E Magazine articles from January 2006

E Magazine archives from January 2006

The spoils of oil.(E Word)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... If you're like me, your head will be spinning reading Jim Motavalli's cover story this issue ("The Outlook on Oil,", page 26). How can so many "experts" and "industry analysts" have such varying opinions as to when we will--or when we...

Big cities, big problems.(ADVICE & DISSENT: Letters from the readers)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... I found your September/October 2005 cover story "Cities of the Future" informative and well done. I believe, however, that some of the information regarding Jakarta, where I lived for several years in the early 1990s, is dated, and in some...

A chance to rebuild, better?(ADVICE & DISSENT: Letters from the readers)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Having read your article "Building Sustainable Cities" (Currents, September/ October 2005) four days after the Hurricane Katrina disaster, I can only wonder if those in charge of recovery efforts would even consider this a perfect opportunity...

The war against cancer.(ADVICE & DISSENT: Letters from the readers)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... As a dietitian who works with cancer survivors, I applaud your article on cancer prevention ("Everything Gives you Cancer," Your Health, September/October 2005). Statistics show that 30 to 60 percent of cancer cases are diet-related, meaning...

Reel green.(ADVICE & DISSENT: Letters from the readers)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2006... Although sadly it's been a while since Hollywood embraced any serious subject matter that deals with environmental themes, the 1980s and 90s were a prodigious time for the topic ("L.A. Environmental," Consumer News, September/October 2005)....

The hydrogen house: fueling a dream.
January 1, 2006... In the northernmost reaches of Scottsdale, Arizona, Bryan Beaulieu, an engineer and inventor with 20 patents in structural systems, recently built a $2 million solar-and-hydrogen-powered "dream" house. Though not the most expensive residence in...

Mining trouble.
January 1, 2006... In recent years, high commodities prices, lax national laws and corrupt governments have intensified interest in mining Latin America's vast ore lodes. But miners are increasingly pitted against indigenous movements demanding, sometimes...

Good neighbor Alcoa.(cases)
January 1, 2006... Something's fouling the air in Texas, and Rockdale residents blame the billowing smokestacks on the horizon. When John yon Gonten, a former poultry farmer in Rockdale, came down with sinus and respiratory problems and severe headaches, he...

Can hurricanes be stopped?
January 1, 2006... Peter Cordani is a man with a plan--a plan to block hurricanes from causing so much destruction. While the federal government plans to spend $200 billion on repairs and cleanup after the devastation of this past hurricane season, Cordani will...

The jaguar man: wildlife biologist Octavio Rosas fights for the big cats.
January 1, 2006... Wild jaguars in the U.S.? What sounds implausible was proven true in 1996 when two male jaguars were photographed, first in southern New Mexico and then in Arizona. Until that time, experts had concluded that our hemisphere's biggest...

What's killing the seabirds? The mysterious West Coast dieoff.
January 1, 2006... Kathleen Wolgemuth has long walked the beaches along Ocean Shores, Washington and has admired the Brandt's cormorants she sees swooping overhead. So when she spotted the feathery blob on the beach last May, she was excited--a dead Brandt's...

In defense of mountains: on the frontlines against destructive mining.(West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection )
January 1, 2006... It was early in the morning of July 5 when Ed Wiley arrived at the West Virginia state capitol building and began his hunger strike. Many hours later, he was still sitting on the steps, refusing to move, eat or leave until he could speak with...

Speaking for the trees: a powerful coalition works to protect Armenian forests.(Armenia Tree Project)
January 1, 2006... Decades of oppressive, one-party rule and economic embargoes have left Armenia overwhelmingly poor and desperate. And poverty has led to destruction of the very natural resources that are the country's most precious heritage. A mostly...

Caring about carbon: weddings--and world conferences--go CO2 neutral.(Native Energy, CarbonNeutral Company)
January 1, 2006... At Jeanne Braha Troy's wedding last summer, guests left without any ace-bedecked pictures of the bride and groom, fancy candles or daintily wrapped mints. They didn't leave empty-handed, though: At one of the world's first climate-neutral...

Plant invaders.(UPDATES)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Kenai Peninsula is often named as one of the most diverse and beautiful regions of Alaska. The vast majority of the peninsula lies within public lands, including national and state parks, a wildlife refuge and a national forest (see Going...

Sick birds.(UPDATES)(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's report on influenza)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza has been a common communicable disease in birds for centuries (see "Connecting the Dots," cover story, November/December 2004). Most strains are confined only to birds...

The fight against mad cow.(UPDATES)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Mad cow disease has been making headlines once again (see "It Can Happen Here," Features, July/August 2001). The brain-degrading disease that is contracted through consumption of contaminated flesh has been found in two isolated cases in...

The Outlook on oil: some experts worry that production will soon peak. Others warn that it already has.
January 1, 2006... In 1938, oil was discovered at Dhahran, near the Persian Gulf, and a small oasis became a modern city, complete with the sleek headquarters of the Saudi Aramco national oil company. If you're an American or British oil worker, life is good in...

Biodiesel: the burning question.
January 1, 2006... If you're thinking that a brave new world of agriculturally derived, clean-burning biodiesel fuel is going to wean us off petroleum, you'd better think again. Not even the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) thinks that. In the near future, NBB...

Nigeria of the north: oil sands frenzy threatens Alberta environment.
January 1, 2006... Record profits coupled with little or no regulation of the oil industry, and it's off to the races once again in Canada as far as natural resources versus the health of the environment are concerned. This time the triggering mechanism is the...

Compassionate conservation: a real answer to high oil prices.
January 1, 2006... When it comes to the three "Rs" of environment often seems that the first R--reduce--receives short shrift. And when it comes to energy policy, reducing impact means conserving energy--something that's simple in theory but which has often been...

Consider the alternatives.(alternative fuels)
January 1, 2006... HYDROGEN Fuel-cell vehicles run on hydrogen gas, the most abundant element in the universe. The fuel cell, which chemically converts hydrogen to electricity (with water as a byproduct), has the potential to eventually replace the...

Hot flashes: hormone mimics wreak havoc on women's health.(Your Health)
January 1, 2006... By age 36, I was living in hormone hell. I bled in between menstrual cycles, had constant vaginal irritation, polycystic ovaries, night sweats, insomnia, painful joints, debilitating fatigue and brain fog. My digestion was terrible. Perhaps...

Beyond organic: discovering the secrets of biodynamic foods.(Eating Right)
January 1, 2006... From small family farms threatened by big agribusiness and suburban sprawl to environmental destruction from soil erosion and overuse of pesticides, agriculture today faces many challenges. Consumers and farmers alike are looking for more...

A house made from paper: were the three little pigs right after all?(House & Home)
January 1, 2006... Forget the old saying that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Now you can live in a paper house that's so strong stones won't make a dent. Ask Kate Thayer and Clyde Curry of Marathon, Texas about the advantages of...

Boring from within: shareholder activism makes an impact.(Money Matters)
January 1, 2006... While the concept of screening bad corporate actors out of socially responsible investment (SRI) funds dates back to the early 1970s, the latest tactic involves actually investing in companies with spotty track records in order to affect change...

Treading lightly in Alaska: living it up in Sadie Cove.(Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge)
January 1, 2006... As the skipper of the water taxi down-shifted, I could see my destination like a welcoming beacon dead ahead. The Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge, only 10 miles as the crow flies from the fishing village of Homer, was worlds away from the rat race...

Extreme makeover: green edition: as "eco" moves mainstream, experts are there to help.(Natural Neighborhood, Chic Eco, promoting eco-friendly products, lifestyles)
January 1, 2006... Knowing what's truly environmentally responsible and what's just hype (or greenwashing) can e tough for the average person. There are whole constellations of products that boast of being natural, preservative-free, "fair traded" and healthy,...

Luxe organics.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)
January 1, 2006... Everything in the Anna Sova line of organic products shouts high quality and commitment to natural living. Founder Anna Walker explains, "Smell our wall paint, and you'll see it smells like food, because we use food-grade ingredients. There are...

The "queen of herbs" arrives.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)
January 1, 2006... Relax this winter with some delicious, refreshing and energizing tulsi tea. Tulsi, or holy basil, is related to culinary basil but has been revered in India for millennia for its medicinal properties. Packed with antioxidants, caffeine-free...

Going once ...(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)
January 1, 2006... Do you enjoy shopping online, but would appreciate an auction site that is more in keeping with your values? Look no further than Vegbay, which is essentially an eBay for the environmental, animal rights and green communities. Vegbay is better...

Men have needs too.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)
January 1, 2006... Aubrey Organics has completely revamped its entire line of men's products to include hair, skin and facial care. With products ranging from $8 to $22.50, the Men's Stock collection is both affordable and functional. The Ginseng Biotin Hair Care...

Education period.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)
January 1, 2006... According to Susie Hewson, founder of Natracare, "Even if your feminine hygiene products aren't dogging your toilet, filling up the nation's landfills, killing off our marine life or inducing toxic shock syndrome, they may still be exposing...

Grand granola.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)
January 1, 2006... Grandy Oats has been making granola in a 100-year-old former dairy barn since 1979, and owners Aaron Anker and Nat Peirce (two University of New Hampshire graduates, both of whom drove VW vans in college) proudly proclaim, "In 2004, we estimate...

Disposable dining, the right way.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)
January 1, 2006... How many times have you experienced pangs of regret throwing out perfectly reusable virgin plastic plates or tableware? Now you can eat guilt-free, thanks to recycled products from two companies with their hearts in the right place. Stalk...

A fascinating farmer.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Winner of the audience award at Slamdance, as well as the best feature award from the Chicago International Documentary Festival, The Real Dirt on Farmer John is truly a unique take on the state of American farming. The film covers 55 years in...

Global warming on the home front.(Climate Change Begins at Home: Life on the Two-Way Street of Global Warming)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
January 1, 2006... There is no shortage of global warming books on the market today, and E Magazine has added its own Feeling the Heat to the pile. The publishers of Climate Change Begins at Home: Life on the Two-Way Street of Global Warming by Dave Reay...

Hate wasteful packaging?(Paper or Plastic: Searching for Solutions to an Overpackaged World)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
January 1, 2006... Consider this alarming fact: each year every American disposes of more than 300 pounds of packaging materials. All that trash adds up to 30 percent of the world's total municipal solid waste stream. In the book Paper or Plastic: Searching for...

The real underground.(Under Ground: How Creatures of Mud and Dirt Shape our World )(Brief Article)(Book Review)
January 1, 2006... Below our feet and out of sight lies a dynamic, diverse and abundant biological community. Yvonne Baskin follows pioneer scientists uncovering the world of soil ecology in Under Ground: How Creatures of Mud and Dirt Shape Our World (Island...

Healthier nation, healthier you.(Prescription for a Healthy Nation)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
January 1, 2006... In Prescription for a Healthy Nation, Tom Farley and Deborah A. Cohen (Beacon Press, $24.95) delve into the vital topic of public health and discuss ways in which it can be improved. The authors critique America's current health care crisis,...

Ain't no mountain high enough.(North to Katahdin)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
January 1, 2006... "Like Thoreau, I intend to travel widely on Katahdin today. For the first time in nearly five years I've climbed above tree line into the realm of the Native American mountain ghost Pamola, the Cloud Maker," Eric Pinder writes in the opening...

Greening the next generation.(books about children's tales of action, adventure and bravery)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Did you ever hear the tale of the wild horses that once fled capture and extinction at the hands of man by descending into the sea and changing form? Wild Heart Ranch Books would like to tell you and your child the story. Wild Heart Ranch...

Learning from dolls.(Green Dollhouse)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
January 1, 2006... A fun, creative approach to environmentally friendly architecture is what you'll find in Green Dollhouse, edited by Fred McLennan, Jill Boone and Jason E McLennan (Ecotone Publishing, $19.95). This colorful, unique book celebrates the...

The city mouse without his country cousin.(The Hopes of Snakes)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
January 1, 2006... Memoir-style essays poetically describe Lisa Couturiers efforts to find and appreciate nature's pure presence in the places where man has attempted to completely alter it in The Hopes of Snakes (Beacon Press, $23). Whether they are mice in New...

Enveloping waters.(In Village of the Dammed)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
January 1, 2006... Don't bother looking up "Valley Forge" on a Connecticut map; the onetime industrial engine (producer of hoes, hammers and oxcart wheels) survives only as the name of a rural road. In 1940, the Saugatuck River was dammed by the all-powerful...

Boondoggle in the desert.(Salton Sea)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... As the fascinating, quirky 2004 documentary Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea (not to be confused with the 2002 Val Kilmer thriller The Salton Sea) makes abundantly clear, America has made a terrible mess in the southern California...

Ditching SUVs and breeding beefalos.(EARTH TALK: Questions & Answers About Our Environment)(increasing oil prices effect sport utility vehicles sales)
January 1, 2006... Have high oil prices of late really caused Americans to buy fewer SUVs, or is this just a myth?--Shane Wiener, Royal Oak, Michigan Is it indeed true that sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs)--not to mention pickup trucks and vans--have...