Possible 'Cide Effects
EPA to ban pesticide carbofuran from food in U.S.
Posted at 7:12 AM on 25 Jul 2008
In an unexpected move, the U.S. EPA announced Thursday that it will act to ban the pesticide carbofuran from food in the United States before next year's growing season. The EPA said the pesticide can cause "nausea, dizziness, confusion, and -- at very high exposures -- respiratory paralysis and death"; the pesticide has also killed millions of birds and other wildlife. Carbofuran isn't widely used in the United States, but farmers in developing countries use it on bananas, coffee, corn, rice, sugar cane, and other crops, so the ban could have a significant impact worldwide. "It's one of the most widely used pesticides in the world," said Michael Fry of the American Bird Conservancy. Using language we didn't even think was in the EPA's vocabulary, the agency's James Gulliford said, "While there is little exposure today [to the pesticide], we don't think there's a need, a reason for any exposure." The EPA had indicated earlier this year that the ban would only apply to domestically grown food, but the agency changed course Thursday, saying the ban would also apply to imports.
sources: The Washington Post, Associated Press
sources: The Washington Post, Associated Press
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In Brief
Snippets from the news
Posted at 5:06 PM on 24 Jul 2008
• Voluntary programs to cut greenhouse-gas emissions not working, says watchdog.
• Judge allows some haying and grazing on conservation land.
• California requires ships to cut pollution.
• Brooks introduces running shoe with biodegradable midsole.
• Motor fuel made from waste gets running.
• E.U. says level of BPA in baby bottles poses no risk.
• Big Ag defends ethanol.
• Judge allows some haying and grazing on conservation land.
• California requires ships to cut pollution.
• Brooks introduces running shoe with biodegradable midsole.
• Motor fuel made from waste gets running.
• E.U. says level of BPA in baby bottles poses no risk.
• Big Ag defends ethanol.
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The Powers of Darkwoods
Canada protects B.C. caribou habitat
Posted at 3:49 PM on 24 Jul 2008
A giant tract of land in southeastern British Columbia will become protected habitat, the Canadian government and Nature Conservancy Canada announced Thursday. The so-called Darkwoods area, purchased from a private forester, adds up to 550 square kilometers of mountains, valleys, and wetlands (that's 212 square miles, for metric-system hatas). The area is home to endangered mountain caribou, grizzly bears, bull trout, red-tailed chipmunks, and 100,000 migratory birds of 265 different species. The Canadian government and the Nature Conservancy Canada jointly paid $125 million to both purchase the land and pay into an endowment fund to ensure the area continues to be protected in the future. "Darkwoods is a conservation initiative of global significance," says the Nature Conservancy's John Lounds. "It's part of a greater vision that will set new standards for conservation success."
sources: Canadian Press, Nature Conservancy of Canada, MarketWatch, The Vancouver Sun
see also, in Grist: Ontario protects gigantic forest area
sources: Canadian Press, Nature Conservancy of Canada, MarketWatch, The Vancouver Sun
see also, in Grist: Ontario protects gigantic forest area
West Foot Forward
Western states unveil draft cap-and-trade scheme
Posted at 12:53 PM on 24 Jul 2008
The Western Climate Initiative has unveiled a draft proposal for a regional cap-and-trade program that would kick off in 2012. The 11 states and provinces involved -- Arizona, British Columbia, California, Manitoba, Montana, New Mexico, Ontario, Oregon, Quebec, Utah, and Washington -- would impose an as-yet-determined greenhouse-gas emissions limit on industries and utilities, then allow laggards to purchase carbon credits from those that cleaned up their acts. States and provinces would decide individually whether to freely hand out credits or to auction them. Reactions to the draft proposal were mixed; industries craved more detail, while environmentalists expressed concern that companies would be allowed to offset up to 10 percent of their emissions and that transportation and heating fuels would not be regulated until 2015. After a period of public comment, the final proposal is due in September; state and provincial governments will have to OK the plans before they become official.
sources: Reuters, Associated Press, The Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
straight to the plan: Draft Design of the Regional Cap-and-Trade Program [PDF]
sources: Reuters, Associated Press, The Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
straight to the plan: Draft Design of the Regional Cap-and-Trade Program [PDF]
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Who Needs a Microwave?
Your granite countertop may emit radon and radiation
Posted at 11:02 AM on 24 Jul 2008
source: The New York Times
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U.S. Geological Survey Says ...
Arctic holds vast untapped oil and gas reserves
Posted at 7:48 AM on 24 Jul 2008
The Arctic Ocean holds up to 20 percent of the world's undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas reserves, according to new research from the U.S. Geological Survey. A four-year study found that the region contains up to 90 billion barrels of oil and almost a third of the world's undiscovered natural gas -- about 1,670 trillion cubic feet. However, even with climate change improving drilling conditions in the Arctic (i.e., melting more and more of that pesky ice), it will be decades before the oil and gas there could be developed. While environmentalists and others want to try to limit the impacts of Arctic drilling before it happens, the USGS characterized the oil and gas survey as a precursor to such protections. "Before we can make decisions about our future use of oil and gas and related decisions about protecting endangered species, native communities, and the health of our planet, we need to know what's out there," said USGS Director Mark Myers. So now that we know, where are those protections already?
sources: Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal (access ain't free)
sources: Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal (access ain't free)
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Be a Dolly and Cancel My Trip, Will You?
Hurricane Dolly cancels McCain's trip to offshore oil rig
Posted at 6:57 AM on 24 Jul 2008
John McCain had planned to visit an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday to tout offshore drilling and the industry's environmental friendliness, but Hurricane Dolly canceled his plans. Dolly hit land in Texas Wednesday as a Category 2 storm, cutting oil and gas production by some 5 to 8 percent overall. McCain and other Republicans have been pushing to allow more offshore drilling in U.S. waters, and emphasizing the environmental safety of offshore drilling is one part of the strategy. In a recent speech, McCain said, "As for offshore drilling, it's safe enough these days that not even Hurricanes Katrina and Rita could cause significant spillage from the battered rigs off the coasts of New Orleans and Houston." Which, it turns out, isn't actually true. According to government figures, storms in 2005 caused 146 small spills in federal waters, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita completely destroyed 113 oil rigs and damaged 457 pipelines; the resulting oil spills were large enough to be seen from space. (But apparently not from campaign headquarters.)
sources: The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Reuters
sources: The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Reuters
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In Brief
Snippets from the news
Posted at 4:51 PM on 23 Jul 2008
• EPA must regulate water discharges from ships, says court.
• Studies warn of toxic chemicals in air fresheners and laundry products and cars and car seats.
• Golf carts hit the road.
• FEMA seeks immunity from toxic-trailer lawsuits.
• Panama's gourmet coffee leading to deforestation.
• Studies warn of toxic chemicals in air fresheners and laundry products and cars and car seats.
• Golf carts hit the road.
• FEMA seeks immunity from toxic-trailer lawsuits.
• Panama's gourmet coffee leading to deforestation.
You're Lookin' Swelled, Dolly
Hurricane Dolly hits land, skirts oil and gas facilities
Posted at 2:54 PM on 23 Jul 2008
sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, National Geographic News, The Washington Post
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Built to Spill
Oil spills into Mississippi River after tanker-barge collision
Posted at 11:45 AM on 23 Jul 2008
Some 420,000 gallons of fuel oil spilled into the Mississippi River early Wednesday, after a 600-foot chemical tanker collided with a fuel barge. The collision split the barge in half; thick, slow-to-evaporate fuel has traveled at least 12 miles downriver. The Coast Guard closed a 29-mile stretch of the river around New Orleans, and residents have been asked to conserve water as drinking-water intakes are closed or diverted. Cleanup is expected to take days. Full environmental impact is yet unclear, but, notes a spokesperson for the Louisiana environmental agency: "We have a lot of wildlife in the southern delta." To look on the bright side, the spill pales in comparison to the millions of gallons of oil that the Coast Guard estimates were dumped in the river following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Yes, folks, millions -- not zero.
sources: Reuters, Associated Press, WDSU, WWLTV, CNN
see also, in Grist: A special series on the Army Corps and the Mississippi River, Three cities on the Mississippi reimagine their waterfronts and themselves
sources: Reuters, Associated Press, WDSU, WWLTV, CNN
see also, in Grist: A special series on the Army Corps and the Mississippi River, Three cities on the Mississippi reimagine their waterfronts and themselves
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Invade in the Shade
Trees win in California solar panels vs. redwoods dispute
Posted at 10:40 AM on 23 Jul 2008
sources: Sacramento Bee, The Mercury News, Palo Alto Online, The New York Times
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It's Us Against Chem
Feds rush to weaken workplace safety rules on toxics before term ends
Posted at 9:10 AM on 23 Jul 2008
The Bush administration is trying to push through a new workplace safety rule to weaken workers' protections against toxic chemicals before Bush's term ends, according to The Washington Post. The rule, which has not been made public, would mandate a reevaluation of the methods used to measure risks to workers from toxic exposure in the workplace. The rule would also require the U.S. Department of Labor to entertain additional challenges to its risk assessments before establishing new limits on exposure to chemicals. So far, work on the proposal has reportedly been fast-tracked and has been conducted largely in secret, drawing sharp criticism from worker advocates. "This is a guarantee to keep any more worker safety regulation from ever coming out of [the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration]," said workplace safety professor David Michaels. "This is being done in secrecy, to be sprung before President Bush leaves office, to cripple the next administration," he said. Once it's published, the rule will be open to public comment for 30 days.
source: The Washington Post
straight to the proposed rule: Requirements for DOL Agencies' Assessment of Occupational Health Risks
source: The Washington Post
straight to the proposed rule: Requirements for DOL Agencies' Assessment of Occupational Health Risks
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Shale We Dance?
Bush admin proposes low royalty rates in push for U.S. oil-shale development
Posted at 7:43 AM on 23 Jul 2008
The Bush administration proposed rules [PDF] for U.S. oil shale development Tuesday that include charging lower royalty rates for oil-shale production on public lands than it does for other oil and gas drilling. The lower royalties are meant to encourage oil-shale production since, as it turns out, the energy- and pollution-intensive process of cooking rocks before pumping out the resulting oil is still up to three times more expensive than extracting already-liquid oil. "It is basically recognition that in the beginning there has to be a lower royalty to recognize the pioneering nature of this business," said the executive director of the National Oil Shale Association. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne had a different take on the economics of oil-shale development, saying the high costs of production are finally beginning to make sense. "For years, the cost of extracting oil from shale exceeded the benefit, but today that calculus is changing." (Thanks, high oil prices!)
source: Associated Press
new in Muckraker: Bush admin's effort to spur oil shale production won't do much for consumers in short run
see also, in Gristmill: It's a 1980 flashback, as energy price spikes make oil shale economical once again
source: Associated Press
new in Muckraker: Bush admin's effort to spur oil shale production won't do much for consumers in short run
see also, in Gristmill: It's a 1980 flashback, as energy price spikes make oil shale economical once again
Link and Discuss (9 Comments)
In Brief
Snippets from the news
Posted at 5:25 PM on 22 Jul 2008
• British eco-town plan could be illegal.
• Climate change could mean more kittens!
• Women exposed to high levels of PCBs are less likely to birth boys.
• Ford shifting to smaller cars.
• Wildfire smoke could ease warming in Arctic.
• General Motors and utility group will collaborate for electric-car infrastructure.
• California adopts solar loan law.
• Climate change could mean more kittens!
• Women exposed to high levels of PCBs are less likely to birth boys.
• Ford shifting to smaller cars.
• Wildfire smoke could ease warming in Arctic.
• General Motors and utility group will collaborate for electric-car infrastructure.
• California adopts solar loan law.
I Wonder How to Wander
Google Maps adds walking directions
Posted at 4:40 PM on 22 Jul 2008
source: Google Lat Long Blog
straight to the walkin': Google Maps
see also, in Grist: An interview with Google's green energy czar
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But What's $41 Billion?
World Bank overstates commitment to environment, says internal watchdog
Posted at 2:26 PM on 22 Jul 2008
sources: Reuters, The New York Times
straight to the report: Environmental Sustainability: An Evaluation of World Bank Group Support
see also, in Grist: Does the World Bank have a legitimate role in solving the climate crisis?, Report says World Bank should get out of carbon-offset market
Link and Discuss (1 Comment)
Flak and Tan
Most sunscreens ineffective or pose a health risk, says group
Posted at 1:12 PM on 22 Jul 2008
sources: Abilene Reporter News, The New York Times
straight to the database: Sunscreen Summary
see also, in Grist: Sunscreen-slathered swimmers contributing to coral bleaching, says study
Link and Discuss (10 Comments)
The English Channel
Skeptical climate-change documentary found unfair, but not misleading
Posted at 10:38 AM on 22 Jul 2008
A British documentary that declared climate change to be a willful and conspiratorial hoax broke impartiality rules and misrepresented the views of some participants, British broadcasting regulator Ofcom said Monday. The not-so-subtly named The Great Global Warming Swindle, which aired on Britain's Channel 4 in March 2007, said at one point in its narration, "Everywhere, you are being told that man-made climate change is proved beyond doubt. But you are being told lies." However, while Ofcom highlighted "aspects of the presentation (and omission) of facts which caused some concern," the regulator declined to hold the channel accountable for "materially misleading the audience so as to cause harm or offense."
sources: The Independent, The Telegraph, Reuters
see also, in Grist: How to talk to a climate skeptic
sources: The Independent, The Telegraph, Reuters
see also, in Grist: How to talk to a climate skeptic
Link and Discuss (2 Comments)
This Too Shale Pass
Bush admin proposes rules for domestic oil-shale development
Posted at 7:35 AM on 22 Jul 2008
The Bush administration today will propose rules for tapping the U.S.'s vast oil-shale deposits, estimated to hold up to 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil. Oil shale development is enormously expensive and spectacularly polluting, but the U.S. Department of the Interior is expected to frame the debate in terms of high fuel prices and domestic "energy security." President Bush previewed the move in his let's-go-drill-offshore speech last week, saying, "We should expand oil production by tapping into the extraordinary potential of oil shale." Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne's announcement Tuesday is likely to echo Bush's speech by calling on Congress to lift the ban on developing oil shale in the U.S. West. Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar (D) last year inserted a provision into a spending bill that prohibits the feds from issuing final rules for commercial oil-shale development and thus also prohibits companies from tapping the vast deposits. But it won't keep anyone from pandering.
sources: Associated Press, Reuters
sources: Associated Press, Reuters
In Brief
Snippets from the news
Posted at 5:11 PM on 21 Jul 2008
• Destroyed wetlands could unleash "carbon bomb."
• Appeals court rules in favor of whales.
• Plans for Europe's largest wind farm approved.
• People irked about leaf-blower bans.
• Mideast faces choice between crops and water.
• Appeals court rules in favor of whales.
• Plans for Europe's largest wind farm approved.
• People irked about leaf-blower bans.
• Mideast faces choice between crops and water.
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