Wednesday, 16 Nov 2005

Breaking the Sound Barrier

Bush admin takes unexpected step to save Washington state's orcas

Yesterday, the National Marine Fisheries Service surprised conservationists, cetacean lovers, and most other sentient beings, really, by declaring the orcas of Washington state's Puget Sound endangered. The move mandates a recovery plan and critical-habitat designations, and comes after years of debate over just how much chemical pollution, boat traffic, Navy sonar experimentation, and depletion of their favorite food (salmon) the sound's fluctuating population of resident orcas can withstand before dying out. Happily, Northwesterners with diverse stakes -- from orcaphiles to salmon fishers -- seem determined to save the iconic black and white cetaceans. "It's not like the spotted owl, where it's loggers versus owls," orca expert David Bain says. "We're all on the same side on this one."


The Kyoto Protocol finally kicked into gear earlier this year, and now the real fun is about to begin. On Nov. 28, Montreal will welcome the ratifying countries to their first official gathering as such -- and it promises to be a doozy. Kyoto backers will be joined by detractors like the U.S. and Australia as they try to figure out what the heck to do after the controversial climate treaty runs its course in 2012. Today, Jason Anderson offers a preview of what should be a lively few days, and Sarah Kraybill gives the climate-negotiation backstory to remind us how we got to this point in the first place.

Don't Just Lie There

Oil industry execs caught fibbing; may lose tax break; still filthy rich

Last week, while testifying at a Senate hearing, oil industry executives were asked point blank: "Did your company or any representatives of your companies participate in Vice President Cheney's energy task force in 2001?" The answers? Three No's, an "I don't know," and a "not to my knowledge." Turns out these were ... what's the word? ... lies. A document released to The Washington Post shows that officials from at least four of the companies did in fact participate. The execs weren't under oath, but by law, making "any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation" to Congress can get you a fine or up to five years in jail. To add to Big Oil's woes, a Senate committee voted yesterday to rescind a tax break and change accounting rules for the industry, moves that could cost big oil companies up to $6 billion over the next few years. The measures were added to a larger tax-cutting bill that faces a tough road through the full Senate and the House.


Personally, we think baths are just a quick trip to being naked and wrinkly in a vat of tepid water. But we hear some people like them. One reader, after luxuriating in her steamy bubbles, leaves the water standing to help heat her home. Her husband chortles. Today she asks advice maven Umbra Fisk: is it doing any good, this creative heating attempt? Umbra does her best to plug in the answers.

Just Joshin'

Electric-car driver was not an eco-terrorist, FBI admits

The FBI will issue a rare "letter of regret" and pay environmentalist Josh Connole $100,000 after mistakenly arresting him for domestic terrorism. Agents followed Connole for several days in 2003, after arson-vandalism attacks at four Southern California car dealerships in which gas-guzzlers were spray-painted with phrases like "Fat, Lazy Americans." His suspicious activities included living communally with fellow vegans, installing solar panels, protesting the Iraq war, and (horrors!) driving an electric car. When Connole caught on to the surveillance and approached local law enforcement for help, FBI agents arrested him, held him for four days -- often chained to a floor -- and prodded him to confess to the arsons. But oopsie! Another guy did it, and even wrote to the Los Angeles Times mocking the FBI for arresting the wrong man. Asks Bill Paparian, Connole's lawyer, "How does advocacy of electric cars become the basis for suspicion?" Now please excuse us while we check the office for bugs ...