Today one in six people—more than one billion—don’t have access to enough water. Lack of access to safe water is the leading cause of death and illness in the world - around the world, a child dies every 15 seconds from water-borne diseases, and 80 percent of all diseases are caused by unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene.

The global water crisis is steadily worsening with climate change. As water scarcity becomes a bigger issue, corporations are increasingly trying to take control of public water resources and systems, which is making the problem worse. Globally, corporations promote water privatization under the guise of efficiency. But there is no substitute for public water. Water is a human right, not a privilege.

March 22 is World Water Day - a day to observe the global water crisis and pledge to make a change. One of the easiest and biggest changes we can make is to join the fight against bottled water corporations. Challenging the corporations that control our water shows that we, as consumers, are serious about protecting our environment.

This year, on World Water Day, groups and individuals across the country are pledging to choose tap over bottled water. Besides generating pollution, tap water is cleaner and safer - it is required to go through more rigorous and frequent testing than bottled water!

Taking the Think Outside the Bottle Pledge is quick, easy, and sends the message that water is a human right, not a commodity.

To take the Think Outside the Bottle Pledge and learn more about bottled water - visit the Think Outside the Bottle website today!

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After decades of suffering, the Tibetan people have burst onto the streets in protests and riots. The spotlight of the upcoming Olympic Games is now on China, and Tibetan Nobel peace prize winner the Dalai Lama is calling to end all violence through restraint and dialogue–he urgently needs the support of the world’s people.

China’s leaders are lashing out publicly at the Dalai Lama–but we’re told many Chinese officials believe dialogue is the best hope for stability in Tibet. China’s leadership is right now considering a crucial choice between crackdown and dialogue that could determine Tibet’s, and China’s, future.

We can affect this historic choice. China does care about its international reputation, and we can help them choose the right path. China’s President Hu Jintao needs to hear that the ‘Made in China’ brand and the upcoming Olympics in Beijing will succeed only if he makes the right choice. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention.

China’s economy is dependent on “Made in China” exports that we all buy, and the government is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this summer a celebration of a new and respected China. China is also a sprawling, diverse country with much brutality in its past, so it has good reasons to be concerned about stability — some of Tibet’s rioters killed innocent people. But President Hu must recognize that the greatest danger to Chinese stability and development today comes from hardliners who advocate escalating repression, not from those Tibetans seeking dialogue and reform.

We will deliver our petition directly to Chinese officials in New York, London and Beijing, but it must be a massive number first.

The Tibetan people have suffered quietly for decades. It is finally their moment to speak, we must help them be heard.

The petition for restraint and dialogue in Tibet is exploding, with 253,353 signers since March 19! Add your voice to the outcry now. Sign the petition The goal is 1 million voices united for Tibet.

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Download this grocery store report card, and when you next visit your grocery store make a quick note of the fair trade varieties. Submit your report online here, and help Oxfam congratulate those who deserve it, or put pressure on those groups who need to stock more fair trade.

Help us know whats going on in your area and help fair trade!

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Last month The United Nations raised its voice to donors, calling for a massive $856 million to help women in crisis situations and war. This call for funds illustrates the sheer magnitude of the problem that UNICEF’s Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman, explains

“From Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Iraq, Zimbabwe and Sudan, children and women continue to bear the brunt of conflict, displacement and deteriorating conditions,” UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman

There have been more than 250 major wars since WWII, leaving millions of women displaced around the world. In modern-day warfare, women are targeted for ethnic cleansing, rape is used as a weapon to destroy communities, and women make up for at least 75% of the casualty rate.

Women today have a duty to contribute to programs that provide assistance and relief. One excellent program worth examining is that of Women For Women International, a courageous organization that reaches out to assist women in war-torn and post-conflict countries.

Their work is exceptional, as seen by inspirational videos and stories on their website. With a solid track record of rebuilding lives and communities, Women For Women offers a one-year program to sponsor a woman in a country of your choice.

The program is very personal, a deep connection is formed. Both parties get to know each other, letters are often exchanged, and friendships blossom. For $27 a month (and a $30 one-time administration fee), you can sponsor a woman in need to attend vocational training, feed her family and understand her rights.

This program is about more than money, its about creating a significant impact on both lives. After all, giving is the greatest gift.

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Most cocoa is produced in West Africa. Cocoa companies in the US pay so little for their raw ingredient that the farmers in Africa cannot meet their families’ basic needs, let along pay their workers. To create the bunnies and other chocolate treats, an estimated 284,000 children - many of whom are slaves - are forced to work long hours with dangerous tools in grueling working conditions.

This cycle can be broken. Fair Trade certified chocolate prohibits forced and abusive child labor, pays a fair price to farming families that is adequate to meet basic human needs, and requires environmentally sustainable production methods.

This Easter, stay guilt-free and choose from our sweet list:

• Divine Chocolate available through A Greater Gift. $7 for a pretty bag of dark or light chocolate Easter eggs individually wrapped in gold foil. Tempt yourself further with heavenly recipes for Divine Chocolate.
• Equal Exchange Chocolate. $3.95 for a bar, $17.50 for a pretty pack, and $39.00 for a cute basket filled with treats!
• Global Exchange Look out for the Easter Action Trio ($18.95) containing three bars of Divine chocolate, a cute knitted bunny woven by members of a women’s cooperative in Peru, a bundle of Fair Trade Easter Action Coloring Postcards (to send directly to World’s Finest Chocolate asking them to source Fair Trade chocolate) and a Quick Chocolate Fact Postcard.
• Ithaca Fine Chocolates. Five “art bars” for $12.95.
• Alter Eco. From $3.79 a bar.
• Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates - lovely Easter bunnies and Easter gifts available, from $1.50 for a small bunny, $16.50 for a box of Easter truffles.

Brands to avoid include: Hersheys, Mars, M&M, Dove, Nestle, Hargen-Darz, Godiva, Lindt, Ghiradelli and Dagoba. These brands may have some “ethically sourced” marketing ploys, but all have failed to commit to Fair Trade and Child Labor laws.

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- Fossil Fool of the Year
- Most Inauspicious Newcomer
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Biggest Human Toll
- Outstanding Performance in Corporate Greenwashing

Visit Co-op America to vote, and automatically enter the contest for a free year of renewable energy credits for your home.

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In her recent concert in Shangai she declared ”Tibet! Tibet!” three times, and to end a passionate performance of her song ”Declare Independence”. The lyrics include “raise your flag, ignore their patronizing, tear off their blindfold, open their eyes…declare independence”.

Typically, Chinese state media did not report on the concert. (The state does not tell people inside China about its harsh and oppressive rule over Tibet, so why should it mention any opposition to its rule). But, online news sites were aflame with anger and criticism. “If she really did this, then this woman really makes people throw up,” one comment on popular Chinese Web site Sina.com said.

While Chinese fans are angry, reported posting comments on websites:

“Wow, the nerve! Where did she get the courage to do this? Weirdo!”

“I like Bjork”, said one, “it’s OK for her to have a different point of view, but for her to do this is disrespectful to fans here - very selfish of her”.

Why do western stars give a shit about Tibet. Isn’t Tibet ours?! Mind your own business!”

Many, including the Free Tibet Movement, commend her courage.

Speaking out in a controlled state is risky. Bjork will probably not be allowed in China again in the near future. She has already had her show canceled at the 2008 Serbian EXIT Festival concerts due to her dedicating the same song to Kosovo in her concerts in Japan. We see here a true artist, performing from her heart and caring enough about her convictions to speak our loudly and without fear.

Bjork released this comment on her official website, which is now banned in China.

I would like to put importance on that i am not a politician, I am first and last a musician and as such I feel my duty to try to express the whole range of human emotions. the urge for declaring independence is just one of them but an important one that we all feel at some times in our lives. This song was written more with the personal in mind but the fact that it has translated to its broadest meaning, the struggle of a suppressed nation, gives me much pleasure.
I would like to wish all individuals and nations good luck in their battle for independence.
Justice !

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We all know the environmental disaster plastic bags cause, choking birds and marine creatures. We are all tired of seeing plastic bags turn into the “national flower”, littering trees, bushes and our communities. Yet we all continue to take home plastic bags every time we shop. In fact, America takes home 100 billion plastic bags a year, enough to circle the globe 45 times.

“The swirling debris of plastic trash in the Pacific Ocean has now grown to a size that is twice as large as the continental U.S.” (The Green Room)

Large grocery stores lobby against states who consider banning plastic bags - saying the ban will drive up prices. Other stores have started charging for plastic bags, apparently trying to gently introduce their customers to thinking about whether they actually need extra bags. IKEA charges a dime for each bag, and donating the proceeds to environmental causes.

Do we really need legislation or increased fees to make responsible decisions, or can consumers drive the movement themselves to save the world from something we all dislike in the first place?

A bit of motivation - the Daily Mail (a UK newspaper) recently published this photograph of a whale washed up on a British beach. Its stomach was crammed with plastic bags - 23 bags, or fragments of bags, were found. Marine biologists believe it is yet another victim of our careless, plastic bag culture.

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There have been numerous comments on these advertisements, including an article from The Red Tent Sisters (Canadian women dedicated to reproductive and sexual health needs of women) who comment:

I don’t have a problem with education and hopefully increasing openness about women’s reproductive and sexual health but I do have concerns about mainstream menstrual product companies doing it! First of all I’m not so sure that the job they’ve done in North America has been so stellar that they should be the ones running the education programs in Africa.

Understanding a campaign such as this is essential before writing emotional comments. P&G clearly states that it is not the driving force of the campaign, but rather it is helping to fund a United Nations Campaign called HERO.

HERO: A UNA-USA Campaign, in partnership with The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is an awareness building and fund raising initiative dedicated to providing comprehensive, school-based support to orphans and vulnerable children living in HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa.

The HERO Campaign has many partners, including UNICEF, UNESCO and CARE International, that implement the project in target countries. The project includes the following chapters:

• Feeding
• Water and Sanitation
• Intrastruture
• Crisis Support
• Capacity Building
• Psycho-Social Support
• School Resources and Health

The HERO Campaign publicly shows its appreciation to the P&G partnership.

Hero is proud to announce the launch of the Protecting Futures Program. HERO in partnership with Procter and Gamble’s FemCare brands Tampax and Always have developed the Protecting Futures Program to help keep African girls in school.

P&G has donated UD$1.4 million to the project. Although all aid organizations have their problems, and many are subject to strong criticism, I don’t we can argue that the people involved in HERO have exceptional experience in making difficult lives a little bit easier.

The outrage projected towards P&G is misplaced. I do not support global conglomerates, but I will be buying Always and Tampax (above the Wal-mart sweatshop brands) and I urge you to do the same. After all, its about raising money for organizations that really help.

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GAP says the clothes produced at these factories will not be sold in the U.S. and it has ended its contract with the factories. We do not think this is enough. Since 2004 GAP has been pressurized to employ monitors to oversee its factories, but today there are there are only 90 monitors for 2,000 factories - a true representation that the company has “outsourced so much of their supply chain, that they now can’t control very critical issues about core treatment of workers producing their goods” (Dara O’Rourke, UC Berkeley professor).

Child labor must not be tolerated. GAP (including Old Navy, Banana Republic and Piperlime) does not do enough to respect human rights. Tell these stores that you object, and choose an alternative until there is a change.

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