Friday, 19 Dec 2003

Come On, Everybody Else Is Doing It

On Climate Change, Other Nations Get Cracking While the U.S. Is Slacking

If you're waiting with bated breath for Russia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol or the U.S. to have a sudden change of heart and hop on board, you're probably getting mighty impatient. But there are some good things afoot on the climate-change front in many other countries. Take the nations of the European Union, which are creating the gold standard for emissions-trading markets. Or Japan, which this year channeled $12 billion toward subsidies for its clean-energy sector and other measures to curb or offset greenhouse-gas emissions. Or Canada, which is asking its citizens to reduce their emissions by more than 1 ton per person per year -- and helping them out with tax incentives. Read about the innovations that put the U.S. to shame, in this month's Powers That Be -- only on the Grist Magazine website.

Spills and Chills

Exxon Valdez Spill Continued to Cause Harm Years Later, Scientists Say

The Exxon Valdez oil spill has lived on in the minds of Alaskans, environmentalists, and people around the globe who were horrified and outraged by the widespread ecological destruction from the 1989 disaster. Now, it turns out that the spill has also lived on in the ecosystem, continuing to cause harm long after the official cleanup came to an end. According to a review published today in the journal Science, salmon, sea otters, ducks, and other marine life suffered the ill effects of crude oil from the spill at least through 2001. The review also found that even tiny quantities of oil -- as little as one part per billion -- can harm marine life. The leader of the study, Charles Peterson of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, called the findings "simply astounding" and said they should have a significant impact on environmental management. Exxon, which has long claimed that the spill no longer has any impact on the region, disputed the review.

Kudos, Zerberts, and Nyah Nyahs

Grist Readers Tell Us What's What

Our readers have had a lot on their minds in the last few weeks -- and they're not shy about sharing. They are building solar houses. They are fighting proposed liquid-natural-gas terminals. They are recycling batteries. They are refusing to put their cars in neutral when they coast. They are giving us credit where it's due, correcting our errors, adding new insights, and generally demonstrating that Grist is blessed with the most opinionated, intelligent readership in all of magazineland. We tip our collective hat to you. Read the latest missives from your fellow Grist fans -- only on the Grist Magazine website.

In Cod's Country

E.U. Fisheries Ministries Reach Agreement on Catch Quotas

They had to pull an all-nighter to make it happen, but the 15 nations of the European Union have finally reached an agreement on catch quotas for all commercial species of fish in the region. In crafting the agreement, fisheries ministers from the member nations sought to balance the financial concerns of fishers with the need to preserve dwindling fish stocks. The end result offers the fishing industry increased quotas for haddock, prawns, and other species, as well as an additional five days per month that trawlers can ply their trade. Environmentalists say the agreement does not adequately safeguard cod, whose numbers have plummeted 90 percent since 1970. But others say that the agreement's long-term conservation plan will do a fine job of protecting cod and other species, including the endangered northern hake.

Not in My Backwards

Japanese Town Vies for World's First Fusion Reactor

With all the Not In My Backyard squabbling that takes place over nuclear energy facilities, it's tough to believe that some communities actually invite nuclear power into the neighborhood. But that's exactly the hope of Rokkasho-mura, a tiny fishing village in Japan that wants to house the world's first fusion-based nuclear reactor. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project, a joint venture among the U.S., China, Russia, South Korea, the European Union, and Japan, plans to choose this weekend between building the reactor in Rokkasho-mura or its rival, the French town of Cadarache. The $12 billion project hopes to use nuclear fusion -- the kind of reaction that takes place inside the sun -- to provide clean, efficient power. The Japanese town, which is about 370 miles north of Tokyo, cites its proximity to a port, its plentiful water supplies, and its "good solid ground" as proof that it would be the best home for the project. But critics say the patchy safety record of the Japanese nuclear industry is a major cause for concern.

A Fruitful Fundraiser

Thank You, Readers: Grist Reaches $35K Goal

We here at Grist want to extend a big ol' thanks to all of you who pitched in during the 2003 Grist Grapefruit Challenge. A scant 83.5 grapefruits later, we're thrilled to report that you've helped us meet our goal of raising $35,000. As a result, a new editor will join our team in January, enabling us to beef up our environmental coverage during the upcoming election year. We're grateful for your tremendous support. (If you're in the throes of regret because you forgot to give, never fear; you still can, using the link below. We're not picky about when, or how often, you click on it.) Again, our heartfelt thanks.

Ta-ta for Now

Grist Takes a Holiday Hiatus

To celebrate our success and recharge for the election year, we're following our grapefruit south to warmer climes, to take a short winter break. We know it'll be tough to live without your daily dose of environmental news, but never fear -- we'll be back with more in 2004, rested up, fattened up, and ready to jump into the thick of things. Happy holidays and a peaceful new year to all.

some Grist-style holiday humor: