Exclusive: DA Joins the Climate Activists He Declined to Prosecute, Citing Danger of Global Warming

democracynow

Published on Sep 10, 2014

http://democracynow.org – Two climate activists were set to go on trial in Massachusetts on Monday for blocking the shipment of 40,000 tons of coal to the Brayton Point power plant, a 51-year-old facility that is one of the region’s largest contributors to greenhouse gases. But in a surprise move, a local prosecutor dropped the criminal charges and reduced three other charges to civil offenses, calling climate change one of the gravest crises our planet has ever faced. We are joined by the activists, Ken Ward and Jay O’Hara, and the prosecutor, Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter. Days after they were to square off in court, the three now say they plan to march together in the upcoming People’s Climate March in New York City.

Global Climate Change
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The Climate Change Defense? Citing Global Warming, DA Drops Charges Against Anti-Coal Activists

democracynow

Published on Sep 9, 2014

http://www.democracynow.org – In a surprise move, District Attorney Sam Sutter of Bristol, Massachusetts, has dropped criminal charges against two climate activists who were set to go on trial Monday for blocking a shipment of 40,000 tons of coal. In May 2013, Ken Ward and Jay O’Hara used their lobster boat to prevent a delivery of the coal to the Brayton Point Power Station in Somerset, Massachusetts. For their trial, Ward and O’Hara had planned to invoke the “necessity defense,” arguing that their actions were justified by how the coal industry worsens the climate change that threatens our planet. In an unprecedented announcement, District Attorney Sutter all but adopted their reasoning and dropped the charges. “Climate change is one of the gravest crises our planet has ever faced,” Sutter said outside the courthouse, explaining his decision. “In my humble opinion, the political leadership on this issue has been sorely lacking.”

Global Climate Change
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Elizabeth Warren on Fighting Back Against Wall St. Giants

Moyers & Company

Published on Sep 5, 2014

The Massachusetts senator talks to Bill about taking on the entrenched political and Wall Street interests that have rigged the game against the rest of us.

Global Climate Change
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Climate Change: Faith and Fact

Moyers & Company

Published on Sep 12, 2014

Christian and climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe talks to Bill about ending the gridlock between politics, science and faith.

Global Climate Change
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South Sudan: Bracing for Famine

International Rescue Committee UK

Published on Sep 4, 2014

Right now, South Sudan is suffering from the worst food emergency in the world. Close to 4 million people face starvation and 50,000 children are at risk of dying by the end of the year.
In response, the IRC is providing around-the-clock lifesaving nutritional support for children, emergency health care, clean water, sanitation services and other critical aid.

Read more: rescue-uk.org/South-Sudan/crisis

Food-Matters
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Families in S.Sudan Forced to Eat Wild Grass to Survive

CCTV Africa

Published on Aug 28, 2014

The United Nations is warning that nearly 4 million people are facing food insecurity in South Sudan. Fighting broke out at the end of 2013, forcing people to flee their homes and fields. As a result, planting was delayed, and food stockpiles looted. Now, families are eating whatever they can to survive. UNICEF says without urgent international help, many will die of starvation. Clementine Logan has more.

Food-Matters
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Malnutrition’s “Perfect Storm” in Central African Republic

Published on Mar 18, 2014

The number of malnourished kids in one health centre in Bangui has doubled since last year, says Susan Shepherd, a paediatrician working for WFP in the Central African Republic. It’s no surprise, she explains, in a situation where families have been uprooted by conflict. They have no work, no access to health care and getting food is increasingly hard. To combat the problem, WFP is putting highly nutritious food into family rations it is distributing here and elsewhere in the country.

Food-Matters
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Airdrops Bring Food To Remote Villages In South Sudan

World Food Programme

Published on Mar 28, 2014

WFP is airdropping food into areas of South Sudan that are unreachable because of flooding and insecurity. Airdrops are usually avoided because they are costly but many people in isolated refugee camps need food urgently as food stocks have dwindled and rains have blocked roads.

Food-Matters
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South Sudan Air Drop In Action

World Food Programme

Published on Sep 7, 2012

Climb aboard an Ilyushin 76 airlifter for an emergency air drop in South Sudan’s Maban County, where heavy rains stranded thousands of refugees from across the border in Sudan.

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South Sudan’s Swamped Roads Delay Vital Food Delivery

World Food Programme

Published on Sep 1, 2014

In South Sudan, swamped roads are blocking humanitarian trucks on a route vital for food delivery. WFP engineers and logistics staff, dispatched to assess the situation, found out more than 150 trucks were stuck due to impassable roads, mud and collapsed bridges, many of them carrying aid to thousands across the country facing extreme hunger. (Music by Funeral Mantra)

Food-Matters
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