The Environment Protection Agency has been in the news a lot lately.  But some of the most import info the EPA has is not in the news, and as of January 19, 2016 it is no longer on their website.  Head to EPA.gov and you'll see a small banner across the top of the page that explains some changes have been made and some information may no longer be there.

But, never fear!  It's been archived!  Take another look at that banner and you'll see a link to a version of the EPA's website as it existed on January 19, 2016. There's also an EPA Web Archive that can be used to search information no longer available on EPA.gov.

Why is this a big deal?  Has the EPA website really changed that much?  Well, here's an example.

Search the current EPA.gov pages for the term "climate change" there are 5,670 results.  Search the January 19, 2016 version and there are 10,600 results. The web archive has 12,500 results.  That's a lot of information on climate change that wouldn't be available if not for the web archive and January 19 snapshot.

Data is an important part of any scientific study, and turning data into visualization can make it easier to understand. It can also help make trends easier to see.  These charts from Vox make it obvious that our climate is changing and obvious that we need to do something about it before it is too late.

The Washington Post's  Database of School Shootings puts the impacts in gun violence in frightening terms. 

​The Washington Post has spent the past year determining how many children have been exposed to gun violence during school hours since the Columbine High massacre in 1999.

Beyond the dead and wounded, children who witness the violence or cower behind locked doors to hide from it can be profoundly traumatized.

The federal government does not track school shootings, so The Post pieced together its numbers from news articles, open-source databases, law enforcement reports and calls to schools and police departments.

​https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/local/school-shootings-database/?utm_term=.933aa4eac596

Science is pretty important, but some studies and research is being silenced because it doesn't promote a particular agenda.  The Silencing Science Tracker tracks government attempts to restrict or prohibit scientific research, education or discussion since the November 2016 election.

Check it out! 

On March 24 kids and families will take to the streets of Washington DC to demand that their lives and safety become a priority.  There will also be sibling marches all over the country.

Make a sign, bring your friends, take a stand!

 The March for Our Lives website is full of great resources, inspiring stories, and suggestions for spreading the word and getting involved.

While on the website, check out the " How you can help amplify" section of the From Emma page.  Resources for tweeting about the march and social media graphics. 

This is a great page from Everytown for Gun Safty that suggests seven actions we each can take for prevent gun violence.  There's no single solution to this problem.  This is a good place to start. 

7 Actions You Can Take to Prevent Gun Violence

Our representatives in Congress should be making decisions based on what is best for our country.  They should be influenced by the needs of people in the states they represent and not influenced by money from organizations like the NRA.

Take a look at this resource to see who is accepting money from the NRA.  If the NRA is giving them money, what do they expect in return?  Call your representatives and find out!

Have your representatives in Congress received donations from the NRA?

Our elected representatives should know how we feel.  If gun control is an issue that you have an opinion about, check out this resource to see how the representatives for your state and area have voted in Congress.  If you're not happy with their voting record, give them a call, write a letter or email, and get in touch with them through social media.  Let them know what YOU think!

CHART: How Have Your Members Of Congress Voted On Gun Bills?