Climate Technology
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Clubbed Med
Ah, the Mediterranean: brilliant sun, snow-white sand, a smattering of paradisiacal islands in a glittering sea. That’s the reputation that makes the region the most popular tourist destination in the world — but sadly, the flood of tourists is rapidly unmaking the reputation. Every year, the region hosts 200 million visitors — nearly one-third of […]
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I Want to Ride My Bicycle
You don’t need rock-hard calves, shaved legs, or a dresser full of unitards to love cycling: According to the U.S. bicycle industry, bikes designed for commuters rather than racers are the next big thing. Of the estimated 17 million bikes sold in the nation last year, over 20 percent were “comfort bikes” — up from […]
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Measure for Measure
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has added its voice to those of the agriculture, biotechnology, and food-processing industries in opposing Oregon’s ballot measure 27, which would require labeling of genetically modified foods sold in the state. In a letter sent Friday to Gov. John Kitzhaber (D), FDA Deputy Commissioner Lester Crawford said that GM […]
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A Fungus Among Us
There’s no time for snails and ‘shrooms — that was the gist of an announcement Monday by the Bush administration, which is seeking to ease environmental regulations governing logging on federal land in the Pacific Northwest. The timber industry and administration officials complain that the “survey and manage” component of the regulations, which mandates detailed […]
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CEO Boy!
In a rare expression of unity from an otherwise cutthroat industry, the world’s automakers pledged Friday to work together on global safety and environmental standards for cars. In a joint statement issued after an auto show in Paris, 13 industry CEOs agreed to work on promoting new technologies and better fuel quality, international standardization of […]
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Koh Chang: Ka-ching!
One by one, Thailand’s tropical islands have been overrun by the tourism industry and all but gutted by unbridled, profit-driven development. Now the nation’s impoverished government has its eye on the last large piece of unspoiled land: idyllic Koh Chang Island. This time, though, the government promises it will use proper zoning, strict regulations on […]
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Fee: “Fie,” Foes Fume
Is it a tax or is it not a tax? That’s the question in London, where diplomats are up in arms over a proposed daily fee on cars driving into the city center, in order to discourage congestion and clean up the city’s air. They say the fee most certainly is a tax, and that […]
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In the Drink
In other news from the Golden State, regulators in California are reviving a campaign to clean up perchlorate, a Cold War-era pollutant that has been showing up in drinking water supplies across the country. Since the 1950s, the substance has been used as an oxidizer in rockets, munitions, and fireworks. It was not considered particularly […]
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Paper Tiger
Confusion over the definition of old growth is spurring a new campaign by ForestEthics against major paper retailers. In the past, the environmental organization has taken on lumber retailers such as Home Depot; now, it’s turning its attention to Staples, accusing the company of misleading customers into thinking it doesn’t sell paper products made from […]
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It’s My Way or No Highway?
The head of the U.S. EPA’s New England office has accused New Hampshire of failing to prepare for the environmental impact of the rapid population boom that is expected to follow the widening of Interstate 93, the main commuter highway connecting the state to Boston, Mass. New Hampshire plans to spend $18 million to ease […]
