Pop News: Good News for International Family Planning and the Environment!
Last Wednesday July 16th, the House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee chaired by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) approved $600 million for international family planning and reproductive health programs ($540 million for USAID’s programs and $60 million for UNFPA). This represents the largest total amount ever recommended for international family planning programs and the largest one-year dollar increase in these programs on record, not accounting for inflation. $600 million would be a 28% increase above current levels and an 83% increase above the President’s budget request of $327 million. Wow!
On Thursday July 17th, the Senate Appropriations Committee took up their version of the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. The committee approved $520 million for international family planning ($475 for USAID's programs and $45 million for UNFPA). The Senate version also includes language that would repeal the Global Gag Rule, which disqualifies overseas family planning organizations from receiving U.S. family planning funds if they, with their own money, lobby to change abortion laws or provide legal abortion services in their countries. The House version is silent on this issue.
Both the House and Senate versions of the bill include language that would allow funds to be released to UNFPA, even if the Administration invokes what's known as the Kemp-Kasten amendment to withhold the funds, by directing those funds to targeted projects in any of the 150 countries other than China where UNFPA works. These targeted projects include things like safe childbirth, contraceptives to prevent unintended pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and the provision of maternal health services in disaster areas.
We are encouraged to see these substantial increases in Congressional allocations for international family planning programs. This represents an important step forward in our goal to increase funding to $1 billion for international family planning programs that save lives, improve community health, and ensure a more sustainable environmental future!
With the good news coming out of the House and Senate, this is an important time to reinforce the efforts made by members of Congress and remind them that we are paying attention!
Click here to find your Representative and his/her contact information, or here to find your Senator and his/her contact information. If he or she sits on the Appropriations Committee, please thank him or her for passing a bill that includes increased funding for international family planning.
Your message could go something like this:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I'm from (your city). I am a Sierra Club activist and I care about the health of families and the planet.
Thank you for voting last week to increase funding for international family planning in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.
Increasing access to voluntary family planning around the world is crucial to protecting our global environment. Couples with access to family planning education and services are able to choose the size and spacing of their families, ultimately leading to healthier families and reducing strain on the Earth's natural resources.
PopNews, the Sierra Club's Global Population & Environment Program e-newsletter, keeps you up-to-date on current and emerging population issues and resources. Every month you will receive an email with the information and tools to put real population solutions to work.Subscribe to PopNews.Unsubscribe to PopNews.Tell a Friend about PopNews.View previous editions of PopNews.Become a Sierra Club Member.Want to keep up with the Sierra Club's latest activities and news?Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the Sierra Club's flagship e-newsletter sent out twice a month. The Insider provides everything from information on new reports and issues to planning great hiking trips to how you can help change environmental policy. View recent editions of the Insider.
Sierra Club 408 C Street, NE, Washington DC 20002 sierraclub.org/population population@sierraclub.org
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sierra Nevada Alliance Conference 9/12-14/2008
The Sierra Nevada Alliance will be holding its 15th Annual Conference and Anniversary Celebration September 12-14 at the North Tahoe Conference Center in Kings Beach at Lake Tahoe . This year’s conference theme is Leading in a Climate of Change: Hot Topics, Cold Facts and New Answers for the Sierra.
Despite its iconic recognition, the Sierra Nevada has often been seen by those within and without the region as California ’s poor stepchild. Rural with a limited population but a wealth of natural resources, the region has been exploited and frequently left out of key statewide decisions. But after fifteen years of a united regional conservation movement, the stepchild days are over.
Come and join others to celebrate our past 15 years and strategize together how to save the Sierra, be a leading region in adapting to climate change, achieve sustainable communities and contribute to saving the world.
The conference features inspirational speakers—including Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Tom Knudson, author and photographer Tim Palmer, and biologist and Sierra field guide author John Muir Laws--eight cutting edge conservation workshops, top notch networking and more. Also on Friday is the Sierra Nevada Yard and Garden Summit, where Sierra homeowners, organizations, and agencies will learn tips and techniques for creating a conservation-minded landscape that defends against wildfire, is in harmony with Sierra wildlife, reduces pollution, deters invasive weeds, and conserves water.
For more detailed information about registration and the conference schedule, go to www.sierranevadaalliance.org/conference or call the Alliance office at 530.542.4546.
Despite its iconic recognition, the Sierra Nevada has often been seen by those within and without the region as California ’s poor stepchild. Rural with a limited population but a wealth of natural resources, the region has been exploited and frequently left out of key statewide decisions. But after fifteen years of a united regional conservation movement, the stepchild days are over.
Come and join others to celebrate our past 15 years and strategize together how to save the Sierra, be a leading region in adapting to climate change, achieve sustainable communities and contribute to saving the world.
The conference features inspirational speakers—including Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Tom Knudson, author and photographer Tim Palmer, and biologist and Sierra field guide author John Muir Laws--eight cutting edge conservation workshops, top notch networking and more. Also on Friday is the Sierra Nevada Yard and Garden Summit, where Sierra homeowners, organizations, and agencies will learn tips and techniques for creating a conservation-minded landscape that defends against wildfire, is in harmony with Sierra wildlife, reduces pollution, deters invasive weeds, and conserves water.
For more detailed information about registration and the conference schedule, go to www.sierranevadaalliance.org/conference or call the Alliance office at 530.542.4546.
Claire Tappaan Lodge: Fundraising weekend!
Note: The Lodge needs to break even by September in view of the national Sierra Club! They threaten to sell it.
Reach the Goal - 4th Annual Fundraising Weekend
Moonlit Nights at Clair Tappaan Lodge
Friday evening August 15 until Sunday afternoon August 17, 2008
Tentative Program
Friday Night (August 15)
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Mixer outside with children - s’mores, brandy
8:30 Movies in dining room
8:30 Full Moon Hike
Saturday Morning (August 16)
7:30 Lunch preparations – fix your own sack lunch
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Hikes begin
Saturday Afternoon and Evening (August 16)
3 to 5 Wine & Cheese and Silent Auction outside
6:00 Wild fish Dinner
7:00 Living Room- Mountain Fire (live music)
Dining Room - Presentation on The Moon
8:30 Another Full Moon Hike (if there is sufficient interest)
9 to 12 Moon gazing outdoors
Sunday Morning (August 17)
8:00 Finale Breakfast and Raffle
9:00 Hikes begin
Entire weekend (including food and lodging) $150 per person
Children (4-13 years) $ 70 Child
Day-only rates
Saturday only $100 Adult
$ 30 Child
Sunday only $ 25 Adult
$ 10 Child
The bulk of the fees go to support the Lodge.
For reservations call 800-679-6775.
http://ctl.sierraclub.org/ -- to see what it is like and where it is!
Reach the Goal - 4th Annual Fundraising Weekend
Moonlit Nights at Clair Tappaan Lodge
Friday evening August 15 until Sunday afternoon August 17, 2008
Tentative Program
Friday Night (August 15)
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Mixer outside with children - s’mores, brandy
8:30 Movies in dining room
8:30 Full Moon Hike
Saturday Morning (August 16)
7:30 Lunch preparations – fix your own sack lunch
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Hikes begin
Saturday Afternoon and Evening (August 16)
3 to 5 Wine & Cheese and Silent Auction outside
6:00 Wild fish Dinner
7:00 Living Room- Mountain Fire (live music)
Dining Room - Presentation on The Moon
8:30 Another Full Moon Hike (if there is sufficient interest)
9 to 12 Moon gazing outdoors
Sunday Morning (August 17)
8:00 Finale Breakfast and Raffle
9:00 Hikes begin
Entire weekend (including food and lodging) $150 per person
Children (4-13 years) $ 70 Child
Day-only rates
Saturday only $100 Adult
$ 30 Child
Sunday only $ 25 Adult
$ 10 Child
The bulk of the fees go to support the Lodge.
For reservations call 800-679-6775.
http://ctl.sierraclub.org/ -- to see what it is like and where it is!
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