S.H.E. Kindness Policy Program
2025 Take Actions
These are the Take Actions we and our friends have taken over the past year. We’re listing them all with their relevant links (some of which are outdated) to give you a sense of the issues we feel are important to act on. (The most recent action is listed at the top.)
Protect Indigenous Rights and Stop Trump’s Destruction of the Boundary Waters, a National Crown Jewel
By Katherine Tamburrano, Alliance Intern from University of Texas at Austin ‘27
The Boundary Waters is an engine that powers Northeastern Minnesota’s outdoor recreation economy, which sustains 17,000 jobs and over $1 billion in sales every year, according to Earthjustice.
But it’s also home to precious metals like nickel and copper that Minnesota and the Federal Government have protected from highly toxic mining that would likely contaminate the pristine waters. The Trump Administration is proposing to lift the ban on mining.
Please join the Alliance in sending this Earthjustice letter asking the Department of the Interior to oppose the proposed Twin Metals copper mine. We need to protect the rights of Indigenous people and assure a thriving local eco-tourism economy.
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Stop Trump’s Bid to Repeal Climate Protections — The Biggest Impact You Can Make Today for Our Planet
By Rachael Lee, Alliance Intern from University of Texas – Austin ‘ 25
Nearly 47,000 people died from gun-related injuries in 2023, with 722 people dying from the FBI-classified definition of mass shootings (where four or more people get shot at once), according to the Pew Research Center.
Gun violence is the second leading cause of death of all children in the US.
A majority of Americans (52%) support a ban on the manufacture, possession and sale of semiautomatic guns, known as assault rifles, according to a November 2024 Gallup Poll.
Please join the Alliance in signing this petition from EveryTown for Gun Safety and demand that Congress reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban and ensure these mass-killing machines are banned!
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Stop Trump’s Bid to Repeal Climate Protections — The Biggest Impact You Can Make Today for Our Planet
By Joe Parmigiani, Alliance Intern from Dartmouth College ’28
Since 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Endangerment Finding has given the agency the authority to restrict climate change-causing pollution, such as carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. These regulations, based on the Clean Air Act from the 1970s, have controlled emissions, saved lives and slowed the climate crisis.
On July 29, 2025, the Trump-appointed head of the EPA, Lee Zeldin, announced a proposal that would eliminate the Endangerment Finding, specifically removing all restrictions on emissions from medium and heavy-duty auto vehicles. This proposal was accompanied by a speech delivered by Zeldin that dismissed the role of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the climate crisis.
If this proposal goes into effect, US GHG emissions will skyrocket without bound.
Please share this with others and join the Alliance in sending this pre-written EarthJustice Federal Register comment to make your voice heard and oppose the proposal!
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Stop Congress from Allowing Chemical Companies to Harm Farmers and Consumers
By Joe Parmigiani, Alliance Intern from Dartmouth College ’28
It’s tragic that chemical companies often harm farmers and consumers. Fortunately, existing laws provide some protection and allow legal recourse, helping to prevent corporate irresponsibility.
However, those restrictions may soon go away due to a horrible proposed bill which grants chemical companies immunity from lawsuits relating to their products’ hazards. Furthermore, this bill would also prohibit the EPA from restricting harmful PFAS forever chemicals, directly over-riding Minnesota’s landmark ban on pesticides, known as Amara’s Law.
Take action now and join the Alliance in signing this Beyond Pesticides petition to demand your US Representative reject Sections 453 and 507 in the final House Appropriations bill!
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Air Pollution Kills. The EPA’s New Ruling Could Make it Worse.
By Danbee You, Alliance Intern from Washington University, St. Louis ’28
It is the responsibility of the government to put the public’s health first, but Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is attempting to strip away protections for clean air in favor of polluting power plants.
The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) were the first national limits on toxic air pollution from coal and oil-fired power plants. Since being enacted in 2012 and strengthened by the Biden EPA in 2024, MATS reduced emissions by over 85% and delivered critical public health benefits nationwide.
Clean air is a human right, and we must make it clear that public health matters more than letting polluters have their payday. Join the Alliance by taking EarthJustice’s Action to protect our clean air.
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Stop Grocery Stores from Contributing to Climate Change
By Joe Parmigiani, Alliance Intern from Dartmouth College ’28
Major grocery chains are major contributors to the climate crisis. The use of hydrofluorocarbons in refrigerators wreaks serious environmental havoc. A recent EPA investigation found half the stores it visited had leaks of these gases, rapidly entering our atmosphere and accelerating the climate crisis.
Ceasing the use of these gases and switching to climate-friendly refrigerants can prevent nearly half a degree Celsius of global warming — a crucial number in the 1.5 degree threshold from the Paris Agreement.
Take action now and join the Alliance in signing this GreenAmerica petition to demand that major grocery stores set a zero-tolerance policy for leaks and switch to climate-friendly refrigerants.
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Save Job Corps and Ensure America’s Youth Break the Cycle of Poverty!
By Rachael Lee, Alliance Intern from UTexas – Austin ’25
The Trump Administration’s Department of Labor (DOL) has authorized the closure of Job Corps, the nation’s largest free residential career training and education program for low-income adults aged 16-24. This closure cuts off essential housing and decent-paying job opportunities for the 25,000 American young people in Job Corps.
Over the 60 years that it has been functioning, Job Corps has given 3 million individuals the necessary skills and education required to improve their quality of life and gain a professional career.
Save Job Corps! Join the Alliance in signing this petition to President Trump, the DOL and your elected officials through savejobcorps.com. Send a clear message that we care about our youth and American business.
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Stop the Pesticide Poisoning of the Heartland of America
By Alliance Communications Coordinator Amy Durr
Scientists have been warning for decades about the health implications and dangers of pesticide use. In agricultural areas of Iowa, where approximately 87% of the state’s land is used for farming, cancer is now “everywhere.”
The American Cancer Society is calling this a cancer “crisis.” Out of all US states, Iowa’s rate of cancer has been the second-highest for the last few years, and its rates are increasing.
When pesticides are sprayed over crops, they don’t only go into the air and onto our food – they also seep into the local water supply, harming people and wildlife and contaminating soil and water.
Join the Alliance in signing this petition from Care2 to urge Iowa lawmakers to ban toxic pesticides like RoundUp.
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Stop Trump Administration Massive Cuts to Public Media — Keep PBS and NPR Strong
By Katie Block, Alliance Intern from Wellesley College ’25
The White House is preparing a rescission package that would eliminate $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which supports 1,300 local public media stations across the country.
Most people don’t realize that only 1% of NPR’s direct budget actually comes from the federal government, with the rest supported by members and sponsors. However, this small percentage is crucial for providing high-quality content that isn’t driven by corporate interests.
We must demand that Congress maintain funding for these essential public services. Only by speaking up can we ensure that future generations have access to the kind of media that helps our democracy thrive.
Support PBS and NPR! Join the Alliance in signing this petition to urge Congress to keep funding these valuable institutions and ensure that high-quality, educational news and media remains available to everyone.
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Stop Trump Budget Cuts Threatening Closure of 350 National Park Units
By Joe Parmigiani, Alliance Intern from Dartmouth College ’28
The Trump Administration’s budget proposal calls for a cut of up to 75% for the National Park System. The proposed cut of more than $1 billion is the largest in the history of the National Park Service, according to the National Parks Conservation Association. “With 433 national park units across the country, that would essentially wipe out budgets and staffing for at least 350 national park units.” The administration labels this outrageous action simply, a “reduction in force.”
We must act now to protect our National Parks. Join the Alliance in signing this petition from the National Park Conservation Association and demand that Congress stand up for our national parks and reject this proposal!
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Our Forests Need Your Help – Defend Them from Trump’s Logging Attacks!
By Joe Parmigiani, Alliance Intern from Dartmouth College ’28
Just a few weeks ago, the Trump Administration issued an executive order opening 59% of US Forest Service lands to industrial logging and clear-cutting, according to the Washington Post. This move represents one of the largest rollbacks of forest protections in recent history, threatening to permanently alter landscapes that are critical to biodiversity, climate resilience and the well-being of local communities.
The executive order aggressively targets irreplaceable old-growth forests in an effort to ramp up timber sales, points out EarthJustice. These forests have taken centuries to grow and cannot be replaced in our lifetimes.
We must act now to stop this reckless plan. Join the Alliance in signing this EarthJustice petition and demand that the US Department of Agriculture respect and preserve our federal forests!
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Make Tech Companies Sucking Energy for AI Commit to Using Clean, Renewable Energy
By the Alliance Policy Team
Data centers and high-tech manufacturers have driven a massive surge in energy demand, especially with the rise of generative AI, putting our climate goals at risk, according to the Sierra Club.
In Minnesota alone, the Star Tribune points out eleven Big Tech billion dollar data centers are proposed or being built, and together they will use up more power than all of the residences in the state.
Not only will these data centers stress the local power grid, they will also require massive amounts of water to cool their data servers, as the Star Tribune points out.
Join the Alliance by signing this Sierra Club petition and help send a clear message to the biggest corporate energy users about what we want for our future.
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Stop E-Waste from Your Phone, Computer and Other Electronics in Minnesota
By Abby Melendez, Alliance Intern at UC Davis ’26
Electronic products contribute to groundwater contamination by leaching heavy metals into the groundwater. E-waste is responsible for 70% of lead pollution in landfills, according to Clean Water Action Minnesota.
Electronic products pose serious environmental and health challenges, especially in developing countries where much of our e-waste ends up. This e-waste exposes workers to hazardous debris and dust, negatively impacting their health.
Proposed MN legislation (SF 1690/HF 1426) would require manufacturers to fund the collection of electronic waste and ensure it is recycled responsibly.
You can make a difference by joining the Alliance in sending Clean Water Action Minnesota’s letter to your MN State legislators so they’ll enact this legislation today!
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Stop Trump Cuts — Demand Congress Assure Funding and Oversight for Environmental Protection
By Abby Melendez, Alliance Intern at UC Davis ’26
The Trump administration has closed critical environmental enforcement offices, frozen federal funding for environmental projects and laid off thousands of workers for the sake of “Drill, baby, drill” and giving tax cuts to billionaires.
To weaken the EPA, the administration has fired essential non-partisan public servants with critical scientific knowledge. These staff have provided impartial expertise to ensure policies are rooted in equity and science while holding polluters accountable.
The majority party has a very slim margin in Congress so every message from constituents truly counts. Please join the Alliance and sign the EarthJustice petition to make Congress act now!
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Protect MN from Dangerous PFAS Forever Chemicals — Defend Amara’s Law!
By Alliance Board Member and Clean Water Action MN Executive Director Avonna Starck and Staff
In 2023, Minnesota passed the strongest PFAS forever chemical prevention legislation in the country as part of the omnibus environment, natural resources, climate, and energy finance and policy bill with bipartisan support and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz.
The legislation was named Amara’s Law after Amara Strande, a young woman who grew up in an area contaminated by PFAS and diagnosed with an exceedingly rare form of cancer. Amara’s Law bans PFAS in 11 consumer product categories starting in 2025 and bans all nonessential uses of PFAS by 2032.
Unfortunately this cutting edge law is now under attack, at risk of carve-outs and exemptions. We ask that the legislature, Governor Walz and Commissioner Kessler hold firm and reject any exemptions, carve outs or delays for Amara’s Law.
Please join the Alliance for Sustainability in sending Clean Water Action MN’s message to your lawmakers today to preserve Amara’s Law and protect the health of our communities.
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Stop Trump’s Firing of Inspector Generals Doing Oversight of Federal Agencies
By Joe Parmigiani, Alliance Intern at Dartmouth College ‘28
Across the federal government, President Trump has fired at least 17 Inspectors General (IGs) across 18 agencies, effectively destroying independent, nonpartisan oversight of all agency decisions.
IGs perform an essential role in stopping government abuse by Democrats and Republicans. They assure that laws passed by Congress are carried out with integrity. Without them, there are few guardrails to protect our democracy.
This really matters for sustainability. For example, the IG of the EPA has investigated and taken the agency to task for permitting harmful pesticide use and endocrine disrupting chemicals, while not protecting workers’ rights, as pointed out by Beyond Pesticides.
We need you to take action on a topic that may seem in the weeds, but is essential to sustainability and the proper functioning of our democracy. Please join the Alliance in sending Beyond Pesticides’ letter to put pressure on your members of Congress to address this unacceptable situation and assure nonpartisan oversight.
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Forever Chemicals, Forever Harm — Act Now to Protect Our Water
By Katie Block, Alliance Intern at Wellesley College ‘25
PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals,” are a hidden menace in our water systems. For decades, industrial polluters have released these dangerous substances into the environment, contaminating drinking water and ecosystems. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to cancer, immune system suppression and reproductive harm, and the EPA is only now beginning to address the problem. With millions of Americans at risk, we must quickly demand stronger regulations to protect public health.
Regulating industrial PFAS emissions is a critical step toward solving this crisis. By targeting pollution at its source, the EPA can help reduce contamination in our drinking water and protect vulnerable communities. This solution holds polluters accountable while safeguarding future generations. Join us in signing Earthjustice’s petition to demand action now.
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