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Ocean seeding banned at U.N. biodiversity conference

A 12-day United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity ended Friday with just a wee bit of progress toward salvaging the world’s rapidly disappearing flora and fauna. Perhaps most encouraging: The 191 countries present agreed to ban the controversial practice of seeding the ocean with nutrients to encourage growth of carbon-sucking algae. In addition, Germany, which […]

Snippets from the news

• Critics bemoan diminished role of science in U.S. policy. • Ecosystem damage costs us trillions each year. • Solar plane takes off. • Railroads play up their green image. • Germany will cut solar-power subsidies. • Guerrilla gardeners attack!

Childhood lead exposure linked to criminal behavior, and more

Read the articles mentioned at the end of the podcast: For on the Floor Beyond the Palin Pb & Jail Now Taking Reservations Read the articles mentioned at the end of the podcast: The Drop Heard ‘Round the World Ounce For Ounce He’s Got the Remedy

Snippets from the news

• E.U. releases eco-driving tips as protests over fuel costs rumble. • States sue EPA over ozone rules. • Massachusetts creates offshore management plan. • Obama and Clinton talk guns, energy, and federal land use in Montana. &bull Cellulosic ethanol demo plant opened in Louisiana. • General Electric aims to cut water use.

Umbra on biking in a skirt

Dear Umbra, I was really energized by your column on cargo bicycles. I still own a car, but I drive it less and less, mostly to haul stuff and to travel when I want to wear a nice dress. So, a cargo bike solves the hauling problem. The other problem is that my skirt gets […]

Childhood lead exposure linked to criminal behavior, violence

Childhood exposure to high lead levels leads to smaller brain mass and is linked to criminal behavior and violence, according to two new comprehensive studies. Researchers tracked kids from Cincinnati, Ohio, from before birth through adulthood and found that early exposure to lead resulted in a loss of brain matter of over 1 percent on […]

Snippets from the news

• Mosquito repellents without DEET show promise. • China gets ready to ban plastic bags. • Rising seas could swamp Eastern Shore. • OfficeMax and TerraCycle team up. • Americans drastically reduce driving.

Direct and indirect ways of killing people

“We’re just damn glad to live in a free country where you can have a gun if you want to.” — Mark Muller, owner of Max Motors in Butler, Missouri, which is giving away a free handgun with each purchase of a vehicle

Friday music blogging: Fleet Foxes

The headline from The Stranger‘s feature story on Fleet Foxes tells the story: Fleet Foxes Are Not Hippies Don’t Let the Floppy Hats, Jesus Beards, and Five-Part Vocal Harmonies About Rivers, Trees, and Sunshine Throw You Ha. The first time I heard the band, they came up on shuffle and I thought it was the […]

Snippets from the news

• Super-acidic ocean water found near coasts. • Sunscreen threatens coral. • U.S. and Canada make deal on salmon. • Germany bans pesticides after honeybee deaths. • Disney recalls sleeping bags, magic wands over lead paint. • America’s ten most imperiled wildlife refuges. • San Francisco green-building plan said to be costly. • E.U. to […]