E Magazine articles from September 2008

E Magazine archives from September 2008

A new decider.(E Word)
September 1, 2008... "Back in 2000 a Republican friend warned me that if I voted for Al Gore and he won, the stock market would tank, we'd lose millions of jobs, and our military would be totally overstretched. You know what? I did vote for Gore, he did win, and...

Both sides of the bottle.(ADVICE & DISSENT: Letters from our readers)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... If you desire super filtration ("Bottled Water Backlash," cover story, May/June 2008), your needs are best served by installing a filter on your tap. Jay Lustgarten Westerly, RI In regards to the bottled water industry being named...

Perceptions in population.(ADVICE & DISSENT: Letters from our readers)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... While E Magazine is to be commended for contributing to the discussion on U.S. population growth and the environment, the publisher's letter, "Time to Clear the Air on Immigration" (E Word, May/June 2008), has the opposite effect. Publisher...

Spill the milk.(ADVICE & DISSENT: Letters from our readers)(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2008... Milk is neither a healthy nor necessary part of the human diet ("Spilt Milk," Eating Right, May/June 2008). The Harvard Nurses' Health Study and other studies have shown no link between milk consumption and the prevention of future fractures....

Correction.(ADVICE & DISSENT: Letters from our readers)(Correction notice)
September 1, 2008... The May/June 2008 cover story "Bottled Water Backlash" stated that Nestle has had to increase the amount it would pay for water usage for a proposed bottled water plant in McCloud, California, from $26 an acre-foot to $183. The correct amount,...

Ocean scheming.(ocean fertilization )
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Climos, a company that has staked its fortunes on removing carbon from the atmosphere, is seeking another $10 million to test ocean iron fertilization in the Southern Ocean, despite a United Nations ban on the...

Welcome to neutral town.(Ashton Hayes, England )
September 1, 2008... Can an entire town turn carbon neutral? The village of Ashton Hayes, England (population 1,000), thinks so, and is in the process of becoming the first town in the world with zero net carbon emissions. "As a community we felt that it was...

Winds of change at Logan Airport.
September 1, 2008... The Massachusetts Port Authority is exploring the possibility of using wind power to generate electricity at Logan Airport. Its demonstration project--the installation of 20 building-integrated turbines at the Logan Office Center--began at the...

Chasing the chestnut.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Efforts to save the American chestnut go beyond ecology. "We've lost the American elm and the flowering dogwood, yet all this effort is going into this one particular species," says Dr. Brian McCarthy, the secretary...

The ethical hunter in Africa: big game hunters make a claim for conservation.(CURRENTS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To 62-year-old David Peterson, who lives in a hand-built mountainside cabin in Colorado and writes books about ethical hunting, the notion is simple: "If you're killing something and not eating it, you have no moral...

The great elephant debate.(CURRENTS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 1995, there were just 8,000 elephants in South Africa--today there are over 20,000. Each elephant consumes over 660 pounds of grass, trees and leaves a day, straining the ecosystem. South Africa's solution was a...

Troubled waters: "Ocean Deserts" are expanding, disrupting habitats and suffocating marine life.(CURRENTS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The world's oceans are heating up. And like a bottle of pop left out in the sun, they're going flat. Except instead of carbon dioxide, they're losing oxygen. As with most liquids, water's ability to dissolve oxygen...

Unleash the wasps: controversial measures to save the nation's ash trees.(CURRENTS)
September 1, 2008... Hundreds of Chinese wasps, each no larger than a sesame seed, were released in Michigan last summer in the latest effort by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to control the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Growing Green lawyers: law Clinics Provide an Environmental Last Line of Defense.(CURRENTS)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] These lawyers have challenged federal fuel efficiency standards for light trucks and SUVs, paved the way for wolf reintroduction in the Northeast, stopped a landfill from being built next to a national park, made...

Better belching.(UPDATES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The oil of cashew shells, when added to cattle's diet, may reduce by 90% the methane gas produced when they belch (see "The Meat of the Matter," cover story, July/August 2008). Reuters reported in June that the...

Rated "G".(UPDATES)(Survey)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Princeton Review, the company known for its test prep materials and college guides, has partnered with ecoAmerica, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit, to create a "Green Rating" for 600 U.S. colleges and...

Freedom from finning.(UPDATES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The National Marine Fisheries Service has implemented new, tougher conservation measures that will aid authorities in enforcing the U.S. ban on shark finning (see "The War on Sharks," Currents, November/December...

Presidential science lessons: Bush made an enemy of scientists. The next president needs them to help set a new course for American exploration.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Early in the administration of the next president, the first synthetic organism--a bacteria-like creature--is due for production in the United States. When that happens, the president, the U.S. public and the world...

The breakdown.(Table)
September 1, 2008... Comparing candidates' environmental positions is a new political phenomenon, and never has it been more important. Both Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have said they will maximize resources while searching for better energy...

Why renewables are still just around the corner.(High Energy)
September 1, 2008... Pat Robertson is conservative Christianity's charismatic spokesperson. Reverand Al Sharpton is the outspoken activist leader of black America. They are very different leaders for very different followers: the sharp right and the sharp left; the...

Green notes from a political insider: commentary from the legislative director of the League of Conservation Voters.
September 1, 2008... The League of Conservation Voters (LCV), where I am the legislative director, is calling--loudly--for a strong global warming bill that brings about a clean energy future. The World Health Organization estimates that global warming already cuts...

The president needs a plan: sustainable growth specialist Dr. Robert Freilich outlines a real U.S. energy policy.(Q&A)(Interview)
September 1, 2008... Trial lawyer Dr. Robert Freilich, who has tried over 160 cases and argued several before the Supreme Court, is focused on land-how to best use it, sustain it and maximize its resources--and has developed land-use planning systems for more than...

What's wrong with the way the Environmental Protection Agency Is being run--and what can be done to fix it.(Taking Back the EPA)
September 1, 2008... Something is wrong at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In recent years, there have been congressional investigations into political collusion with chemical industry forces, outcry about the quiet closure of EPA libraries and a...

Nukes: an environmental lesson on McCain's nuclear ambitions.(One Nation Under)(John McCain)
September 1, 2008... John McCain's energy plan includes the construction of 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030, and 55 more in the future. The Republican presidential candidate also supports the plan to open Yucca Mountain, Nevada, as the permanent facility to...

Covered in oil.
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a statement issued July 3, 2008, the Sierra Club accused GOP presidential candidate John McCain of turning Big Oil donations into an attack ad campaign. The campaign's television spot criticizes Democrat Barack...

Make love, not waste: bringing environmentalism into the bedroom.(GREEN LIVING: Your Health)
September 1, 2008... People are now evaluating all aspects of their lives through a green lens, including their most intimate encounters. Lest no area of one's ecological overhaul go unexamined, here are some thoughts on greening one's sex life. [ILLUSTRATION...

The tofu trap: our soy habit has environmental consequences.(GREEN LIVING: Eating Right)
September 1, 2008... Like many people at the natural foods store, I buy a lot of soy products. I'm not vegetarian or vegan, but I steer away from meats and dairies. I use vanilla soymilk with my cereal, I'll pick up Soy Delicious ice cream from time to time and,...

The big, bulky truth about beds: recycling mattresses and going organic.(GREEN LIVING: House & Home)
September 1, 2008... Old mattresses are heavy, uncomfortable and bad for your back. They are also environmental freeloaders. Those creaky, lumpy mattresses are made up of almost a half dozen intricately interwoven materials, making them extremely difficult to break...

Turn it around: recycling is a massive industry with lots of investment potential.(GREEN LIVING: Money Matters)
September 1, 2008... When we invest in recycling ompanies, we're investing in energy efficiency--it takes much less energy to make new materials from old ones than from fresh cut trees or mined metals. We're investing in climate change solutions because when we use...

A hammock in the palms: tropical, secluded and committed to green: Bangaram Island Resort.(GREEN LIVING: Going Green)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The heat of the white sand hit my bare feet as I stepped off the little blue raft that carried guests from boat to beach. Just a few steps brought us to a palm-thatched bar. The shade was welcome, as was the drink...

Cruising on a current: electric two-wheelers offer a way to cut back and cut loose.(GREEN LIVING: Consumer News)
September 1, 2008... Motorheads with an environmental streak might drool over the $100,000 Tesla roadster, or dream of where the Chevy Volt will take them once it hits the market in a couple of years. But you needn't wait, or break the bank, if you want to go...

Chocolate visions.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)(Taza chocolate )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The stone-ground organic 70% dark Taza chocolate is indulgent in even the smallest doses, with a cocoa-laden, powdery texture that's more decadent than sweet. It's the kind of chocolate that would pair well with aged cheese and a glass of fine...

Of wine and soil.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Without grapes, there'd be no wine, but without good soil, there'd be no grapes. Wine-maker Kendall-Jackson has teamed with TerraCycle, Inc. to promote healthy soil by "upcycling" its old wine barrels into rainwater...

For the fashionistas.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)(Oxygen Required )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Eco-clothing outlet Oxygen Required sells pieces that can be worn in layers as the months grow colder, with an emphasis on simple designs and solid colors. A hooded cashmere and bamboo poncho in "baked apple" ($178)...

Fine jewelry redefined.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)(Brilliant Earth )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Your wedding ring can represent your commitment to the planet as well as to your better half. Brilliant Earth produces fine jewelry from two Canadian mines that adhere to stringent environmental laws. The company's...

Smarter showers.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)(Deluxe Showerwise Filtration System )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Deluxe Showerwise Filtration System ($79) effectively reduces the minerals and impurities in shower water that are common culprits to less-than-shiny hair, itchy, flaky skin and burning eyes. The term known as...

Table topics.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)(Ecosource Home & Garden tableware)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ecosource Home & Garden has developed grenware, a new, low-maintenance dinnerware line that includes bowls and plates made of bamboo, straw and rice hulls. The pieces have an elegant finish and dishwasher-safe...

Doggie style.(Tools for Green Living: Resources for Eco-Awareness and Action)(DogPoo)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Hot on the paws of greener beauty care products come all-natural dog shampoos. John Masters Organics presents the amusingly named DogPoo ($20), which cleans coats and prevents ticks and fleas with the essential oils of neem, citronella, tea...

The big book of everywhere.(The Encyclopedia of Earth: A Complete Visual Guide)(Brief article)(Book review)
September 1, 2008... The Encyclopedia of Earth: A Complete Visual Guide by Michael Allaby, Robert Coenraads, Stephen Hutchinson, Karen McGhee and John O'Byrne (University of California Press, $39.99) contains quite a claim in its subtitle. While there could never...

Smaller Living.(Put Your Life on a Diet: Lessons Learned From Living in 140 Square Feet)(Brief article)(Book review)
September 1, 2008... Five years ago, Gregory Johnson moved to a 140 square foot home, built on a trailer to comply with local building regulations. He has no electricity or running water and eats mostly non-perishable foods at home, using other facilities to...

Olympic ruins.(Five Ring Circus: Myths and Realities of the Olympic Games )(Brief article)(Book review)
September 1, 2008... This is the sentence Christopher Shaw wants readers to take away from his book Five Ring Circus: Myths and Realities of the Olympic Games (New Society Publishers, $19.95): "The Olympic Games at the local level are all about real estate"...

Getting fabulous.(The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to be Fabulously Green)(Brief article)(Book review)
September 1, 2008... The essence of Starre Vartan's book, The Eco Chick Guide to Life: How to be Fabulously Green (St. Martin's Griffin, $16.95), can be found in this sentence: "Being an Eco Chick means doing good while having a good time doing it: it is NOT about...

How the west was drained.(Water War in the Klamath Basin: Macho Law, Combat, Biology, and Dirty Politics)(Brief article)(Book review)
September 1, 2008... Water War in the Klamath Basin: Macho Law, Combat, Biology, and Dirty Politics (Island Press, $30) by Holly Doresmus and A. Dan Tarlock combines a deep understanding of the history of water laws with sympathy for the farmers, fishermen, Native...

A trek through time.(There's a Barnyard in My Bedroom)(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
September 1, 2008... In There's a Barnyard in My Bedroom (Greystone Books, $19.95), acclaimed geneticist and environmentalist David Suzuki takes children and their adult reading companions on a sweeping three-part ecological adventure in picture-book form. In the...

When the ants come marching in.(EARTHTALK: Questions & Answers About Out Environment)
September 1, 2008... Dear Earth Talk: In renovating a vacation cabin, I discovered carpenter ants working their way through the walls. Is there any way to responsibly get rid of the pests without using noxious chemicals that could potentially harm my...