Thursday, 14 Dec 2006

Summer Time, and the Givin' Is Easy

Hot model speaks up for Grist, bug-eyed readers reach for their wallets

We don't mean to be shirty, but we want you to know: Grist's end-of-year fundraising campaign wraps up tomorrow night, and we're still panting for your support. If we're not sexy enough in our own right, eco-model and fashion maven Summer Rayne Oakes sings our praises in an exclusive video. Support your favorite purveyor of hard-hitting news and humor today, and you could win a variety of fantastic green prizes -- including a hot Summery wardrobe. Also, as previously mentioned, a huge virtual hug from us.

Millionaires Beg for Change

Business execs and military leaders smack down Bush energy policy

Prominent business execs and retired military officers are down on their knees begging Congress and the Bush administration to cut U.S. dependence on oil. "It's the height of folly for the U.S. to continue on this course, lest we have some major economic or national-security problem," says FedEx CEO Frederick W. Smith, cochair of the Energy Security (God-Knows-We-Need-) Leadership Council. Along with repetition of the domestic-drilling-and-biofuels-will-save-us refrain, the council is asking the feds for a 4 percent annual increase in fuel-economy standards for cars, SUVs, and heavy trucks. The 16 members -- including higher-ups from Dow Chemical, Waste Management, UPS, Goldman Sachs, and Southwest Airlines -- will advertise and lobby to nearly halve U.S. oil dependence by 2030. And, says soon-to-be House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), "When prominent CEOs and military leaders get together to advocate an issue as important as energy security, people listen." Guess we'll find out.


While the U.S. struggles with the economics of ethanol, a certain humongous country to the south has successfully fledged an ethanol industry of its own. We're talking, of course, about French Guiana. Oh no, wait -- dang foreign maps. We're talking about Brazil! Today in our series, Tom Philpott and Gordon Feller explore the lessons the U.S. can learn from Brazil. Kelly Hearn talks to an entrepreneur in Argentina who says decentralization is the way to go. And, since we're getting all open-minded and multicultural, we take a look at alternative-fuel alternatives. We're talking ass fat and kitty cats, people. Check it out.

Once More Unto the REACH

E.U. parliament passes new chemical standard, businesses brace for impact

Call it the vote heard 'round the world: yesterday, the E.U. parliament passed a landmark law that has global bizfolk quivering. REACH -- Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals -- requires about 30,000 chemicals to be registered with a new agency, with about 1,500 of the most harmful facing extra scrutiny. Called "the world's most ambitious piece of legislation on public health and environment protection," the new deal -- which, during years of tweaking, saw lots o' compromise -- caused grumbling on both sides. "This deal is an early Christmas present for the chemicals industry, rewarding it for its intense and underhand lobbying campaign," said parliament member Caroline Lucas. But industry would have taken a fruitcake: "It's a poor use of time, energy, and resources," said Steven Russell of the American Chemistry Council. "A really historic amount of work and expense will have to focus on the implementation." The law will creep in over 11 years, leaving plenty of whine time.

Not Just for Stockings Anymore

Plans for coal plants in Texas, Kansas fueling opposition from all sides

As U.S. utilities try to keep pace with the energy-sucking public, they're planning 150 new coal-fired plants. But with coal plants already causing a third of the nation's carbon dioxide emissions, critics are emerging from all corners. A heated battle in Texas over TXU Corp.'s plans for 11 new plants has inspired a hunger strike, an anti-coal coalition of 17 mayors, and now a group of 20 Dallas execs called Texas Business for Clean Air. "We think the plan ... is being crammed down our throats," said business exec David Litman. But TXU is unmoved: "We're finding it hard to believe that this group ... represents the business leadership of the whole state," said TXU spokesbeeyotch Kim Morgan. In Kansas, plans for three plants that could emit 18 million tons of carbon a year are firing up foes in Colorado and the Northeast, with several states sending a letter of protest this week saying climate change is "the single greatest environmental challenge facing the world today." Oh, that old saw.

Monsieur Heat Miser

Europe's holiday spirit, shopping disrupted by global warming

In the worst consequence of global warming yet, European retailers are fretting that consumers may be too warm to do their holiday shopping. "Christmas business lacks impetus as there is no Christmas spirit in warmer weather," laments Hubertus Pellengahr, a German retail association spokesperson. "Retail sales are far more weather-related than one might assume." Following an autumn that many believe was the warmest in 500 years, Europe is experiencing a record mild winter, leading to artificial snow at ski resorts and sightings of daisies and butterflies. German asthmatics are complaining of pollen; Swedes have experienced rare flooding. Among the few reveling in the new holiday spirit are golfers and builders, whose pursuits are usually set back by cold weather. "If you look at trends, then you can say that [the 2006 record] is a signal of global warming," said Dutch atmospheric researcher Rob van Dorland, who added that his hopes for a Red Ryder, carbine-action BB gun are swiftly melting.