The harmful effects of automobile air conditioners can be directly attributed to leaking of CFC R-12, one of a number of cooling ingredients patented by DuPont and popularly known as Freon. In December 1995, the U.S. banned the manufacture of this ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in order to adhere to standards
According to the U.S. Census, Americans own more than 60 million domestic cats. But analysts estimate that another 40-60 million formerly pet cats and their offspring roam free. These so-called wild or “feral” cats are blamed for wreaking havoc on already stressed populations of songbirds and other small animals.
In today’s terror-fighting climate, do students and teachers still have the right to take field trips on public property? Thirteen students, two teachers and Willie Fontenot may learn that answer the hard way. Fontenot, the long-time environmental justice advocate working for the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, claims he was forced out of his job April 5 by Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr. Fontenot’s supposed "crime" was assisting the students and faculty who were part of an Antioch New England (ANE) Graduate School’s field course studying environmental justice issues in Louisiana.
In marked contrast to U.S. policy, Canadian environment ministers have agreed on a draft plan to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants north of the border by as much as 58 percent by 2010. The plan calls for the utilization of cleaner-burning coal and the widespread implementation of technological fixes to help implement the reduction in emissions.
After years of partisan bickering, the Senate last week passed a comprehensive energy bill, which provides incentives for boosting domestic production of oil and natural gas and extends billions of dollars in tax incentives for nuclear energy development and cleaner coal-fired power plants. Meanwhile, the legislation also promotes solar and wind power initiatives while calling for increased energy conservation.
While solar-powered calculators have been readily available and inexpensive for two decades, only recently has such technology been applied to other tools, accessories and small appliances.
Since we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, shouldn’t we be more worried about indoor air pollution than billowing smokestacks & tailpipes outside?
Many restaurants now include nuts in many different dishes, especially salads and desserts. And with the recent low-carb craze, nuts have been recognized as nutritional protein powerhouses that are great for snacking. Many children today don’t just respond to nuts with a sniffly nose or scratchy throat; they are literally deathly allergic. In fact, nut allergies are among the most deadly; they cause 100 to 200 deaths every year, mostly in children and adolescents.
Unplugging is back, baby! A whole new generation of back-to-the-landers are getting away from it all and living off the grid.
One way credit card companies are working to attract customers is to offer affinity programs, in which cards are branded with the logo or name of an organization. The organization gains name recognition and donations while the credit card company or bank gains customers and member lists. "The program has no cons for us; we get a lump sum of a half a percentage point of all purchases made with the card," explains Fred Brandon of The Wilderness Society about his group’s affinity card program.
