Latest Articles

South of the Bolder

Petroleos Mexicanos, the world’s fifth-largest oil company, said this week that it would start a six-month internal effort to cut carbon dioxide emissions 1 percent below 1999 levels, as the first step in a 10-year emissions reduction program. The state-owned Mexican company is the first Latin American firm to say publicly that it would reduce […]

Dim Summary

China’s top environmental official warned yesterday that air and water quality are on the decline and soil erosion is continuing at a fast clip in the country. Nearly half of China’s river water supplies don’t meet safety standards, said Xie Zhenhua, director of the Environmental Protection Administration, which produces an annual state of the environment […]

Grin and Bear It

British Columbia this fall will begin its most ambitious wildlife reintroduction effort ever, a long-term plan to increase grizzly bear populations in the core of its North Cascades mountain range. The Environment Ministry hopes to increase the population in the 3,800 square-mile area from fewer than 25 individuals to 150 bears by 2050. Trapping and […]

River of Gross

In an attempt to boost his image on the environment, President Bush visited the Everglades National Park yesterday and called attention to what he said would be budget increases for Everglades restoration. But Mary Munson, Florida director of the National Parks Conservation Foundation, said the president’s proposed spending is less than what former President Clinton […]

Phoenix Rising From the Toxic Ashes

Hundreds of mostly African-American and Latino residents living in southeast Phoenix accused the city yesterday of turning their neighborhood into a toxic dumping ground. They are backing a class-action lawsuit that claims that they are the victims of more than two decades of environmental racism. Last August, an industrial fire in the area sent toxic […]

Making Assess of Themselves

To recognize World Environment Day today, the U.N. is launching a $21 million, four-year assessment of the planet’s ecosystems. The study will be coordinated by the U.N. Environment Programme and involve 1,500 scientists, who will have the tough task of balancing the needs of people (food and resources) with the needs of animals and plants. […]

Ministers help kick off new phase of anti-SUV campaign

There are more scenic places for a demonstration — the Lincoln Memorial, say, or the lawn of the Capitol. But the Lynnway, an endless stretch of dreary light industry and heavy commerce just north of Boston, was perfect for our purposes. Not because of the greyhound racing track, not because of the discount furniture outlets. […]

To Market, to Market, to Buy a Fat Pig

Groups that promote “free-market” solutions to environmental problems were once thought of as loonies, even by some officials in the Reagan administration. No more. Ideas developed by groups such as the Political Economy Research Center in Bozeman, Mont., and the Reason Center in Los Angeles are now held dear by the Bush administration. The groups […]

The Return of the Swamp Thing

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to weaken rules meant to protect thousands of streams and wetlands, making it easier for developers to move ahead with building projects. The corps, for example, has proposed scrapping a rule requiring developers to obtain case-by-case permits for projects that disturb more than 300 feet of streams. It […]

Just Tread-full

The scrap tire industry sure is happy about Ford’s plans to replace 13 million Firestone tires from SUVs and pickup trucks. Ford’s Jason Vines said the company is “finding the most efficient and environmentally friendly way to dispose” of the tires. Tires are used for highway surfaces in California, Arizona, and Texas, and playground equipment […]