Tens of thousands of Americans participated in the nationwide Step It Up 2007 rally on April 14 to draw attention to the issue of global warming and to urge Congress to take strong action to curb the emission of greenhouse gases. The campaign’s mantra: get Congress to cut emissions of the chief greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, 80 percent by 2050.
We know more about animal emotions then we often admit, and we can no longer ignore the pain and suffering of other beings. Many people in higher education are faced with difficult questions about the use of animals in their classrooms and research laboratories and we must accept that there are compelling reasons stemming from scientific research to limit and perhaps stop using animals in lieu of the numerous highly effective non-animal alternatives that are readily available.
Grand Lake, in the Colorado Rockies, lies in the path of an assault on forests across much of the western U.S. and Canada. As a result of drought, warmer temperatures and an abundance of mature growth, the trees that carpet the slopes over millions of acres are falling victim to unprecedented levels of infestation by the mountain pine beetle.
When it comes to environmental issues, the Bush Administration is known for being friendly to the concept of “states” rights.” In practice, that phrase has meant western states have been able to make their own policy—including drilling for oil and grazing cattle on public land (see “Seeking Sanctuary,” features, March/April 2003). States are now encouraged […]
It looks like upstate New York will be a launching pad for alternative energy in the U.S., with five traditional ethanol plants are underway in the state, and a demonstration cellulosic ethanol plant being built near Rochester.
A year after voluntarily agreeing with the EPA to reduce the use of PFOA in the production of Teflon, DuPont recently announced that it would phase out its production.
Querido DiálogoEcológico: ¿Cómo puede el público convencer a las corporaciones para que sean más responsables con el medio ambiente?
Querido DiálogoEcológico: Siempre que visito mi imprenta local, me asalta el olor fuerte de sustancias químicas, y me pregunto si la salud de los trabajadores no está siendo afectada. ¿Es peligrosa la exposición a tales sustancias, puede causar problemas de salud, y que se puede hacer para limpiar el proceso de impresión?
Following a 2005 Congressional mandate, the federal government has finally implemented an increase in the percentage of renewable fuels consumed by vehicles on America’s roadways. The new standards, announced by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Stephen Johnson last week, require 4.02 percent of all motor fuel—or about 4.7 billion gallons—sold in the U.S. in 2007 to come from renewable sources, primarily agricultural crops.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has been overwhelmed by the response to the federal proposal to list the polar bear as an endangered species. Last Monday marked the end of a 90-day public comment period on the issue, and more than 500,000 Americans chimed in—almost double the number of responses on any previous species listing proposal. The vast majority of comments were in favor of affording protection to America’s beleaguered northern white bear.
SUVs fill the highways, e-waste clogs the landfills, and energy consumption is at record levels. Legislation protecting our air, land and water have been under threat by a pro-industry Bush administration. As the Al Gore-tutorial-documentary An Inconvenient Truth so poignantly warned the world: climate change is an imminent threat for which we are all responsible. To put it simply: the Earth is in crisis and Earth Day (April 22) has taken on huge global significance. It is needed to spur grassroots activism as it did in its first year, inspiring people not only to make changes in their own lifestyles, but to join with others to create an effective movement that can push through legislation and insist on strict environmental standards.
