Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota
Our Priority Issues: 2008
2008 Legislative Scorecard
Our 2008 Legislative Scorecard (pdf) provides details on how members of Minnesota's House voted on legislatiion that will have an impact on the environment.
Get the scorecard (pdf, 79kb)
Reducing Global Warming Pollution
Global Warming will bring changes to our lakes, rivers, streams and natural areas. Sadly, the local effects of Global Warming are already transforming Minnesota.
Water levels in many lakes and rivers will fall. Shorter ice cover on our lakes means less ice fishing. Earlier snowmelt in the spring will disrupt the reproduction of fish and other aquatic life. Cold water fish like trout and walleye will be threatened as water temperatures warm. Hotter, drier summer weather and increasingly serious storms will hurt both farmers and forestry. Erosion and runoff will degrade water quality in our lakes and rivers.
We need to make important changes now to protect the beauty and heritage of our state. Clean Water Action and our allies in Clean Energy Minnesota urge the Legislature and the Governor to ensure Minnesota meets its long term goals to reduce Global Warming pollution. Cap, auction and trade - a market based regulation - requires major sources of Global Warming pollution to limit their pollution and lower emissions over time. This is a cost effective tool that will technologies and approaches currently available to help us meet our long term goals.
Act Now to Stop Global Warming
Factsheet
Limit and Lower Global Warming Pollution: Our Minnesota Heritage at Risk (pdf, 197 Kb)
Restoring Citizen's Right to Know
We make decisions about our health and that of our children every day. In order to make smart, responsible decisions to protect our health we need information about when, where and what pesticides we are exposed to. We know that pesticides are present in our indoor and outdoor environments. Some pesticides have been linked to infertility, birth defects and child and adult cancers. The public has limited information about the types of pesticides that are being used in their communities, or when they are applied. Without this basic information, we cannot make smart, responsible decisions to protect our health and our children from pesticide exposure.
The pesticide Right to Know legislation allows Minnesotans to know when and where they and their children are exposed to pesticides, including the specific type of pesticide. Clean Water Action and our allies strongly encourage the Legislature to require the pesticide industry to file records regarding when, where and which pesticides are applied with a state agency. In addition, neighbors and employees should be given notice before pesticides are applied to parks, lawns, fields and buildings so, if needed, they may take proper precautions.
Factsheet
Protect Public Health: Restore Our Right to Know (pdf, 157 Kb)
Healthy Kids: Safe Baby Products
Recent toy recalls have left a lot of parents wondering, what else is in my kids' toys? Infants and toddlers are being exposed to two chemicals -- phthalates and bisphenol-A -- that are particularly toxic. Both of these plastic additives cause hormone disruption, leading to a number of serious health problems. Children can be exposed directly through the skin, inhalation and leeching. Bisphenol-A is commonly used in baby bottles and “sippy” cups. Phthalates are often found in teething rings. Young children are particularly vulnerable to hormone disruption, especially during periods of intense growth. Thankfully safer alternatives are available. Bottom line -- you shouldn't have to be a chemist to find a safe toy.
Clean Water Action and our allies in Healthy Legacy encourage the Legislature to phase out the sale of products intended for children that contain phthalates and bisphenol-A. Safer alternatives are available for children's plastic products. We have a responsibility to protect our children and their health.
Factsheet
Healthy Products for Minnesota Kids: Safer Children's Products (pdf, 101 Kb)
Phasing-Out Toxic Flame Retardants
Some flame retardants contain toxic chemicals that get into the environment and into the human body. These have been linked to adverse health impacts. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants that are highly persistent in the environment. PBDEs accumulate in the food chain and in the human body. A common commercial form, known as deca-BDE, is widely used in televisions, computers, wires, cables and some textiles. However, safer alternatives are available. Deca also degrades into the more toxic PBDE forms, penta and octa. Washington State found that RDP, while not a perfect alternative, is significantly less toxic and meets safety codes.
Clean Water Action and our allies in Healthy Legacy encourage the Minnesota Legislature to phase out the manufacture and sale of computers, televisions, furniture, textiles and mattresses containing deca by 2010.
Factsheet
Protect Public Health: Phase Out Toxic Flame Retardants (pdf, 97 Kb)
