 Killing Me Swiftly Rule change eases restrictions on wolf kills in northern Rockies The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service yesterday announced it is altering a rule that will make it easier to kill gray wolves in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Gray wolves in the area are still protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, though the FWS intends to delist them this spring and hand management over to the states. The rule change allows states and tribes with wolf-management plans to kill wolves in areas where deer and elk populations are declining and would let landowners kill wolves caught attacking dogs or livestock. "This is a giant step backward," said Suzanne Stone of Defenders of Wildlife. "Under the rule finalized [yesterday], more than 750 wolves -- over half of the region's wolf population -- could be killed, even though this wolf population is still protected by the Endangered Species Act." [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] sources: KPAX, Defenders of Wildlife |
2008 -- new year, same old eco-dilemmas. From breakfast to babies and commuting to consumption, Grist's got your every eco-worry covered with our practical green guide to your daily routine: Wake Up and Smell the Planet.
TODAY'S NEWS
 Scott Glee Wal-Mart CEO outlines lofty green goals Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott made a big ol' speech this week spelling out ambitious social, health, and environmental goals for the retail behemoth. Wal-Mart will work with other retailers to boost industry-wide green standards, said Scott, and, within five years, Wal-Mart suppliers will be required to meet stringent environmental standards -- and may even be paid more to do so. The company wants to double its sales of merchandise that help consumers improve home energy efficiency, is in talks with automakers about selling electric or hybrid cars, and could even set up windmills or solar panels in its parking lots to allow customers to recharge with renewable energy. "It's a good vision," says Gwen Ruta of green group Environmental Defense. "Now we need to make it a reality." Wal-Mart has been pushing green goals since 2005; it's planning to open energy-efficient stores and has to date sold 145 million compact fluorescent light bulbs. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] sources: The Washington Post, The New York Times, BusinessWeek see also, in Gristmill: Wal-Mart CEO lays out ambitious social and environmental goals for his company |
| On a Clear-Cut Day, You Can Seed Forever Brazil unveils plan to slow deforestation and soy cultivation in Amazon Following Brazil's recent announcement of a dramatic rise in Amazon deforestation in the country in the last months of 2007, the country this week announced new plans to try to slow the destruction. Plans include tapping the army to conduct inspections of known problem areas and keep deforested land from being cultivated or used for pasture, fining meat processors and soy buyers that purchase products originating from deforested areas, and denying credit to landowners who don't maintain preservation areas. Brazil's environment minister, Marina Silva, attributed the spike in deforestation to rising prices for corn, soy, and meat on the international market. An estimated 2,700 square miles of Amazon rainforest was destroyed in Brazil last year between August and December, with over half of it happening in November and December alone. If the country's new plan doesn't work, Silva said, Brazil "will have an environmental loss and an economic loss." [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] sources: Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters |
 Dennis: No Longer a Menace Dennis Kucinich drops presidential bid Dennis Kucinich, perhaps the most passionately green of the major-party presidential candidates -- and a vegan! -- is giving up his bid for the White House. Take a last look at Grist's interview with Kucinich and fact sheet on his platform, and shed a tear for what might have been -- were the U.S. political landscape entirely different. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] source: The Plain Dealer see also, in Grist: Video of Kucinich at a Grist-sponsored climate and energy forum |
| Johnson Hangs Tough EPA chief won't back down on unpopular California auto-emissions decision U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson appeared before the Senate Environment Committee yesterday to defend his decision to deny California's auto-emissions waiver. Johnson stood his ground while senators assailed his decision as logic-defying, "shameful," "outrageous," "irresponsible," "unconscionable," and driven by special interests. Responded Johnson, "I evaluated all the data, I made the decision, it's the right decision. I was not directed by anyone to make the decision." Wait -- is Johnson the Decider? Now we're all confused. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has said she will introduce a bill that would reverse Johnson's decision. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] sources: Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post |
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GRIST COLUMNS AND FEATURES
 The Bitch Is Back An interview with Rory Freedman, coauthor of vegan manifesto Skinny Bitch It would be impossible to make it through an entire lunch with Rory Freedman without realizing this simple truth: The bitch loves food. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] |
Coming Monday: Advice columnist Umbra Fisk on paper plates and marital discord
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
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