Friday, 21 Feb 2003

Birds of a Feather Crash Together

Somewhere between 5 million and 50 million migratory birds die every year from slamming into communications towers for cell phones, pagers, and radios, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Now, environmentalists are suing the Federal Communications Commission to force it to protect those birds. The lawsuit concerns towers that are at least 200 feet tall and located near the Gulf of Mexico, a common stopover for many species during spring and fall migrations. The suit was filed by the American Bird Conservancy, Friends of the Earth, and the Forest Conservation Council, which want the FCC to require existing towers to use warning devices (such as colored lights and high-pitched sound) to keep birds away. They also want all future tower proposals to be reviewed for likely impacts on bird populations. The affected critters include some of the nation's most endangered songbirds -- the black rail, Bell's vireo, the golden-winged warbler, and Henslow's sparrow.

Turning Over a New Leaf

Worried about deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and global climate change? Relax. A scientist at Columbia University has come up with a solution: synthetic trees. Klaus Lackner says his fake tree would suck carbon dioxide from the air, as plants do during photosynthesis, thereby helping cleanse the atmosphere of the leading greenhouse gas. According to Lackner, one synthetic tree could remove 90,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, roughly equal to taking 15,000 cars off the road. The trees could be "planted" anywhere, including on lawns to balance out individual and family CO2 production. Lackner thinks carbon sequestration will be a critical part of any solution to climate change, because worldwide use of fossil fuels is unlike to dramatically decline anytime soon. However, he acknowledges that his tree lacks the aesthetic appeal of the original variety: "It looks like a goal post with Venetian blinds."

Everybody Must Be Yellowstoned

Snowmobiles will be permitted in Yellowstone and Grand Teton under the National Park Service's final environmental impact statement, released yesterday. The park service acknowledges that the plan is not the best one in terms of improving air quality, reducing noise, or protecting the health of park workers, visitors, and wildlife. Under the plan, only "cleaner and quieter" snowmobiles will be allowed in the parks and riders will have to receive training or be accompanied by a guide. The plan will also cap the number of machines allowed in the parks at 1,100 per day (which is about how many enter, anyway) and distribute the total load over different entrances to reduce congestion. Park officials said the plan strikes a balance between today's unlimited use and the Clinton proposal to phase out snowmobiles entirely, but former National Parks Service Director Roger Kennedy criticized the proposal for giving equal weight to snowmobile access and human and environmental health: "It says to the world we are striking a different balance, and commerce will supervene the health of the world."

Chinese Take Out Genes

With over 20,000 people employed in research positions and as much as $1.5 billion in funding through 2005, China is second only to the U.S. in its dedication to developing genetically modified (GM) crops. The rest of Asia is following its lead, with India, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia dedicating billions of dollars to research and millions of acres to biotech crops. Aware of concerns in the international market (and particularly in the European Union) about the safety of GM food, most crops being grown in Asia are non-edible (think cotton and flowers) and hence less controversial. But food won't be far behind: Asian scientists are currently experimenting with everything from papaya to chili peppers. Critics say a GM food boom in Asia could deprive consumers around the world of choices in what they buy and eat, and they are pushing for unified international policies on regulations, labeling, and trade.

Poaching Aches

If you associate poaching only with the cloud-shrouded mountains of Africa or the tropical forests of the Amazon, think again: Poachers are also taking a toll in North America. One recent victim was one of the last wild-born California condors, a female at least 30 years old and possessed of a nine-foot wingspan. The condor had produced a dozen offspring in captivity for the California Condor Recovery Program before being returned to the wild. Federal agents are offering a "substantial" reward for information leading to the conviction of the poacher. Meanwhile, another poacher killed "Mary," a familiar grizzly bear who lived outside of a small town in Alberta, Canada. A few weeks later, one of her cubs was killed as well. In the last four years, 26 grizzlies have been found killed, and scientists think the true number is roughly double that -- out of a population of less than 1,000 in Alberta. "At this rate, the species just can't survive," said Canadian bear expert Gord Stenhouse.