Thursday, 06 Apr 2000

Goodness Glacious!

If climate change proceeds, the melting of Greenland's glaciers could pose a serious threat, say scientists. In a study published in today's issue of the journal Nature, researchers found that the glaciers of Greenland are more susceptible to melting than the West Antarctic ice sheet, which scientists have been watching for years for signs of melt. The study authors warn that if nothing is done to stabilize our climate, Greenland's melting glaciers could contribute significantly to rising ocean levels and the flooding of low-lying coastal areas in the coming century.

NAS-ty Boys

Genetically modified (GM) crops have the potential to pose food safety risks and harm the environment so the U.S. government should do a better job of regulating the industry, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) said yesterday in a high-profile report. Still, the report, prepared by a panel of 12 scientists, was seen by many as giving a boost to the biotechnology industry because it also argued that crops genetically engineered to produce their own pesticides appear to be safe to eat. Reps. Jack Metcalf (R-Wash.) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) joined some environmental and consumer groups in saying the report is tainted because half of the authors have biotech industry ties and conflicts of interest. Metcalf and Kucinich have introduced a bill that would require labels on GM foods.

Nonpointing in the Right Direction

In a significant ruling that means average citizens could more bear more responsibility for reducing water pollution, a federal judge has upheld the right of the U.S. EPA to set limits for river pollution caused by runoff from logging, agriculture, and urban areas. Farm and timber groups argued in a lawsuit that the EPA could only regulate industrial waste and sewage, pollution that comes from so-called point sources, like pipes. But the court ruled that the EPA has the authority to set limits for water pollution from nonpoint sources, such as runoff from pesticides and sediment from logging. The EPA says runoff is the nation's leading threat to water quality. A survey released yesterday by the National Wildlife Federation found that three-fourths of the states are failing to address water pollution caused by runoff from farms and forests.

The Trees Are Beautiful, Wish You Were Here

The Sierra Club yesterday began delivering 600,000 postcards to Congress and President Clinton urging them to protect giant sequoias in California, trees that can live up to 3,000 years and grow to 100 feet around at the base. Many of the remaining sequoias are within national parks, but enviros are pushing for additional protections for sequoias outside park boundaries, saying that off-road vehicles and logging of other tree species should be banned in the vicinity of the sequoias. Clinton last month asked the Agriculture Department for a recommendation on whether he should designate a 400,000-acre Sequoia National Monument to protect many of the giant trees. Yesterday, the House Resources Committee approved a bill that would require 18 months of study before any action could be taken to protect the trees.