TOP STORY
| Compact With the Devil Wal-Mart to sell its own brand of compact fluorescent light bulbs Giganto-retailer Wal-Mart announced today it will roll out its own brand of compact fluorescent light bulbs in nearly 75 percent of its U.S. stores by the end of the month. The company plans to price the energy-saving bulbs cheaper than the brand-name CFLs they carry, offering a four-pack for about $7.58, comparable in price to a typical brand-name three-pack. Wal-Mart hopes the rollout will help meet its goal of hawking 100 million CFLs by the end of 2007. At last tally, they'd sold some 80 million and counting, making up about 15 percent of their overall light-bulb sales. Wal-Mart General Merchandise Manager Andy Barron said, "The introduction of our Great Value bulbs make CFLs a more accessible option for our shoppers." [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] sources: Reuters, The Wall Street Journal (access ain't free) see also, in Grist: An interview with Wal-Mart CEO H. Lee Scott |
Grist seeks Executive Editor
Are you a seasoned editor with online media know-how, management experience, a passion for the news, and an appreciation for life's absurdities? Also, do you think our puns are squirt-milk-out-your-nose funny? Then you should apply to be Grist's executive editor
Are you a seasoned editor with online media know-how, management experience, a passion for the news, and an appreciation for life's absurdities? Also, do you think our puns are squirt-milk-out-your-nose funny? Then you should apply to be Grist's executive editor
TODAY'S NEWS
| The Anarchist Cookbook, Vegan Edition Mistrial declared for eco-activist accused of inciting vegans to bomb A mistrial has been declared in the case of an eco-activist in California who was charged under an obscure, seldom-used federal law making it a crime to tell others how to make explosives with the intent of encouraging a lawless act. In 2003, Rodney Coronado, who had served some four years in prison for burning down a mink research facility at Michigan State University, spoke to a group of vegans (and at least two undercover agents from area law enforcement agencies) at a community center in San Diego. At the speech, in response to a question from an audience member, Coronado described the explosive device he used in the MSU fire and another, simpler device made out of an apple-juice jug. Coronado was later arrested and charged for the speech. Defense attorneys argued that Coronado was charged for political reasons, that he hadn't encouraged his audience to use explosives, and that his comments are protected under the First Amendment. A hearing on whether to retry the case is set for Sept. 28. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] |
| Law & Odor Groups petition federal agencies to regulate air fresheners Environmental groups petitioned the U.S. EPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission this week to regulate air fresheners, which can aggravate asthma and often contain chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde, as well as other compounds linked to developmental problems in kids. The eco-groups want companies to list all the ingredients in air fresheners and conduct health and safety tests, including study of the respiratory effects of breathing in freshener chemicals. In response to independent testing commissioned by the environmental groups of 14 different air fresheners, Walgreens pulled three of its store-brand fresheners off the shelves of its 5,850 U.S. stores pending its own tests. The air freshener industry is expected to reach sales of $1.72 billion this year. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] sources: San Francisco Chronicle, The Daily Green |
| Watch Out for the Sugar, Sugar Everglades still polluted, says EPA analysis Pollution in the Everglades remains significant despite billions of dollars spent on cleaning and restoring the park over the last decade, according to new analysis from the U.S. EPA. On the bright side, erosion has stabilized and mercury levels in the tiny mosquitofish have dropped; on the, um, not-bright side, mercury levels still accumulate in higher-up-the-food-chain fish enough to require state health warnings, and phosphorus from sugar farms, suburbs, and polluted Lake Okeechobee has spread deeper into the park. Toxic contamination notwithstanding, the Bush administration recently backed a decision by the U.N. World Heritage Committee to remove the Everglades from an international list of endangered sites. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] source: Miami Herald |
| Shiny Happy People Utility will pay for solar on Habitat for Humanity houses in California Recognizing that solar electricity is a good investment in the long run but a bit spendy up front, utility Pacific Gas and Electric has agreed to pay for solar power on some 65 houses built by Habitat for Humanity in northern and central California next year. PG&E will donate about $1.2 million for panels and installation; low-income residents will see radically reduced electric bills. "For us it's not so much an environmental thing -- it's a cost issue," says Mark Crozet of Habitat. "It's a piece of their income that these families don't have to spend on electricity. It's a big increase in the quality of life." Environmental and low-cost can go hand in hand? Whoda thunk. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] source: San Francisco Chronicle |
GRIST COLUMNS AND FEATURES
 Bye Bye, Babies Grist parenting series finishes first week, grows up Our parenting series is halfway over, and we're preparing to toddle into a whole new set of post-infancy issues next week. But before we depart the wee world, we take a look at how to choose (and make) less-yucky cleaning products. We also point you to some of our favorite parenting and health resources around ye olde internette. And now that the weekend is here, we bet you'll have a minute to comment in our parenting chat room -- around 1 a.m., say? See you then. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] new in Grist: An eco-entrepreneur's advice on kid-proofing your cleaning supplies new in Grist: A few of our favorite parenting and health links see also: An introduction to the series talk back to us: Parenting in Gristmill |
| Let's Not Get Personal More debate over voluntary personal actions Three weeks ago, environmental activist Mike Tidwell wrote an opinion piece in Grist expressing doubt about the efficacy of personal voluntary actions. In response, 28 social scientists put their names to an essay arguing that voluntary actions are not only effective, but crucial to the success of the environmental movement. Today, Tidwell responds, clarifying -- but maintaining -- his position that action must be taken at the policy level to have an impact. What do you think? Jump into the fray in Gristmill. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] new in Gristmill: Forget the light bulbs, part II see also, in Grist: Tidwell on voluntary actions see also, in Gristmill: Social scientists respond to Tidwell |
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
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