Thursday, 12 Jul 2007

Now That's an Exit Strategy

Sens. Bingaman, Specter introduce industry-backed climate legislation

Two U.S. senators have introduced climate legislation that's a bold compromise or a copout, depending whom you ask. The Low Carbon Economy Act, sponsored by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), would cut current U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions 60 percent by 2050, using a cap-and-trade system that would allow companies to buy credits if they spew too much. Many unions and industry players are on board because the proposal throws them a juicy bone: companies can back out if the cost of trading becomes too high. The bill, supporters say, is "balanced" and will protect the economy. "We've never even stood up and said yes to one of these things," says Bob Baugh of the AFL-CIO. While the legislation is stronger than the White House's voluntary-cuts plan, critics worry that the targets aren't ambitious enough and the loophole's too loopy. "I understand there are some who would like more aggressive targets," says Bingaman, "but we're trying to put together legislation that will pass."

Unhappy Feet

Manatees may lose endangered status, penguins may get it

Manatees and penguins and hornshell clams, oh my! Yes, it's time for an endangered-species update. Flush with success from removing the bald eagle from the endangered-species list, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is suggesting that Florida manatees be downlisted from "endangered" to "threatened" status. It's an idea that comes up fairly regularly and is decried by manatee advocates; if the USFWS follows through this time, critics can sound off in public review and comment periods. The USFWS also announced this week plans to review whether 10 species of penguin need endangered-species protection, factoring in the impacts of climate change, commercial fishing, and predators. Other species that are candidates for the list include the New England cottontail rabbit, sand dune lizard, Oregon spotted frog, and Texas hornshell clam. According to the USFWS, President Bush's administration has added 60 species to the list; Bill Clinton added 550 critters, and Pa Bush added 256.


Mmm, nothing beats a sizzling shrimp kebab fresh off the grill. But is it safe for you and your kids to eat? And is it OK from an environmental standpoint? Roz Cummins digs into the ins and outs of choosing seafood for summer grilling, including which fish to buy, which to avoid, and which ones can take the heat. As always, she offers mouth-watering recipes to go along with her good advice -- just for the halibut.

Sounds Perfecto to Us

Organic farming can yield more food than conventional ag, says analysis

In developed countries, organic farming can yield nearly as much food as pesticide-heavy agriculture, and in developing countries can produce up to three times as much chow, says a new analysis of 293 published studies on organic yields. "My hope is that we can finally put a nail in the coffin of the idea that you can't produce enough food through organic agriculture," says researcher Ivette Perfecto. Let us get this straight: Organic farming is efficient. Organic food doesn't have poisons on it. Organic fruits and veggies could be more nutritious than conventional ones. So ... why doesn't our system favor organic methods? Says Perfecto, whose work was published in the journal Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems: "Corporate interest in agriculture and ... a lot of influence by the chemical companies and pesticide companies as well as fertilizer companies all have been playing an important role in convincing the public that you need to have these inputs to produce food." Oh, right. We forgot.

Tell Us What You Flaunt, What You Really Really Flaunt

Spice Girls reunion tour will be -- gasp -- carbon-intensive

We've been looking for an excuse to mention the Spice Girls reunion since it was announced two weeks ago, and we've finally got one. It seems that -- brace yourself -- the group's world tour will not be eco-friendly. In fact, each Girl will get a private Lear jet for the 11-show tour, which starts in December and covers ground from Los Angeles to Madrid to Buenos Aires. According to Alex Lambie, who runs a London-based website that helps consumers compare energy options, the combined flights will churn out nearly 10,500 tons of carbon dioxide. "It's everyone's responsibility to limit the damage we're doing to our planet," he says. "But clearly, some celebrities feel they don't count." An Australian paper sniped, "Clearly, Girl Power does not come in green." And one disillusioned fan said, "When you have concerts like Live Earth encouraging us all to be green, you get the Spice Girls pulling a stunt like this. Just who do they think they are?" Um, they're PoshSportyScaryBabyGinger. Zigazig ah!