Earths.net

3/31/01
11:10:08 AM

ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE

"We Cover the Earth For You"

BALTIC SEA SHIP COLLISION SPILLS TONS OF OIL

HELSINKI, Finland, March 30, 2001 (ENS) - The collision of a cargo ship with an oil tanker in the Baltic Sea late Wednesday night has spilled about 1,900 tonnes (2,090 tons) of heavy fuel oil into the water. The oil has formed a slick 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) long between the German peninsula Darss and the Danish island of Moen.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-30-01.html

FLORIDA RADIO SHOCK JOCK CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY

By Steve Wilson

TAMPA, Florida, March 30, 2001 (ENS) - A popular Florida radio disc jockey known as Bubba the Love Sponge is soaking up nothing but trouble in wake of what prosecutors charge was an illegal act of animal cruelty disguised as a publicity stunt to boost ratings. The WXTB radio personality was charged with felony animal cruelty last night and booked at the county jail.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-30-05.html

TURKISH ENVIRONMENTALIST JAILED UPHOLDING SUPREME COURT RULING

By Jon Gorvett

ISTANBUL, Turkey, March 30, 2001 (ENS) - The leader of one of Turkey's longest running environmental campaigns was jailed for a year and a half this week under the country's tough anti-protest laws written by the Turkish military.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-30-02.html

DROUGHT STRICKEN PAKISTAN TURNS TO NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 30, 2001 (ENS) - A three year drought has prompted Pakistan to consider new and unorthodox ways of obtaining water. Melting glaciers with charcoal and using nuclear technology to cultivate salt tolerant crops are two of the options under consideration.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-30-10.html

LONDON TO TAKE DELIVERY OF LOW EMISSION BUSES

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 30, 2001 (ENS) - Londoners will soon be using hydrogen powered fuel cell buses, after an announcement this week. A fuel cell combines hydrogen with oxygen to produce electricity, heat and water. The fuel cell uses this electricity to power the vehicle. Because the only emission from fuel cell vehicles fueled with hydrogen is water vapor, they are significantly cleaner than existing petrol and diesel vehicles.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-30-11.html

ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE AMERISCAN: MARCH 30, 2001

Corps Reform Act Introduced in Congress

First Chapter of Earth's "Biological Record" Documented

Stimulating Environment Protects Brain Against Lead

Caviar Smuggler Pleads Guilty

Growing Energy, Environmental Benefits Could Aid Farmers

Historical Studies of Recycled Uranium Released

Wildlife Refuge System Faces Maintenance Backlog

At Tax Time, Remember the Toads

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-30-09.html

HEALING OUR WORLD: WEEKLY COMMENT

By Jackie Alan Giuliano, Ph.D.

Killing Tomorrow for a Few Megawatts Today

We have a beautiful mother

Her green lap immense

Her brown embrace eternal

Her blue body everything we know.

Alice Walker

The modern American system of governance has an attribute that the founding fathers of our country may not have anticipated. Today, the primary qualifications for assuming public office seem to be personal wealth and a vested interest in major industries. So, the people making life or death decisions for the American people, their children, and the children of tomorrow, are increasingly becoming the least qualified to be making those judgments.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-30g.html

3/31/01
11:02:34 AM

TomPaine.com

THE DEMS GO FLAT?

by David Corn

Instead of targetting tax cuts to those who need it most, the Democrats propose sending a check to every U.S. household. Have they caved under Bush's rhetoric of "relief"?

http://www.tompaine.com/news/2001/03/30/2.html

DOUBLE TROUBLE AT D.O.T.

by Brenda R. Mayrack,

Public-i (www.Public-i.org)

Lockheed Martin Corp., the nation's largest defense contractor, could wield substantial political clout in the Bush administration with the appointment of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and his chief deputy.

http://www.tompaine.com/opinion/2001/03/29/index.html

TYRANNY ON THE AIRWAVES

by Norman Solomon

The media industry -- no less than the campaign system -- is awash in oceans of dollars. Yet no one on the Senate floor has demanded the taming of the nation's media giants.

http://www.tompaine.com/news/2001/03/30/1.html

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Your feedback: Bill Shutkin made some of you ANGRY!... Granny D inspires a mom and her kids... and reader vs. reader.

http://www.tompaine.com/news/2001/03/30/index.html

http://www.TomPaine.com

3/31/01
10:58:22 AM

US Election Activates The Activisits

USA - On January 20th, advocates of democracy around the world were scratching their heads while they watched in disbelief as the candidate with the fewest votes was installed as the new American President. However strange and illegitimate it may have seemed to most, it only served as a wakeup call to social activists and the visionaries who are committed to a positive viable future rather than a rerun of the disfunctional past.

With the advent of the internet and instant communication, the "playing field" of politics and social change is gradually being leveled. Grassroots organizations such as 'Act For Change', 'Give For Change', and Working Assets' are mobilizing to make a big difference in America. It's just a matter of time.

'Act For Change' makes it easy for people to become online activists and speak out on behalf of progressive issues. By combining progressive news with opportunities for citizen action, 'Act For Change' has become a powerful and far-reaching catalyst for social innovation. Not only does the online organization give visitors news and updates on important issues, but also a direct link to the decision-makers who can make a difference on these issues. The AFC website makes it easy for visitors to contact their federal elected officials, find legislative committee information, key staff and more.

And for those who are ready to financially support social change, the website links with 'Give For Change', a URL which lets visitors make online donations to hundreds of progressive nonprofit groups in one convenient location. Access is provided to more than 300 groups working in 11 categories.

Both sites are working in cooperation with Working Assets, a long distance, credit card, Internet services and broadcasting company that was created in 1985 to build a world that is more just, humane and environmentally sustainable. Since its creation, the company has been helping people make a difference in the world through progressive philanthropy and political activism, and by donating a portion of its revenue to nonprofit groups working for peace, human rights, equality, education and the environment. The company also serves as a strong political force, dedicated to giving its customers the opportunity to speak out on critical public issues.

Since 1985, Working Assets Funding Service has donated more than $20 million to progressive nonprofits, including Greenpeace, Oxfam America, Rainforest Action Network, Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Ms. Foundation, Children's Defense Fund, AIDS Action Council and Amnesty International, among many others. In 1999 alone, Working Assets Funding Service generated nearly $4 million for 60 nonprofit groups. The organizations fall into five categories: Economic & Social Justice, Environment, Civil Rights, Peace & International Freedom and Education & Freedom of Expression.

Customers can nominate nonprofit groups to receive funding each year. After an independent foundation evaluates the effectiveness of the hundreds of nominees, Working Assets Funding Service employees and board of directors select 60 groups for the annual donations ballot. At the end of the year, customers vote on how to distribute the donations among the 60 groups.

In 1991 Working Assets Funding Service created the Citizen Action program to provide customers with timely information and easy ways to speak out on important issues. Each month the company highlights two crucial national issues under debate, explaining what's at stake and whom to contact. Working Assets Long Distance customers can call the targeted decision-maker free of charge every day of the week, or have a low-cost, well-argued advocacy letter sent on their behalf. Online customers can send an instant e-mail with personal comments to targeted corporate leaders.

Working Assets is one of the most powerful progressive citizen-action groups in the USA today. Each month, approximately 40,000 Working Assets customers make their voices heard for each national action. In 1998 alone, Working Assets customers generated nearly one million calls and letters to Congress, the White House and business leaders on issues of critical public concern. Some of the Citizen Action victories in 1998 include: protecting the organic food label; winning compensation from Daimler Chrysler for WWII slave laborers; and securing increased government funding for family planning and civil rights enforcement.

Created in 1995, Working Assets' Flash Activist Network (FAN) is a rapid response program designed to give customers a chance to speak out on fast-moving issues before all is said and done. Throughout the year FAN monitors critical events as they unfold and notifies members by phone, fax or e-mail when it's time for action. Members can call a toll-free number for details on the issues at hand, then be transferred directly to the targeted decision-maker, or send a personalized fax. For a low monthly fee, FAN members can influence public policy before it's too late.

Working Assets is a telephone long distance company which offers everything that one expects from a phone company: crystal-clear sound, top-quality service and competitive rates, plus they connect their customers.

How do they do all of this? By simply allowing customers to donate1% of their long distance charges to positive social change.

In seeking a positive spin on the results of the US election, one activist suggested that perhaps the outcome was like pulling back on a sling shot in order to get enough momentum to shoot forward. If this is the case, then the results of the recent US presidential election have certainly activated the activists and there may be dramatic changes in store for 2004.

You can learn more my clicking here: ActForChange or going to

http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/aboutactivism.cfm

3/31/01
10:55:11 AM

US City Issues Its Own Currency

USA - Ithaca, NY - Here is how it works: The Ithaca "HOUR" is Ithaca's $10 bill, because ten dollars per hour is the average of wage in Tompkins County, NY. These HOUR notes, in five denominations, buy plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, roofing, nursing, chiropractic, child care, car and bike repair, food, eyeglasses, firewood, gifts, and thousands of other goods and services.

The credit union accepts them for mortgage and loan fees. People pay rent with HOURS. The best restaurants in town take them, as do movie theaters, bowling alleys, two large locally-owned grocery stores, many garage sales, forty farmer's market vendors, the Chamber of Commerce, and 250 other businesses. Hundreds more have earned and spent HOURS who are not on the Ithaca Money list.

Some claim that they are better than US dollars. As one participant says: "We printed our own money because we watched Federal dollars come to town, shake a few hands, then leave to buy rainforest lumber and fight wars. Ithaca's HOURS, by contrast, stay in our region to help us hire each other. While dollars make us increasingly dependent on multinational corporations and bankers, HOURS reinforce community trading and expand commerce which is more accountable to our concerns for ecology and social justice.

The local currency program, which has been operating successfully since 1991, now has over 1,400 participating businesses with a directory rivaling the Yellow Pages. According to organizers it is bringing into the marketplace time and skills not employed by the conventional market. Some even suggest that part of its success is the difference in perspective. As one participant says: "We encounter each other as fellow Ithacans, rather than as winners and losers scrambling for dollars. We're making a community while making a living. As we do so, we relieve the social desperation which has led to compulsive shopping and wasted resources." The published success stories of some 300 participants certainly testify to the generosity and sense of community which have come out of the program.

Everyone who agrees to accept HOURS is paid one HOUR ($10.00) or two HOURS ($20.00) for being listed in the newsletter "HOUR Town." Every eight months they may apply to be paid an additional HOUR, as reward for continuing participation. This is how the system gradually and carefully increases the per capita supply of money. Once issued, anyone may earn and spend HOURS, whether signed up or not, and hundreds have done so.

At the same time Ithaca's locally-owned stores, which keep more wealth local, make sales and get spending power they otherwise would not have. And over $5,500 of local currency has been donated to 25 community organizations so far, by the Barter Potluck, the systems wide-open governing body. As they discover new ways to provide for each other, they are letting go of their dependence on imports. They believe that this greater self-reliance, rather than isolating Ithaca, gives them more potential to reach outward with ecological export industry.

They are capitalizing new businesses with loans of their own cash. HOUR loans are made without interest charges. Participants consider the HOURS as real money, backed by real people, real time, real skills and tools. Federal dollars, they say, are funny money, backed no longer by gold or silver but by less than nothing - $5 trillion of national debt!

Following their theme of equity, they note that their commemorative HOUR currency is the first paper money in the U.S. to honor an African-American. Multi-colored HOURS, some printed on locally-made watermarked cattail (marsh reed) paper, all with serial numbers, are harder to counterfeit than dollars.

Participants enthusiastically point out that the use of local currency is a lot of fun, it's legal, and HOURS are taxable income when traded for professional goods or services.

They also note that a local currency system is lots of work and responsibility. To give other communities a boost, they have been providing a Hometown Money Starter Kit. The kit explains step-by-step start-up, and maintenance of an HOURS system, and includes forms, laws, articles, procedures, insights, samples of Ithaca's HOURS, and issues of Ithaca Money. So far they have sent the kit to over 600 communities in 47 states. Kits are available for $25 dollars (2.5 HOURS option in NY or $35 from abroad.) from Ithaca Money, Box 6578, Ithaca, NY 14851 USA. A 17-minute video is also available for $17, or $15 if bought with the kit. ($40 for Kit and video).

Also see the website:

http://www.cfg.com/timedollars

Source: An article by Paul Glover at Global Ideas Bank:

http://www.globalideasbank.org/

3/30/01
5:57:59 PM

Environmental news from GRIST MAGAZINE

<http://www.gristmagazine.com>

1. HOGWASH! In a blow to environmentalists' efforts to stop pollution from large hog farms, a North Carolina judge has thrown out two lawsuits against Smithfield Foods, the nation's biggest pork producer. The superior court judge ruled that the plaintiffs -- environmental groups and river users -- lacked standing in the case and had not shown that the alleged wrongdoing damaged them directly enough to warrant a court challenge. The plaintiffs, who said they would appeal the ruling, counter that pollution-free rivers are a birthright for citizens. They hope to force Smithfield to clean up pollution in three rivers and stop using open pits to store hog waste. The company faces similar lawsuits in three other states in federal court.

straight to the source: Raleigh News and Observer, James Eli Shiffer, 30 Mar 2001 <http://www.newsobserver.com/friday/news/Story/414510p-411323c.html>

2. I'M A LOSER, BABY, SO WHY DON'T YOU DRILL ME President Bush acknowledged for the first time yesterday that he may lose the fight to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to drilling. In a press conference, the president said he will push to exploit oil and gas resources elsewhere in the nation if Congress doesn't sanction drilling in the refuge. Bush also defended his move to rescind a rule approved by former President Clinton to lower the amount of arsenic allowable in drinking water to the same level adopted by the World Heath Organization and European Union. He suggested that the level wasn't based on sound science. Responding to criticism about his decisions not to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and to back out of the Kyoto treaty on climate change, Bush said, "The idea of placing caps on CO2 does not make economic sense for America."

straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, James Gerstenzang, 30 Mar 2001 <http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environ/20010330/t000027314.html>

straight to the source: New York Times, Katharine Q. Seelye, 30 Mar 2001 <http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/30/politics/30BUSH.html>

read it only in Grist Magazine: 10 reasons to drill-- the case for oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- satire in our opinions section <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/imho/imho032201.stm>

3. THE BUSH WITHDRAWAL METHOD Loud international criticism of President Bush's decision to withdraw from the Kyoto treaty on climate change continued yesterday, and a broad coalition of U.S. religious groups urged Bush to revisit the decision. At a meeting in Montreal, environmental ministers from North and South America canceled a long-planned statement on how to proceed with implementing Kyoto and instead pressed U.S. EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman to explain the U.S. position. "Kyoto clearly is not perfect, but Kyoto is what we've got," said a top Canadian negotiator, Paul Fauteux. Whitman tried to reassure the officials, but had no alternative plan on global warming to offer them. She left the two-day conference a day early, citing "other commitments."

straight to the source: Washington Post, Eric Pianin, 30 Mar 2001 <http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14005-2001Mar29.html>

straight to the source: New York Times, Douglas Jehl, 30 Mar 2001 <http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/30/national/30WARM.html>

4. SURLY, WITH INFRINGE ON TOP A federal judge in Canada ruled yesterday that a Canadian farmer had infringed on Monsanto's patent rights because plants from the company's genetically engineered canola seed had been found on his property, apparently after pollen from modified plants on farms nearby had drifted onto his land. The farmer, Percy Schmeiser, was ordered to pay thousands of dollars to Monsanto, which filed the suit as part of an aggressive campaign to ensure that farmers purchase the genetically engineered seed each year, instead of saving their seed. Schmeiser argued that he had been saving his own seed for years and shouldn't be held accountable for pollen blown in from neighboring farms. In related news, the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects that U.S. farmers this year will plant more genetically engineered soy and cotton crops than ever before.

straight to the source: Washington Post, Marc Kaufman, 30 Mar 2001 <http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12927-2001Mar29.html>

5. TAKING A CHARGE IN THE PAINT In an effort to force Rhode Island to abandon its lawsuit against the country's biggest lead paint manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has requested that state and Providence city officials produce 50 years of public records that have anything to do with lead poisoning. The chamber hopes the documents reveal mistakes and liabilities created by public officials dealing with the lead problem. State Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse (D) called the chamber "shills for the paint industry" and said the state won't be intimidated by the request. Meanwhile, the paint industry has asked a superior court judge to throw out the state's case, which accuses the industry of knowing that lead paint was dangerous before it was banned in the U.S in 1978 and covering up the risk; a decision from the judge is expected soon.

straight to the source: Providence Journal, Peter B. Lord, 29 Mar 2001 <http://projo.com/cgi-bin/story.pl/news/05210691.htm>

6. SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF DENMARK A 550,000-gallon oil spill caused by the collision of a tanker and a freighter in the Baltic Sea reached the shores of Denmark yesterday. Strong winds broke the spill into dozens of separate slicks and high waves complicated clean-up efforts by the Danish, German, and Swedish governments. The tanker, which was carrying 9.7 million gallons of oil, has been stabilized and the leak has been stopped.

straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, 30 Mar 2001 <http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environ/20010330/t000027333.html>

Fear and loathing in D.C. -- the Bush administration is smoking out enviros left and right -- in our Muckraker column <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/muck/muck032901.stm>

Getting that sinking feeling -- a day in the life of Noelle Barger, San Diego Oceans Foundation <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/week/barger032901.stm>

Desert storm -- Utah residents fight back against toxic contamination -- in our Books Unbound section <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/books/books100400.stm>

3/30/01
12:44:43 PM

EcoNet News

This Week's Headlines and Alerts from EcoNet

http://www.igc.org/igc/gateway/enindex.html

Do you have environmental news or action alerts to share? Visit

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enalerts

for action alerts or

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines

for short news items, and select "post article" from the upper left corner of the page. Simply fill in the form, and we'll review and approve your submission for posting to the EcoNet site and inclusion in this news digest.

EcoNet Alerts: March 30, 2001

World Bank Plans to Legitimize Forcible Relocation of Indigenous People

The Forest Peoples Programme has examined the latest draft of the IR policy dated March 2001. We are dismayed to see that the policy is severely weakened and discriminates against indigenous peoples and other ethnic minorities without formal legal rights (rights recognized by National law). The policy permits forcible relocation of indigenous peoples even when it will result in "significant adverse effects" on their "cultural survival." Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enalerts/985912145/index_html

Huge Dam/Forest Clearance Threatens Lynx

Please help us to stop one of the biggest deforestation and dam-building projects ever seen. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enalerts/985912426/index_html

Codex Irradiation Standard Threatens Food Safety

A proposed international food irradiation standard wending its way through legal channels in Europe could jeopardize the quality and safety of food sold to United States consumers. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enalerts/985912593/index_html

Utah Wilderness Update: Canyonlands NP Considers Opening Salt Creek to Vehicles

In this update, you'll find that the only perennial stream in Canyonlands National Park, besides the Colorado River, needs your voice and your letter. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enalerts/985913108/index_html

NRDC Earth Action: Speak Out Against Navy LFA Sonar

The National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed issuing a permit that would allow the Navy to move ahead with plans to flood as much as 80 percent of the world's oceans with intense noise -- harassing, injuring, or even killing marine mammals in the process. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enalerts/985913741/index_html

EcoNet Headlines: March 30, 2001

GREEN: Ground Squirrel Ghost Towns in Washington State

Biologists now have "fears for the survival" of another ESA candidate species after finding Washington "ground squirrel ghost towns" in much of the Columbia River Basin sagebrush habitat that supports the imperiled species. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985922953/index_html

EU Elevates Role of Biodiversity in Its Policies

The European Commission says a series of action plans adopted today will put protection of biological diversity at the heart of European Union agricultural, fishery and development policies. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985922585/index_html

Vietnamese and Philippine Agriculture Fall Prey to Globalization of Land Rights

While foreigners are not allowed to own land in Vietnam, an impending new law will effectively transfer the control of local land from farmers to foreign agro-investors, under agricultural joint venture agreements. A similar scheme in the Philippines has been criticised for driving many farmers to bankruptcy and perpetuating unfair labour practices against farmhands and agricultural workers. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985922388/index_html

Brick Kilns Threaten Forests and Health in Bangladesh

There are estimated to be about 5,000 brick kilns in the Bangladesh countryside. On average, each brick kiln produces one million bricks every year. As many as half a million people work in the country's brick making industry. However, the brick manufacturing business is also said to have become one of the country's biggest environmental threats, damaging cultivable land, forest and human health. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985922230/index_html

U.S. Northeast Still Damaged by Acid Rain

Lakes, streams, soil and trees in the Northeast continue to suffer the effects of acid rain despite cuts in power plant emissions, an environmental research group says Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985922086/index_html

Greens Tell EU Not to Call Garbage "Renewable"

Greenpeace warned the European Union yesterday that plans to classify some forms of waste incineration as "renewable" energy would lead to a proliferation of unpopular new incineration plants. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985921946/index_html

Winds of Hope for Alternative Energy in Argentina

The winds seem to be blowing in favour of alternative energy in Argentina, a country with great potential for developing "aeolian" technology, which is clean and increasingly competitive with fossil fuel energy sources. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985921818/index_html

Latin America Solidarity Conference Prioritizes Confronting FTAA and Militarization

Over 200 representatives of local committees and national organizations attended the second Latin America Solidarity Conference on March 17th and 18th at the International Conference Center in Chicago. They agreed to prioritize as their work for the next period: 1) confronting the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which would be a NAFTA treaty for the entire Western Hemisphere; and 2) opposing militarization of the hemisphere (including opposing Plan Colombia; stopping the bombing of Vieques, Puerto Rico; closing the successor to the School of the Americas; and stopping the so-called "drug war" including the placing of bases in Latin American countries). Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985921594/index_html

WTO Talks in Chiang Mai a Trojan Horse, Activists Warn

Civil rights groups and activists have urged the public to closely monitor the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks to he held in Chiang Mai this week. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985921351/index_html

Genetically Engineered Fish Threaten World's Oceans

GE fish have the potential to cause irreversible damage to wild fish stocks and to the wider marine environment. Leading marine biologists have expressed grave reservations and warned that even a small number of GE fishes released into the wild can have potentially devastating effects. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985921007/index_html

A Million Farmers Protest Against the WTO in India

Just 12 days before the WTO deadline for opening up markets, farmers came together in the Capital on Monday to fight a last-ditch battle against globalization and the government's "anti-farmer and reform policies". Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985920763/index_html

Biotech Company Admits StarLink Contamination Is Forever

A top Aventis CropScience executive said Sunday that the food supply will never be rid of the new strain of corn that the company genetically engineered at Research Triangle Park. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985920399/index_html

Protesters Destroy GE Trees in Oregon

In mid-March, 2001 concerned OSU students and alumni targeted three GE test sites where Poplar and Cottonwood trees are being grown by Steve Strauss, a forestry professor at Oregon State University and the founder of the Tree Genetic Engineering research Cooperative. According to the communiqué the test plots "at these places were independently assessed and found to be a dangerous experiment of unknown genetic consequences. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985920288/index_html

Renewal of German Atomic Waste Shipment Spawns Massive Protests

The United States could see protests similar to those now occurring in Germany if the federal government approves a plan to transport high-level nuclear waste across the country to a Nevada storage site, two U.S. public interest groups said today. Read More...

http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/enheadlines/985920098/index_html

3/30/01
11:47:34 AM

GREENPEACE CALLS ON EU TO STOP GREENWASHING WASTE ISSUE:

New Report Confirms Health Concerns over Incineration

Brussels - 27th March 2001: Greenpeace accused the EU Council of greenwash today for attempting to classify an established health hazard as a source of renewable energy in the Draft EC Directive on Renewables. The EU is advocating the use of incineration of biodegradable waste, despite clear evidence that it produces virtually no useful energy. In addition a new Greenpeace report points to independent scientific research which identifies links between incineration and a variety of human health impacts.

"To promote these toxic incinerators as a source of renewable energy is shameful. This report points to clear evidence that incinerators release toxic substances and that workers at incinerator plants and people living in nearby communities are exposed to a wide range of potential health impacts," said Dr. Paul Johnston, one of the authors of the report. "The EU Council should not be advocating the use of incineration, they should be demanding a total phase out," he added.

The report, "Incineration and Human Health", cites numerous scientific studies carried out in the UK, Italy, the US and Sweden amongst other countries. It reveals that, where studies into health impacts of incinerators have been conducted, waste incineration is associated with definite hazards to human health such as lung, throat, liver and stomach cancers as well as respiratory problems and heart disease.

"The limited number of tests that have been done have produced deeply worrying evidence of the potential links between incineration and serious illnesses. But it is only the tip of the iceberg. Far more research needs to be carried out to establish the true extent of the problem and to establish exact patterns of illness. For the EU to push for incineration without examining all the facts is grossly irresponsible," Johnston added.

The scientific data also reveal that, despite reduction in some chemicals in the stack emissions, even modern incinerators release numerous toxic substances into the atmosphere and into residues such as fly ash and bottom ash, often at increased concentrations.

Greenpeace also released a letter sent to the EC Energy Commissioner, Loyola de Palacio, criticising the EU for its "common position" on the draft Directive on renewable energy sources, just formalised by the Council, in which EU ministers included the biodegradable content of municipal wastes in the definition of renewables, caving in to the pressures from Italy, the Netherlands and the UK.

Greenpeace warned that it is technically incorrect to consider the burning of green waste (biodegradable waste without paper) an energy source. Green waste makes up more than half of the biodegradable waste. Its heat value is far too low to consider it a possible energy source, given the energy needed to make it burn, to clean the resulting flue gases, and to dispose of the residues (1). Greenpeace is calling on the EU Commission and the European Parliament to advocate paper recycling and composting - the best, cheapest and healthiest ways to manage biodegradable waste - instead of incineration.

"There is no place for incineration of wastes in a sustainable society," said Juan Lopez de Uralde, Greenpeace International Toxics campaign coordinator. "To suggest that the incineration of biowastes as a renewable source of energy undermines society's move towards genuine sources of renewable energy, hampers the effort to minimise the production of municipal waste and discourages the development of composting. EU member states and the European Commission must stop this cynical greenwash and start working right now on plans to phase out incineration," he concluded.

For more information, contact Juan Lopez de Uralde, Mobile: + 34 609 42 09 07

or Paul Johnston, Head of Greenpeace Science Unit, Mobile + 44 788 798 38 20

or Lorenzo Consoli, Media officer, Greenpeace EU Unit Bruxelles 02/ 280.14.00 Mobile 0496/12 2112

Notes for the Editor:

1) Green waste has a very low heat value, around 3-5 MJ/kg. This makes it virtually impossible to burn without adding paper.

2) In a recent report (March 21, 2001), the UK House of Common's Select Committee on the Environment, Transport and Regions explains: "We do not accept that energy from waste incineration is a renewable form of energy. Even if one considers that it meets the technical definition of renewable energy, it utterly fails to meet what might be called a 'common- sense' interpretation. A sustainable waste management has as its cornerstone in the minimisation of waste, and the explicit maintenance of waste streams for the purposes of incineration is in complete contradiction of this principle. By classifying energy from waste as renewable energy, a signal is sent to the public and business that it is acceptable to continue producing waste because 'renewable energy' is generated from it".

Full copies of the Greenpeace report are available on:

http://www.greenpeace.org/~toxics/reports/euincin.pdf

3/30/01
11:34:16 AM

ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE

http://ens-news.com

"We Cover the Earth For You"

BUSH SAYS ECONOMY OVERRIDES ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

WASHINGTON, DC, March 29, 2001 (ENS) - President George W. Bush has no intention of supporting any environmental initiatives that could harm the American economy, he said today. During a press conference this morning, the President was asked about the environmental initiatives his administration has already rolled back, and what programs he may overturn in the future.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-29-07.html

NORTON OPENS DOOR TO OVERTURNING MONUMENTS

WASHINGTON, DC, March 29, 2001 (ENS) - In a letter sent Wednesday to local officials of all political affiliations, Interior Secretary Gale Norton asked for their ideas regarding land use plans for national monuments that were set aside by the Clinton administration. The news was greeted with concern by conservation groups who fear the Bush administration will seek to dismantle the monuments.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-29-08.html

EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS CONFRONT BUSH OVER CLIMATE RETREAT

BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 29, 2001 (ENS) - The European Union will next week send a high level delegation to Washington in a bid to "clarify" the USA's position on the Kyoto climate protocol. The move was announced by Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom as European condemnations of the Bush administration's apparent rejection of the Kyoto Protocol multiplied.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-29-02.html

WORLD ENERGY USE WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE BY 2020

WASHINGTON, DC, March 29, 2001 (ENS) - Worldwide energy consumption will grow by 59 percent over the next 20 years, according to an annual forecast released today by the U.S. Department of Energy. Carbon dioxide emissions linked to global climate change are expected to nearly double by the year 2020.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-29-01.html

CONTESTED GERMAN NUCLEAR WASTE REACHES STORAGE DEPOT

GORLEBEN, Germany, March 29, 2001 (ENS) - A shipment of reprocessed nuclear waste from France arrived at an underground storage depot at Gorleben in northern Germany early this morning, but not until nearly 700 people were arrested in violent clashes with police.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-29-03.html

WILD CALIFORNIA CONDORS LAY FIRST EGG IN 15 YEARS

GRAND CANYON, Arizona, March 29, 2001 (ENS) - For the first time in 15 years, a California condor has laid an egg in the wild. Although the egg was found broken, biologists say this first nesting attempt illustrates the success of the captive breeding program that removed the last California condor from the wild in 1986. Meanwhile, five more young California condors are scheduled to be released into the wild next week.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-29-06.html

CLAM DISCOVERY AS GOOD AS GOLD TO ARCTIC HAMLET

IQALUIT, Nunavut, Canada, March 29, 2001 (ENS) - The remote Arctic community of Qikiqtarjuaq might never be the same again. Deep beneath the ice on the ocean floor lie clams the size and texture of the geoduck clams prized on Asian markets.

For full text and graphics, visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-29-11.html

AUSTRALIA TACKLES EMISSIONS WITH COGENERATION BOOST

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 28, 2001 (ENS) - Two new projects expected to reduce greenhouse emissions by more than three million tonnes over five years have won A $26 million (US$12.84 million) in support from the Australian government's Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program.

For full text and graphics, visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-29-10.html

ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE AMERISCAN: MARCH 29, 2001

Bush Administration May Overturn Snowmobile Ban

Bipartisan Bills Promote Fuel Cells

BLM Charged With Contempt Over Desert Tortoise Plan

Groups Seek ESA Listing for Gray Whales

Roadless Protection Not Damaging Idaho's Timber Industry

Giant Banner Challenges Boise Cascade

Three Miles of Florida Gulf Coastline Protected

Radioactive Tumbleweeds, Birds Worry INEEL Managers

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-29-09.html

3/29/01
11:42:17 PM

Planet Ark World Environment News

Doing environmental research? Search our news archives at: http://www.planetark.org/searchhome.cfm

UPDATE - Bush, Schroeder disagree on Kyoto pact - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10311

US EPA releases 2001 acid rain auction report - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10319

US senators want rules lightened for oil refineries - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10318

Ozone-eating clouds form in cold polar rings - study - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10317

INTERVIEW - Clinton climate change czar slams Bush - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10316

UPDATE - Facing defeat on Alaska drilling, Bush looks beyond - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10313

Campaigners fail to block UK nuclear waste dumping - UK http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10310

FEATURE - Mass butterfly death alarms Mexican ecologists - MEXICO http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10312

Japan's TEPCO says likely won't use MOX for now - JAPAN http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10309

UPDATE - Italy to ban single hull tankers in several areas - ITALY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10314

UPDATE - German atomic waste ends controversial odyssey - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10305

Tanker leaks fuel oil after collision in Baltic - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10303

France's La Hague plant no stranger to protests - FRANCE http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10321

Vedrine says US must help reduce greenhouse gases - FRANCE http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10315

EU to take Germany to court over packaging law - EU http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10308

ANALYSIS - EU may have to go it alone on climate change - EU http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10306

UPDATE - US defends Kyoto move, Canada defends pact - CANADA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10307

Pacific atolls could "drown" without climate pact - AUSTRALIA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10302

Bush move on climate pact "regrettable" - IPCC - AUSTRALIA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10304

Rising salt levels devour Australian farmland - AUSTRALIA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10320

3/29/01
10:28:01 PM

March 29, 2001

http://members.home.net/theroyprocess

THE ROY PROCESS FOR NEUTRALIZING (TRANSMUTING) NUCLEAR WASTE

The nuclear industry is pushing hard to open the proposed high level nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, Nevada and looking at Skull Valley, Utah as a temporary dump site. Both are on Native American land. But Yucca Mountain can not pass muster as a stable dump site and it is a scientific impossibility to securely bury high level nuclear waste for 486,000 years, 20 half-lives of plutonium 239. Yet in only the first 50 years of the atomic age, nuclear waste has already leaked out of its containment into our precious ground waters and is irretrievable. Nuclear power was forced on the utility companies to make electric rate payers, pay for the high cost of plutonium production, the element needed the atom bombs. Now we have more than enough plutonium for national security so there is no need for nuclear power plants which only boils water to make steam that powers the generators.

Regardless of the future of nuclear power worldwide, we must do something now about nuclear waste. Russia was first to try dry cask storage (vitrification) at their Ural Mountain nuclear dump. It exploded in the 1950's and heavily contaminated the area. France also found dry cask burial a failed technology and is shipping France's nuclear waste to Germany for burial, under citizens protest! Dry cask burial is planned for Yucca Mountain.

In 1979 after the Three Mile Island reactor partial meltdown. The late Dr. Radha R. Roy, professor of physics emeritus, at Arizona State University, released to the press that he had invented new science which will render all nuclear waste into non-radioactive elements using existing infrastructure, commerically available machinery and current supporting technology. Dr. Roy then estimated cost at $80 Million dollars to build the Roy Process pilot treatment facilities and should take three years to construct. (see the Roy Process web site above)

In addition, treated by the Roy Process the nuclear waste rapidly decays producing heat which can be used to make steam and power the existing generators at each reactor where the waste is now stored in cooling ponds. So moving and burying nuclear waste would be a colossal mistake!

Solving the nuclear waste disposal problem DOES NOT make nuclear power a 'clean' technology, far from it. Dr. Roy was outspokenly against nuclear power for scientific and health reasons. For info on health effects of radiation see: www.radiation.org

In 1982 the U.S. Congress passed a new nuclear waste policy act, making (burial) government policy and putting viable alternatives in scientific limbo. But burial IS NOT a safe solution and will threaten the gene pool of thousands of future generations,

A radio talk show segment on the Roy Process will aire April 7th @ 9 AM California time on 99.3 FM and can be heard on the Internet at: www.kclafm.com

Sincerely Yours, Dennis F. Nester 4510 E. Willow Ave Phoenix,AZ 85032

3/29/01
7:34:25 PM

Public Citizen

Statement of Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook

On Anticipated Passage of McCain-Feingold Bill

The key votes have been taken, and the McCain-Feingold bill is headed for Senate approval. This hard- fought legislation takes three giant steps forward in campaign finance reform. It will ban soft money, stop corporate and union financing of sham "issue ads" and require broadcasters to lower the cost of candidate and party ads. These reforms will help the American people recapture their government.

Unfortunately, the price of these reforms takes us one major step backward: it increases the maximum limits on hard money contributions to candidates and parties. The doubling of the $1,000 limit on individual contributions to candidates is an insult to democracy. It will fuel, not lessen, candidates' race for big money and discourage people from challenging incumbents. Along with other hard money increases, it will likely bring more than $200 million in new large donor money into political campaigns. With almost half the cost of these campaigns already paid by $1,000-plus donors, this is not good news for the average American.

Despite this cost, the bill on the whole is progressive. It will outlaw the biggest contributions from special interests -- soft money that goes to national parties, state parties and interest groups to influence federal elections -- which added up to as much as $750 million in the 2000 election. This legislation is a necessary first step toward fully reforming our campaign finance system. Unfortunately, the "millionaires amendment," which permits opponents of millionaires to take contributions up to six times the limits for other candidates, is misguided. It would allow wealthy contributors to combat wealthy candidates by corrupting his or her opponent.

Public Citizen is proud to have participated with other groups in a nationwide grassroots movement for the McCain-Feingold bill. And we are proud of the two dedicated leaders, John McCain and Russ Feingold, who have led this fight for so many years. Many others deserve praise, including Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, who worked hard against anti-reform amendments; Senator Chuck Schumer, who successfully sponsored an amendment to encourage continuation of existing limits on party spending for candidates; Democratic Senators Paul Wellstone, Tom Harkin and John Kerry who strongly opposed increased hard money limits and put forth proposals favoring public financing; and Republican Senators Thad Cochran, Jim Jeffords, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Fred Thompson and Arlen Specter, whose support was critical for the success of the bill.

We are achingly near enacting the most important campaign finance legislation in 25 years and closing, at long last, the loophole that has made a mockery of existing campaign law. We sincerely hope the House passes and the president signs this bill.

Public Citizen is a consumer advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

For more information, please visit www.citizen.org

3/29/01
7:09:18 PM

Dear Sir/Madam - at Beech-Nut

Further to our recent series of emails, I know you will make all the difference you can by getting a 'recycle' label onto your glass baby-food jars. Especially as the very same babies who eat your baby-food today, will be the adults who inherit the Earth tomorrow...

And let's face it, we could have done a better job of recycling over the years...We could have handed over a much cleaner 'blue pearl'...all it takes is one-jar-at-a-time. All it takes is for each and every person to be Aware, to care, to write that letter, and to look for a better way.

The new paradigm is: How can I win, without it costing the Earth? Because I'll tell you, thousands upon thousands of glass jars in landfills costs the Earth! One small step, Sir, Madam, to put "Please recycle this glass jar - help keep a greener planet for your baby."

Do you have any idea what kind of effect that could have upon thousands of people? They would take recycling more seriously in general, and what a great advertising campaign. I dare you to step forward with this by passing this email onto the decision makers...if not let me know, and I will write directly to them. I eagerly await your reply...

Best wishes

JaDe ;-)

http://www.worldtrans.org/whole/warning.html

3/29/01
4:29:41 PM

MAKE THE PIE HIGHER

by George W. Bush

I think we all agree,

the past is over.

This is still a dangerous world.

It's a world of madmen

And uncertainty

And potential mental losses.

Rarely is the question asked

Is our children learning?

Will the highways of

the Internet

Become more few?

How many hands

Have I shaked?

They misunderestimate me.

I am a pitbull on the pantleg

of opportunity.

I know that the human being

and the fish

Can coexist.

Families is where our nation

Finds hope,

Where our wings take dream.

Put food on you family!

Knock down the tollbooth!

Vulcanize Society!

Make the pie higher!

Major league asshole!

3/29/01
4:25:18 PM

Re-mineralizing soil and using organics

Regarding the post about Re-Mineralizing the soil & organic healthy food production. A few resources for Australia were provided too. Worldwide, soils are depleted, unhealthy, diseased & poisoned.

Being totally drawn to healing the planet I am deeply involved in bringing knowledge and products to people who want to do organics at home or professionally. Organics de-toxify soil and promote health. I teach, manufacture and sell organic products (including Mineral Rock Dust) in the USA for both consumer and commercial horticulture & agriculture markets, as well as other organic growing & earth healing products.

With any encouragement I would contribute additional information on organics.

Sincerely,

Glenn Battin

http://www.MotherEarthOrganics.com

3/29/01
4:22:45 PM

Insight: They're Spying On Us

Our government spied on the Soviet Union for decades, but now that the cold war is over, they're aiming their sights on us. The April 2001 issue of Popular Mechanics reveals that two powerful intelligence gathering tools the U.S. created to eavesdrop on the Soviets are now being used to monitor Americans. One system, known as Echelon, intercepts and analyzes our phone calls, faxes and e-mail, looking for "key" words.

The other system, Tempest, can secretly read the displays on personal computers, cash registers and automatic teller machines. Whitley Strieber was personally warned by a government agent 15 years ago that the data on his computer was being read in this way.

Full article at http://www.unknowncountry.com/mindframe/opinion/

3/29/01
4:17:12 PM

Trust Us, We're Experts:

How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles with Your Future

by Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber

"If you want to know how the world wags, and who's wagging it, here's your answer. Read, get mad, roll up your sleeves, and fight back. Rampton and Stauber have issued a wake-up call we can't ignore."

Bill Moyers

We count on the experts. We count on them to tell us who to vote for, what to eat, how to raise our children. We watch them on TV, listen to them on the radio, read their opinions in magazine and newspaper articles and letters to the editor. We trust them to tell us what to think, because there's too much information out there and not enough hours in a day to sort it all out.

We should stop trusting them right this second.

In their new book, Trust Us, We're Experts: How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles with Your Future, Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber offer a chilling exposÈ on the manufacturing of "independent experts." Public relations firms and corporations have seized upon a slick new way of getting you to buy what they have to sell: Let you hear it from a neutral "third party," like a professor or a pediatrician or a soccer mom or a watchdog group. The problem is, these third parties are usually anything but neutral. They have been handpicked, cultivated, and meticulously packaged to make you believe what they have to say--preferably in an "objective" format like a news show or a letter to the editor. And in some cases, they have been paid handsomely for their "opinions."

For example:

* You think that nonprofit organizations just give away their stamps of approval on products? Bristol-Myers Squibb paid $600,000 to the American Heart Association for the right to display AHA's name and logo in ads for its cholesterol-lowering drug Pravachol. Smith Kline Beecham paid the American Cancer Society $1 million for the right to use its logo in ads for Beecham's Nicoderm CQ and Nicorette anti-smoking ads.

* You think that you're witnessing a spontaneous public debate over a national issue? When the Justice Department began antitrust investigations of the Microsoft Corporation in 1998, Microsoft's public relations firm countered with a plan to plant pro-Microsoft articles, letters to the editor, and opinion pieces all across the nation, crafted by professional media handlers but meant to be perceived as off-the-cuff, heart-felt testimonials by "people out there."

* You think that a study out of a prestigious university is completely unbiased? In 1997, Georgetown University's Credit Research Center issued a study which concluded that many debtors are using bankruptcy as an excuse to wriggle out of their obligations to creditors. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen cited the study in a Washington Times column and advocated for changes in federal law to make it harder for consumers to file for bankruptcy relief. What Bentsen failed to mention was that the Credit Research Center is funded in its entirety by credit card companies, banks, retailers, and others in the credit industry; that the study itself was produced with a $100,000 grant from Visa USA and MasterCard International Inc.; and that Bentsen himself had been hired to work as a credit-industry lobbyist.

* You think that all grassroots organizations are truly grassroots? In 1993, a group called Mothers Opposing Pollution (MOP) appeared, calling itself "the largest women's environmental group in Australia, with thousands of supporters across the country." Their cause: A campaign against plastic milk bottles. It turned out that the group's spokesperson, Alana Maloney, was in truth a woman named Janet Rundle, the business partner of a man who did P.R. for the Association of Liquidpaperboard Carton Manufacturers-the makers of paper milk cartons.

* You think that if a scientist says so, it must be true? In the early 1990s, tobacco companies secretly paid thirteen scientists a total of $156,000 to write a few letters to influential medical journals. One biostatistician received $10,000 for writing a single, eight-paragraph letter that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. A cancer researcher received $20,137 for writing four letters and an opinion piece to the Lancet, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, and the Wall Street Journal. Nice work if you can get it, especially since the scientists didn't even have to write the letters themselves. Two tobacco-industry law firms were available to do the actual drafting and editing.

Rampton and Stauber reveal many more such examples of "perception management"--all of them orchestrated to make us buy or believe whatever the "independent expert" is pushing. They also explore the underlying assumptions about human psychology--e.g., "the public must be manipulated for its own good"--that make this kind of subliminal hard-sell possible.

Destined to be hated by P.R. firms and corporations everywhere, Trust Us, We're Experts is an eye-opening account of how these entities reshape our reality, manufacture our consent, get us to part with our money, even change our lives. A whole new spin on spin, it will forever alter the way we look at news, information, and the people who serve it up to us.

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING

"Stauber and Rampton have once again exposed the ugly underbelly of corporate America's psychological war on our citizens. Trust Us, We're Experts shows how giant corporations employ sophisticated psychiatric techniques, unscrupulous public figures, junk science, tainted studies and clever PR mercenaries in a relentless effort to market products that routinely kill, maim, deform and poison consumers and our environment."

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President, Water Keeper Alliance

"Trust Us, We're Experts is a brilliant piece of investigative journalism and a powerful vaccine against the stupefying effects of the corporate PR machine. Spread it around!"

Barbara Ehrenreich

"If you've ever wanted to see a TV spin doctor hog-tied and dragged through the streets, Rampton and Stauber do the next best thing. This book is modern muckraking of the best variety, skewering hype and showing us how to separate real experts from snake oil salesmen and hired corporate know-it-alls."

Jim Hightower

"Finally, a long-overdue expose of the shenanigans and subterfuge that lie behind the making of experts in America. Stauber and Rampton take us behind the scenes, inside corporate boardrooms, where marketing chiefs literally manufacture their own 'independent experts' to defend their products and practices. This groundbreaking book gives us a first look into the seamy side of corporate public relations, where academic experts of every stripe and kind are bought in various ways. An eye-opener."

Jeremy Rifkin

http://goods.perfectvision.ca/ViewMediaFile.cfm?REF=26

3/29/01
4:04:16 PM

Environmental news from GRIST MAGAZINE

<http://www.gristmagazine.com>

1. SHELL GAME More than 15,000 green sea turtles are slaughtered in Bali each year, even though they are considered endangered in most of the world and a law in Indonesia prohibits catching, possessing, or eating the animal. Environmentalists say more sea turtles are killed in Bali than any other place in the world. Eating turtle meat is an integral part of Balinese celebrations, however, and catching one turtle can bring hunters the equivalent of more than two-month's pay for an average worker.

straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, Richard C. Paddock, 28 Mar 2001 <http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environ/20010328/t000026632.html>

read it only in Grist Magazine: Saving sea turtles in Georgia -- in our Out on a Limb column <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/limb/limb120100.stm>

do good: Take action to help green sea turtles in Mexico <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/dogood/oceans.stm#golf>

2. KYO-TOAD European and Japanese governments reacted angrily yesterday to the Bush administration's decision to abandon the Kyoto treaty on climate change. Japan's ambassador for global environmental affairs, Kazuo Asakai, said that "Japan will be dismayed and deeply disappointed" if the U.S. rejects the agreement. Today, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is expected to appeal to Bush on behalf of European Union countries to reconsider his decision, arguing that the U.S. has a responsibility to act on climate change because it is the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases. E.U. Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom indicated she will continue to push for ratification and enforcement of the treaty by 2002, with or without U.S. participation. Meanwhile, U.S. EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman is entering a meeting today with environmental ministers from around the Western Hemisphere with no alternative policy on global warming to discuss.

straight to the source: Washington Post, William Drozdiak and Eric Pianin, 29 Mar 2001 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5959-2001Mar28.html>

straight to the source: BBC News, Alex Kirby, 29 Mar 2001 <http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1249000/1249446.stm>

straight to the source: New York Times, Douglas Jehl, 29 Mar 2001 <http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/29/science/29WARM.html>

3. ANNIE OF GREEN FABLES It appears that Anne Petsonk, a lawyer with Environmental Defense and supporter of the Kyoto treaty, will be chosen as an advisor on climate change to President Bush, half with the White House Council on Environmental Quality and half with the National Security Council. And probably more than half worthless. Who out there believes Petsonk will get a lot of West Wing face time? Still, Myron Ebell of the conservative Competitive Enterprise Institute, who has lobbied heavily against several moderate appointments, fears that Petsonk could get together with other environmental "moles and burrowers" in the Bush administration and "create mischief." Read more on the Grist Magazine website.

read it only in Grist Magazine: The administration is smoking out enviros left and right -- in our Muckraker column <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/muck/muck032901.stm>

4. COD IS DEAD Once upon a time, Atlantic cod ran so thick in the icy waters off the coast of Newfoundland that explorer John Cabot was able to catch the fish by hanging wicker baskets over the side of his ship. More than 400 years after Cabot first visited the remote northeastern corner of North America, Newfoundland's waters were still ripe with cod. Today, the fish are gone. Gargantuan factory trawlers started to strip-mine the seas in the 1950s; only decades later, the Canadian government was forced to close what had once been the world's greatest fishery for lack of fish. The trawlers may have made it impossible for the species to fully recover.

straight to the source: E Magazine, Colin Woodard, March-April 2001 <http://www.emagazine.com/march-april_2001/0301feat2.html>

5. WHOSE LAND IS IT ANYWAY? U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton took steps yesterday that could lead to commercial development in some of the national monuments designated by former President Clinton. She sent letters to state and local officials to get their feedback on how the lands should be managed and whether the boundaries of the monuments should be adjusted. Norton claims that the Clinton administration failed to get local input before setting aside the lands. Meanwhile, the House Resources Committee voted unanimously yesterday to change the status of land protected by Clinton in Idaho from a monument to a preserve to allow hunting to continue. And a recent report by the U.S. Geological Survey, prepared at the request of House Republicans, identified six of the monuments designated by Clinton as areas that might contain large amounts of oil, gas, or coal.

straight to the source: USA Today, Tom Kenworthy, 29 Mar 2001 <http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20010329/3186498s.htm>

straight to the source: Denver Post, Bill McAllister, 27 Mar 2001 <http://www.denverpost.com/news/news0327h.htm>

catch it only in Grist Magazine: The art of monument making with Julia Child -- a cartoon by Suzy Becker <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/ha/ha063000.stm>

Get a free book and help out Grist! <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/signup/book_signup.asp>

A fish story -- a day in the life of Noelle Barger, San Diego Oceans Foundation <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/week/barger032801.stm>

Monarchs for a day -- a cartoon by Suzy Becker <http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/ha/ha032601.stm>

3/29/01
3:42:03 PM

Public Citizen

Public Citizen Files False Advertising Complaint Against Omaha Steaks for Irradiated Beef Ads

Catalog and Web Site Fail to Tell Consumers That Ground Beef Has Been Irradiated

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Public Citizen today filed a false advertising complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Omaha Steaks Inc., because the company's catalog and Internet advertisements fail to tell consumers that its ground beef products have been irradiated.

Deceptive advertising is illegal under the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Act and is punishable by criminal and civil penalties, including fines, injunctions and corrective advertising.

Earlier this month, Public Citizen filed a false advertising complaint with the FTC against Huisken Meats Inc. of Chandler, Minn. Huisken's Web site told consumers that its ground beef products have been "electronically pasteurized" instead of irradiated.

"These companies know full well that most Americans do not want to eat food that's been exposed to huge doses of ionizing radiation. That's why they are twisting their advertising messages," said Wenonah Hauter, director of Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy and Environment Program. "This hoodwinking must stop immediately."

Omaha Steaks complies with federal law by placing the phrase "treated by irradiation" on its ground beef packages. But because this information is not disclosed in the company's printed catalog or its Internet advertisements, customers may not be aware that the beef has been irradiated until it arrives in the mail. The company's Web site receives about 250,000 "hits" per month, according the company.

Omaha Steaks has publicly acknowledged its desire to avoid the disclosure. Omaha Steaks marketing director Vickie Hagen was quoted in The New York Times on Feb. 28, saying that the company is "a little nervous about the word 'irradiation' as far as consumers' perception. . . . People hear it and start thinking something more negative."

In addition to filing the FTC complaint, Public Citizen has written a letter to Omaha Steaks chair/CEO Alan Simon, asking him to include in all of the company's advertisements the fact that it is irradiating ground beef products. Public Citizen also asked Simon to inform consumers if the company irradiates any other products in the future.

Based in Omaha, Neb., Omaha Steaks annually sells about $200 million worth of high-end meat and other food products through the mail and at retail stores. It irradiates all its ground beef products, according to the company. Those products are irradiated at a facility in Sioux City, Iowa, owned by the Titan Corporation, a San Diego-based defense contractor that uses linear accelerators originally designed for the "Star Wars" program to irradiate food.

Research indicates that irradiation can destroy vitamins, essential fatty acids and amino acids in food, while corrupting flavor, texture and odor. In addition, studies show that irradiation results in the formation of hundreds of new chemicals, few of which have been studied for their potential toxicity.

For a copy of Public Citizen's FTC complaint, go to

http://www.citizen.org/cmep/rad-food/ltrfalseadOmahaSteaks.htm.

For a copy of Public Citizen's letter to Omaha Steaks, go to

http://www.citizen.org/cmep/rad-food/LtrfalseadtoOmahaSteaks.htm.

Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.citizen.org

3/29/01
3:40:39 PM

Public Citizen

Public Citizen Files False Advertising Complaint Against Omaha Steaks for Irradiated Beef Ads

Catalog and Web Site Fail to Tell Consumers That Ground Beef Has Been Irradiated

Deceptive advertising is illegal under the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Act and is punishable by criminal and civil penalties, including fines, injunctions and corrective advertising.

For a copy of Public Citizen's FTC complaint, go to

http://www.citizen.org/cmep/rad-food/ltrfalseadOmahaSteaks.htm.

For a copy of Public Citizen's letter to Omaha Steaks, go to

http://www.citizen.org/cmep/rad-food/LtrfalseadtoOmahaSteaks.htm.

Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.citizen.org

3/29/01
2:11:57 PM

World Reknown Energy Expert, Analyst Dr Amory Lovins:

http://www.ccnr.org/Lovins_figure_4.html

http://www.ccnr.org/amory.html#acc

3/29/01
2:04:37 PM

To All Fans Of The Beatles

Please see to it that this does not happen.

Curtain Call For The Beatles Stage

March 27 2001 Exclusive By Joe Riley, Liverpool Echo

IT'S the place where the greatest musical partnership of the 20th Century was formed.

The humble church hall in Woolton saw the earliest performances of John Lennon and the setting for his legendary first meeting with Paul McCartney.

But now a unique piece of Liverpool's pop music history faces demolition.

The hall's stage on which John Lennon played with his pre-Beatle band, The Quarrymen, could be lost forever.

The vicar of St Peter's Church, Canon John Roberts, wants it removed to create "a design of parish centre suited to modern needs."

But Beatles fans are up in arms at the proposed £m refit, due to start in three weeks time.

Liverpool Beatles fan club president Jean Catherall said: "This stage pre-dates the Cavern in Beatles' history. I think it should be preserved.

"If John Lennon hadn't been playing there when Paul McCartney first met him, then the entire phenomenon of the Beatles may never have happened."

And she added: "I think the stage should stay exactly where it is. It is in the original venue, which is also part of the story."

That story began on when John Lennon and his group the Quarrymen were appearing at the St Peter's garden fete on July 6, 1957.

They were watched by a lad who had first picked up a guitar while a pupil at Liverpool Institute school.

He was Paul McCartney, from Speke, and he agreed to audition for Lennon, sitting on the edge of the church hall stage to strum a few chords.

It was the first musical encounter of a songwriging duo who would go on to front the biggest sensation in showbiz history.

Despite this, Canon Roberts said: "We are not here to run a museum. The present interior is not designed to fit the present day activity of a lively parish."

Canon Roberts said Beatles fans had only ever been able to offer up to £800 to rescue the stage, whereas parishioners had raised the £m needed for the refit.

Mike Storey, Liverpool city council leader Mike Storey, a member of the St Peter's congregation, said: "I don't see why the stage cannot be reconstructed somewhere else.

"It could be carefully dismantled to allow this to happen. But it should not just be chopped up."

The last performance on the stage is a production of Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters by the St Peter's Amateur Dramatic Society from April 5 to 7.

Mark Elsis

Executive Director: http://www.Lovearth.net

Forming A Unity Of One Percent To Stop Our Extinction Connecting Through 1000 EcoHumanePoltical Websites

http://www.The-Beatles.net

http://www.John-Lennon.com

http://www.Paul-McCartney.com

http://www.GeorgeHarrison.com

http://www.Ringo-Starr.net

3/29/01
12:50:19 PM

Planet Ark World Environment News

Doing environmental research? Search our news archives at: http://www.planetark.org/searchhome.cfm

US POWER - crisis seen hitting Calif. gasoline prices - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10290

UPDATE - US abandons Kyoto climate pact, a blow to Europe - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10297

UPDATE - US lawmakers see resurgence in nuclear power - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10298

Democrats seek to reverse Bush environment acts - USA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10299

FACTBOX - Japan's new rules for biotech crop imports - JAPAN http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10300

UPDATE - Italy minister asks for Monsanto licence suspended - ITALY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10301

UPDATE - German nuclear waste train back on move - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10288

Nuclear waste shipments a must - German industry - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10291

New age vs brave new world in German nuke showdown - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10292

CHRONOLOGY - History of nuclear power in Germany - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10293

FACTBOX - Key facts on German nuclear waste shipments - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10294

Umweltkontor says 2000 sales rise 5-fold - GERMANY http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10296

Britain's eco-tax exemptions pass EU state aid test - EU http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10287

EU clears Siemens, Shell, E.ON solar power JV - BELGIUM http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10295

Origin says A$16 mln grant fires generation - AUSTRALIA http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=10289

3/29/01
12:46:34 PM

ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE

http://ens-news.com

"We Cover the Earth For You"

U.S. PULLS OUT OF KYOTO PROTOCOL

WASHINGTON, DC, March 28, 2001 (ENS) - Christie Todd Whitman, head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, confirmed today that the country will not implement the Kyoto Protocol. "We have no interest in implementing that treaty," Whitman told reporters.

For full text and graphics, visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-28-11.html

U.S. COURT BLOCKS REVIEWS OF CONTROVERSIAL NUCLEAR RESEARCH SITE

WASHINGTON, DC, March 28, 2001 (ENS) - A federal district court ruling today halted government reviews of the $4 billion National Ignition Facility Project at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. The Natural Resources Defense Council, which has been calling for an open and unbiased review of the project since its inception in 1996, called the decision a major victory.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-28-06.html

ASIAN NATIONS LAY QUARRELS ASIDE TO SAVE SOUTH CHINA SEA

BANGKOK, Thailand, March 28, 2001 (ENS) - For the first time, the seven nations bordering the South China Sea have overlooked competing territorial claims and signed a joint agreement to protect the environment of the sea.

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-28-02.html

RUSSIA REPLACES CORRUPT MINISTER OF NUCLEAR POWER

MOSCOW, Russia, March 28, 2001 (ENS) - In the first cabinet shuffle since he was elected a year ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed a new man to head the Ministry of Atomic Power (Minatom).

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-28-01.html

EU ELEVATES ROLE OF BIODIVERSITY IN POLICY MAKING

BRUSSELS, Belgium, March 28, 2001 (ENS) - The European Commission says a series of action plans adopted today will put protection of biological diversity at the heart of European Union agricultural, fishery and development policies. For full text and graphics, visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-28-10.html

ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE AMERISCAN: MARCH 28, 2001

Bush Likely to Get Fast Track Trade Authority

Scientists Network to Help Parks Manage Climate Change

Breakthroughs Reached on Foot and Mouth Disease

Forest Service Grazing Decision Reversed

Ford Foundation Gives $5 Million for Forest Stewardship

Change in Farming Practice Makes For Cleaner Waterways

Trumpeter Swans Get a Break from Hunting

Website Lets Classrooms Explore Ocean Depths

For full text and graphics visit:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/mar2001/2001L-03-28-09.html

3/29/01
12:37:29 PM

Quebec continues the fine tradition of Seattle...

http://www.soaw-ne.org/FTAAGuide.html

3/29/01
12:34:43 PM

World Bank Plans to Set Indigenous Peoples' Rights Back 50 Years

Dear Friends: we recognise that everyone is very busy, but please take the time to send a modified version of the attached model letter (copied below) *separately* to:

1) President James Wolfensohn Fax Numbers: 202 522 1677 and 202 522 3433

2) Executive Director at the World Bank (SEE list of Directors and their fax and Email attached which details who represents your country on the Bank Board).

RED ALERT:

The Bank is clear that no further public comment will be received so the only chance of influencing this process and blocking this retrograde and offensive policy is by putting pressure on BOTH the World Bank President AND your Executive Director who will soon be asked to approve the policy. This is our last chance to affect this process.

It essential that the international community makes it clear that development standards that do not meet international human rights are not acceptable. Please lend your support by sending this letter and continue to urge the World Bank to adhere to international human rights law and to adopt the standards recommended by the World Commission on Dams. Please *copy* your letters to President Wolfensohn and your ED to Mr. Ian Johnson at:

Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development The World Bank1818 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20433

Email: ijohnson@worldbank.org

Fax: 202.522.7122;

ALSO copy to Ms Joanne Salop, OPC, jsalop@worldbank.org

Thanks you for your support. Sincerely, Tom Griffiths

Forest Peoples Programme, UK

Please send copies of your letters to FPP at: info@fppwrm.gn.apc.org

President James Wolfensohn

The World Bank

1818 H Street, NW

Washington, DC 20433

March 2001

Dear Mr Wolfensohn,

Concerns over draft Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP/BP 4.12)

We write to express our serious concerns that the current "conversion" of the World Bank's Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OD4.30) will result in a severely weakened policy that is substantially inconsistent with fundamental human rights guarantees. The purpose of this letter is to urge you to ensure that the new Involuntary Resettlement Policy constitutes a strengthened instrument to protect the rights of people displaced by World Bank-assisted operations. We appeal to you to take every step possible to guarantee that the revised policy is consistent with international human rights law and international standards on resettlement like those set by the World Commission on Dams.

Negative changes to the policy: On examining the latest draft of OP4.12 dated March 6 2001, we are alarmed that the proposed policy:

§ makes less secure provisions for people who lack recognised rights to land than the previous policy (compare OD4.30 paras 3b and 17 versus OP4.12 paras. 14a, 14b).

§ enables a procedure that will allow the borrower to exclude from compensation "persons engaged in illegal use of natural resources." (OP4.12 para 7: fn 14). This provision risks excluding the millions of indigenous peoples in borrowing countries whose customary use of natural resources is not recognised by domestic legislation and is thus deemed to be "illegal".

§ permits the involuntary resettlement of indigenous people even in situations where such resettlement would have "significant adverse effects" on their "cultural survival" of those people (OP4.12 para 8:fn 15).

§ applies a discriminatory approach to people and communities adversely affected by parks and protected areas who, according to the policy, do not have to be consulted until project implementation (OP4.12: paras. 3b and 7). Such affected communities are consequently excluded from the provisions of paragraph 6 that requires a resettlement plan that ensures access to information, prior consultation and prompt and effective compensation for displaced persons. They are also excluded from paragraph 12 that requires the provision of timely and relevant information and infrastructure and public services in ways that respect the patterns of community organization of displaced communities.

§ does not require improvements to the livelihoods or standards of living of those displaced (see OP4.12 para.2(b)).

§ makes a questionable distinction between voluntary and involuntary resettlement.

§ introduces new terms and concepts which lack definition. These include "resettlement assistance," "direct impacts", "illegal use of natural resources," "reasonable price" and "process framework."

§ falls far below the standards set by the World Commission on Dams, notably with respect to the right of indigenous peoples to prior informed consent.

Our analysis above shows that major substantive changes have been made to the policy that will result in lower standards for resettlement in Bank operations. Our evaluation demonstrates that while the draft policy mentions indigenous peoples' customary rights to land and resources in a number of places, in practice it still contains loopholes that will seriously undermine the rights of indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities. In short, the policy allows a wide margin of discretion to exclude the holders of traditional and customary rights from proper consultation and compensation under the policy. We therefore note that the policy widens the gap between Bank requirements on staff and clients and agreed international human rights and sustainable development standards. Consequently, we find the latest draft policy unacceptable on both moral and legal grounds. This is especially the case for indigenous peoples. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, International Labour Organisation Convention 169 and the draft UN and OAS Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous peoples all prohibit relocation of indigenous peoples' without their prior, free and informed consent. These instruments also require that indigenous peoples' rights to the lands and resources which they traditionally occupied and used be recognized and respected, not the least because they are fundamentally related to indigenous peoples' cultural integrity and survival. Draft OP 4.12 is not only inconsistent with these standards, it is also retrograde - containing thinking about indigenous peoples' rights dating from the 1950s.

That the draft policy permits forcible relocation even in cases where this will have "significant adverse effects" on Indigenous peoples' "cultural survival" is a flagrant violation of the right to cultural integrity, a human right protected as part of customary international law and therefore binding on all states. In this respect, the policy legitimates practices categorized by the international community as ethnocide.

Recommendations:

In view of the serious shortcomings of the draft OP4.12, we urge you to ensure that the policy is corrected at the earliest opportunity and subjected to further external review prior to its finalisation and approval. In particular, we urge that the policy:

§ is consistent with international human rights standards.

§ applies equal standards to all displaced persons (especially those affected by parks and protected areas, and people involved in "voluntary" relocation).

§ treats customary and formal legal rights as equal to protect all vulnerable peoples and communities affected by resettlement.

§ requires resettlement plans to address the indirect impacts of resettlement.

§ requires a poverty-risk assessment for all Bank operations likely to cause resettlement.

§ requires that displaced persons are provided with an improved life quality after relocation.

§ properly defines voluntary resettlement and sets clear standards for such operations.

§ properly defines new terms and concepts not found in the existing policy.

§ incorporates established principles on sustainable development like those contained in the recommendations made by the World Commission on Dams.

We look forward to your response to our concerns and recommendations.

Yours sincerely,

cc. Ian Johnson, Vice President for Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development

Ms. Joanne Salop, Operational Policy Strategy (OPS)

3/29/01
12:25:15 PM

WILD ALERT

Only two months into the new administration, President Bush has begun a systematic rollback of an alarming number of environmental protections that are important to, and supported by, the vast majority of American citizens. In the past twelve days alone, President Bush renounced a campaign promise to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants; rescinded a new standard that would have reduced arsenic in drinking water; suspended new cleanup requirements for mining companies; failed to defend a logging ban that would protect nearly 60 million acres of our most pristine national forests; and threatened to open all public lands -- including national monuments and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- to oil and gas exploration.

At the U.S. Capitol earlier today, William Meadows, president of The Wilderness Society, called on all Americans to protest President Bush's anti-environmental agenda. He was joined as a speaker by Senator Joe Lieberman, Representative Richard Gephardt, and concerned citizens who will be directly and personally affected by the environmental rollbacks. Also attending were other members of Congress and leaders of the environmental community.

"The safeguards they're dismantling are the results of years of open public process, involving millions and millions of people," Meadows said. "Our message to President George W. Bush is this: Americans demand an end to the assault. Stop the rollbacks. Protect our environment."

Every concerned citizen should be aware of the administration's assault on America's heritage and speak out to stop it.

Take action at:

<http://www.wilderness.org/eyewash/bush0328.htm>

President Bush's environmental laws and policies are hazardous your health! Please make a contribution to The Wilderness

Society TODAY to help defend the important environmental laws that keep Americans safe and healthy, and our wild lands and natural resources free from wasteful exploitation.

Make a donation to The Wilderness Society today at:

<https://secure5.nmpinc.com/twslink/forms/join.htm>

BACKGROUND

ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

One of President Bush's most controversial campaign proposals was to allow oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, inevitably despoiling a national treasure, threatening wildlife, and polluting the environment. Last week, President Bush and members of his cabinet seized on California's rolling blackouts and higher natural gas prices as further justification for opening the refuge to drilling.

However, this thinly disguised industry initiative would do virtually nothing to satisfy America's energy needs. First, less than one percent of California's electricity is generated from burning oil, and the refuge is thought to contain relatively little natural gas. Second, the amount of oil that could be recovered from the refuge if drilling were permitted is relatively small. The U.S. Geological Survey believes that only 3.2 billion barrels -- less than a six-month supply for the U.S. at current consumption rates -- could be recovered in an economically feasible manner. In contrast, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that if the fuel efficiency of America's cars, minivans, and sport utility vehicles were increased by just three miles per gallon, we'd save more oil in ten years than would come from the refuge.

NATIONAL FORESTS - ROADLESS AREA CONSERVATION RULE

In January 2001, President Clinton issued the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, ending virtually all logging, road building, and mineral leasing on roughly 58 million acres of national forest lands. The rule was the direct result of a tremendous outpouring of public support. Over 600 public hearings were held around the nation, and the public provided more than 1.6 million comments on the rule -- more than any other rule in the nation's history.

The Roadless Area Conservation Rule would provide valuable long-term protection for the last few remaining wild areas. These precious lands provide habitat for threatened and endangered species, supply opportunities for recreation, protect against the invasion of non-native species, and ensure clean drinking water. As we detailed in last week's WildAlert, the Bush administration is refusing to defend the Roadless Area Conservation Rule from industry-sponsored lawsuits in hopes that it will be overturned.

HARD-ROCK MINING

In January 2001, after a comment period lasting several years, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) adopted new rules governing hard-rock mining on public lands. The new regulations strengthen environmental standards for water quality and mine reclamation and allow the BLM to deny permits for mines that would threaten environmental or cultural resources.

On March 21, the Bush administration announced it would seek to suspend the new hard-rock mining regulations. The BLM has asked for public comment on whether to adopt the new rules or return to the older, weaker standards. The current rules will remain in effect until the 45-day comment period ends on May 7.

NATIONAL MONUMENTS

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton recently stated that the Bush administration would be looking at "all public lands" for new sources of energy, including the new national monuments designated by President Clinton. This echoes a March 13 statement made by President Bush: "there are parts of the monument lands where we can explore without affecting the overall environment." According to The Denver Post, Norton and Bush "have stopped short of trying to directly repeal monument designations. Instead, they are looking at ways to pare them back and allow more uses, such as off-roading and mining."

TAKE ACTION

Please tell President Bush that these rollbacks of environmental standards and egregious proposals for development and exploitation of America's wild lands will not be tolerated. Send your comments from:

<http://www.wilderness.org/eyewash/bush0328.htm>

or write or e-mail the White House directly.

President George W. Bush

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20500

202-456-1414 phone business hours only

email:president@whitehouse.gov

3/29/01
12:22:07 PM

"The Chemical Papers: Secrets of the Chemical Industry Exposed"

http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=10600

3/29/01
2:15:31 AM

I am interested in the transfer of resources like water and natural gas via airships. i would like to develop a north -south exchange of water in british columbia for fresh fruit and vegetables from mexico and countries further south. I have built 3 large model airships in the past and will probably just have to do it myself vs. without government or german companies. I have many aces to play though. People, consider the minimal environmental damage that airships will cause in the development of remote resources. I forsee an international fleet of airships that will buffer extreme conditions on the planet and help in the distribution of goods and services. I also think that fruit is poorly distributed, even to people who have the money for it. I invented a concept that will improve this.

3/28/01
8:01:29 PM

Supreme Court to Tackle Medical Marijuana Issue

By Andrew Quinn

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - America's long battle over medical marijuana heads to the U.S. Supreme Court (news - web sites) this week, with advocates and opponents ready to make the case that the cannabis plant is an exceptionally effective drug -- for good or for ill.

For proponents like Angel McClary, a 35-year-old Oakland, Calif., mother of two, marijuana is seen as an essential part of the medical arsenal keeping her alive despite a brain tumor, seizures and partial paralysis that has confined her to a wheelchair.

``I became a cannabis patient out of sheer desperation,'' McClary said. ``It got me up out of my wheelchair. I feel very grateful that I have this medication that sustains my life.''

But opponents, led by the U.S. Justice Department (news - web sites), argue that marijuana is seductive and potentially dangerous narcotic that must remain banned under the Controlled Substances Act.

These two opposing viewpoints will be put before the Supreme Court on Wednesday when the high court hears a federal government's appeal of a ruling that would allow California marijuana clubs resume service for patients who can prove that cannabis is a medical necessity.

A Pot Watershed

The Supreme Court hearing -- and its decision, expected sometime in June -- mark a watershed for the U.S. medical marijuana movement, which has been mired in legal battles ever since California passed a first-in-the-nation state initiative in 1996 legalizing medicinal use of the drug.

The California initiative, known as Proposition 215, allows seriously ill patients to grow and use marijuana for pain relief as long as they have a doctor's recommendation.

Similar measures have been adopted in at least eight other states ranging from Hawaii to Maine.

The case before the Supreme Court involves the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative, one of a number of local clubs that sprang up after the 1996 state law.

Federal officials, determined to enforce ``zero-tolerance'' toward banned drugs, moved to close the California clubs down, and in 1998 won an injunction from U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco prohibiting the Oakland group and other similar medicinal marijuana clubs from distributing the drug.

The clubs, saying they provide essential medicine to treat people suffering from everything from AIDS (news - web sites) to glaucoma, went to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled last year that Breyer should amend the injunction to allow the clubs to resume service for those who can prove that cannabis was a medical necessity.

Robert Raich, an attorney representing the Oakland cooperative, said he was hopeful that the Supreme Court would side with the patients. But he noted the court's justices had voted 7-1 last summer to stay Breyer's ruling pending its review of the case.

Uphill Battle

``I would say certainly we are facing an uphill battle here against a skeptical Supreme Court,'' Raich said.

Jeffrey Jones, 26, who co-founded the Oakland cooperative after his father died of cancer, said that even if the Supreme Court rules against the group the fight to provide medical marijuana to sick people would continue.

``Any time any issue goes before the high court it is make or break, but we're not going to give up if it's a negative (result). We are representing people with no alternative.''

The Justice Department, saying it is fighting over ``an issue of exceptional and continuing importance,'' is expected to argue that California and other state laws permitting medicinal use of marijuana are trumped by federal law banning marijuana distribution outside strictly controlled circumstances. It also contends this undermines enforcement of federal drug laws.

While the Oakland cooperative's lawyers said the federal case will have no effect on California's state law, a negative ruling could prevent efforts to arrange an above-ground method for distributing marijuana. This could force patients like McClary to turn to potentially dangerous street deals for the drug.

``I would really like for people to understand that this is not about cannabis, it is not about marijuana, it is not about pot. It is about patients, it is about ending suffering,'' McClary said.

``Without cannabis my life would be a death sentence, and death is not an option. I have two children, a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old. I am choosing life.''

3/28/01
5:12:54 PM