Friday, 20 Apr 2007

And 92 Percent Think Heather Mills Is a Real Trouper

New poll declares environmental movement still around

Just in time for Earth Day, a USA Today/Gallup poll has hit the scene to tell Americans how they feel about the environment. To wit: 60 percent of us believe that global warming is happening now, and even more of us think it will, uh, continue to happen. In true bootstrap form, most U.S. folk believe that they should be taking green actions to help the climate, in the form of CFLs, hybrids, and energy-efficient homes. Nearly 90 percent of Americans recycle, while 85 percent aim to reduce energy use. OK, so that's great on the individual scale, but what about systemic change? Um ... two-thirds of Americans favor more energy research, and about the same percentage are opposed to government-mandated restrictions on utilities and industries. Sigh. Still, we take heart in the conclusion of one Gallup scholar: "This year's results suggest that pronouncements of the 'death of environmentalism' have been premature." We ain't dead yet!


Who's the greenest U.S. mayor? Who's the curmudgeonliest clean-energy champion? Which recurring photo op is the most amusing, who uttered the best eco-apology this year, and what does Kristen Bell have to do with it? Find out all that and more in the highly esteemed and breathlessly awaited second annual Grist Earth Day superlatives list. Without a doubt, it's the Entertainingest Way to Waste a Few Minutes on the Friday Before Earth Day 2007!

Well ... A for Effort?

Reports say Chesapeake Bay is still hurting

Two new reports show that, despite 22 years of clean-up efforts, the Chesapeake Bay is still in miserable shape. Pollution and population growth are on the rise, sullying the bay and its tributaries. A report issued by the Chesapeake Bay Program -- a partnership between the U.S. EPA and watershed states -- found degraded water and damage to grasses, crabs, clams, and worms. The University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science also released a river-by-river report card that gave the overall area a grade of D+. Ouch. "The bay is not responding as robustly and fully as we'd hope," says Jeff Lape, director of the Chesapeake Bay Program. As a few positives surfaced, such as sewage-plant upgrades and vehicle emissions laws, you could almost hear the sound of advocates summoning their strength. "I hope [the report card] doesn't give the wrong impression that we're simply not making progress," said Jeff Corbin of Virginia's Natural Resources department. "We're doing this for the long haul."


Tomorrow, Bill Bradlee and David Kroodsma will set off on a journey around the U.S. -- and will stop at nary a gas station. This week's InterActivists are about to don their helmets and set off on Ride for Climate USA, an epic bicycle journey that will raise awareness and their heart rates. Before they set off, the pedaling pair responds to readers about where you can meet up with them on their ride, how you can help make sure they finish, and why they'll be keeping an eye out for Laurie David. Bon voyage!

Faint Christopher

Presidential contender Christopher Dodd endorses carbon tax

The good news: Presidential contender Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) has unveiled a bold energy plan that includes a tax on corporate polluters. The bad news: Christopher who-now? Is running for what? Putting aside Dodd's snowball-in-hell odds, let's admire his goals: a per-ton fee on corporate carbon emissions that would generate $50 billion annually, to be invested in renewable energy. And hey, while he's at it, an increase in fuel-economy standards to 50 miles per gallon by 2017 and a requirement that government offices use green technology and clean-energy vehicles. "I'm going to set a high goal here and drive it," said Dodd, who is spending Earth Day weekend begging New Hampshire voters to acknowledge his existence. "You have to have a price-driven strategy if you are going to succeed in this thing. Otherwise, I'm afraid it's just a lot of talk. People are trying to avoid the difficult decisions." If only those "people" didn't have more money and a whopping lead on the campaign trail.


We all know Earth Day doesn't rate high on Hallmark's list of priorities -- after all, it's no Administrative Professionals Day. So what to do when you want to send eco-holiday greetings to your friends and loved ones? Turn to Grist, of course. We've got the cards you need -- all you have to do is click.