It's too barbaric to imagine, but it happens everyday. Fishermen catch a shark, slice off its fins, and cast it back into the water to bleed a slow, painful death. What's worse, this practice has accelerated in recent years, driven by increased demand for shark fin soup in Asia, where it's considered a delicacy. But you can help:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/19550

Shark finning is pushing the species dangerously close to extinction, with shark numbers down roughly 90% since the 1950s. But the oceans cannot thrive without predator species. Indeed, sharks play a critical role in maintaining the health of our marine ecosystems.

But there's reason for hope. Last month, the 63 nations that comprise the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) approved a binding U.S. proposal to ban shark finning in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. This is a big step forward, as it's the first time there has been a multilateral effort to ban this cruel practice on the open seas.

We must not lose momentum! Urge U.S. officials to pursue a global ban on shark finning and an end to this barbaric practice once and for all.

Thank you for receiving Animals & Environment Alerts from Care2, and please act today!

Sign the petition:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/19550


Thank you for taking action today!

- Dawn S
Care2 and ThePetitionSite team

Over 20,000 whales have been killed since commercial whaling was banned by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1986. Why? Because a loophole allows any nation to issue itself a permit to kill any number of whales "for the purposes of scientific research." After they have finished their “research” they are allowed to sell the whale meat in supermarkets.

Thank you for receiving Animals and Environment Alerts from Care2 and for caring about the future of the whale population. Please take action today to stop the use of “scientific” whaling. http://www.care2.com/go/z/18283

Commercial whaling during the last century decimated almost allof the world's whale populations - between 1925 and 1975, it is estimated that more than 1.5 million whales were killed in those 50 years alone.

Despite being largely protected from hunting during the last 30 years, whales have not yet recovered from the commercial hunting of the last two centuries. Whales have slow birth rates, which means they are slow to rebound from human exploitation. Think about this: there are only 300 right whales remaining. Even small-scale whaling could cause this magnificent species to go extinct. Every effort must be made to protect whales from extinction. Please take action today. http://www.care2.com/go/z/18283

Japan engages in "scientific" whaling even though only 11% of Japanese adults support the killings. Now, Iceland has announced a three-year "scientific" whaling program that failed to meet the approval of the IWC's Scientific Committee because it failed to demonstrate any plausible use for this type of research. Help prevent the senseless killing of more whales. http://www.care2.com/go/z/18283

Your action today is an important step to protecting the fragile whale population.

Thank you for caring,

Lisa Sock
Care2 & ThePetitionSite

I often spend time thinking about the actions I take each day, and wonder which of these have the most measurable impact on the environment. I suspect you do too. The more I think about it, the more I feel that our transportation choices - biking versus driving, hybrids versus conventional cars - are significant. How we get from point A to point B can have a real impact on our planet.

You can make a real difference today by urging Ford, a major manufacturer of SUVs, to improve the fuel economy of its SUVs with hybrid technology: http://www.care2.com/go/z/18150

Ford has recently begun production on the first hybrid gasoline-electric SUV - the Escape Hybrid. This is a good first step, but Ford can - and must - do more to improve the fuel efficiency of its SUVs. What Ford can and should do is clean up its best-selling Ford Explorer with this existing hybrid technology.

Help us convince Ford to do good for the planet by signing this petition today: http://www.care2.com/go/z/18150

How do our transportation choices affect our wildlife and environment? As we continue to consume oil, politicians and oil industry executives will push harder to drill in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge; air pollution will increase; and global warming may accelerate. The time for cleaner cars is now.

For the good of the environment, our climate, and our health, we need to increase the fuel economy of America's cars and trucks. Please join us in telling Ford's Chairman and CEO, William Ford, that he is on the right track with the Escape Hybrid, and that by improving the conventional Explorer; he can help make Ford the leading company providing genuine SUV choices to American drivers.

Please sign this petition today: http://www.care2.com/go/z/18150

Thank you for helping our planet today!

- Rebecca
Care2 and ThePetitionSite team
http://www.care2.com/go/z/rebecca

P.S. After signing this petition, have some fun and pledge your vote for November 2: http://www.care2.com/go/z/18153

Last night during the third and final presidential debate, both President Bush and Senator Kerry were asked to discuss how their personal faith has and will influence their policy. Although both candidates took a moderate stance in their responses last night, during this campaign as a whole, religion has been repeatedly used as a political tool to divide the country and create wedge issues.

As a recipient of Political Alerts from Care2, you have been following this election closely. Please sign this petition today to protest the manipulation of religion for political gain: http://www.care2.com/go/z/17931

Nothing is more fundamental to America than freedom of thought and belief. But the president is preaching that his faith is the purest, and as such dissenters must be a people whose values and sincerity are of a lower order. This is not the religion of George Washington, John Adams, or Abraham Lincoln.

Act now and add your voice to the thousands of Americans calling out to put compassion back into politics, to end the manipulation of religion in this presidential campaign, and to end the alienation of non-Christian faiths and Christians with different political views.

Send a message to the world that America still believes in the separation of church and state. Sign this petition today! http://www.care2.com/go/z/17931

Thanks for taking the time to make a difference.

Sincerely,

Jenny M.
Care2.com & ThePetitionSite

P.S. This Saturday, October 16, a coalitionof faith-based organizations will launch a Day of Action to enlist thousands of volunteers from the progressive faith community to help Get Out The Vote! Show your solidarity by taking action today!
http://www.care2.com/go/z/17931

Hundreds of whales could be killed this year from "scientific whaling." We have a way for you to take action and discuss this important issue.

1. More than 1,400 whales expected to be killed this year
http://www.care2.com/go/z/17945

Over 20,000 whales have been killed since commercial whaling was banned by the International Whaling Commission in 1986. How? Partly because a loophole allows any nation to issue itself a permit to kill any number of whales "for the purposes of scientific research" and sell the whale meat in supermarkets later!

Some nations, like Japan, continue to expand their programs of "scientific" killing. Only 11% of Japanese adults support the killings, and so Japan has invested in a public relations offensive to convince the public that whaling is culturally and economically important to Japan and that whales eat too many fish and threaten the conservation of fish stocks - a claim for which there is no scientific basis. Take action today:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/17945

2. Activist tip: Discuss this issues you care about
http://www.care2.com/go/z/17943

Stay up-to-date on the most pressing issues impacting marine wildlife at Care2 Connect's Oceana discussion group. Oceana works to restore and protect the world's oceans through policy advocacy, science, law and public education and hosts a lively discussion about some of the pressing issues facing our oceans.

3. Inspirational Quote
"Nature is always hinting at us. It hints over and over again. And suddenly we take the hint." -- Robert Frost (1874-1963), American poet


Thank you for your commitment to a healthy planet.

Sincerely,

Lisa Sock
Care2 & ThePetitionSite