TOP STORY
Getting a Rise Out of 'Em
Emissions of Kyoto signatory countries on the rise, U.N. says
Collectively, the 40 industrialized nations that agreed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol have met their goal of cutting emissions to an average of about 5 percent below 1990 levels, the United Nations reported this week. But some of the biggest reductions were due to economic declines in central and eastern European countries in the 1990s. Between 2000 and 2006, emissions of the 40 nations rose by 2.3 percent, a trend that threatens to wipe out past improvements.
[ discuss | email | + digg | + del.icio.us ]
sources: CNN, Associated Press
Vote for Grist in the MySpace Impact Awards
Help Grist win 10,000 big one$ by voting for us in the MySpace Impact Awards for Environmentalism this month. (Think of all the organic booze tree-free pencils we could buy!) Vote early, vote often! You, and all your friends, can vote once per day till voting closes Friday, Nov. 21.
TODAY'S NEWS
We Shale See
Western lands opened to oil-shale development
The Bush administration on Monday cleared the way for tens of thousands of acres in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming to be used for oil-shale development, publishing final rules governing how federal land will be leased for extraction of the expensive, pollute-y, only recently un-banned fuel source. Companies tapping into oil shale will have to pay far less in royalties than the going rate for conventional gas and oil. Still, commercial oil-shale leasing is at least five to 10 years off.
[ discuss | email | + digg | + del.icio.us ]
sources: The Salt Lake Tribune, Denver Business Journal, Associated Press
see also, in Grist: It's a 1980 flashback, as energy price spikes make oil shale economical once again
On His Own Term
Obama won't send delegation to Poland climate conference
President-elect Barack Obama will not attend the United Nations climate conference in Poland next month nor send a delegation on his behalf, the U.N. climate chief announced Monday. Many climate activists had high hopes that President Bush's successor would attend the conference as a way to jumpstart the sluggish talks. Explaining his decision, Obama said, "There is one president at a time."
[ discuss | email | + digg | + del.icio.us ]
source: Reuters
Dingell Jangle
Dingell and Waxman battle over chairmanship of Energy and Commerce Committee
There's a big battle brewing over who should chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will play a critical role in putting together climate legislation in the next Congress. Current Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) has called challenger Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) an "anti-manufacturing left-wing Democrat," while Waxman supporters accuse Dingell of being in bed with auto companies. Many industry types are quietly backing Dingell, while progressive group Working Assets is urging members to support Waxman. Kate Sheppard reports (and gives background, and reports some more).
The Nerve!
Gulf War syndrome exists, says scientific panel
Gulf War syndrome, an umbrella term for a batch of neurological disorders experienced by nearly a quarter of the 700,000 veterans of the 1991 war, is attributable to "neurotoxic exposures," a scientific panel told Congress on Monday. The report specifically points to a pesticide and anti-nerve-gas drug commonly used by the soldiers. The federal government has maintained for nearly two decades that syndrome symptoms are a result of post-traumatic stress.
[ discuss | email | + digg | + del.icio.us ]
source: Los Angeles Times
Bristol Bay May Get Knocked Up
BLM opens land near Alaska's Bristol Bay to development
Some 2 million acres near Alaska's Bristol Bay will be opened to development for the first time under a plan released Friday by the Bureau of Land Management. The agency's decision to throw the door open for mining and drilling in the area, which is home to the world's largest sockeye salmon run, is opposed by environmentalists, Native Alaskans, and commercial fisherfolk.
[ discuss | email | + digg | + del.icio.us ]
sources: The Bristol Bay Times, Reuters
straight to the plan: Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan
see also, in Grist: Bristol Bay also threatened by proposed gold mine
They Can't Carry a Tuna
International talks to save Atlantic tuna begin in Morocco
Representatives from some 46 nations are meeting this week in Morocco to try to hash out an agreement on stemming overfishing of imperiled bluefin tuna while still keeping the bluefin fishing industry alive. Experts say the sustainable catch limit in the Mediterranean Sea should be about 15,000 tons a year, but last year fleets caught an estimated 61,000 tons.
[ discuss | email | + digg | + del.icio.us ]
source: Agence France-Presse
In Brief
Snippets from the news
• NYC announces new, voluntary plan to encourage hybrid taxis.
• Concerns raised about wildfire-fighting chemicals.
• Giant public-lands bill put on hold until next year.
• iPhone rideshare app is coming soon.
Ask Umbra on GristTV: the great diaper debate
Is it better for the earth (and your baby's bum) to choose cloth or disposable? With the help of some wee friends, advice maven Umbra Fisk delivers the straight poop on this perplexing topic. Watch now.
GRIST COLUMNS AND FEATURES
Flow and Tell
A review of eco-minded feminine products, part two
Earlier this month, Grist's intrepid female staffers reported on their experiences with eco-versions of menstrual "outerwear" -- reusable and disposable sanitary pads. Today our brave team ventures to the inner sanctum for a review of tampons and menstrual cups. Find out which product kept the Grist gals happy (well, relatively speaking).
[ discuss | email | + digg | + del.icio.us ]
new in Grist: Flow and Tell
Coming Wednesday: Advice columnist Umbra Fisk on online shopping
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
©2008. Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Gloom and doom with a sense of humor®.
No comments:
Post a Comment