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Turning environmental values into priorities for Texas
It is hard to vote when you're displaced by a hurricane
National Public Radio reports on what it's like to try to vote after a natural disaster.
A number of candidates endorsed by the League are in districts impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Ike. Senate candidate Joe Jaworski, whom we've endorsed, lost his home in the storm (as did his opponent, Senator Mike Jackson, whom we oppose). Sherrie Matula's campaign, in district which includes Clearlake, has had to focus on relief efforts and hasn't had much of a district to campaign in. In the wake of a disaster like Ike, voting may be the last thing on people's minds.
But it shouldn't be. Decisions made by candidates elected this election will affect how well Texas recovers from Ike, and how well Texas will be prepared for future disasters. Decisions about climate change, which is happening and which makes hurricanes bigger and worse, will be made in the Texas legislature.
Texans statewide should support efforts to get out the vote in hurricane areas. And Texans from the Gulf Coast have more things to worry about on top of all the destruction - who's going to represent you in Austin, and what are they going to do for our state's future?
Texans not affected by Ike should be inspired by voters from the Gulf Coast. They will find their way to the polls on Election Day, or early vote, or absentee vote. On top of rebuilding their homes and businesses, they will cast a ballot to rebuild our state for the better. If those voters will make the effort at this difficult time, every Texan should.
Monday, October 06, 2008A number of candidates endorsed by the League are in districts impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Ike. Senate candidate Joe Jaworski, whom we've endorsed, lost his home in the storm (as did his opponent, Senator Mike Jackson, whom we oppose). Sherrie Matula's campaign, in district which includes Clearlake, has had to focus on relief efforts and hasn't had much of a district to campaign in. In the wake of a disaster like Ike, voting may be the last thing on people's minds.
But it shouldn't be. Decisions made by candidates elected this election will affect how well Texas recovers from Ike, and how well Texas will be prepared for future disasters. Decisions about climate change, which is happening and which makes hurricanes bigger and worse, will be made in the Texas legislature.
Texans statewide should support efforts to get out the vote in hurricane areas. And Texans from the Gulf Coast have more things to worry about on top of all the destruction - who's going to represent you in Austin, and what are they going to do for our state's future?
Texans not affected by Ike should be inspired by voters from the Gulf Coast. They will find their way to the polls on Election Day, or early vote, or absentee vote. On top of rebuilding their homes and businesses, they will cast a ballot to rebuild our state for the better. If those voters will make the effort at this difficult time, every Texan should.
Labels: hurricane ike; recovery; gulf coast, voter turnout
Ike: Half-a-million gallons spilled; 1,500 sites to clean up
Today's Dallas Morning News reports an AP investigation into the environmental toll of Hurricane Ike, including:
Monday, September 22, 2008In the days before and after the deadly storm, companies and residents reported at least 448 releases of oil, gasoline and dozens of other substances into the air and water and onto the ground in Louisiana and Texas.
Labels: hurricane ike; recovery; gulf coast, oil spill
Ike destroys vital coastal habitat
You don't have to read a lot of newpapers to find coverage of the damage Hurricane Ike has done to vital coastal habitat.
- Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (USA Today)
- J. D. Murphee Wildlife Management Area (The Guardian - London):
"We're going to take the critters that crawl or walk, and for the full
stretch of the coastal zone that got the full impact of the coastal flood,
they're just eliminated."
- Galveston and Sea Rim state parks (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
- South Texas ecosystems (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
- Beaumont-Big Thicket area forests (Beaumont Enterprise):
"About 612 million cubic feet of timber on an expanse of 473,000 acres was
damaged and affected as a result of the storm."
It will take Texans years to recover from the damage of Ike. It may take our coastal habitats even longer.
Labels: hurricane ike; recovery; gulf coast
