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Grading, Nuclear-Plant Style

Truth Without Consequences

For the first time, the Bush administration has acknowledged, in a report to the U.N., that climate change is most likely caused by human activity and will have far-reaching effects on the American environment. Although the report marks a significant shift in the administration’s rhetoric — Bushies had heretofore maintained the need for more research […]

Golden State Worriers

A large portion of the American are at risk of developing cancer from exposure to any of 32 common toxic chemicals, according to the first nationwide study of the toxins, released Friday by the U.S. EPA. About 200 million face roughly a 1 in 100,000 lifetime risk, while about 20 million people — many of […]

The Answer, My Friends

The biggest wind-energy meeting ever held in the U.S. opened today in Portland, Ore. Industry-watchers say the large turnout — more than 1,500 people have registered for the three-day conference — is a good sign for wind energy in general and for the role of the Pacific Northwest in the wind market in particular. Oregon […]

Quitting Time

Back in March, Eric Schaeffer made a big media splash by resigning after years as head of enforcement at the U.S. EPA over differences with the Bush administration’s environmental policies. But the truth is that Schaeffer was just the tip of the iceberg. From senior career administrators to lawyers to leading scientists, a number of […]

Dry Upheaval

As if Colombia needs any more bad news: The war-torn nation’s water supply could be reduced by as much as 40 percent over the next 50 years due to deforestation and other degradation of fragile high mountain ecosystems, according to Carlos Castano, director of the country’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies. The paramo, […]

Dave Hadden, Montana Wilderness Association

Dave Hadden is coordinator of the Montana Wilderness Association‘s Transboundary Organizing Project, which works to link wildland conservation across the U.S. – Canada boundary in the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. The Glacier – Waterton International Peace Park forms the wild heart of this ecoregion. Monday, 3 Jun 2002 BIGFORK, Mont. I live and work […]

G-ratify-ing News

It’s official: All 15 nations of the European Union have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, solidifying their commitment to combat climate change and highlighting the difference between European and U.S. environmental politics. The ratification was formalized during a ceremony held this morning at United Nations headquarters in New York City. E.U. Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom called […]

Environmental Procrastination Agency?

Health and environmental organizations in eight Southeastern states announced yesterday that they would sue the U.S. EPA for “dragging its feet” in implementing a strict air-quality standard established five years ago. The new standard limits ozone, the primary component of smog, to 0.08 parts per million instead of 0.12 ppm. The EPA claims it has […]

An excerpt from The New Economy of Nature by Gretchen C. Daily and Katherine Ellison

In a cattle pasture south of downtown Napa, Calif., a clarinet, flute, and bass guitar strike up a jazzy version of "Up a Lazy River." About sixty people, if you count the rubberneckers wandering over from a nearby retirement house, gather in the midsummer sun. Two young women in flowing dresses open paper boxes to release orange clouds of monarch butterflies. A few dogs wander through the crowd.