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Ripple Effects
Minnesotan’s Stories on our Environment and Health
How do new threats to our water and health impact Minnesotan’s lives and communities? In Ripple Effects, Minnesotans share their personal stories on how global problems such as climate change, toxic chemicals and polluted waters are being experienced locally.
Below is a sample of the stories covered in this project. To find additional stories about a particular issue, click on the issue links below.
Vicki Hendricksen: Distrust of Drinking Water
Many Minnesotans pour themselves a glass of water from their kitchen faucet without a second thought. However, more and more people are becoming concerned about the safety of their drinking water.
“I don’t trust our water,” states Vicki Hendricksen, a Woodbury mom of three, “we get all our water for drinking and cooking from our fridge because it’s filtered.” When Vicki moved to Woodbury two years ago to be closer to work, she learned the city’s water was contaminated with PFCs— chemicals used in non-stick pans, stain resistant clothing, and thousands of other products. Even though the level of PFCs in Woodbury’s water is considered to be at safe levels according to the state, Vicki has her doubts. “I wonder if the level they set is really acceptable—will this change years later when they learn more?”
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Toxic Chemicals Found In Doctors, Nurses
First ever biomonitoring study detects chemicals on EPA’s priority list
Clean Water Action recently joined with Physician’s for Social Responsibility to release their report “Hazardous Chemicals In Health Care”, detailing the first investigation ever of chemicals found in the bodies of health care professionals. The study found all 20 study participants, including a doctor and nurse from Minnesota, have toxic chemicals in their bodies. Testing shows each participant has at least 24 individual chemicals present. Four of the chemicals found are on the recently released Environmental Protection Agency list of priority chemicals for regulation. These chemicals are all associated with chronic illness and physical disorders.
It is incumbent upon all of us to make the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) a success
Congressman Oberstar speaks to the Great Lakes Restoration Conference
Over 200 activists from the Great Lakes region gathered recently in Duluth, MN for the 5th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference. The Conference is held each year by the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition to develop strategies for Great Lakes restoration.
The conference began with a welcome from Duluth Mayor, Don Ness; Superior Mayor, Dave Ross and Karen Diver, Chair of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Senator Amy Klobuchar and US Representative Jim Oberstar both addressed the conference stressing the importance of protecting and restoring the Great Lakes. There was much to celebrate with the eminent funding of President Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. However, participants quickly moved from celebration to planning how to ensure the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is implemented quickly and effectively.
We Can't Wait Any Longer on Coal Ash
We can't wait to act on coal ash! Americans deserve clean energy. We shouldn't be poisoned by dirty coal plants and coal ash, and then be asked to foot the bill. Tell the President and the EPA.
Coal ash is a concentrated toxic by-product of burning coal and is a growing problem across the nation. The EPA and the National Academy of Sciences research show that coal ash is toxic, and threatens human health.
Yet Big Coal has been fighting any change to the status quo, lobbying against these proposed regulations and asking the nation’s energy regulators to charge ratepayers for any coal ash cleanup charges.
Join the Million Baby Crawl for Reform of Toxic Substances Control
Help send a million babies to Washington, DC, to push for reform of the outdated and ineffective Toxic Substances Control Act, so that we are all protected from harmful toxins. Join the Million Baby Crawl to DC online by creating your own virtual baby.
Chemicals are currently regulated by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a decades-old law that experts say has utterly failed to keep the nation’s environment and its citizens safe from materials that cause cancer and a host of other serious illnesses. In fact, in the 33 years since TCSA was enacted, the EPA has required testing on only 200 of the more than 80,000 chemical compounds now in use.
Tell Congress to Repower, Refuel and Rebuild America
Our country faces unprecedented challenges. In November, unemployment reached the highest level in 14 years. America is still addicted to oil. The global warming crisis goes unabated.
With this election, Americans signaled we are ready to find new, lasting solutions to our energy, economy and global warming challenges.
Now is the time to Repower, Refuel and Rebuild America. By investing in clean energy, we can cut our dependence on oil, get clean electricity and reduce Global Warming pollution.
These investments will create millions of good-paying jobs in the hardest-hit construction and manufacturing sectors and create pathways out of poverty for the most affected communities.
Sign the 1Sky Pledge to do your part against Global Warming
Clean Water Action is working to make a clean, renewable energy economy a reality in Minnesota and on the national level. We advocate for strong, science-based policies both in the State Legislature and Congress.
In the state, Clean Water Action advocates for a variety of clean energy policies, focused primarily on Cap, Auction and Trade legislation - to reduce Global Warming pollution quickly and effectively.
PFC Contamination in Minnesota's Waters
Over 40% of Minnesota waters that have been tested by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency are polluted. Many contaminants pollute Minnesota's waters: human and animal waste, algae from too much phosphorus and other pollutants. Now a new group of toxins have contaminated our water system, including our drinking water–perfluorochemicals or PFCs.
Healthy Legacy: Safer Products, Made Safely
Clean Water Action Alliance is determined to help Minnesotans achieve a health legacy. Working with 28 organizations from across the state in the Healthy Legacy coalition, we promote healthy lives by supporting the production and use of everyday products without toxic chemicals. We advocate for consumer education, business leadership, and protective policies to advance safe alternatives in Minnesota.
Clean Energy, Clean Water
Over half of the electricity used in the United States comes from dirty coal-burning power plants. Coal is a major source of two of our most challenging pollution problems– mercury and Global Warming. Polluting power plants also use a lot of water. This is especially true for the large coal and nuclear power plants. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are homegrown, unlimited and produce no pollution. Yet less than 3% of our electricity comes from clean, renewable sources of energy like wind, solar and biofuels. To protect our air, our water and our health, we need to turn this around with a commitment to clean, renewable energy.
Global Warming and a New Energy Economy
Top scientists warn that we must decrease Global Warming pollution 80% by 2050 in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change. We can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, making the switch to clean, renewable energy, increasing efficiency and use of alternative fuels for vehicles, increasing use of public transportation and immediately investing in energy efficiency and conservation measures. Clean Water Action is working to make the new energy economy a reality by advocating for strong, science-based policies in the State Legislature and Congress.
Restoring the Clean Water Act: Protecting Our Water
Minnesotans love our lakes, rivers and streams. We enjoy swimming, fishing and boating on our state’s beautiful waters. But polluters have succeeded in weakening the Clean Water Act, our waters’ best defense against degradation. EPA inaction and pro-polluter Supreme Court rulings have jeopardized the integrity of this landmark law. Without a strong Clean Water Act and strict enforcement our lakes, rivers and streams are at risk. Clean Water Action is fighting to restore the original intent of the Act—making sure all our waters are safe for fishing and swimming.
Great Lakes: Protecting and Restoring Our National Treasure
The Great Lakes are one of America’s–and the world’s–greatest natural wonders. Containing one-fifth of the world’s freshwater the Great Lakes are the foundation of health, economic vitality and recreation for millions of people. But the lakes that shape the way we live are in danger. Raw sewage is fouling our beaches. Development has destroyed wetlands that once protected our clean water. Invasive species are crowding out our Great Lakes fish and wildlife. Clean Water Action, as a leading member of the Healing Our Waters coalition, is working to protect the Great Lakes we love and clean them up for future generations to enjoy.