Tuesday, 21 Nov 2006
The Thompson Twinge
As former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson (R) throws his hypothetical hat into the 2008 ring, will energy issues help his cause? Come punditize in Gristmill.
You Give Hubris a Glad Name
Nuclear fusion gets a boost as 31 countries sign reactor agreement
After years of debate, 31 countries have agreed to build the $12.8 billion International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor in southern France. (Ah, "experimental reactor" -- was there ever a more comforting phrase?) Deemed "the victory of the general interest of humanity" by French President Jacques Chirac, the fusion plant -- backed by Russia, China, India, the U.S., the E.U., Japan, and South Korea -- will seek to turn seawater into fuel by imitating the sun's atom-combining processes. Ideally, fusion releases 10 million times the energy of, say, a chemical reaction generated by burning fossil fuels. But scientists have yet to reach that hoped-for point. "Fusion could become the dominant source of electricity on Earth in a century or so -- we have to work to try to get it," says ITER's Jerome Pamela. "Not doing so would be irresponsible." Critics ask why the world isn't pouring resources into proven alternative-energy technologies instead. But where's the fun in that?
straight to the source: Reuters, 21 Nov 2006 straight to the source: BBC News, 21 Nov 2006
 Ye olde pilgrims and Native Americans would never have guessed that their strained attempt at friendship would evolve into a national day of pigging out, watching football, and getting on family members' nerves. But is all hope lost as Americans prepare for their annual day of thanks? Tom Philpott says it's only natural that our microwave-friendly, car-food culture has led us away from socializing over nature's bounty -- but it's not too late to change.
OSHA, No He Didn't
Federal agency threatens asbestos-warning writer with suspension
What if we said a federal agency was pressuring one of its own to weaken an environmental opinion? Crazy, right? But it's true. Again. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a warning this summer that brakes could contain asbestos, putting mechanics at risk for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Three weeks later, former OSHA head John Henshaw apparently requested that the alert be changed to include industry-financed studies saying eh, asbestos isn't so bad. Henshaw -- allegedly linked with firms used by the Big Three automakers to fight asbestos lawsuits -- says the carcinogen is no longer used in the U.S., but critics say otherwise. What to do? Last week, OSHA opted for bullying, by threatening scientist Ira Wainless with a 10-day, unpaid suspension if he didn't change the warning. He has, so far, refused. "It is outrageous," said government-employee union rep Ed Stern, "that OSHA would try to intimidate one of its own scientists for doing his job with integrity."
 If Thanksgiving is here, that can only mean one thing: time to start your holiday shopping! Yes, the post-feast frenzy is on its way. But if you don't want to elbow your way through the crowds, take a look at Grist's gift guide instead. We asked staff and readers for their ideas, and they'll make it easy for you to avoid the present tense.
One Good Deed Reserves Another
Northeast, California move forward with marine reserves
It's time to call in the marine reserves (think fish, not guns). The Conservation Law Foundation and the Canadian branch of the World Wildlife Fund issued a report yesterday recommending that a network of ocean areas off the eastern coast of Canada and the U.S. be protected from fishing and other human activity. After six years of mapping 24,000 square miles in need of protection, the groups will now encourage pertinent legislation -- sure to be a long and controversial process. Meanwhile, California is a few steps ahead: 200 square miles of briny deep off the central coast will get protection beginning in early 2007. Fisherfolk are largely disgruntled -- "We're being regulated out of business," says one -- but greens argue that in the long term, reserves lead to bigger fish and greater biodiversity, ultimately benefiting fisheries. Says Warner Chabot of the Ocean Conservancy, "It's the beginning of a historic shift in how we restore, protect, and manage our oceans."
straight to the source: The Mercury News, Associated Press, Terence Chea, 19 Nov 2006
Delayed Gratitudation
Grist takes rest of week off, needs time to stuff free-range Tofurky
Here at Grist, we take our holidays seriously, so after today you won't be seeing us again until next Monday. But as Thanksgiving nears, we want to take a moment to give our thanks to you, our readers, for being so darn loyal and fun. Now if you'll excuse us, we've got to help the intern finish making our punkin pie. See you soon!
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| NOW IN GRIST
A Loom With a View, by Jason Mark. The U.S. organic cotton industry has a tough row to hoe.
Eat Free or Die. Umbra advises on eating locally in winter.
A Capitol Idea, by Amanda Griscom Little in Muckraker. How green will the 110th Congress be?
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