Thursday, 09 Mar 2006

In case you just can't get enough of a good thing, today we review four -- count 'em! -- new books on climate change. From New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert's earth-circling explorations to an in-depth look at the North Pole by The New York Times' Andrew Revkin, from a scientific overview by Tim Flannery to a historical sweep by Eugene Linden, this stuff is more fun than a barrel of endangered monkeys. Denis Hayes, coordinator of the first Earth Day and longtime environmental leader, and writers Michelle Nijhuis and Jim Rossi weigh in with their assessments of this new crop.

Can We Sue Them for Label?

House passes industry-beloved food-labeling bill

Yesterday, the House of Representatives stood up to a powerful business lobby to protect public health and safety. Ha ha! Just yanking your chain. Actually, the House approved by 283 to 139 an industry-backed bill that would wipe out over 200 state laws requiring safety and warning labels on foods -- noting the presence of cancer-causing ingredients, for example -- and establish a (weaker) national standard. States would have to petition federal regulators to retain tougher laws. Several of the legislation's major supporters have, believe it or not, close ties to the food industry. Take, for example, House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), whose wife lobbies for Altria, the parent company of Kraft Foods. "It's a perfect storm of insider access, big money, and bad policy," said Andy Igrejas of the National Environmental Trust. The measure now moves on to the Senate, where it's expected to face stiffer opposition.

Stick It Where the Sun Does Shine

Senate panel clears drilling expansion off Florida coast

The specter of new drilling in the Gulf of Mexico loomed a little larger yesterday, as the Senate Energy Committee approved a bill to open millions of acres about 100 miles off the Florida coast to oil and gas exploration. Now, please get out your scorecards and sharpen your No. 2 pencils: Florida Sens. Mel Martinez (R) and Bill Nelson (D) oppose the bill because they fear drilling could put Florida's tourist-friendly beaches at risk. Their allies include California and New Jersey lawmakers. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) opposes the bill because she says it doesn't give Gulf Coast states enough of the estimated $12 billion in royalty payments that the oil and gas leases could generate. Supporters include lawmakers eager to let coastal states opt out of the federal moratorium on offshore drilling and a coalition of industries and farm states that want cheaper, more abundant gas supplies to make fertilizer and chemicals. Still with us? It all adds up to one heckuva fight brewing as the bill moves to the Senate floor.

We Knew They Were Price Gouging, But This Is Ridiculous

Lawsuit against Exxon over torture in Indonesia can proceed, judge says

A U.S. federal judge declared last week that a lawsuit brought against ExxonMobil on behalf of Indonesian villagers can proceed. In 2001, the D.C.-based International Labor Rights Fund sued the company in a U.S. court on behalf of 11 Indonesians from Aceh province, claiming that Indonesian security forces paid by Exxon had used company facilities to commit torture, rape, and murder. According to previous statements from Exxon executives, Indonesian military forces were deployed during a conflict at a natural-gas field and pipeline operated by the oil giant in Aceh. Exxon argues, with characteristic sensitivity, that allowing the villagers to sue under U.S. state law could set a bad precedent. "The lawsuit created the potential for any U.S. company operating overseas to be held vicariously liable for host government actions," said an Exxon spokesflack. The company may appeal. And, oh yeah -- it denies any wrongdoing.

Always Low Vices ... Well, Sometimes

Wal-Mart to double organic food selection

In the next few weeks, Wal-Mart plans to double its offering of organic foods, expanding its produce and dairy selections and offering dry goods as well. Organic food is one of the fastest-growing segments in the grocery biz, and Wal-Mart is one of many large retailers hoping to capitalize on the trend. As the top grocery seller in the U.S., Wal-Mart already sells more organic milk than any other chain. DeDe Priest, Wal-Mart's senior vice president of dry grocery -- that's a mouthful! Ha, mouthful! -- says the globe-straddling retail behemoth wants to "knock out the myth that [organics are] just for the rich." She also hastens to assure us that Wal-Mart has no plans to become a health-food store. We were worried.