Tuesday, 20 Sep 2005

There they go again. Those fancy-pants Europeans are getting all righteous on the rest of the world, introducing laws that require industry to test harmful chemicals, limit the use of hazardous substances, and recycle electronics. And any manufacturer that wants to do business in the European Union has to play along. C'est madness, some say, but others hail the shift. Will these sweeping new environmental regulations change business around the globe, or are they doomed to the continental dustbin? John Elkington and Mark Lee weigh in, in our business column Full Disclosure.

The Unkindest Gut

Pombo launches new bid to rewrite Endangered Species Act

Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) plans to fast-track legislation he introduced yesterday that would rewrite the Endangered Species Act -- much to the consternation of environmental advocates. Chair of the House Resources Committee, Pombo has long aimed to overhaul the landmark law, and with this latest version of his bill he managed to get six Democrats to join eight Republicans as cosponsors. The legislation contains several provisions long sought by property-rights advocates, including one that would eliminate current ESA requirements that critical habitat be designated for listed species. The bill would also require the feds to compensate landowners at fair market value if potential uses of their property were curtailed by efforts to protect endangered species. The legislation is a "big step backwards for endangered species conservation," says Michael Bean of Environmental Defense. Though the bill may pass the House, it's thought the Senate won't be eager to take on a divisive ESA debate this year.

Free-Market Willy

Bush admin proposes free-market system for managing fisheries

The Bush administration has proposed a major overhaul of the nation's fishery management laws -- ignoring the recommendations of its own scientific commission, and provoking mixed reactions from eco-advocates. The legislation would phase out current regulations limiting the number of days fishers can operate and the amount they catch per trip, in favor of allocating shares in the year's catch that fishers can either use or sell. Supporters say such "free market" fisheries would provide an economic incentive to curtail overfishing. "It's probably the single largest change we can make that will advance conservation," says David Festa of Environmental Defense. But others fear that it would privatize a public resource, and give an edge to corporations over smaller operators. The proposal would also curtail public involvement in fisheries management policies, loosen rules on reporting bycatch, and fundamentally alter how depleted fish stocks are protected and restored. The administration is "turning back the clock on ocean protections by at least a decade," says the Marine Fish Conservation Network.

Herp, Herp, Hooray!

Conservation groups unveil $404 million plan to aid planet's amphibians

Amphibians are having a rough time of it, and by "rough," we mean terrifically bad. Nearly a third of all amphibian species worldwide are believed to be at risk of extinction, with some 122 already suspected of having died off in the last 25 years or so. Fortunately, emergency assistance for the critters that are left may be on the way. A group of international conservation organizations has announced an attempt to fund a $404 million plan that would preserve important habitat, create captive breeding programs for especially imperiled species, and sponsor disease research on a prolific fungus that's believed to be responsible for a large portion of the die-offs. Though the plan has been widely embraced by many, some point out that the panoply of problems amphibians face can't be solved in any meaningful way without addressing the root causes -- chemical pollution, invasive species, the spread of disease, a rampant pet trade, and climate change.

We Got No Beef With That

Demand growing for naturally raised meats

Americans are increasingly willing to fork over a little extra for free range, organic, and natural meats. And although these still comprise a tiny percentage of the total U.S. market, the food industry is starting to notice. In just one sign of a shift, about 450 growers operating under the aegis of San Francisco-based natural meats supplier Niman Ranch are finding a market for their products from the Chipotle Mexican Grill chain, a subsidiary of McDonald's. Chipotle often buys all the pork Niman can supply; it's added naturally raised chicken to the menu, with plans for beef in the works. Demand from specialty grocers like Whole Foods is also changing the market. Many farmers and ranchers who produce natural meats take pride in raising animals the way it's been done for most of human history. Says Iowa free-range hog farmer Paul Mencke, "I've been farming for 32 years, and this is the only way I know how to raise hogs."