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24,468 results
Petition to Snap Inc.
aren't there any disability options in Bitmoji and the new Facebook Avatar???
I was editing my wheelchair options. I was upset because in reality, my Bitmoji is not a true representation of who I am if there is no wheelchair. Then, I noticed there aren’t any options for any kind of disability, service dogs, canes, walkers, breathing tubes, crutches, and so on. The options are ENDLESS.
So Bitmoji, please give us more options for better representation of those with disabilities!
AND NOW FacebookRead more
Caitlin GoerlichUnion, NJ, United States
46,779 supporters
Created Apr 24, 2019
Petition to Amazon.com, Amazon, Jeff Bezos, Kara Hurst
put into the world when it is avoidable and safe eco options to replace bubble wrap, shrink wrap and they updated both their checkout options and their marketplace requirements to remove the 'bubbleRead more
Nicole DelmaSag Harbor, NY, United States
772,322 supporters
Created Oct 20, 2019
Petition to Adidas
why do mainstream shoe companies still not carry faux leather options?
Faux leather is cheaper to company as successful and popular as Adidas does not carry vegan (faux leather) options in any of itsRead more
Kayla TuchlerLos Angeles, CA, United States
42,916 supporters
Created May 4, 2016
Victory!
Petition to Ben & Jerry's
& Jerry's would want to explore these options seriously! And non-dairy products are also good forRead more
Jenny Foy and Doug ReedCharlottesville, VA, United States
27,741 supporters
Created Oct 7, 2014
Petition to Starbucks
Starbucks to please bring back sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup, as well as more sugar-free options.
Instagram Page: @KetoStarbucksDrinksRead more
Kailani NguyenVirginia, United States
26,419 supporters
Created Jul 9, 2021
Petition to US/FDA (Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America), UK/MHRA , EU/EMA , China/NMPA , All Vaccine Producing Companies
Using sharks in COVID-19 vaccines is short-sighted, unpredictable, and unsustainable. There are better alternatives. The industry must listen.
Shark squalene has been used as the main ingredient in some adjuvants to boost efficacy in vaccines. Squalene made from shark liver oil is used most commonly because it is cheap to obtain and easy to come by, not because it is more effective than other sources (read more).
This could spell potential disaster for sharks and humans since this resource is neither sustainable nor reliable for the mass production of a COVID-19 vaccine. Shark squalene production requires relying on a finite, wild animal population. Most shark species are already at critical levels and will not withstand an increase in demand for a global vaccine. Countries producing shark squalene may soon need the oil for their own vaccine. The supply chain has never been tested at the scale that a coronavirus vaccine would demand. There is also very little quality control and transparency in the shark squalene industry. In a nutshell, exploiting sharks for a key vaccine ingredient that can be derived from more sustainable and reliable non-animal alternatives is a detrimental and destructive approach.
OUR CALL TO ACTION
It is in the best interest of the consumers, producers, and governments to create long-term solutions for such a critical issue for humans and the environment. Relying on shark-based adjuvants could create problems in production in the long run. Therefore, we ask the regulatory agencies as well as all vaccine, treatment, and supplement manufacturers to:
A) Replace shark squalene with non-animal squalene ASAP.
B) Include non-animal squalene in all tests for current and future products that use squalene.
C) Support and develop large-scale production of non-animal squalene and therefore:
Create a secure source that doesn’t depend on imports from countries that may control the raw materials.
Gain greater quality control and consistency in the product.
Make using a renewable and sustainable resource that does not rely on wild animal species the new standard in the pharmaceutical industry.
THE BACKGROUND
The majority of cheap shark squalene comes from countries that are poorly regulated in terms of fisheries and fish oil production. This creates several problems:
There is very little transparency of what animals end up in squalene production. Reports have uncovered that protected and endangered shark species end up in the shark oil trade, which is the basis for squalene and supplement production. There is no possible way to ensure that any squalene comes purely from legally harvested species.
There is very little quality control.
There is a dependency on supply from countries that may soon need the oil for their own vaccine and could potentially corner the market.
If all squalene production would suddenly shift to domestic sources, it would only magnify the problem for sharks in US or EU waters.
The alternatives are available and can be produced domestically, with great quality control:
Shark squalene is not a unique or “magical” ingredient. The chemical structure of the compound squalene (C30H50) is identical in sharks and non-animal alternatives, meaning its efficacy in vaccines should be identical regardless of its source.
Squalene for adjuvants can be produced from yeast, bacteria, sugarcane, olive oil, and possibly even algae. For example, Amyris, one of the producers of squalene based in California, uses a process that derives squalene from sugarcane. In their most recent statement, they explained that they can produce enough squalene for 1 billion vaccines in one month or less.
watch this interesting video discussion (video 2) with Stefanie Brendl, Executive Director of Shark Allies, John Melo, Amyris President & CEO and Chris Paddon, Ph.D, their lead squalene scientist. It will clarify many misconceptions and focuses on solutions. And it shows just how close the industry is to replacing shark squalene for vaccine use.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
From a conservation perspective, there is no doubt that the overexploitation of a key component of the marine environment will have dire consequences. On a practical level, using such a finite resource for a product that will have to be made for billions of people, continuously for years to come, is impractical and extremely short-sighted.
Currently, there are 34 candidate vaccines in clinical evaluation and 142 vaccines in preclinical evaluation, according to the WHO. Of these vaccines, 17 use adjuvants, and 5 of those adjuvants are shark-squalene based (read more).
Early-stage clinical trial results show the Covid-19 vaccines may need second doses in quick succession, potentially per season.
With billions of vaccines needed, the number of sharks taken every year could be in the hundreds of thousands. If the current sources in Asia become more limited, that demand could result in a shift in which regions and shark species are targeted (read more).
SHARK ALLIES ACTION
This petition is only one part of a larger campaign and is meant to show that the public supports the research of and transition to the use of non-animal squalene in vaccines. With the hope to spark more research on non-animal squalene and to raise further awareness, Shark Allies is in the process of writing and publishing a peer-reviewed paper; sharing blogs, social media posts, and newsletters with the public; and targeting the relevant manufacturers and government agencies that are involved in the squalene and vaccine industries. Shark Allies will also be collaborating with overseas organizations to address this issue globally.
This petition is addressed to: US/FDA (Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America), UK/MHRA (The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency of the United Kingdom), EU/EMA (The European Medicines Agency), China: NMPA (The National Medical Products Administration) and all vaccine producing companies.
For more information on squalene used in vaccines and cosmetics, please visit our Shark Free Products campaign page or follow us on all social channels at @SharkAllies.
Click here to donate directly to Shark Allies. If you wish to donate on Change.org, every $20 will advertise this petition 250 extra times, but this does not go directly to Shark Allies' campaign.
Campaign graphics by Jeff Kepler, @seventh.voyage. Read more
Stefanie BrendlPacific Palisades, CA, United States
133,482 supporters
Created Sep 8, 2020
Big retailers like Shoprite, Spar, Checkers, Woolworths etc has to realize the destruction that plastic is causing the planet.
We as consumers need plastic free isles, packaging, water, cooldrinks, we need biodegradable packaging to take the lead.
Having recyclable plastic on the shelves is not good enough as 99% of household doesn't recycle.
We as consumers need to put pressure on these big companies to make sure they follow suit as to what is happening to our planet.
Read more
cheri van den bergCape Towm, South Africa
5,132 supporters
Created Jun 17, 2022
Petition to CSULB Students
provide students with Alternative Grading Options. In just over a week we exceeded 10,000 petitioners Alternative Grading Options.
Recently, students were notified of their option to file catastrophicRead more
Carolyn DaoOrange County, CA, United States
20,389 supporters
Created Nov 25, 2020
Victory!
Petition to Jorgen Vig Knudstorp
As the parent of a young son and daughter, I am tired of the gender stereotyped toys marketed to my children. My daughter is oversold pinkwashed redundant themes. Families are looking for multi-layered, diverse and strong media characters to enrich our girls’ imaginations. It hurts my heart to hear my seven year old ask why there are not more girls represented in LEGO, her favorite toy.
Luckily, one of the entries in LEGO’s own public contest (CUUSOO) to design new building sets featured an inspiring and creative new Female Minifigure series including a paleontologist, robotics engineer, geologist, astronomer, chemist, judge and fire fighter. This series, which received the 10,000 votes necessary for it to be considered by LEGO for production, shows smart, adventurous, and strong women with a focus on STEM jobs. We are asking LEGO to produce the entire series so that our girls and boys can play with Minifigs such as female paleontologists studying their dinosaur bones.
My son and daughter both love LEGO and both want every piece of the Female Minifigure series. I would jump at the chance to purchase something like this for my family. During a recent trip to the store both children were looking for these sets and were disappointed they were not for sale.
Currently in all of the sets offered by LEGO, female characters make up only 16% of the Minifigures. (This number drops to 11% when you don’t count the Friends line, marketed only to girls.) LEGO can do better representing females in its building toys, and this proposed Female Minifigure series widely supported by consumers is a positive step in reaching gender balance. Girls can’t be what they can’t see and we demand more examples of girls and women that celebrate our intellect, courage, and creativity.
I am looking forward to being able to buy this series several times over for my own children and as gifts. This is exactly the type of media I want to see for girls, for all children.
Melissa Wardy
Founding Member - Brave Girls Alliance
CEO - Pigtail Pals & Ballcap Buddies
www.pigtailpals.comRead more
Melissa Atkins WardyEl Paso, TX, United States
41,545 supporters
Created Jun 10, 2013
Petition to Education authority, Department of Education
my own daughter was refused vegan options in 2017 I felt heartbroken. As a consequence, I have spent food services who do not believe that it is their duty to provide plant-based options for their absolutely clear to Head teachers that providing vegan options in schools is not something that can beRead more
Laura ChepnerBury, United Kingdom
9,102 supporters
Created Oct 10, 2020
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