Thursday, 17 Mar 2005

Much of the debate over the alleged "death of environmentalism" has centered on the narrow focus, tech-oriented solutions, and political ineptitude of big environmental organizations. Oddly omitted from these discussions is the way environmental foundations and funders perpetuate these problems and hamstring the movement. Longtime activist Ken Ward takes funders to task and proffers a plan for smart investing of green dollars that could make climate change a top-tier issue in the U.S. -- today on the Grist Magazine website.

The Curious Incident of the Mercury in the School Yard

Study suggests mercury and autism linked

Higher levels of mercury in the environment may be linked to higher rates of autism, a study of Texas school districts found. Districts with the highest rates of autism and special-education students also had the most mercury in the air and water, researchers discovered. They caution that the study doesn't prove a causal link, but say the connection is worrisome and deserving of further study, as autism rates have soared in the last 20 years. Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by a range of symptoms including anti-social behavior, poor language skills, and isolation from the rest of the world (sound like a famous Texan you know?). The study found that for every 1,000 pounds of mercury released, there was a 43 percent increase in special-ed services and a 61 percent increase in autism. The U.S. EPA released its new mercury regulations this week, which allow heavy emitters to buy the "right" to pollute from cleaner sources -- potentially bad news for school districts near big polluters.


In her last column, eco-advice expert Umbra Fisk weighed in on the wisdom of switching to a vehicle that runs on straight vegetable oil. Today, a reader says she's ready to make the switch, but where to start? Umbra's Basic Diesel School will lead you into the wild world of veggie-oil conversion systems. Come along for the ride -- today on the Grist Magazine website.

The Phony Express

Falsified Yucca documents lead to investigation of project's science

The use of fabricated sources in a study about the safety of the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear-waste dump -- revealed in a series of emails between scientists -- has Energy and Interior Department officials scrambling to investigate. The U.S. Geological Survey study was critical to the project's approval, as it concluded that radioactive waste inside the depository would be safe, prevented from leaking into groundwater, for thousands of years. The project is already some 14 years behind schedule, and with questions arising about the science supporting the project, opponents -- including Nevada's congressional delegation and its Republican governor, Kenny Guinn -- may be successful in keeping the dump from being built at all. "This proves once again that [the Department of Energy] must cheat and lie in order to make Yucca Mountain look safe," said Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.). "It is abundantly clear that there is no such thing as 'sound science' at Yucca Mountain."

A Plastic Only an Industry Group Could Love

Anti-PVC movement grows, even as PVC use rises

A growing coalition of scientists, public-health advocates, environmentalists, and even corporations is fighting to rid the world of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some 300 billion pounds of PVC are in use worldwide, and 7 billion pounds are discarded each year in the U.S. alone, says the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice. Recycling PVC is difficult and labor-intensive; most plastic recyclers consider it contamination. In landfills, it leaches lead, cadmium, and phthalates into groundwater. Incinerating it releases the poison dioxin into the air. It is "one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer materials ever produced," according to Joe Thornton, biology professor at the University of Oregon. The Vinyl Institute, a disinterested group of, uh, PVC makers, denies such claims: "you can recycle, landfill, and incinerate it safely and effectively," says spokesflack Allen Blakely. Despite the institute's reassurances, an increasing number of companies, including Victoria's Secret, Nike, Mattel, General Motors, and Microsoft, have pledged to phase PVC out of their operations.