| Legislate Bloomers Congress to move ahead on climate legislation, Dems to send delegation to U.N. climate talks Congressional leaders in the U.S. House and Senate have said they plan to push ahead in their attempts to pass cap-and-trade-type climate legislation, despite the Bush administration's renewed call to reduce emissions through voluntary technology partnerships instead. On Wednesday, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) released a white paper about a possible cap-and-trade system, suggesting the U.S. should reduce emissions by between 60 percent and 80 percent by 2050. "The United States needs an economy-wide, mandatory greenhouse [gas] reduction program," the paper said. In the Senate, the Environment and Public Works Committee plans to push climate legislation through the full committee in December, just in time to impress the folks at the United Nations climate meetings in Bali, Indonesia. And speaking of Bali, leading Democrats plan to send their own delegation to the meeting to present their alternatives to the Bush climate plan. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] sources: The Washington Post, The Detroit News , The Hill, BBC News |
TODAY'S NEWS
| Wait and Sea Senate may soon vote on U.N. Law of the Sea Treaty The U.S. Senate may soon vote on whether or not to ratify the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty, an agreement between some 150 countries that lays out the basic rights and responsibilities that countries have to the world's marine resources. The treaty was signed by President Clinton in the 1990s but has never been ratified by the Senate. Historically, a handful of senators have resisted the treaty due at least in part to pressure from U.N.-wary conservatives acutely suspicious of the international body. But the melting Arctic has set the stage for countries with land in the far north to duke it out for rights to the largely untapped oil, gas, and minerals on the sea floor. Thus the Bush administration has been prodding the Senate to ratify the Law of the Sea, which would give the U.S. an even footing with the other Arctic nations staking claims in the area. The Senate Foreign Relations committee is expected to vote on ratification soon; a full Senate vote could follow some time after. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] source: Associated Press |
| The Lead Badge of Discourage More toys recalled due to lead, including Boy Scout badges Over 1.5 million more children's toys and accessories were recalled in the U.S. on Thursday due to high lead levels. We had put our money on toy cars being among the next items recalled, but we stand corrected. Whoever said blocks, squeeze lights, wagons, Frankenstein cups, key chains, journals, water bottles, or lead-painted Boy Scout badges wins. All the parents and kids who bought and played with the products, however, lose. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] sources: Associated Press, Reuters, Associated Press see also, in Grist: Can a crusade against crap toys ever succeed?, Where to turn when you're sick of disposable doodads |
| Puzzle Peace Climate campaigners could have a shot at winning the Nobel Peace Prize Word around the campfire is that climate campaigners Al Gore and Sheila Watt-Cloutier may be on the short list of nominees with a shot at landing this year's Nobel Peace Prize. The prestigious award -- to be announced Oct. 12 -- has traditionally been awarded to human-rights activists and peace advocates (except for that whole Henry Kissinger thing). In 2004, the Peace Prize committee branched out somewhat to award environmental activist Wangari Maathai "for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace" through her Green Belt Movement that has planted millions of trees in Kenya, marking the first time the Peace Prize had been awarded to honor work in the environmental field. But will it be the last? [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] source: Reuters see also, in Grist: An interview with Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai |
| Dropping the Ball Times Square New Year's Eve ball goes green The ball that drops in Times Square on New Year's Eve is -- say it with us now -- going green. This year, the 100th anniversary of the tradition, the fifth iteration of the ball will have an aluminum skeleton and be lit by energy-efficient LED lights. With 16 times as many lights, it will use half the wattage of the last ball. That's the power equivalent of 10 toasters toasting for six hours, for the curious. Says project lighting designer Christine Hope, "People are going to be blown away by the variety and the saturation of colors." We'd advise staking out your spot now. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] source: The New York Times |
| Beyond the Sail Daily Grist takes a break on Monday to contemplate Columbus Day In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. In 2007, Grist will sail through Columbus Day too depressed about the current state of the oceans (not to mention colonialism) to send out a Daily Grist. But don't get your Pinta in a knot -- we'll be back in action on Tuesday. |
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GRIST COLUMNS AND FEATURES
 For Pete's Seat What will Sen. Pete Domenici's retirement mean for the environment? New Mexico Republican Pete Domenici -- a longtime advocate of nuclear power and oil drilling -- announced yesterday that he'll retire from the U.S. Senate at the end of his term next year, throwing open a seat that Democrats have a good shot at winning. Names being bandied about as potential contenders for his spot include Republican Rep. Heather Wilson, Democratic Rep. Tom Udall, New Mexico governor and Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson, and a real-estate developer with a fondness for water-recycling cisterns. Get the scoop on the possible eco-ramifications of Domenici's retirement, in Gristmill. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] new in Gristmill: For Pete's sake -- or Pete's seat |
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
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