We believe that greater transparency in business practices is required to ensure our rights as consumers. As it currently stands, consumers are provided with little information regarding the practices used to produce the products they purchase. Fair Trade Certification ensures that products are produced in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner. Through the promotion of fair trade practices, we can educate individuals on the consequences of their purchasing habits and provide them with the information necessary to act as conscientious consumers.
The Madison Common Council has the ability to aid us in accomplishing these goals. If they passed a resolution in support of the fair trade movement it would raise awareness of social issues that need to be addressed and would create precedent for stronger action in the future.
PETITION TEXT
We, the undersigned, urge the Madison Common Council to pass a resolution expressing its support of the Fair Trade Movement. We believe that the passage of such a resolution would increase awareness of fair trade practices in the Madison area, providing consumers with the information necessary to make informed decisions regarding their purchasing habits.
Make Our Campus Green Areas Safe
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is currently using pesticides that may be endangering the health of staff, students, and the Madison community. Several studies show that the two most abundantly used pesticides on campus, Anderson Fertilizer and TruGreen Fertilizer, possess similar characteristics to chemicals known to be carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. A third pesticide, Tri-Power, the most documented pesticide used on campus, contains endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic ingredients.
The negative effects of these pesticides include: cancer, neurological and developmental damage, lowered sperm count and fertility, among many others.
The dangerous health risks associated with these three pesticides provide incentives to execute new alternatives and pest control practices. The University of Wisconsin-Madison should make the transition from potentially damaging pesticides to those that would create a safer and healthier campus for the entire Madison community.
PETITION TEXT
The use of pesticides on the UW campus is unfair to students and faculty who enjoy using the beautiful campus grounds. When using the grassy arenas on campus, individuals are unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals that pose health threats. We propose that the University of Wisconsin utilizes alternative forms of natural pest management so that students remain safe of chemical contamination while enjoying the UW campus. We, the undersigned, call on the university to use other forms of grounds management on campus grounds, specifically on Bascom Hill, by the spring of 2009.
Support Creating a Dane County Regional Transit Authority
Now is the time to build a world class transit system in Dane County.
One of the best ways to do that is to create a regional transit authority that establishes a stable and dedicated source of funding for transit. Enhanced transit will grow the regional economy and at the same time reduce our dependence on cars for transportation - the number one cause of our addiction to oil and the fastest growing source of our global warming emissions.
The state has given Dane County the authority to create a regional transit authority with a half-cent sales tax for transit. Dane County can't wait to build the transit solutions we need right now.
Petition Text:
We support a region-wide transportation solution, including the creation of a Dane County regional transit authority that is funded with a half-cent sales tax.
Sign the petition by filling out the form below!
Haiti Relief Day of Action - Volunteer Sign Up
On Thursday, January 28th, students, staff, and community members are coming together to help raise money for the Red Cross's relief work in Haiti.
Join volunteers from the ASM, WISPIRG, and other groups to staff drop-off locations on campus to collect spare change, cash, and checks for Oxfam and show people how to donate to the Red Cross via texting.
If you want to volunteer you should attend one of two informational meetings to find out the details of the day and to sign up for a location and shift.
If you cannot make it to an information session make sure to leave your cell phone number so we can give you a call.
