their lives. I’m again asking you to try to put a stop to even one minor Puppy Mill. Please try to put a stop to animal cruelty. Make the world a better place for al living creatures. Even plants (especially trees) need care if humans want to survive. Each human being depends on animals and plants for food, oxygen, and a good future of happy living. We need everything the world provides us. If there’s no animals, there’s basically no us. Please write back.
From,
Adrienne
That’s the end of my letter, Gaia Gang. It’s only a rough draft.
-adrie
AirAquila95 says:
Hey Gia Gang!!
I missed last week again:( I’ve just been soooo busy! I have to post all my stuff today because i’m going to keuka lake tomorrow!! i wrote to both my senators, my representative ,and the president. I chose global warming for my subject. I got 5 people to sign each of my letters. i couldn’t get anybody to write their own though:( I’m gonna keep trying to though!!
Good luck Gaia Gang!!!
Jill
Scout says:
I sent my letter a few days ago and I forgot to get a copy! I sent it to the senator and I ended up doing Second Chance(the place to give stray, hurt, or sick animals too so they can help them) although I think i’ll try doing something about whales and dolphins sooner or later too. I wish I had remembered to save myself a copy!!!! GRRR! I wrote about how people should call Second Chance if they see an animal thats hurt or sick or stray because they can help them get well and back into the wild.
I am relieved that there are still more missions, too!! =]
I have a raging head ache….
-scout (and my bird Millie, who continues to hit the backspace button no matter how many times I shoo her off of it)
adrie says:
I haven’t got anyone to sign it because I am at my grandparents house without my parents but I’ll try today. I hope my letter works.
Good luck to everyone.
-adrie
Lee Welles-author says:
Hi Gaia Gang! I’m in Chicago and can’t post a video this week! I will, hopefully, be able to get the email out (maybe later than usual) and will psot up the next mission on the blog in text. Sooooo, for you procratinators, you have all day today to do this mission! Wish me luck, I’ll be a Shedd Aquarium today! They have Pacific White-Sided dolphins there; I hope I get to meet them!
Tree_Hugger says:
i haven’t written it yet but i’m going to the governor to ban are state from plastic bags
adrie says:
i’ve got my mom, dad, sister, other sister, myself (5 people), and i’ll try to get my aunt and uncle to sign my letter too.
-adrie
AirAquila95 says:
I got braces yesterday and they kill!!! That won’t stop me from doing the next mission though!! hopefully my braces stop by then:(
~Jill
Scout says:
Oooh Braces stink! I have them but I am getting them off soon. Don’t worry- after a week it will be like they aren’t even there. You totally won’t notice! And they dont hurt too bad after a few days. But I definetly recommend Advil!!
hahaha…I guess I went from kid to orthodontist to doctor all in one comment
AirAquila95 says:
haha!! Thanks for the advice! I also have to wear a bite plate. It’s soo hard to chew with it! My back teeth don’t even touch. Luckily i only have to wear it for 6 months. I only have to wear my braces for 18 months at the most.I hope it goes fast and i’m sure it will if i’m doing gaia missions and sports!
~Jill:o/
adrie says:
I’m getting glasses on tuesday. I wonder what color i should get?
Anyway, now i have myself, sisters, parents, aunt, uncle, and my other aunt (signing the letter). i’ll probably mail it tomorrow.
i’m scared and excited for tuesday.
-adrie
adrie says:
Guess what?!?!?!?! I GOT 13 PEOPLE TO SIGN MY LETTER (including me)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i worked really hard on it.
-adrie
Lee Welles-author says:
I’m back in New York! A few quick thoughts:
-love the idea of banning plastic bags!
-I had braces. They hurt. Be sure to wear your retainer more than I did! Teeth can move back!!!!
-13 PEOPLE!? WOW!
I’ve got a lot of work to catch up on Friday, but will get the next Gaia Mission up Saturday night.
You guys rock!
adrie says:
I once tried to ban plastic bags, too. But then people would have to use more paper. That would waste trees. But you could ban plastic and paper so every one could use cloth. If it rips, they could recycle it!
-adrie
Scout says:
hahaha I just remembered I get to go to new york twice! once in november and in december!!
Sorry Random moment….lol
I wish I could’ve gotten people to sign mine I just sent it cuz I was too excited and forgot!!
–I had the WORST case with my teeth! I still have braces after like three years! I had a lot of things like a pallet expander and some weird pointy thing in my mouth (which STUNK!!) but it was all worth it!