In the Hall is new policy/politics blog by Rigoberto Hernandez.
Unlike the Wes Anderson movie, the folks who staged a rally at City Hall today supporting national ocean policy did not want to get rid of any leopard sharks — rather, they want to protect all life in the ocean.
But the grandson of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the explorer whom the film is based on, was present. Philippe Cousteau, Jr asked the roughly 50 people present to urge President Obama to sign an executive order that would protect the oceans, coasts and great lakes.
According to Pacific Environment, an environmental group who organized the event, there are currently 20 different agencies that work under 140 laws but have conflicting mandates. This executive order would change that so they all work together for water life and protection.
Green party member, District 5 Supervisor and now a new member of the California Coastal Commission, Ross Mirkarimi is doing all he can in the local level by introducing a non-binding resolution urging Obama to pass the executive order.
Mirkarimi also expressed disappointment with the failed climate talks in Copenhagen and took an aggressive stance against California for having conflicting environmental legislation and against elected officials who don’t support the green mandate.
Senator Leland Yee — not to be confused with “Leland Lee,” as the events host kept calling him — was also there.
Yee, who is rumored to be running for mayor, also gave a speech about how if you squint hard enough, the coastal line of the district he represents looks like Hawaii. Sure, with maybe a few less palm trees.
“Where else can you say the coast looks like Hawaii?” he asked.
Yee, who had a 100 percent record with Environment California, was also commended for passing legislation in response to the spill after a Cosco Busan container ship hit the Bay Bridge in 2007.