Friday, 09 Mar 2007

One Giant Bleep for Mankind

Bush, Brazil sign controversial biofuels pact

Faced with protests and anger at home? Why not escape to a place where you can take solace in ... protests and anger. President Bush is making few friends in Brazil, on the first stop of a Latin American tour that will see him visit four other countries. But he does have a big ol' friend in Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: the two announced today that their countries have signed a pact that aims to boost ethanol production throughout the region. "It makes sense for us to collaborate for the sake of mankind," said Bush. Meanwhile, mankind was getting tear-gassed in the streets as thousands protested the visit and the deal. "Bush and his pals are trying to control the production of ethanol in Brazil, and that has to be stopped," said a rep from Brazil's Landless Workers Movement. Also on the anti-Bush beat: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who will address an "anti-imperialist" rally in Argentina tomorrow. Said Chavez as he began his own journey, "We don't need tips from the empire."

2020 Vision

E.U. adopts ambitious renewable-energy goal

It's a banner day for the European Union: wrapping up a two-day summit, its 27 member states have agreed on an ambitious green-energy goal. The plan -- to use 20 percent renewable energy by 2020 -- will "establish us as a world pioneer," says German Chancellor and summit chair Angela Merkel, who brokered the deal. Two major concessions made cranky countries happy: the 20 percent will be an E.U. average, allowing national goals to vary (and providing poorer countries with a wee loophole); and the deal gives a nod to the potential benefits of nuclear, shutting France up for the nonce. Coupled with a pledge to cut emissions 20 percent by 2020, the move is "the most ambitious package ever agreed by any commission or any group of countries on energy security and climate protection," says European Commission Prez Jose Manuel Barroso. Of course, as Merkel points out, the E.U. spews only 15 percent of the world's emissions: "The real climate problem will not be solved by Europe alone." Sigh.


Is King Coal about to be deposed? Climate scientists, congressional leaders, enviros, and the progressive wing of the business world seem to be plotting a coup d'état. Renowned climatologist James Hansen is calling for a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is drafting a bill that would make that moratorium law. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told Muckraker that old-style coal plants "are destroying the planet!" And Wall Street is getting the message loud and clear. Muckraker assesses the prospects for regime change.


Readers from the Pacific Northwest to Peru wrote in to query InterActivist Lisa Day, the vice president of social action and advocacy for An Inconvenient Truth-producing Participant Productions. Why didn't Al Gore talk up vegetarianism? How can we make global warming less polarizing? Isn't working in the film industry automatically hypocritical? She answers these and more -- all in a Day's work.

What Is This "Integrity" You Speak Of?

States undercharging big emitters for pollution

In probably the first-ever instance of corporate polluters not being held accountable, a study has found that at least 18 states collected such low fees from big emitters that they couldn't cover the cost of enforcement programs set out by the Clean Air Act. According to the nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project, pollution-fighting efforts may have been undermined by some $50 million between 2002 and 2005 due to states fining polluters less than the minimum federal standard of nearly $40 per ton of emissions. Louisiana has charged $12.83 per ton since 2003, collecting $9.8 million less than was minimally recommended. But, you know, whatever -- it's not like Louisiana has had a lot of big environmental expenses lately. Most state officials counter that air-quality program funding is just peachy. But by setting emissions fees so low, says EIP's Eric Schaeffer, "States are shortchanging either the public health or the pockets of taxpayers." Or both!

Sister Hazell

Britain's favorite topless model is the latest eco-spokesperson

Lots of climate and energy news today, so here's some Friday frippery. How excited do you think Guy Adams of The Independent was when his editor told him to interview Keeley Hazell about her green principles? Hazell, well known in Britain as a winsome Page Three girl (that's British for "nudie newspaper model"), posed last year slathered in green paint, alongside several tips for green living. As a result, she was named on Tory leader David Cameron's Christmas list of eco-heroes. Now The Independent is all over the follow-up story, giving Adams a chance to find out how green this model -- whose "assets perk up The Sun once a fortnight" -- really is. Seems the 20-year-old's green habits include buying organic, lighting her flat with candles and energy-saving bulbs, riding a scooter, recycling, and not getting breast implants. Swear to god! As Adams writes, "If the green lobby is to work, it must be a broad church ... if it can conquer Page Three it can probably conquer anything."