Endangered Listing for Greater Sage-Grouse Warrented But Withheld
WASHINGTON, DC, March 8, 2010 (ENS) - The greater sage-grouse "warrants" the protection of the Endangered Species Act but listing the species at this time is "precluded by the need to address higher priority species first," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced Friday.
New Study Asserts Gender-Bending Effect of Popular Pesticide
Atrazine, a weed killer commonly used in the Midwest to combat broadleaf pest plants that ail crops, has been found to cause severe hormone imbalances in laboratory animals. The pesticide, which is a known endocrine disruptor, is the most activley detected pesticide in USGS ground and surface water studies. While the chemical is banned in the European Union, its use in the United States makes it one of the most commonly used pesticides in the world.
Nina Fedoroff, the chief scientist of Secretary of State Clinton, has come forward with new research advocating the expansion of genetically modified organisms in farming.
Broad Coalition of Industry Groups Protest Biofuel Expansion
A broad and diverse coalition of industry groups sent a letter to the EPA, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, and the White House to protest the planned expansion of biofuels in consumer gasoline. Currently, the EPA allows a 10% of gasoline sold to consumers to be subsidy-driven ethanol, a biofuel meant to reduce dependency on oil imports and reduce grain surplus issues in the American farming industry. This same product, which is less powerful and slightly cleaner burning gasoline, has been found to damage gasoline engines.
German factory to mass produce ancient Amazonian fertilizer
It is believed that the ancient Amazon people crafted a special fertilizer by burying clay jars filled with char, bones, and manure. This time-consuming process created a substance the Portuguese called "terra preta" or "black earth." In modern times, scientists have come to know that this ultra-fertile soil is filled with micro-organic activity that generates a regenerating soil-bound ecosystem that produces astonishing crop yield and needs no fertilizer.
Minnesota Communities teach Swedes about Farms, Forests, and Clean Energy
Swedes’ visit to Minnesota is a Learning Experience for All
Last month Minnesota became home to Swedish business partners Erik Sundell and Per Hallnevik as they traveled across the state to learn more about farming and agricultural practices.
New report: Water demand to increase up to 50% in 20 years
A new report on Global water resources released by the McKinsey consulting firm asserts that policymakers need to take a more accurate measure of our remaining water stores before writing laws. Entitled "Charting our Water Future," the report states that in only 20 years, water demand will have increased by over 50% in some places. The report contends that improvements in infrastructure and sourcing will only cover a fraction of this new demand, and that only by moving our economies to be "water lean" will we avoid major conflict and economic upset.
EPA, Florida Agree to Limit Fertilizer, Animal Waste in State Waters
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, November 18, 2009 (ENS) - In a decision with national relevance, a federal judge in Tallahassee Monday approved a consent decree that requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set legal limits on excess nutrients that trigger harmful algae blooms in Florida waters.
Lack of measurement, not greed, leads to policies of environmental abuse
Pava Sukhdev, a banker from Deutsche Bank who is working with the United Nations Environment Programme, recently released a report that aims to put a price on nature. While the notion is considered preposterous by some, akin to assessing the value of a soldier's life or a child's education, Sukhdev contends that unless tangible values are tied to our natural resources, decision makers will not know when choosing to harvest rather than preserve will actually result in a net loss.
"Chemical Reaction" highlights one town's fight for pesticide-free lawns
The eco-documentary "Chemical Reaction" brings the story about a little town named Hudson fought off lawn care and agriculture corporations and became the first place in North America to ban pesticide use on private lawns. This result came after years of campaigns, protests, activist activities, research, and community outrage. The story comes to a head when a 10-month old child is paralyzed due to exposure to a chemical compound that is commonly found in lawn care products.
