DAILY GRIST WEEKLY COMPILATION 3-19-2005
DAILY GRIST WEEKLY COMPILATION 3-19-2005
1.
GOTTA RUN FOR SHELTER, GOTTA RUN FOR SHADE
Even without new emissions, planet would still see global warming
Even if all the factories and power plants and cars on earth were to suddenly stop clogging the atmosphere with greenhouse gases, the atmosphere would still continue to warm over the next 100 years, two new studies in the journal Science suggest. And, says researcher Tom Wigley of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, even in this imaginary world of significantly reduced or eliminated emissions, sea levels would also continue to rise -- as much as four inches a century. If various ice sheets melt entirely, sea levels could rise high enough to soggify chunks of Florida, Bangladesh, and Manhattan. Researchers from NCAR made their projection after running computer models based on a variety of climate-change scenarios, including one that predicted results based on levels of greenhouse gases in 2000. "The feeling is that if things are getting bad, you hit the stop button," says NCAR climatologist Gerald Meehl. "But even if you do, the climate continues to change."
straight to the source: Planet Ark, Reuters, Maggie Fox, 18 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4584>
straight to the source: MSNBC.com, Robert Roy Britt, 17 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4585>
straight to the source: New Scientist, Bob Holmes, 17 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4586>
2.
SUV-LOVING PUBLIC DEEMS ITSELF UNPATRIOTIC
Americans think fuel efficiency is patriotic, poll finds
According to a new poll released yesterday, fuel efficiency ranks up there with apple pie, baseball, and hating liberals as emblematic of American patriotism. Some 66 percent of Americans believe it's "patriotic" to purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle, as it would aid the U.S. in kicking its addiction to Middle East oil. Even a majority of self-described conservatives agreed, as did two-thirds of NASCAR fans. (One wonders, then, why these folks aren't actually buying fuel-efficient cars. But who are we to niggle?) Also, the poll found, 89 percent of Americans concur that government action is important to achieve 40-mile-per-gallon efficiency standards. Which means the feds need to get cracking, since standards now languish at just 27.5 mpg for cars and a paltry 20.7 mpg for trucks. And needless to say, sloth on this matter leaves your patriotism seriously in question.
straight to the source: Planet Ark, Reuters, 18 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4590>
3.
CALIFORNICATION
Washington state House OKs bill adopting California auto-emissions rule
The Washington state House this week passed a bill calling for adoption of California's strict auto-emissions rules. If the Senate follows suit and the governor signs off, Washington would follow in the footsteps of six other states that have opted to follow California rules instead of the looser national ones. The debate over the bill was long and, er, colorful. The pro-standards crowd, largely representing urban areas, had the typical arguments: State residents would save on gas and health-care costs and, oh yeah, not be stricken with cancer, pneumonia, and asthma. The anti-standards crowd, largely from rural eastern Washington -- well, we'll let them speak for themselves. "What makes California so great? What makes their standards so great?" asked Rep. Bob Sump (R). "I don't want to tie myself to a bunch of losers." Added Rep. Richard DeBolt (R), "That place is a train wreck ... They brought us the pet rock, mood rings, leisure suits. Do we really want that?" And finally, lest anyone miss the obvious parallels between fuel-efficiency standards and, uh, slavery, Rep. Lynn Schindler (R) cried out, "Let my people go."
straight to the source: The News Tribune, Associated Press, 17 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4587>
straight to the source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Associated Press, 16 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4588>
straight to the source: The Seattle Times, Associated Press, 17 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4589>
4.
MURDER BY NUMBERS
Environmental funders share blame for movement's weak pulse
Much of the debate over the alleged "death of environmentalism" has centered on the narrow focus, tech-oriented solutions, and political ineptitude of big environmental organizations. Oddly omitted from these discussions is the way environmental foundations and funders perpetuate these problems and hamstring the movement. Longtime activist Ken Ward takes funders to task and proffers a plan for smart investing of green dollars that could make climate change a top-tier issue in the U.S. -- today on the Grist Magazine website.
today in Grist: Environmental foundations should take a lesson from the right -- by Ken Ward <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4579>
in Gristmill: Ken Ward's full response to "The Death of Environmentalism" <http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2005/3/14/13306/3053>
5.
VEGGIE TAILPIPES
Advice on converting your car to straight vegetable oil
In her last column, eco-advice expert Umbra Fisk weighed in on the wisdom of switching to a vehicle that runs on straight vegetable oil. Today, a reader says she's ready to make the switch, but where to start? Umbra's Basic Diesel School will lead you into the wild world of veggie-oil conversion systems. Come along for the ride -- today on the Grist Magazine website.
today in Grist: On the straight-veggie-oil road, again -- in Ask Umbra
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4580>
sign up: Receive word by email when new Ask Umbra columns hit the scene <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/signmeup.pl?source=daily>
6.
THE PHONY EXPRESS
Falsified Yucca documents lead to investigation of project's science
The use of fabricated sources in a study about the safety of the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear-waste dump -- revealed in a series of emails between scientists -- has Energy and Interior Department officials scrambling to investigate. The U.S. Geological Survey study was critical to the project's approval, as it concluded that radioactive waste inside the depository would be safe, prevented from leaking into groundwater, for thousands of years. The project is already some 14 years behind schedule, and with questions arising about the science supporting the project, opponents -- including Nevada's congressional delegation and its Republican governor, Kenny Guinn -- may be successful in keeping the dump from being built at all. "This proves once again that [the Department of Energy] must cheat and lie in order to make Yucca Mountain look safe," said Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.). "It is abundantly clear that there is no such thing as 'sound science' at Yucca Mountain."
straight to the source: The New York Times, Matthew L. Wald, 17 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4571>
straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, Ralph Vartabedian, 17 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4572>
7.
A PLASTIC ONLY AN INDUSTRY GROUP COULD LOVE
Anti-PVC movement grows, even as PVC use rises
A growing coalition of scientists, public-health advocates, environmentalists, and even corporations is fighting to rid the world of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some 300 billion pounds of PVC are in use worldwide, and 7 billion pounds are discarded each year in the U.S. alone, says the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice. Recycling PVC is difficult and labor-intensive; most plastic recyclers consider it contamination. In landfills, it leaches lead, cadmium, and phthalates into groundwater. Incinerating it releases the poison dioxin into the air. It is "one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer materials ever produced," according to Joe Thornton, biology professor at the University of Oregon. The Vinyl Institute, a disinterested group of, uh, PVC makers, denies such claims: "you can recycle, landfill, and incinerate it safely and effectively," says spokesflack Allen Blakely. Despite the institute's reassurances, an increasing number of companies, including Victoria's Secret, Nike, Mattel, General Motors, and Microsoft, have pledged to phase PVC out of their operations.
straight to the source: The Christian Science Monitor, Mark Clayton, 17 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4576>
see also, in Grist: Bill Walsh, founder of the Healthy Building Network, campaigns against PVC -- in InterActivist
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4578>
8.
SUPPLY CHAIN OF FOOLS
U.S. opposes international plan to curb illegal logging, memo reveals
The U.S. is working to undermine a British-led effort to curb illegal logging in threatened rainforests, according to a leaked U.S. State Department memo. Indonesian leaders recently declared that they don't have the capacity to control the criminal gangs that are plundering the nation's tropical forests, and they asked wealthy nations to cut the demand for cheap, illegally obtained timber. In response, British Prime Minister Tony Blair proposed an initiative whereby the governments of wealthy G8 countries would pledge to buy lumber only if it comes from properly managed forests. But the leaked memo reveals an unofficial U.S. strategy to work with Canada to prevent restrictions on lumber purchases and convince Russia and Japan to oppose the British initiative as well. Some enviro activists blame the U.S. timber industry and its opposition to timber-certification efforts. Said Faith Doherty of the U.K.'s Environmental Investigation Agency, "This is outrageous. U.S. business simply doesn't want any restrictions on its own practices."
straight to the source: The Guardian, Paul Brown and Roger Harrabin, 16 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4564>
straight to the source: BBC News, Roger Harrabin, 15 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4563>
9
THEY'VE BEEN WORKIN' ON THE RAILROAD
Hybrid railcar goes into use in California
With U.S. imports on the rise, ports are under growing scrutiny from air-quality regulators. Part of that concern focuses on the rail system that chugs goods out of ports and away to various Wal-Marts around the country. Yesterday, as part of its attempts to address such concerns, Union Pacific Railroad put into use one of the first locomotives using diesel-electric hybrid technology. The $800,000 "switch engine" -- a railcar that hooks freight cars to locomotives -- is expected to emit 80 to 90 percent less smog-forming nitrous oxide and use 40 to 70 percent less diesel fuel than its purely diesel counterparts. Union Pacific will analyze the hybrid's performance and decide whether to order more (at least three other hybrid switch locomotives are being used in demonstration projects around the country). Officials of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which contains the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, hailed the move and urged rail companies to make faster progress in implementing hybrid technology.
straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, Wendy Thermos and Deborah Schoch, 16 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4565>
10.
THE POLAR DISTRESS
Grizzly bears encroaching on polar bear habitat
Polar bears have been having a rough time of it lately, what with global warming melting their habitat and PCBs tainting their food sources. Now they've got a new problem to worry about: Grizzly bears have been spotted as far north as Canada's Melville Island, 600 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Scientists say the far-north grizzlies seem to be adapting well to life at higher latitudes -- living, eating, and behaving much like, well, polar bears -- which means the real polar bears have to compete with even more tenacity for the north's scarce resources. Researchers aren't sure if the evidence of grizzlies on Melville Island indicates the migration of just one or a handful of renegade bears, or if it signals the beginning of a larger northerly migration and the start of an ugly ursine grudge match.
straight to the source: ABC News.com, Lee Dye, 16 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4566>
11.
RAINBOW WARRIOR
Dramatizing the "death" of environmentalism doesn't help people of color
While environmental leaders quibble over their own mortality, they're ignoring the real-world problems of the young, the colored, and the urban, says writer and activist Adrienne Maree Brown. She argues that environmentalism can't afford to die, but that it certainly needs to change its tactics, and she's got some ideas -- in Soapbox, today on the Grist Magazine website.
today in Grist: "Death" is such a harsh word -- by Adrienne Maree Brown <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4553>
12.
THE DEATH OF SOMETHING OTHER THAN ENVIRONMENTALISM
Monarch butterfly populations see sharp decline this season
Cold, wet weather in the U.S., illegal deforestation in Mexico, and strong herbicides used on genetically altered crops in the U.S. and Canada are, warn scientists, threatening the survival of the monarch butterfly. Researchers say the number of monarchs that made it to their forested, hilly wintering grounds in Mexico this winter was the lowest since record keeping began about 30 years ago, some 75 percent lower than last year. "There used to be rivers of butterflies, but now there are years when there are no butterflies at all," says Homero Aridjis of the area near his village. He helped set up monarch sanctuaries in the 1980s and calls the current decline in population numbers a "trinational crisis," referring to the three countries -- Mexico, the U.S., and Canada -- through which the orange and black insects migrate thousands of miles. Although monarch butterflies are known to be quite resilient following years of die-off, biologists say the continued habitat destruction throughout their migratory path may cause numbers to drop so low that the population will be unable to recover.
straight to the source: The New York Times, James C. McKinley Jr., 14 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4557>
see also, in Grist: Butterfly protector Jordi Honey-Roses answers Grist's questions -- in InterActivist
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4102>
13.
THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE ILL
Newmont Mining fights off lawsuit over mercury pollution in Peru
Continuing its energetic pursuit of the Worst Global Corporate Citizen Award, Denver-based Newmont Mining Corp. is headed into legal battle with Peruvian peasants suffering long-term health consequences from mercury contamination around one of the company's gold mines. In June of 2000, a truck carrying canisters of liquid mercury -- a toxic byproduct of gold extraction -- leaked some 330 pounds of the stuff out onto the highway. Next thing you know, peasant children were taking blobs home on spoons and their parents were boiling it, trying to extract gold. Oops! Needless to say, said villagers are now suffering from an array of horrific health problems, from headaches to loss of vision to fainting spells. For three years, Newmont fought to keep the case out of U.S. courts, finally agreeing to mediation talks held in January. But those talks were unsuccessful, and the plaintiffs now plan to press their case in a Denver court. If they win, their lawyers claim it will be the first time a U.S. company is held liable in the U.S. for environmental contamination outside the country.
straight to the source: San Francisco Chronicle, Peter Hecht, 14 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4544>
14.
SVO SPEEDWAGON
Umbra evaluates the merits of straight veggie oil vehicles
A Prius-driving reader wonders whether he should invest in an even greener vehicle -- perhaps one that runs on straight vegetable oil. Advice guru Umbra Fisk compares the two eco-cars and announces her verdict -- in Ask Umbra, today on the Grist Magazine website.
today in Grist: Comparing hybrids and biodiesel-mobiles -- in Ask Umbra <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4539>
sign up: Receive word by email when new Ask Umbra columns hit the scene <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/signmeup.pl?source=daily>
15.
POST NO BILLS
Eco-activists arrested for protesting near bank chief's home
Three activists with the Rainforest Action Network were arrested and fined earlier this month after posting signs on telephone poles and trees near the home of J.P. Morgan Chase CEO William Harrison. Designed to look like Old West "wanted" posters, the fliers read "Wanted -- William 'Billy the Kid' Harrison" and urged his neighbors to "ask him to do the right thing" by ending "investments of mass destruction and adopt[ing] environmental standards today." The fliers were meant to draw attention to the company's alleged financing of environmentally damaging projects like mining and logging. Within half an hour of posting them, the activists were charged with disturbing the peace and the fliers were removed. The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut is looking into the arrests to determine if they violated free speech rights. "It definitely raises questions, because it appears to be a content-based arrest and that is constitutionally very problematic," said Annette Lamoreaux, an ACLU attorney.
straight to the source: The New York Times, Alison Leigh Cowan, 13 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4540>
straight to the source: Greenwich Time, Martin B. Cassidy, 09 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4541>
1.
GOTTA RUN FOR SHELTER, GOTTA RUN FOR SHADE
Even without new emissions, planet would still see global warming
Even if all the factories and power plants and cars on earth were to suddenly stop clogging the atmosphere with greenhouse gases, the atmosphere would still continue to warm over the next 100 years, two new studies in the journal Science suggest. And, says researcher Tom Wigley of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, even in this imaginary world of significantly reduced or eliminated emissions, sea levels would also continue to rise -- as much as four inches a century. If various ice sheets melt entirely, sea levels could rise high enough to soggify chunks of Florida, Bangladesh, and Manhattan. Researchers from NCAR made their projection after running computer models based on a variety of climate-change scenarios, including one that predicted results based on levels of greenhouse gases in 2000. "The feeling is that if things are getting bad, you hit the stop button," says NCAR climatologist Gerald Meehl. "But even if you do, the climate continues to change."
straight to the source: Planet Ark, Reuters, Maggie Fox, 18 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4584>
straight to the source: MSNBC.com, Robert Roy Britt, 17 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4585>
straight to the source: New Scientist, Bob Holmes, 17 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4586>
2.
SUV-LOVING PUBLIC DEEMS ITSELF UNPATRIOTIC
Americans think fuel efficiency is patriotic, poll finds
According to a new poll released yesterday, fuel efficiency ranks up there with apple pie, baseball, and hating liberals as emblematic of American patriotism. Some 66 percent of Americans believe it's "patriotic" to purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle, as it would aid the U.S. in kicking its addiction to Middle East oil. Even a majority of self-described conservatives agreed, as did two-thirds of NASCAR fans. (One wonders, then, why these folks aren't actually buying fuel-efficient cars. But who are we to niggle?) Also, the poll found, 89 percent of Americans concur that government action is important to achieve 40-mile-per-gallon efficiency standards. Which means the feds need to get cracking, since standards now languish at just 27.5 mpg for cars and a paltry 20.7 mpg for trucks. And needless to say, sloth on this matter leaves your patriotism seriously in question.
straight to the source: Planet Ark, Reuters, 18 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4590>
3.
CALIFORNICATION
Washington state House OKs bill adopting California auto-emissions rule
The Washington state House this week passed a bill calling for adoption of California's strict auto-emissions rules. If the Senate follows suit and the governor signs off, Washington would follow in the footsteps of six other states that have opted to follow California rules instead of the looser national ones. The debate over the bill was long and, er, colorful. The pro-standards crowd, largely representing urban areas, had the typical arguments: State residents would save on gas and health-care costs and, oh yeah, not be stricken with cancer, pneumonia, and asthma. The anti-standards crowd, largely from rural eastern Washington -- well, we'll let them speak for themselves. "What makes California so great? What makes their standards so great?" asked Rep. Bob Sump (R). "I don't want to tie myself to a bunch of losers." Added Rep. Richard DeBolt (R), "That place is a train wreck ... They brought us the pet rock, mood rings, leisure suits. Do we really want that?" And finally, lest anyone miss the obvious parallels between fuel-efficiency standards and, uh, slavery, Rep. Lynn Schindler (R) cried out, "Let my people go."
straight to the source: The News Tribune, Associated Press, 17 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4587>
straight to the source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Associated Press, 16 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4588>
straight to the source: The Seattle Times, Associated Press, 17 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4589>
4.
MURDER BY NUMBERS
Environmental funders share blame for movement's weak pulse
Much of the debate over the alleged "death of environmentalism" has centered on the narrow focus, tech-oriented solutions, and political ineptitude of big environmental organizations. Oddly omitted from these discussions is the way environmental foundations and funders perpetuate these problems and hamstring the movement. Longtime activist Ken Ward takes funders to task and proffers a plan for smart investing of green dollars that could make climate change a top-tier issue in the U.S. -- today on the Grist Magazine website.
today in Grist: Environmental foundations should take a lesson from the right -- by Ken Ward <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4579>
in Gristmill: Ken Ward's full response to "The Death of Environmentalism" <http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2005/3/14/13306/3053>
5.
VEGGIE TAILPIPES
Advice on converting your car to straight vegetable oil
In her last column, eco-advice expert Umbra Fisk weighed in on the wisdom of switching to a vehicle that runs on straight vegetable oil. Today, a reader says she's ready to make the switch, but where to start? Umbra's Basic Diesel School will lead you into the wild world of veggie-oil conversion systems. Come along for the ride -- today on the Grist Magazine website.
today in Grist: On the straight-veggie-oil road, again -- in Ask Umbra
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4580>
sign up: Receive word by email when new Ask Umbra columns hit the scene <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/signmeup.pl?source=daily>
6.
THE PHONY EXPRESS
Falsified Yucca documents lead to investigation of project's science
The use of fabricated sources in a study about the safety of the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear-waste dump -- revealed in a series of emails between scientists -- has Energy and Interior Department officials scrambling to investigate. The U.S. Geological Survey study was critical to the project's approval, as it concluded that radioactive waste inside the depository would be safe, prevented from leaking into groundwater, for thousands of years. The project is already some 14 years behind schedule, and with questions arising about the science supporting the project, opponents -- including Nevada's congressional delegation and its Republican governor, Kenny Guinn -- may be successful in keeping the dump from being built at all. "This proves once again that [the Department of Energy] must cheat and lie in order to make Yucca Mountain look safe," said Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.). "It is abundantly clear that there is no such thing as 'sound science' at Yucca Mountain."
straight to the source: The New York Times, Matthew L. Wald, 17 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4571>
straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, Ralph Vartabedian, 17 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4572>
7.
A PLASTIC ONLY AN INDUSTRY GROUP COULD LOVE
Anti-PVC movement grows, even as PVC use rises
A growing coalition of scientists, public-health advocates, environmentalists, and even corporations is fighting to rid the world of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some 300 billion pounds of PVC are in use worldwide, and 7 billion pounds are discarded each year in the U.S. alone, says the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice. Recycling PVC is difficult and labor-intensive; most plastic recyclers consider it contamination. In landfills, it leaches lead, cadmium, and phthalates into groundwater. Incinerating it releases the poison dioxin into the air. It is "one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer materials ever produced," according to Joe Thornton, biology professor at the University of Oregon. The Vinyl Institute, a disinterested group of, uh, PVC makers, denies such claims: "you can recycle, landfill, and incinerate it safely and effectively," says spokesflack Allen Blakely. Despite the institute's reassurances, an increasing number of companies, including Victoria's Secret, Nike, Mattel, General Motors, and Microsoft, have pledged to phase PVC out of their operations.
straight to the source: The Christian Science Monitor, Mark Clayton, 17 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4576>
see also, in Grist: Bill Walsh, founder of the Healthy Building Network, campaigns against PVC -- in InterActivist
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4578>
8.
SUPPLY CHAIN OF FOOLS
U.S. opposes international plan to curb illegal logging, memo reveals
The U.S. is working to undermine a British-led effort to curb illegal logging in threatened rainforests, according to a leaked U.S. State Department memo. Indonesian leaders recently declared that they don't have the capacity to control the criminal gangs that are plundering the nation's tropical forests, and they asked wealthy nations to cut the demand for cheap, illegally obtained timber. In response, British Prime Minister Tony Blair proposed an initiative whereby the governments of wealthy G8 countries would pledge to buy lumber only if it comes from properly managed forests. But the leaked memo reveals an unofficial U.S. strategy to work with Canada to prevent restrictions on lumber purchases and convince Russia and Japan to oppose the British initiative as well. Some enviro activists blame the U.S. timber industry and its opposition to timber-certification efforts. Said Faith Doherty of the U.K.'s Environmental Investigation Agency, "This is outrageous. U.S. business simply doesn't want any restrictions on its own practices."
straight to the source: The Guardian, Paul Brown and Roger Harrabin, 16 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4564>
straight to the source: BBC News, Roger Harrabin, 15 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4563>
9
THEY'VE BEEN WORKIN' ON THE RAILROAD
Hybrid railcar goes into use in California
With U.S. imports on the rise, ports are under growing scrutiny from air-quality regulators. Part of that concern focuses on the rail system that chugs goods out of ports and away to various Wal-Marts around the country. Yesterday, as part of its attempts to address such concerns, Union Pacific Railroad put into use one of the first locomotives using diesel-electric hybrid technology. The $800,000 "switch engine" -- a railcar that hooks freight cars to locomotives -- is expected to emit 80 to 90 percent less smog-forming nitrous oxide and use 40 to 70 percent less diesel fuel than its purely diesel counterparts. Union Pacific will analyze the hybrid's performance and decide whether to order more (at least three other hybrid switch locomotives are being used in demonstration projects around the country). Officials of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which contains the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, hailed the move and urged rail companies to make faster progress in implementing hybrid technology.
straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, Wendy Thermos and Deborah Schoch, 16 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4565>
10.
THE POLAR DISTRESS
Grizzly bears encroaching on polar bear habitat
Polar bears have been having a rough time of it lately, what with global warming melting their habitat and PCBs tainting their food sources. Now they've got a new problem to worry about: Grizzly bears have been spotted as far north as Canada's Melville Island, 600 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Scientists say the far-north grizzlies seem to be adapting well to life at higher latitudes -- living, eating, and behaving much like, well, polar bears -- which means the real polar bears have to compete with even more tenacity for the north's scarce resources. Researchers aren't sure if the evidence of grizzlies on Melville Island indicates the migration of just one or a handful of renegade bears, or if it signals the beginning of a larger northerly migration and the start of an ugly ursine grudge match.
straight to the source: ABC News.com, Lee Dye, 16 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4566>
11.
RAINBOW WARRIOR
Dramatizing the "death" of environmentalism doesn't help people of color
While environmental leaders quibble over their own mortality, they're ignoring the real-world problems of the young, the colored, and the urban, says writer and activist Adrienne Maree Brown. She argues that environmentalism can't afford to die, but that it certainly needs to change its tactics, and she's got some ideas -- in Soapbox, today on the Grist Magazine website.
today in Grist: "Death" is such a harsh word -- by Adrienne Maree Brown <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4553>
12.
THE DEATH OF SOMETHING OTHER THAN ENVIRONMENTALISM
Monarch butterfly populations see sharp decline this season
Cold, wet weather in the U.S., illegal deforestation in Mexico, and strong herbicides used on genetically altered crops in the U.S. and Canada are, warn scientists, threatening the survival of the monarch butterfly. Researchers say the number of monarchs that made it to their forested, hilly wintering grounds in Mexico this winter was the lowest since record keeping began about 30 years ago, some 75 percent lower than last year. "There used to be rivers of butterflies, but now there are years when there are no butterflies at all," says Homero Aridjis of the area near his village. He helped set up monarch sanctuaries in the 1980s and calls the current decline in population numbers a "trinational crisis," referring to the three countries -- Mexico, the U.S., and Canada -- through which the orange and black insects migrate thousands of miles. Although monarch butterflies are known to be quite resilient following years of die-off, biologists say the continued habitat destruction throughout their migratory path may cause numbers to drop so low that the population will be unable to recover.
straight to the source: The New York Times, James C. McKinley Jr., 14 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4557>
see also, in Grist: Butterfly protector Jordi Honey-Roses answers Grist's questions -- in InterActivist
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4102>
13.
THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE ILL
Newmont Mining fights off lawsuit over mercury pollution in Peru
Continuing its energetic pursuit of the Worst Global Corporate Citizen Award, Denver-based Newmont Mining Corp. is headed into legal battle with Peruvian peasants suffering long-term health consequences from mercury contamination around one of the company's gold mines. In June of 2000, a truck carrying canisters of liquid mercury -- a toxic byproduct of gold extraction -- leaked some 330 pounds of the stuff out onto the highway. Next thing you know, peasant children were taking blobs home on spoons and their parents were boiling it, trying to extract gold. Oops! Needless to say, said villagers are now suffering from an array of horrific health problems, from headaches to loss of vision to fainting spells. For three years, Newmont fought to keep the case out of U.S. courts, finally agreeing to mediation talks held in January. But those talks were unsuccessful, and the plaintiffs now plan to press their case in a Denver court. If they win, their lawyers claim it will be the first time a U.S. company is held liable in the U.S. for environmental contamination outside the country.
straight to the source: San Francisco Chronicle, Peter Hecht, 14 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4544>
14.
SVO SPEEDWAGON
Umbra evaluates the merits of straight veggie oil vehicles
A Prius-driving reader wonders whether he should invest in an even greener vehicle -- perhaps one that runs on straight vegetable oil. Advice guru Umbra Fisk compares the two eco-cars and announces her verdict -- in Ask Umbra, today on the Grist Magazine website.
today in Grist: Comparing hybrids and biodiesel-mobiles -- in Ask Umbra <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4539>
sign up: Receive word by email when new Ask Umbra columns hit the scene <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/signmeup.pl?source=daily>
15.
POST NO BILLS
Eco-activists arrested for protesting near bank chief's home
Three activists with the Rainforest Action Network were arrested and fined earlier this month after posting signs on telephone poles and trees near the home of J.P. Morgan Chase CEO William Harrison. Designed to look like Old West "wanted" posters, the fliers read "Wanted -- William 'Billy the Kid' Harrison" and urged his neighbors to "ask him to do the right thing" by ending "investments of mass destruction and adopt[ing] environmental standards today." The fliers were meant to draw attention to the company's alleged financing of environmentally damaging projects like mining and logging. Within half an hour of posting them, the activists were charged with disturbing the peace and the fliers were removed. The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut is looking into the arrests to determine if they violated free speech rights. "It definitely raises questions, because it appears to be a content-based arrest and that is constitutionally very problematic," said Annette Lamoreaux, an ACLU attorney.
straight to the source: The New York Times, Alison Leigh Cowan, 13 Mar 2005 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4540>
straight to the source: Greenwich Time, Martin B. Cassidy, 09 Mar 2005
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=4541>
posted by T. Scott Brineman at 10:44 AM
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