Seahorse populations around the world have been in decline for decades due to habitat loss, the home aquarium trade, and unintentional capture by fishermen seeking shrimp and other seafood. More recently, though, their popularity as an ingredient in non-synthetic impotence formulas has pushed these tiny creatures with the spinning tales to the brink of extinction.
Sewage treatment plants are required to abide by federal odor and nuisance laws devised to protect residents. Some plants build enclosures for the treatment tanks, thereby containing the smells.
When Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt visited the Great Falls Park in Virginia last year, he found no one at the entrance to take his fee. When he inquired, the superintendent said she was one of the only three employees on duty and the other two were on emergency calls.
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.
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.
Given that “what goes up must come down,” balloons released into the air—whether by accident or in large quantities at events—eventually end up as trash on the ground or in bodies of water. In addition—and as any wildlife or marine mammal protection organization will tell you—spent balloons are dangerous to animals,
While there are no precise standards by which to judge how “green” any given celebrity may be, a number of entertainment luminaries come to mind for their outspoken support of environmental causes and their commitment to greener lifestyles.
The Endangered Species Act is the most innovative, wide-reaching and successful environmental law that has been passed in the past quarter century. I can cite case after case: the resurgence of the American alligator, the fact that the skies are once again graced by many bald eagles, and that Peregrin falcon is moving from near extinction to the threshold of de-listing. The opponents of the Endangered Species Act know these facts. So they have come at us in a different direction, advocating a new and radical concept–that any government action lowering the value of someone’s property creates a right to be compensated by the U.S. Treasury. For example, H.R. 1388, styled as the :Just Compensation Act of 1993," would require federal agencies to compensate property owners "for any diminution in value" caused by any regulatory action taken under environmental laws, including, right at the top, the Endangered Species Act.
Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to begin thinking about how the kids will spend those precious two months away from the classroom. For many, the solution means finding a new place where a child can learn new skills, make new friends and interact wit hthe natural world. Translation? Summer Camp.
