TOP STORY
Going Through the Candidate Debate
Obama and McCain answer direct question about climate at debate
Tuesday night's presidential debate included a pointed question on global climate change from an audience member, and beyond that both candidates worked the issue of energy independence into their responses to all sorts of questions throughout the 90-minute faceoff. Kate Sheppard has a rundown on the climate and energy discussion at the debate, David Roberts notes that Obama said energy would be his "priority No. 1", and Bill McKibben thanks the "average citizen" who asked exactly the right question about the climate crisis.
new in Gristmill:
• Sheppard on the debate
• Roberts on the debate
• McKibben on the debate
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TODAY'S NEWS
Constructive Critical-ism
Feds will designate critical habitat for polar bears
The U.S. government will designate critical habitat for polar bears off Alaska's coast as part of a partial settlement of a lawsuit brought by Greenpeace, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Center for Biological Diversity. The Interior Department declared polar bears a threatened species in May, but neglected to make any stipulations for habitat protection. "You can't protect a species without protecting the place where it lives," says CBD's Kassie Siegel, adding, "After global warming, oil development is the biggest threat to polar bears." Federal law prohibits actions that "destroy or adversely modify" designated critical habitat, which would seem to include offshore oil and gas drilling -- though with GOP vice prez candidate Sarah Palin touting "safe, environmentally friendly drilling offshore," one never can be certain. After a rule proposal, public comment period, and public hearings, the finalized critical-habitat designation must be in place by June 30, 2010. And the one remaining polar bear by then will no doubt appreciate it.
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sources: Associated Press, Reuters, Center for Biological Diversity, McClatchy
see other polar bear lawsuits, in Grist:
• Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin sues, arguing polar bears doing fine
• Green groups sue, arguing polar bears should be listed as endangered
• Industry groups sue, arguing Alaska biz unfairly singled out
Commerce Clause
House Energy and Commerce Committee releases draft of potential climate legislation
Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) and ranking member Rick Boucher (D-Va.) released a "discussion draft" of their long-awaited climate change legislation yesterday. Get all the deets in Muckraker.
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new in Muckraker: Commerce Clause
Bloc Party
E.U. Parliament votes on proposals to cut emissions 20 percent by 2020
On Tuesday, the European Parliament's environment committee voted on a range of proposals intended to help achieve the European Union's ambitious goal of cutting its greenhouse-gas emissions 20 percent by 2020. The committee voted to force E.U. utilities to buy all their pollution permits by 2013 and to enact strict carbon caps on power plants by 2015 that would essentially prohibit coal plants that don't use carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which so far doesn't exist on a commercial scale. In a complimentary measure, members also voted to fund a $13 billion program to test CCS technology. However, in a concession to other heavily polluting industries that face more international competition, such as steel and cement manufacturing, the committee said they should not be required to buy all their pollution permits until 2020; since E.U. emissions trading began in 2005, industry has received most of its pollution permits for free. The green measures will come up for a final vote by the full Parliament in December where they face opposition from a coalition of coal-reliant countries, led by Poland.
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sources: Reuters, The Times, Agence France-Presse, The New York Times
In Efficiency
States ranked on energy efficiency, Grist provides drinking game
We suggest that while reading this blurb, you take a drink at every mention of "efficient" or "efficiency." And go! California, Oregon, and Connecticut are taking the lead in improving energy efficiency, according to the 2008 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. In the face of high energy prices, fear about energy security, and climate change, ACEEE rated states on "a wide range of the proven effective and readily available efficiency strategies," including building codes, transportation and land-use policies, utility efficiency programs, appliance efficiency standards, financial incentives for efficient technologies, and support for research. Oh-so-efficient Vermont, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and New Jersey rounded out the top 10. At the bottom: Not-so-efficient West Virginia, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alabama, and Wyoming. Now, anyone know an efficient way to cure a hangover?
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sources: Associated Press, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
straight to the report: The 2008 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard [PDF]
Under the Weather
Climate change will further spread of wildlife-to-human diseases, says report
Climate change is likely to further the spread of a "deadly dozen" diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans, says a new report from the Wildlife Conservation Society. The nasties: avian flu, babesiosis, cholera, Ebola, Lyme disease, parasites, plague, red tide, Rift Valley fever, sleeping sickness, tuberculosis, and yellow fever. Whee! "The term 'climate change' conjures images of melting ice caps and rising sea levels that threaten coastal cities and nations," says WCS head Steven Sanderson, "but just as important is how increasing temperatures and fluctuating precipitation levels will change the distribution of dangerous pathogens." The spread of disease could impact human, wildlife, and economic health, says the report, which suggests that wildlife be better monitored to track the spread of disease. Tasmanian devils and amphibians are, sadly, currently providing excellent case studies.
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sources: National Geographic News, Reuters, ScienceDaily, Agence France-Presse, BBC News
In Brief
Snippets from the news
• Are falling oil prices a blessing or a curse for automakers?
• Some envision offshore wind farms in the Great Lakes.
• Credit crisis threatens energy projects in U.S. West.
• Are Houston's petrochemicals safe from hurricanes?
• Army looks to build world's strongest solar array.
• Climate change makes for stormier Arctic.
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GRIST COLUMNS AND FEATURES
Green Campaigner
Committed environmentalist Stéphane Dion faces uphill fight in Canadian election
When Canadians go to the polls next Tuesday, they'll have an opportunity to choose a committed environmentalist, Stéphane Dion, as prime minister. But according to the polls, they're not likely to. Dion's Liberal Party is trailing the Conservatives, headed by current Prime Minister Stephen Harper, by some 13 points. Doug Struck reports on Dion's environmental record and how it's playing in the national election.
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new in Grist: Green Campaigner
Petered Pans
On green cookware
Q. Dear Umbra,
I'm thinking it's time to start switching out my family's cookware. When hubby and I got legally partnered, we received some non-stick cookware, and we've used it for a number of years. While the non-stick finish has been well cared for and is not chipping, flaking, or peeling, I have some concern about non-stick finishes. I know cast iron is supposed to be good, but is the enamel-coated kind OK? Or should I go with steel -- or something else?
Jenn M.
Raleigh, N.C.
A. Dearest Jenn,
This week is dedicated to the typing challenge presented by chemical compounds. Conventional non-stick pans have polytetrafluoroethylene coatings (DuPont's Teflon, anyone?) made with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) -- a synthetic chemical that is thought to break down at high temperatures, spew new chemicals about, kill birds, and cause an illness in humans known as polymer fume fever ...
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Read the rest of Umbra's answer.
Coming Thursday: A recipe for Mississippi-style field peas and rice
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
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