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WTO talks could end fishing subsidies

Most ocean conservationists are on pins and needles in anticipation of the results of this week's International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting. But I'm also thinking about another three-letter acronym and how much good may be coming out of it. W-T-O. That's right, the World Trade Organization.

In Geneva (and at the current Doha round) there's serious talk of cutting government subsidies for commercial fishing -- the fundamental driver for the unsustainable exploitation of the oceans. I just returned from there, where I met with Pascal Lamy -- head of the WTO -- and, together with Professor Rashid Sumaila of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, briefed a large number of the delegates.

Pollution hasn’t gone down of its own accord

It was only a matter of time before Planet Gore got around to the most famous bit of disinformation.

The big lie is to tout the fact that the air has gotten cleaner in recent decades while conveniently ignoring the fact that the reason for this achievement is environmental activism leading to tough air pollution standards. Progressives must push back hard on this big lie (something John Kerry failed to do with George Bush in the second Presidential debate).

Planet Gore proclaims proudly today:

Oy

How did the wingnut critique of Rachel Carson (worse than Hitler!) move from the lunatic far-right fringe to the slightly-less-lunatic conservative mainstream? Tim Lambert does a little digging and find that the answer traces back to … Big Tobacco. Seriously.

Willing and Label

As carbon labeling gets rolling in the U.K., questions abound Can a bag of potato chips point the way to saving the planet? Some stores in the U.K. are gearing up to “carbon label” their products, aiming to show how much the production, packaging, and transport of consumer goods contribute to climate change. But it’s […]

Another good one

Al Gore was on Keith Olbermann’s show today. He took a while to get rolling, but it heats up toward the end of the first segment. Here’s part one: Here’s part two: (thanks LL!)

California cracks down on coal power, and more

Read the articles mentioned at the end of the podcast: The Bronx Is Up and the Battery’s Under the Hood They Could Teach PBS a Thing or Two The Coal Shebang And the Mining Seems So Safe and Clean Not to Mention It’s Wildly Inhumane This Sounds Like a Job For … Nobody Read the […]

The Skinny on Fair-Trade Fashion

Find out which companies are going beyond green As a model who’s devoting her career to the eco cause, Summer Rayne Oakes has an up close and personal view of which trends are taking off and which ones are, well, lying in a crumpled pile on the floor. Today she offers her take on “ethical […]

Warren G. Stone, green religious leader, answers questions

Warren G. Stone. What work do you do? I’m a rabbi in the Washington, D.C., area; I’ve been privileged to serve as the rabbi of Temple Emanuel for the past 18 years. I also serve as the national environmental chair for the Central Conference of American Rabbis and am on a variety of boards, including […]

Commercial fishermen face off with ocean conservation group

Like characters in an adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, the research crew aboard Oceana's research catamaran, the Ranger, found themselves in peril amidst the clutches of a seven-ship band of angry fishermen wielding hooks.

The Ranger, at sea now for two weeks photographing the use of illegal driftnets in international waters off of France, was sailing peacefully when seven ships surrounded it, demanding cameras and other incriminating evidence. The angry commercial fishermen immobilized the Ranger's propellers with rope, and hurled fish (and four-letter words) at the crew.

These Are the Times That Try Pens’ Souls

Daily Grist takes a break for Memorial Day Whether your Memorial Day holiday involves firing up the grill with friends or quietly reflecting on our soldiers’ sacrifices, we tip our cap to you. As for us, we’ll be doing a little of both, in a manner befitting our … eh, who are we kidding, we […]