Friday, 26 Aug 2005

Jon Christensen recently argued in our virtual pages that conservationists aren't doing enough to fight poverty. Poverty-fighting conservationist readers took -- and expressed -- umbrage. In our latest batch of letters to the editor, Christensen responds to their comments and encourages further dialogue on the topic. Plus, other readers rant about biodiesel, population pressure, and our (mis)understanding of the German language.

Raider of the Last Parks

Proposal to change national-park rules stirring up controversy

National parks are cool and all, but you know what they really need? More people on cell phones! That -- along with more snowmobiling and off-roading -- could happen under revisions to National Park Service policy proposed by Bush appointee Paul Hoffman, deputy assistant secretary of the interior. His plan, leaked to the press this week, would cut back on environmental protections on numerous fronts, from allowing cell-phone towers to reducing air quality standards to permitting more mining and grazing. While the Department of Interior is trying to cast the proposal as a mere effort at dialogue, past and present National Park Service employees aren't buying it. A group of 400 NPS retirees has announced a campaign to block the changes, and current directors are openly voicing dismay over them. Says J. T. Reynolds, superintendent of Death Valley National Park, "They are changing the whole nature of who we are and what we have been. I hope the public understands that this is a threat to their heritage."


When Amanda Lumry visits with schoolkids, she's always impressed by their passion for animals and the natural world. She tries to foster that sense of wonder with her children's book series, featuring real photographs, kid-friendly facts, and an adventurous protagonist named Riley. As InterActivist this week, Lumry addresses reader questions about her favorite kids' books, her start in the publishing field, the environmental impacts of the book-printing process, and more.

Gorge Push

Northwest's Columbia River Gorge challenged by smog, acid fog

Hundreds of miles north of California's cow-poot-clogged San Joaquin Valley (yes, that was just an excuse to mention cow poots), the Columbia River Gorge along the border between Oregon and Washington is facing its own battle of the haze, with views of nearby Mount Hood often obscured by smog. Acid rain and fog have become problems too, corroding petroglyphs and harming animals and plants. Likely culprits include car exhaust, coal-plant emissions, and ammonia fumes from a dairy complex, among others. Though the Columbia River Gorge Commission -- established by Congress in 1986 to protect the gorge, a national scenic area, from development -- has called for its air to be "protected and enhanced," no one seems to know exactly what that means or who is responsible for making it happen. Conservationists are getting restive and say they may consider using litigation to get action on cleaning up the gorge's air.

Play Your Cardigans Right

Americans look with dread toward this winter's heating bills

Skyrocketing energy costs aren't just kicking Americans in the gas tank -- they're punching Americans right in the bills. The home-heating bills, that is. Folks are expected to spend $600 billion this year on oil purchases (including home heating oil), about $210 billion more than two years ago, and $167 billion on natural gas, up from $120 billion in 2004. Though the overall impact on the economy is in dispute, some economists call it a "consumption tax" that will eventually have a ripple effect, forcing consumers to cut back in other areas. Experts recommend undertaking conservation measures like fixing leaks and putting weather stripping around doors. "You can turn the heat down a little and wear an extra sweater," said Gary Fay, treasurer of his local church in Proctor, Vt., which is looking at a $10,000 shortfall in its budget this year thanks to the soaring cost of heating oil, "but in the end you really need to heat yourself." Word.