Friday, 22 Sep 2006

Johnson Resists Lobbying of Special-Interest "Science" Groups

EPA chief spurns scientific advice, rejects stricter particulate controls

Yesterday, U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson -- rejecting the near-unanimous recommendation of his agency's own scientific advisory council, as well as the pleas of health and environmental advocates -- failed to strengthen the Clean Air Act's standards for maximum annual soot-particle levels. Johnson did strengthen the standards for daily intake, cutting acceptable levels by almost half, but said there was "insufficient evidence" that long-term exposure causes health problems. An EPA analysis shows that following the advisers' advice would have cut air pollution-related deaths in nine cities by 48 percent; the new rules will reduce deaths in those cities by 22 percent. That analysis is, apparently, not "sufficient." Soot particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and circulatory system, and are implicated in tens of thousands of deaths each year from respiratory and coronary disease. Industry groups took Johnson to task -- not for leaving in place lenient annual standards, mind you, but for strengthening the daily ones. After all, refraining from sickening and killing people is expensive!


In Argentina, which ranks second only to the United States in production of genetically modified crops, agro-giant Monsanto's Roundup Ready Soybeans are increasingly ubiquitous -- and controversial. RR soy fields are taking over jungles and savannas, with steep social and environmental consequences; meanwhile, Monsanto is finagling in European courts to reap more profit from Argentine farmers. Kelly Hearn traces a story of industrial-ag shenanigans and eco-ruin.

Terry Troth

California campaigner spreading carbon-cap gospel to other states

Terry Tamminen is restyling himself as the "Johnny Appleseed" of carbon caps. Formerly environmental adviser and cabinet secretary for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), he's now working to spread California's climate policy to other states, and eventually, he hopes, to the country as a whole. First he'll focus on getting southwestern states to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions -- Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas (good luck!), then other Western states and the Northeast. Arizona is already receptive; its governor, Janet Napolitano (D), signed an executive order two weeks ago that calls for the state to seek ways to cut GHG emissions to 2000 levels by 2020, then 50 percent below 2000 levels by 2040. "We can create over the next few years a de facto national policy on climate change and we don't have to wait for the federal government," said Tamminen. "I don't know if next year President Bush will have a change of heart ... but we just can't wait."


Think you have to be rich to make a difference with your dollars? Not so, says Co-op America director Alisa Gravitz. The money each one of us spends on day-to-day living can make a major impact, she argues, so it's critical to spend smart. As InterActivist this week, Gravitz chats with readers about screening companies for eco- and social responsibility, convincing people that sustainability is economically viable, rewarding local green businesses, and more.

I Know What You Did With That Last Hummer

Schwarzenegger sells his Hummers, pals around with NYC Mayor Bloomberg

[See correction below.] Had your doubts that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was walking his green talk? Oh, he's walking all right -- the guv has sold his eight Hummers. It was Schwarzenegger who originally convinced then-manufacturer AM General to make a version of the hulking vehicles for the civilian market, and in 1992 he was the first person to buy one. But friends, he's a changed man. In other Greenernator news, Schwarzenegger palled around yesterday with a fellow high-profile green Republican, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. While visiting a hydrogen fuel-cell research firm in Silicon Valley, Schwarzenegger talked up California's soon-to-be-signed greenhouse-gas-cutting bill, while Bloomberg trumpeted new climate and sustainability goals for his city. Both men were eager to separate themselves from the Republican residing in the White House, but were effusive about each other: Bloomberg said he was "a fan" of Schwarzenegger, and Schwarzenegger upped the ante, saying of Bloomberg, "He's my soul mate. He's the man."


[Correction, 26 Sep 2006: Turns out news reports were wrong and Schwarzenegger has not actually sold his Hummers. A media representative in the Governator's office said on Sept. 25 that Schwarzenegger still owns four of the hulking gas-guzzlers. "But the governor does not drive them anymore, mostly for security reasons," the rep said. Is that like not inhaling?]