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A record pace of extinction threatens American flora and fauna
"The last quarter of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th has been called the most destructive period in the history of American wildlife," writes David Wilcove, senior ecologist with Environmental Defense, in his perspicacious book, The Condor's Shadow. But he makes the case that the fin de siècle era has a daunting rival in our current age, thanks to the booming economy and rising human population in the U.S. "At stake this time is a far greater number of species, facing a more diverse and powerful set of threats," Wilcove warns.
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Rain, Rain, Go Away
Rain in New England contains mercury levels four times higher than the feds consider safe for aquatic life, suggesting that the risk of eating freshwater fish in the region is growing, according to a report being released today by the National Wildlife Federation. For example, the average level of mercury measured in 71 rain samples […]
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Oliver Springs Eternal
The first major wind turbine project in the Southeast is now underway, with three turbines operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority expected to go online next month in Oliver Springs, Tenn. To mark Earth Day 2000, the TVA on April 22 began offering a pilot green energy package to customers of a dozen of its […]
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Not Just Fun and Games
As part of its bid to stage the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing is launching a $17.8 billion effort to tackle its notorious air pollution and traffic problems before the International Olympic Committee makes its decision on a host city next year. This year’s Olympics in Sydney have set a new eco-friendly standard, and the IOC […]
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Deep-Sea Doo-Doo
Fishing trawlers are causing serious damage to fragile deep-sea coral reefs, which scientists have only begun to study in earnest in the last 10 years. As fisheries in shallower waters are depleted, the massive trawlers drag their large nets along the seafloor in deeper areas, trapping fish and clearing everything in their paths. Surveys off […]
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Sick and Tired
Recycling advocates hope the high-profile recall of 6.5 million Firestone tires will make people more aware of tire disposal issues and give a boost to recycling efforts. In 1999, 66 percent of the 273 million scrap tires in the U.S. were recycled, up from only 11 percent in 1990. They are used to help make […]
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Bob Massie, Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies
Bob Massie is executive director of the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES). Monday, 18 Sep 2000 OVER THE ATLANTIC It is Monday morning and I am currently sitting on an airplane zooming eastward seven miles above the Atlantic Ocean. Over the next two weeks I will be attending meetings in Paris, London, Delhi, and […]
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Sheik, Your Booty
OPEC nations argued on Friday that a final international accord on climate change should include a plan to compensate them in case efforts to cut greenhouse gases lead to a drop in the use of oil. “We are assuming that only for another 15 years, maximum, will we have oil as a big share of […]
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You Can Wring My Bell
A variety of genetically modified corn not permitted in food has been detected in taco shells sold in U.S. grocery stores under the brand name Taco Bell, according to test results released by the Genetically Engineered Food Alert, a coalition of enviro, health, and consumer groups. Government officials are investigating the charges. The corn, which […]
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It's My Prague-ative
Up to 30,000 anti-globalization protestors, including many enviros, are expected to descend on Prague in the Czech Republic this week during meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Inspired by the public uprising in Seattle last year and following on the heels of demonstrations last week in Melbourne, Australia, the activists will argue […]
