Small Blue Planet

2002-03-30T11:58:00.000-05:00

Take Action!

Shrimping vessels should be required to have permits in order to better responsibly manage the fishing industry and protect red snappers, sea turtles, and other ocean life. Send away this letter to the asked-for recipient! It only takes one click of the mouse.

2002-03-16T16:44:00.000-05:00

Pope Asked to Help Save Sea Turtles

Catholics are forbidden to consume red meat every Friday during Lent, but should sea turtles be considered red meat? Absolutely, particularly in those Catholic countries in which the meat of sea turtles is considered a delicacy. Hopefully the Pope will put the full weight of his influence behind this stand.

2002-03-01T09:56:00.000-05:00

Every War is a War Against the Earth

While the human tragedies are always high and unadmissable, nature itself is an unwitting, innocent victim to the destruction waged in wars like the one being fought currently in Afghanistan. In World War II bombers were careful to avoid the demolishment of German cathedrals and other buildings; but what protection was granted to the forests and the wildlife?

2002-02-25T19:12:00.000-05:00

WWF Launches Plan to Save Harbor Porpoise

No, it's not the World Wrestling Federation... but it's fighting its way onto the Baltic and Atlantic seas with some pretty agressive policies, all aimed at saving the harbor porpoise. The harbor porpoise, like the bottlenose dolphin's plight with tuna fishers a few years back, is facing overfishing and accidental byfishing, losing a population of about 7,000 a year. The WWF, however, must keep a broader perspective in mind: how will poor local fisherpeople who depend on this industry to make their living react to hiked equipment prices and less access to their main product?

2002-02-22T11:01:00.000-05:00

Help the Manatees

Please sign this petition to call Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton's attention to this issue. While the number of manatees is on the rise and the animal we should devote more concentration to is the dugong, manatees still are not up to par with normal population sizes. Speak your part!

2002-02-21T18:35:00.000-05:00

Yellowstone Snowmobile Shift?

Hmm. Seems to me that national parks should be for the wildlife and the rest of the nature, not, may I repeat, NOT, for the tourists with their cute little recreational vehicles. Oh well. At least it's only restricted use.

2002-02-20T21:51:00.000-05:00

Greenpeace vs. Genetically Engineered Soya

I don't want no GE in my soya (even if it has been exported to Spain). See what Greenpeace is doing to stop this problem. Click on the article link "Genetic Engineering" on the Greenpeace International homepage.

2002-02-19T20:48:00.000-05:00

Nations Form Alliance Against Biopiracy

It's time someone took a stand against multinational corporations' exploitation of the resources of these countries -- it's even better that the "someone" involved happens to be the countries themselves. With 70 percent of the worlds' biodiversity, these countries can't afford to get stepped on by corporations wishing merely to find the cheapest way of producing their goods.

2002-02-17T11:40:00.000-05:00

Taco Bell Truth tour

A gathering of farmworkers and plenty other groups protesting the "explosive relationship between farmworker poverty and the fast-food industry" will be launching a cross-country bus tour that will culminate in a two-day action protest at the Taco Hell headquarters in Irvine/Los Angeles, Calif. In pressuring Taco Bell, a fast-food leader, the CIW hopes to send Six L's tomato packing company a push in raising farmworker's wages... even if only by a cent.

2002-02-13T23:37:00.000-05:00

Report challenges media on green coverage

What's happened to American environmental journalism these days? *shakes head*

2002-02-06T19:00:00.000-05:00

A Small Step Is Better Than No Step

Well, here's the good news: Bush has decided to make moderate restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions produced by the U.S.; moderate instead of heavy to leave the fragile economy alone, but just enough to supposedly keep the environmental lobby at bay after his disastrous Kyoto refusal.

And yes, it is wonderfully pleasant that the Bush administration has come to the conclusion that global warming is a threat to the future security of Americans--and, besides, the rest of the world.

But.... is Bush really thinking greener thoughts? Seeing that the grass truly is greener on the other side of the fence?

I don't think so.

It is my opinion that he is merely trying to cover his ass after the Kyoto disaster.

Look at the pipeline off the Gulf Coast... that's still in existence, with plans continuing.

And drilling in the national forests of Alaska? I haven't heard anything new about that little endeavor. I.E., anything different.

But we'll see, I suppose. A small step forward is better than no step at all.

2002-02-03T22:24:00.000-05:00

California May Be First to Regulate Carbon Dioxide Emissions

The state of California may establish a bill that would limit the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from cars and other vehicles. If this bill becomes law, the state, through the Air Resources Board, would be free to control the nearly 7 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions that California creates.

The legislature should be careful about how this bill is phrased, preferrably staying back from extremes. This is a touchy issue and one that must be treated with great care and consideration of the broader perspective. But, if fashioned correctly, making this bill law would force California to become a leader in the production of "green"-friendly cars. There are both good and bad effects that must be weighed to achieve balance and harmony for all.

2002-02-01T15:20:00.000-05:00

Coca-Cola Supports the Kyoto Protocol

"This action effectively set Coca Cola Spain in direct opposition to Coca Cola US, which belongs to an Exxon (Esso) led business group - the US Council for International Business (USCIB) - that is in public support of Bush's rejection of the international climate change agreement."

Kudos to Coca-Cola Spain.. one of the first multinational corporations to support Greenpeace's effort to encourage said multinationals to admit that global warning is a dangerous phenomenon, contrary to Dubya's previous rejection of the European proposal. Guess Dubya doesn't drink much Coke. ;o)

Yes, Mr. Bush, there IS global warming!!

2002-01-31T18:55:00.000-05:00

Not necessarily environmentally-related, but this really calls for some public outcry. What is THIS? Unborn fetuses might soon be treated as human beings under LAW? What's next, all forms of abortion get illegalized? Since when did this get to the ballot box?!

What is this world coming to??

2002-01-31T15:42:00.000-05:00

US Says Goodbye to More Plutonium

Seems we're trying to get rid of some deadly plutonium (read: the stuff that's used for nuclear weapons) by converting it to mixed oxide fuel (MOX). Well, that's all fine and good, and I applaud the US government for making this move, but I love the kicker ending line of the article: "Abraham [the Energy Secretary] also noted that European countries have used MOX fuel in their reactors for over 20 years." Would this be a sort of "hint" to Europe that the US really is catching up environmentally to them in light of recent disagreements regarding the Kyoto Protocol and global warming?

Hmmm.

2002-01-29T11:36:00.000-05:00

Mexican Wolves Face Iffy Future

The Mexican wolf, a subspecies hanging on the brink that I had little knowledge of before I read this article, didn't exist in the United States in the late 1970s. What is even more unbelievably sad (and likewise, somewhat heartening) is that by 1998, thanks to breeding efforts by zoos and such, there are 200 captive Mexican wolves and 18 wild wolves (released into the wild straight from captive breeding programs). Thanks to programs like Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, the wolves are making a comeback.

Unfortunately, wild reintroduction seems to have become the last resort for these animals, but efforts must be made to ensure the continued survival of that pack of 18 for years to come.

2002-01-28T23:10:00.000-05:00

An Extra Push From a Surprising Source

Seems Burger King is jumping the extra hurdle in pushing the USDA for better treatment of animals in meat plants. I think I'll take a Whopper over a Big Mac any day.. BK should be congratulated for taking the lead in this complicated and politically charged issue.