URGENT ACTION ALERT: Joseph Pizarchik is the WRONG Choice

A few minutes ago I received an action alert from my co-worker and friend Wahleah Johns from the Black Mesa Water Coalition. She and I used to work together on the Environmental Justice Climate Change Initiative Youth Committee. Wahleah wasn’t the loudest person in the room or the most talkative, but when she did choose to offer up her truth her words were beautiful and poignant. So when she sent out a call for help and action, of course I wanted to send her words far and wide.

Her Words Follow:

We are hoping that you join the effort to oppose Joseph Pizarchik’s nomination for Office of Surface Mining (OSM) Director. Apparently, Pizarchik has a track record of favoring coal companies and ignoring community environmental concerns.

Here in the southwest we are frightened by his nomination because this means more desecration of our natural landscapes for coal mining and testing grounds for future CCS (carbon capture sequestration) projects. OSM is in charge of approving coal mining permits across the country. And OSM’s structure for approving mining permit needs to undergo serious change, the standards and code books for OSM are so outdated. In addition, their process for approval does not have to inform commmunity folks or ask for permission to bomb lands in our backyards.

When I heard Ken Salazar speak at Powershift 2009 I thought: “Yes, maybe things can change and look upward for communities who are fighting these industries on the front line.” But I think its going to take a lot more voices for that change to occur.

I ask you know to please contact your Senator, and Dept of Interior, and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to voice your concern!

In solidarity,
Wahleah Johns
Black Mesa Water Coalition

Take a couple minutes to watch this video. It’s a bit long but worth all seven minutes. Be sure to stick it out to the 3:00 minute mark where it shows compelling and harrowing photos before and after Pizarchik’s Destruction.

Step 1: Send the email below to these two addresses: Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar (via his aide: Thomas_Strickland@ios.doi.gov) and Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (via his aide: sam_fowler@energy.senate.gov).

Step 2: Send the email to your Senator using this link: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Step 3: Send this email on to your friends and family.

About Shadia Fayne

Shadia began at age seven as an advocate for justice and the environment, in an eight year campaign to pass state legislation that, without it, was responsible for cancer clusters and deaths that existed in her community. In response to her efforts she has received the Yoshiyama Award from the Hitachi Foundation, and the Brower Youth Award from the Earth Island Institute. At age fifteen, She attended the World Summit on Sustainable Development, joining the youth energy caucus' efforts to create the Official Global Youth Energy Policy Statement. Months later, Shadia attended the Second National People of Color Summit and there she helped create the Environmental Justice Youth Platform. She is a member of the Environmental Justice Climate Coalition Youth Committee and is on the Kids Against Pollution National Board of Trustees. Shadia graduated from West Canada Valley High School in 2005, where she then took two years off before entering a career in higher education to work as a leader in the Global Youth Climate Movement. She finished working for the EJCC as the youngest Campus Climate Challenge Coordinator in the Energy Action Coalition, in October 2007. She is currently attending American University of Beirut, studying Arabic and Communications.