Latest Articles

Dump and Dumber

In a ruling that could have serious implications for the environment, an independent NAFTA tribunal decided on Wednesday that Mexico must pay a California company $16.7 million in damages because municipal authorities prevented the company from opening a hazardous waste treatment plant in the state of San Luis Potosi. Mexico is appealing the decision, arguing […]

Let Bycatch Be Bygones

In a long-awaited decision, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved regulations yesterday banning shrimping from Dec. 1 to July 15 in areas off the state’s southern coast, with the aim of restoring beleaguered shrimp populations and the likely side effect of helping endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. The rules will also restrict offshore fishing […]

I Scream the General Electric

Campaigning yesterday in New York City, Ralph Nader, the Green Party presidential candidate, criticized General Electric for polluting the Hudson River and called on the major parties’ candidates, Al Gore and George W. Bush, to return campaign contributions from the company. Nader, speaking about PCB pollution in the river, said, “It is time for General […]

Chiru Proctors

An international crackdown is underway to stop trade in shahtoosh shawls and scarves — expensive, high-fashion items made from the fine wool of the endangered Tibetan antelope, or chiru. Last month saw the first U.S. criminal prosecution for illegal trading in the shawls, a case against dealers in New Jersey. Officials in England, Hong Kong, […]

Breach of Decorum

To highlight its unhappiness with Japan’s decision to expand whale hunting in the North Pacific, the U.S. said yesterday that it will boycott two international environmental meetings being hosted over the next two weeks in Japan, cancel a meeting between U.S. and Japanese fisheries officials, and oppose the choice of Japan as the location for […]

Visibly Upset

Air pollution at national parks may be costing more than $4 billion in tourist dollars, according to a study commissioned by three environmental groups. Pollution in national parks in the East like the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah has caused summer visibility to fall to 12 miles from 80 to 90 miles, while visibility in […]

I've Got a Little List

The Sierra Club is running an $8 million campaign to promote candidates it likes (mostly Democrats with a few Republicans thrown in) and attack candidates it does not. The group’s good guys include Reps. Brian Baird (D-Wash.), Lane Evans (D-Ill.), Joseph Hoeffel (D-Pa.), Rush Holt (D-N.J.), Jay Inslee (D-Wash), Jim Leach (R-Iowa), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), […]

Yeah, I'm the Tax, Man

Automakers avoided $10.2 billion in taxes on 1999 models of SUVs, pick-up trucks, vans, and minivans because of a loophole in the law establishing fuel-efficiency standards, says Friends of the Earth. Automakers are required to pay a tax on gas-guzzling passenger cars that don’t meet fuel-efficiency standards, but light-duty trucks are currently exempt from the […]

Schoolhouse Rocks

Los Angeles is at the center of small surge in solar energy use. The L.A. Convention Center, which housed the Democratic convention earlier this month, has installed 15,000 square feet of solar panels and has plans for more. City Hall and the Department of Water and Power are next, and the zoo is designing a […]

Holey Ozone, Batman!

The ozone hole over the Antarctic will likely be larger this year than last, as ozone depletion has been usually severe so far this year, the World Meteorological Organization announced yesterday. Ozone depletion normally begins in August, peaks in October, and recovers by early December; the worst depletion was recorded in 1998. This month, four […]