will california women take on pampering help save the climate change your pets, amazon? in naturally page 4 page 5 page 12

Vol. 42, No. 2 / Spring 2011

congress to kids: breathe less! Defying science and the Supreme Court, the U.S. House is waging a reckless war on America’s clean air protections. But at what cost to our children? page 6 where we stand By EDF President Fred Krupp

Environmental Defense Fund’s Playing politics with the mission is to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. nation’s health Guided by science, we design and transform markets to bring lasting solutions to the most serious

. Charles E rickson environmental problems. T

Our work is made possible by the EPA under siege support of our members. ast month, in Salt Lake City, UT, I spoke at the Utah Museum of Natural History about

WILL CALIFORNIA WOMEN TAKE ON PAMPERING HELP SAVE THE CLIMATE CHANGE YOUR PETS, AMAZON? IN INDIA NATURALLY Lthe future of energy. I also had a chance to see the museum’s stunning new home, PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAGE 12 ON THE COVER: which opens this fall. It’s going to be a beautiful place to learn about our natural world. Since the Clean Air Vol. 42, No. 2 / Spring 2011 While there, I was struck by how few people understood that the House of Act was enacted, Representatives had just voted, through a budget bill needed to keep the government most Americans have

CONGRESS TO KIDS: running, to effectively gut EPA’s ability to enforce the Clean Air Act. BREATHE LESS! taken clean air for Defying science and the Supreme Court, the U.S. House is waging a reckless war on America’s clean air protections. But at what cost to our children? It’s no overstatement to say that the legislation shows utter contempt for the 40-year PAGE 6 granted. Now, leading bipartisan effort to protect all Americans by using sound science to clean up our air and members of the House, backed by water. For example, the bill denies EPA needed funds to enforce limits on toxic mercury fossil fuel lobbyists, have engaged in a pollution from cement kilns. Mercury exposure causes brain damage in children. backdoor attempt to roll back the Act’s EPA will also be forbidden to fund any activity concerning “possible climate change,” protections. They must be stopped. such as regulating new power plant construction or even collecting basic data on sources Solutions senior writer Rod of greenhouse gas pollution. Griffin took a hard look at opponents’ The Clean Air Act is one of this country’s most enduringly successful and popular arguments against clean air regulation laws. It has provided $30 in economic benefits—like reduced hospitalizations and and weighed them against the facts. increased productivity—for every $1 invested in pollution controls. And it has helped turn See page 6. the United States into the world’s leading provider of environmental technologies and Cover photo: PhotoEdit, Inc. services, a $300 billion industry that supports 1.6 million American jobs. In terms of public health, the Clean Air Act is an even bigger success. In 2010 alone, it saved some 160,000 people from premature death. SOLUTIONS In short, the Clean Air Act has saved lives, improved the environment, helped the economy grow and created jobs. Yet the House is trying to kill it. by starving the EPA for Editor Peter Klebnikov the funds and authority it needs to do its work. (See story, page 6) Environmental Defense Fund The battle over these House amendments will eventually move to the Senate, where 257 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10010 EDF and its allies, including responsible corporations and industry groups, are working to Main number 212-505-2100 defeat this attempt to undo 40 years of environmental and public health progress. Clean air is every American’s right, and neither politicians nor the polluters who Membership questions Call 800-684-3322 or email [email protected] support them should be able to take it away. Contact your Senators and urge them to say no to the reckless, destructive bill the Feedback Mail to address above, call 800-927-6464 or email [email protected] House has sent their way. Online edf.org ©2011 Environmental Defense Fund. Published quarterly in New York, NY. ASSN 0163-2566 New York / Austin / Boston / Boulder / Raleigh / Sacramento / San Francisco / Washington / Bentonville, AR / Beijing, China / La Paz, Mexico

2 solutions sPRING 2011 edf.org TALK back letters and comments from readers

IS FRACKING SAFE? EDF believes that fracturing must be (Solutions, Winter 2011) done safely, or not at all. But protection of human health and the environment will “We own 300 acres in the Sabine National cost money, and neither states nor EPA Forest, and we are selling out before our have adequate enforcement budgets. So water supply is ruined. I will continue to industry must be part of the solution. We’re support EDF’s efforts, but I cannot help but working with state governments and drilling be pessimistic living in Texas: landowners companies to try to develop rigorous safety

here do not have any rights.” air practices that could become the basis —Nancy Fox of federal regulations. These companies

J. Henry F J. understand the entire industry will be held I am writing about EDF’s apparent support The U.S. has more than 493,000 natural gas accountable for accidents. for state regulation of hydraulic fracturing. wells, about 90% of which use hydraulic fracturing. EDF is looking rather pro-industry, and I hope CORRECTION you clarify your position. I work as a state- being used or in what quantities. EDF The map on page 15 of Winter Solutions level regulator of the insurance industry and supports full disclosure of all chemicals (“Signs of a Warming Planet in 2010”) am acutely aware of the budget issues that used in well drilling, and we’re working incorrectly labeled the country of Israel due state regulators face. There is no way that the with the industry to reduce their use. to an editing error. The online map is correct. states can appropriately handle an issue this All printed letters are edited for clarity and length. Find full comments online. sensitive to people’s health. EDF wants to hear from you. To submit comments, email us or visit us online, at solutions.edf.org. —Ben Creasy

Scott Anderson, EDF senior policy a cartoon in need of a caption advisor for energy, responds: It is tragic when the groundwater that Sometimes humor helps. You, landowners depend on is contaminated. the Solutions reader, are invited There is no excuse for this. to submit a caption for this Natural gas development is responsible cartoon. for far too many threats to human health EDF will publish the and the environment. Poor shale-gas winning submission and use drilling operations and waste transport the cartoon in our campaigns. can pose threats to nearby communities The winner will receive a signed by contaminating water and releasing air print of the cartoon. pollutants. A recent New York Times article revealed EPA documents showing that Submit your caption to [email protected] or at wastewater from hydraulic fracturing contains solutions.edf.org radioactivity and other contaminants that treatment plants are unable to remove. To date, EPA has reached no official conclusion as to whether fracturing has caused what they’re saying about edf contamination of groundwater. People should be very concerned “EDF’s expertise in the region proved about the fluid chemicals used in invaluable as we put together fracturing. These chemicals—many of them recommendations to restore the Gulf toxic—have entered water supplies, but the industry has so far successfully opposed Coast.” mandatory disclosure. As a result, the —Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy

public doesn’t know what chemicals are Doug K aputian edf.org solutions SPRING 2011 3 california dreaminG: a new pact to save rainforests

What if rainforests were worth more alive than dead? That would put the brakes on rainforest destruction, which currently accounts for 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Working together, three governments have agreed to save forests and cut pollution.

an California’s climate law C help prevent deforestation elsewhere in the world? Officials in Brazil, Mexico and California think it can. Last November, the Brazilian state of Acre and the Mexican state of Chiapas signed an agreement with California that could bring them into the Golden State’s new cap-and-trade carbon market, perhaps as early as 2012. Under the agreement, which EDF helped to arrange, California refineries, power plants and other emitters will California is the most energy-efficient state, help Chiapas and Acre preserve their but that won’t be enough to meet the state’s rainforests, says Derek Walker, EDF’s aggressive new global warming targets. A California climate initiative director. In novel plan will allow California industries to pay Chiapas and Acre to preserve rainforests. return, they’ll get carbon credits, which they can use as offsets to help them meet a portion of California’s emission reduction targets. Under the plan, deforestation reductions in Chiapas and Acre will be verified by independent auditors, Chiapas, home to cloud forests and the and under California’s climate law resplendent Quetzal bird, has the highest rate there will be an 8% ceiling on the of deforestation of any Mexican state. The pact will help prevent clear-cutting and burning of amount of emissions California the forest for agriculture and ranching. industries can offset. Eventually, the program could be extended to other nations with threatened forests, like Nigeria and Indonesia. “This is a good example of EDF’s strategic vision and agility,” says Dr. Steve Schwartzman, our director The Amazonian state of Acre is blessed with for tropical rainforest policy. “In the 33 million acres of undisturbed rainforest. Under our agreement, satellite observations aftermath of the collapse of U.S. climate will verify rainforest preservation. EDF will legislation, we’ve been able to redeploy.” support training of technicians monitoring satellite images.

4 solutions sPRING 2011 edf.org As in most of the developing world, ord/Aurora P hotos global warming in R ussell K India will hit the poor hardest.

in India, and Aarohan is tapping into this to raise awareness in India’s hinterland. The film has been adapted into song and performed as street theater, and is being translated into three other languages besides . EDF’s production has also inspired changes on the land. Indian Lights! Camera! action! community leaders—at least one-third EDF goes Bollywood to raise awareness of of whom, by law, are women—are climate change in India demanding local, low-tech solutions to climate change, such as rainwater harvesting and improved management ndia, the world’s largest democracy, The film has already been shown in of springs. They are also requesting Iis facing a climate crisis. Today more than 400 villages in three separate information from the government on solar the country is the fifth largest global states. In January, around 100 community power and biogas. warming polluter, and thanks to its leaders from 30 villages traveled with their “The perception is that you have to booming economy its emissions are families by bus for more than three hours choose between favoring development or projected to increase. to attend a climate workshop in the small addressing climate change,” says Ahuja. But how do you raise national Himalayan town of Bhimtaal. They shared “Our argument is that you can do both.” awareness of this issue in a country of 1.2 stories about the impact of climate change The film project is part of EDF’s billion people, one-third of whom lack on their communities. broader effort—including a youth access to electricity, where governing “We used to find water nearby,” campaign that has reached 500,000 people authority is dispersed among 600,000 observed one woman from a village whose —to spark popular demand in India for rural villages? water supplies were dwindling due to a renewable energy, water and food security. The first step to lasting change is shortened monsoon season. “Now we walk “India is going to be a central player an honest conversation. EDF teamed for two hours to find water, and the children in the fight against climate change,” Ahuja up with The Hunger Project, a global do this before they can go to school.” says. “We’re building relationships to help nonprofit that empowers women in rural Many of the attendees said they make EDF an honest broker for change.” communities. We then produced and had been inspired by EDF’s distributed a Bollywood-style film in Hindi film. In the Himalayas, called Aarohan (“A New Beginning”) to deforestation has accelerated spark a conversation on climate change. soil erosion, and one woman “Two things bind this huge and spoke of how she lay down in diverse nation together,” says Riche Ahuja, a road to stop illegal loggers. EDF’s India program director. “Cricket and “You can roll over me, but Bollywood.” you won’t take trees out of Aarohan connects global warming and here,” she said. rural through its portrayal As in most of the of a drought-stricken village that restores developing world, climate itself to agricultural and social health, led change in India will hit the by a handsome male agronomist (played by poor hardest because they

the Indian star Anoop Soni) and lack the resources to adapt. Caroline Howe a beautiful female council member (this is Storytelling is a thriving These rural leaders traveled for hours to learn how to combat Bollywood, after all). communication medium climate change.

edf.org solutions SPRING 2011 5 HEALTH / cover story

Ariel Skelly/Getty Images mercury rising: open season on clean air

By Rod Griffin

The Clean Air Act has saved millions of lives and protected rivers, lakes and forests from untold damage. Now, this bedrock law is under assault in the courts and on Capitol Hill. EDF and its allies have mobilized to confront the polluters’ lobby.

“I am not an environmental activist,” says under the Clean Air Act, ozone pollution DeeDra Parrish of Fort Worth, TX, “but has spiked around Dallas–Fort Worth over as the mother of a toddler with asthma, I the last decade, earning the region an “F” could not in clear conscience sit quietly grade from the American Lung Association. any longer.” “Is anyone paying attention to what’s Last year, Parrish’s one-year-old happening here?” asks Parrish. daughter, Audrey, was hospitalized for two Asthma afflicts more than 17 million weeks after a severe respiratory attack. Americans and is the third-leading cause After learning about the effects gas of hospitalizations among children under drilling was having on local air quality, the age of 15. Parrish wrote her congresswoman and sent a post to one of EDF’s blogs. “Perhaps A Texas showdown you’ve never had to hear the distressing It is against that backdrop that Texas sounds of a baby breathing fast and hard spearheaded the nationwide assault on trying to get more oxygen into her lungs,” EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse she wrote. “I hope you never do.” gases. This opening salvo was blocked While the nation as a whole has seen when a federal court in January denied the significant improvements in air quality state’s third attempt to halt critical new

6 solutions sPRING 2011 edf.org HEALTH / cover story

Since EPA began implementing the Clean Air Act, emissions have dropped by 55%, while the economy has more than tripled. federal greenhouse gas regulations. • No funding for enforcement of limits The ruling clears the way for EPA to on mercury and cancer-causing toxic regulate new high-polluting facilities like pollution from cement plants. Exposure power plants in Texas. EDF played a lead to mercury, a highly poisonous metal, role in supporting EPA in the court cases. has been proven to cause brain damage The action then shifted to Congress, in children. where an emboldened new House majority istockphoto.com unleashed an even more damaging attack • A ban on any EPA regulation of methane, Asthma is already the third-leading cause of hospitalization for children. on the Clean Air Act. In a reckless, all-night nitrous oxide or hydrofluorocarbons from session, more than 400 amendments were stationary sources, no matter what their attached to the budget resolution to keep impact is on public health. This last measure was introduced by the government running through the year. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KA), whose district “It was a bad night for the environment,” • A sweeping prohibition on all work is home to Koch Industries, an energy says EDF president Fred Krupp. by EPA to address carbon pollution, conglomerate and prime funder of the Together, the amendments would slash including a critical right-to-know climate-denier movement. Koch was the EPA funding by $3 billion and effectively bar program that gives communities the tools leading contributor to the congressman’s the agency from protecting public health. to identify the biggest polluters in their recent election campaign. Some of the more egregious examples: neighborhoods. “Clean air for America’s kids should

True grit: standing up to delayers and deniers

hot air cool heads

“These job-killing regulations … will usurp power “Action on climate change can stimulate the economy from the states, violating the principles of federalism.” and create millions of jobs.”

—Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), new chairman of the —Jim Rogers, president and CEO, Duke Energy House Oversight and Government Reform Committee

EPA is contributing to “an unstable regulatory “We’re in an industry that is completely capable of environment” that would discourage companies from responding to [EPA’s] rules. We expect that there making long-term investment decisions. will be reasonable flexibility in both the rules and enforcement guidelines.” —Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) —Paul Allen, senior vice president, Constellation Energy

“This is the largest assault on democracy and Polling by Opinion Research Corporation shows that freedom in this country that I’ve ever experienced.” 83% of all Americans think that EPA, not Congress,

—Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) should be making decisions to safeguard public health.

EPA’s plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions is an The Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that by passing unconstitutional “power grab.” the Clean Air Act, Congress itself gave EPA explicit

—Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), chairman of the authority and responsibility to curb air pollutants, House Subcommittee on Energy Power including carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

edf.org solutions SPRING 2011 7 HEALTH / cover story

not be sacrificed to profit big polluters like says Vickie Patton, EDF’s general counsel. Bottom line: Health fossil fuel companies,” says Dr. Elena Craft, Our opponents’ strategy includes The attacks on the Clean Air Act come as an EDF health scientist. Climate change votes to undo rules, spending cuts to 175 million Americans still live in areas is likely to dramatically increase rates of prevent implementation of regulations, that fail to meet federal health-based asthma, heart disease and cancer, according and aggressive oversight to handcuff EPA. air standards. In addition, new research to research by Harvard Medical School. We’re working on several fronts: shows that pollutants are damaging in The reckless mood in the House was challenging opponents directly in court; smaller concentrations. “There is serious captured by Rep. Louie Gohmert from taking out ads in key congressional districts work still to be done,” says Patton. Texas, home to four of the nation’s top ten to shine the spotlight on the polluters’ Power plants are a major source of the mercury-emitting plants. “Let the EPA go lobby; and enlisting corporate allies to problem. They produce about two-thirds the way of the dinosaurs that became fossil speak out in support of the Clean Air Act. of the nation’s sulfur dioxide, over 30% of fuels,” he fumed. “Contrary to claims that EPA’s agenda carbon dioxide and 45% of mercury. Acting will have negative economic consequences, under authority affirmed by the Supreme A high-stakes battle our companies’ experience complying with Court, EPA has proposed regulations to The assaults on the Clean Air Act are air quality regulations demonstrates that improve plant efficiency. unprecedented. The good news is that the regulations can yield important economic The rules, which affect only the House bill still must pass the Senate. benefits, including job creation,” wrote largest polluters (not, as opponents “This is an all-hands-on-deck PG&E’s Peter Darbee (and seven other loudly claim, mom-and-pop businesses), moment to defend clean air in America,” utility CEOs) in The Wall Street Journal. require that plants reduce emissions with

WHAT THE CLEAN AIR ACT HAS DONE FOR AMERICA

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A Richer, cleaner, America without the Act healthier nation In 1970, President Richard Nixon created the EPA and Congress passed the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act is the best argument for Imagine what the United States would be sensible environmental regulation. America’s GDP like without those landmark achievements... public health and its economy have thrived, and pollution has fallen, since the Act’s inception. 207% LEADED GAS Cars would still run on leaded gas, leading to ECONOMIC dangerous lead levels PRODUCTIVITY in nearly nine out of ten American children. 160,000 ENERGY 100% LIVES SAVED DYING FORESTS CONSUMPTION IN 2010 ALONE Vast forests would be destroyed by acid rain. 40% Thousands of lakes that have returned to health would remain lifeless. Particulates Nitrogen oxides HAZARDOUS WASTE We’d still have raw sewage 22% Sulfur flowing into rivers, and higher 39% dioxide doses of airborne mercury contaminating lakes and 63% affecting the food chain.

FILTHY AIR Coal plants would emit 50% more pollution than LEAD they do now, and nearby office workers would still 98% be changing their shirts at lunchtime because of soot.

8 solutions sPRING 2011 edf.org HEALTH / cover story

Clean air crusader

For some people, success is measured in dollars. For EDF attorney Pamela Campos, it’s measured in tons of pollution removed from the air—and in lives saved. By that yardstick, 2010 was a pretty good year. Working with Vickie Patton, EDF’s general counsel, Campos helped advocate a new law that will result in all Denver-area power plants transitioning from coal to

Corbis cleaner sources by 2018. The average coal-fired power plant burns more than 60 railroad cars of coal a day. Growing up in Denver, Campos experienced the impacts of the city’s the best available technology. on Capitol Hill. Our opponents assert that this In the 1970s, the U.S. Chamber of requirement will lead to job losses, a claim Commerce predicted the law would lead undercut by a recent study by the University to the “collapse of entire industries,” of Massachusetts and CERES, a sustainable including the car business. Instead, the investment group. It found that EPA’s new development of catalytic converters for rules would create almost 1.5 million jobs new cars and trucks gave birth to a global over the next five years. market for converters dominated by Many utilities welcome the certainty American manufacturers. that would accompany the new rules. Similarly, lobbyists in the 1990s “It is critical that we know the rules of claimed that phasing out CFCs, which were the road of climate change as soon as depleting the ozone layer, would kill the possible to make sure we are making the refrigeration business and shut down hotels right investments,” says Jim Rogers, chief and hospitals. Instead, the phase-out was executive of Duke Energy. completed five years faster, and at 30% EPA has also introduced first-ever lower cost, than predicted. It also spurred Pamela Campos, EDF lawyer, has only standards to cut carbon emissions and innovation in the American refrigeration one client—the environment. improve fuel efficiency for passenger industry, which found new markets overseas. cars and heavy duty trucks. The clean car In fact, the commonsense application population boom and the “brown rule—the result of a landmark agreement of the Clean Air Act has made it one of the cloud” that accompanied it. She has between the Obama administration, most cost-effective pieces of legislation been on a mission ever since. automakers and the United Auto Workers in U.S. history. The Act’s next chapter A self-described physics geek, union—will save new car owners more than promises similar success. Campos designed thin-film solar cells $3,000 in gas over the life of their cars. “Congress needs to put aside politics and earned a master’s in technology Virtually every major Clean Air and act in the public interest,” says Steve and policy at MIT before heading to Act program since 1970 has met fierce Cochran, EDF’s VP for Climate and Air. Yale Law School. She joined EDF in resistance from industry and opponents DeeDra Parrish heartily agrees. 2009, after serving as deputy counsel “We love our lives in to former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. healthy air at a bargain price Forth Worth,” she says. These days Campos is helping “My desire is to allow my coordinate EDF’s defense of the Clean PROGRAM PROJECTED ACTUAL children to enjoy the outside Air Act, often reading briefs on her COST COST air without worrying how it iPad while bouncing her 5-month-old Acid rain $5.5 billion $1.4 billion will affect them.” daughter Isa on her lap. “The places Asbestos $150 million $75 million we love are changing because of Benzene $350,000/plant $0/plant ONLINE: Help defend climate change,” she says. “We each Catalytic the Clean Air Act. Go to have a duty to do something about it.” converters $860/vehicle $288/vehicle edf.org/stoppolluters

edf.org solutions SPRING 2011 9 Christmas tree. And on Halloween, local schoolchildren hunted for “vampire” electric loads, appliances that drain energy John Hicks/Corbis even when they’re turned off. Next door in Colorado, city managers in Aurora replaced more than 9,500 traffic light bulbs with high-efficiency LED bulbs. “We love protecting the environment,” says Aurora mayor Ed Tauer, “but our primary job is being good stewards of our citizens’ money.” In Kentucky, a new Biblical theme park featuring a Noah’s Ark replica will use energy-efficient window glazing and geothermal heating. A company official says he doesn’t believe in global warming, energy efficiency catches but energy efficiency brings “a pretty significant return on investment.” on in the heartland We’re now expanding Climate Corps to the public sector, and the initial results are promising. In 2009, for example, reasure hunting usually evokes images ferreting out energy savings at major our fellows found $13 million in energy Tof undersea wrecks and pieces of corporations. That program has so far savings opportunities at historically black eight, not people poking around behind a found $439 million in energy savings at North Carolina Central University. stadium scoreboard in Orlando, FL. more than 60 companies. “With public universities pinching But that’s just where Beth Trask, EDF’s Nationwide, the potential savings are every penny, $13 million in savings is a manager for corporate partnerships, enormous. A recent report by consulting huge deal and can help with pressing found herself recently, inspecting the firm McKinsey found that the United States needs,” says Michael Regan, EDF climate scoreboard’s cooling units at the Orlando could save $680 billion if it invests in energy and air policy manager. Citrus Bowl. It was all part of an energy efficiency—13% of the nation’s projected “Many energy efficiency savings are efficiency “Treasure Hunt,” sponsored yearly energy use. like cash on the ground, waiting to be by EDF and General Electric (GE), in Even in the heartland, where climate scooped up,” adds EDF economist Dr. cooperation with the City of Orlando. skepticism is common, the drive to Gernot Wagner. “More than a half trillion Three days of sleuthing at the stadium save energy, and money, is growing. dollars in energy savings by 2020 is not uncovered more than $150,000 in potential In Salinas, KS, city managers installed a small number, and this effort would annual energy savings. One change alone energy-efficient lighting on the town’s dramatically slash emissions.” —putting programmable thermostats on the air conditioners in the skyboxes, locker rooms, offices and press box—could save volunteering for energy preparedness $59,700 a year. Even as Congress has failed to act Big companies like Verizon aren’t the only ones on global warming, energy efficiency is benefitting from EDF’s Climate Corps. Last catching on nationwide. In 2003 just two year, our squad of specially trained business states had programs requiring utilities to school students inspected public facilities in save electricity through energy efficiency Raleigh, NC, including 27 city firehouses, and programs. Today, there are 24. found a wealth of energy savings. Now, even EDF is pursuing a broad strategy to firehouse vending machines have become encourage this trend. The partnership with more efficient; they shut down their cooling GE—which involves Treasure Hunts at systems when no one’s around. sites ranging from hospitals and factories Overall annual dividend for the city: to the Atlanta airport—is just one example. $106,000. City managers in the neighboring Another is our highly successful city of Cary are impressed. They’re now Climate Corps program, in which business getting their own Climate Corps fellows. Fire-engine red goes green in Raleigh. school students spend their summers

10 solutions sPRING 2011 edf.org sharing the catch in belize R onaldo Schemidt/ G etty I mages

long Belize’s isolated coastline, the overabundance of fishermen and an mature and can lay 5,000 eggs at a time. AMesoamerican Reef—the world’s undersupply of enforcement. A free-for-all “Most lobsters don’t get to be that big now second largest—forms a glittering necklace is the norm as fishermen race to get the because they are caught,” says Reyes. of sandy keys and coral atolls. Fifty years last fish. Fish populations collapse, and “Protecting this amazing reef is critical ago, fishermen waded in shallow waters fishermen barely eke out a living. to keeping U.S. fisheries healthy,” points here to harvest spiny lobster and queen Under catch shares, groups of out EDF scientist Dr. Rod Fujita. “Fish conch by the hundreds. “I used to get 200 fishermen are granted exclusive access larvae float through the Yucatan Channel pounds of lobster in a day’s work, but now to fish in a designated area. This secure and replenish U.S. commercial fisheries.” fishermen think ten pounds are good,” privilege gives fishermen an incentive to Thanks to our coalition’s efforts, recalls Martin Reyes, who has fished off become better stewards of the resource. Belize’s cabinet recently voted to authorize Punta Gorda in southern Belize for 45 years. catch share programs for spiny lobster in In Reyes’s lifetime, Belize’s lobster A new model for conservation Port Honduras and Glover’s Reef reserves. catch has fallen by nearly half. But there is One promising strategy pairs catch “EDF’s expertise in market-based hope. Disturbed by the declines, fishermen shares with marine protected areas to be incentives helps us ensure the health of are demanding change. Reyes—a member managed jointly by local communities and this vital ecosystem,” says Janet Gibson, of the Garifuna community—heads the the government. “Without community the WCS program director in Belize. local fishing association. participation, we would not be effective,” 0 30 km EDF believes fishermen are essential says Celia Mahung, executive director of C 0 30 miles to restoring fisheries and habitat. In TIDE, which helps out-of-work fishermen A R MEXICO 2009, we teamed up with the Wildlife find jobs as sport fishing guides. Mahung I B

Conservation Society (WCS) and the pioneered a program that taps fishing B

E Toledo Institute for Development leaders to be stewards of marine reserves. f e Turneffe

e A and Environment (TIDE), a Belizean Martin Reyes is one of 12 custodians. R Islands

N

When he sees a poacher, he alerts rangers by BELIZE r

e

i r

S

On the world’s second cellphone. Since the Belizean government r a

E Coral reefs B has little money for monitoring and largest reef, EDF helps Marine A enforcement, “we need the stewards—they Protected GUATEMALA Areas are our eyes and ears,” says Mahung. Glover’s safeguard biodiversity Reef Atoll

Out on the water, Reyes talks to fellow conservation group, to enlist fishermen, fishermen to make sure they haven’t kept Mesoamerican policy makers and managers of marine undersized lobsters or females about to N Port reserves to help preserve the reef through lay eggs. “I ask if the lobster has tar on its Honduras catch shares. This innovative approach for chest,” he says. “The male deposits tar on HONDURAS managing fisheries is now the preferred the female. Then she releases the eggs and Bordering three countries, the Mesoameri- method in the United States. scratches the tar to fertilize them.” can Reef is 600 miles long and supports Belizean fisheries today have an Lobsters take at least two years to more than 500 species of fish. edf.org solutions SPRING 2011 11

Environmental Defense Fund For: Janice Caswell, EDF File name: 2010 EDF-BelizeReefs.ai Placed file(s): None

For page: Last updated: 02/27/2011 Updated by: Carol Zuber-Mallison ZM GRAPHICS • 214-906-4162 • [email protected] (c) 2011, ZM Graphics Usage: Exclusive rights within EDF, can not be resold green living of animal weight) to your pets’ food three or four times a week. Frontline, a popular D LILL C/Corbis commercial flea and tick repellent for dogs and cats, does not include permethrin, which is toxic to cats, says Julia Carter, a Connecticut-based veterinarian. Frontline’s active ingredient is not readily absorbed into animals’ bloodstreams, but it can be toxic to birds and fish.

Fleas, begone! For dogs, boil several quartered lemons in a pint of water and let it sit overnight before decanting into a spray bottle. Spray and rinse daily. To make a dog flea collar, rub eucalyptus, tea tree or citronella essential oils into an ordinary rope collar. critter care For cats, skip the essential oils (cats Keeping our pets ‘naturally’ healthy may ingest them while grooming), but sprinkle a little brewer’s yeast on their By Jim Motavalli food daily to alleviate skin problems, including those caused by fleas. Flea mericans love pets (in 2009 we shared arrive at slaughterhouses, or a variety of powders containing permethrin should Aour homes with 64 million dogs and unmentionable animal parts. Watch out, be avoided for cats. 82 million cats). In fact, we treat pets pretty too, for labels that list cheap fillers like much like people. So it’s hardly surprising cornmeal and soy, as well as chemical More old-time remedies that, as the movement toward all-natural preservatives (look for natural preservatives To help untangle a cat’s coat, rub cornstarch foods and products has grown among like vitamins and antioxidants). into it and let her lick it off. Minor dog cuts humans, it has also grown for pets. It’s can be treated with six drops of thyme in a not unusual to find the neighborhood pet Tick control half gallon of water. “Skunked” dogs can be store stocking raw elk or gluten-free treats. For a nonchemical tick repellent, add deodorized by rubbing them with—believe Sales of organic and natural pet food are crushed garlic (one clove per 30 pounds it or not—hay. Tomato juice also works. projected to grow from $1.7 to $2.8 billion by 2015, three times as fast as overall sales. going natural Here’s a quick guide to helping your pooch or pussycat go natural. A note on Books Pet food the home remedies: We haven’t tested •Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide •For help reading food labels: fda.gov/ them ourselves, so consult your vet. to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou by Richard H. and Susan Pitcairn, Behind the label Rodale, 2005 •Dog food brands certified as organic: As with human food, there are no •The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care by Organix: castorpolluxpet.com regulations governing the word “natural” on C.J. Puotinen, McGraw-Hill, 2000. Free Party Animal: partyanimalpetfood.com pet food labels. For certainty, choose only download at ebook3000.com By Nature: bynaturepetfoods.com products bearing the USDA organic seal. In general, look for foods labeled “human General information •Organic cat food: grade,” with no byproducts. Take no “meat The Humane Society of the U.S.; Newman’s Own (also for dogs): byproducts.” Such meat-processing waste humanesociety.org newmansownorganics.com/pet/home may come from so-called 4-D animals, Evanger’s: evangersdogfood.com/cat which are dead or disabled when they

Jim Motavalli writes regularly about green products for The New York Times, National Public Radio and thedailygreen.com. Opinions are the author’s and not those of Environmental Defense Fund.

12 solutions sPRING 2011 edf.org home on the range for Utah prairie dogs

brake for prairie dogs!” says a sign prairie dogs because, during the “I on the office door of Ted Toombs, an growing season, they eat prodigiously EDF ecologist in Boulder, CO. to fatten themselves up for long winter And why not? Utah prairie dogs, the hibernations. This can wreak havoc on kind Toombs studies, are cute and clever, alfalfa and hay fields. Similarly, ranchers with Groucho-like dark markings above see prairie dogs as thieves of high-quality their big eyes and a habit of greeting each forage meant for livestock. other with kisses. In the high sagebrush Since the 1920s, these conflicts have steppes of Utah, these smallest and rarest led to widespread eradication campaigns members of the prairie dog family build using poison and guns. Now that Utah extensive underground “towns,” with prairie dogs are listed as threatened nurseries and sleeping chambers lined under the Endangered Species Act, those with prairie grass. The towns also support days are gone. But the species still faces rare predators like ferruginous hawks and serious threats from sylvatic plague, urban golden eagles. development and protracted drought. Farmers, though, don’t like Utah EDF is working to preserve the Utah prairie dog, of which only an estimated 10,000 remain, three quarters of them Brian Slobe on private land. In Iron County, UT, Cute but endangered: Utah prairie dogs are near the Nevada border, we are testing getting a boost from EDF’s work with ranchers. a new program that enables ranchers who protect prairie dog habitat to sell Under the Utah prairie dog credits to local developers, who must arrangement, landowners become offset loss of prairie dog habitat under protectors of a species they once sought the Endangered Species Act. The program to destroy, while developers get expedited resembles a successful plan that allowed permission to build. For the prairie dogs, it the U.S. Army to use endangered golden- means acquiring better habitat.

Jim Brandenburg/ M inden P ictures cheeked warbler habitat on its base at “It’s a win-win deal for humans,” says Tenants’ rights: Prairie dog towns shelter Ft. Hood, TX, if it set aside comparable Toombs. “For Utah prairie dogs it could rare burrowing owls. habitat elsewhere. mean survival.”

A bequest is a powerful way to make certain your values endure

By including EDF in your will or estate plans, you leave an environmental legacy for generations to come. For sample language for your will or to take advantage of our estate planning resources, please contact:

Michael Pohlmann Toll-free: 1-877-677-7397 Email: [email protected] This Majestic Web: edf.org/legacy Legacy Can Be For sample language for your will please go to edf.org/bequestlanguage Yours istockphoto.com edf.org solutions SPRING 2011 13 field notes

One year later: Lessons learned from the BP oil disaster Phasing out dirty heating oil On January 11, the presidential commission that 80% of fines imposed on BP and In late January, the New York City on the 2010 Gulf oil spill released its final others be used to restore the Gulf Coast. Department of Environmental Protection report: Deepwater: The Gulf Oil Disaster EDF and seven other nonprofits urged issued a rule, for which EDF was a leading and the Future of Offshore Drilling. It was Congress and the President to follow that advocate, that will gradually end the dedicated to “the 11 men who lost their lives recommendation. use of highly polluting No. 4 and No. 6 on the Deepwater Horizon rig” and their “President Obama should work with heating oil. families. Among the commission’s findings: the new Congress to secure the long-term Permits for No. 6, the dirtiest oil from The disaster could have been funding to fulfill his promise to restore the the bottom of the barrel, will be phased prevented. It was caused by a series of Gulf Coast and make it better than it was out by 2015; No. 4 permits will be denied mistakes made by BP, Halliburton and before the Gulf oil disaster,” the groups said. whenever a building replaces its boiler, Transocean, the companies responsible effectively phasing out that fuel as well. for the Macondo well drilled by the Just 1% of New York City buildings— Deepwater Horizon rig. about 10,000, including some in the Those mistakes “reveal such city’s wealthiest neighborhoods—burn systematic failures in risk management these oils. But they release more soot that they place in doubt the safety culture pollution than all cars and trucks on the of the entire industry.” city’s streets combined, says Isabelle The federal government effectively Silverman, an EDF lawyer. allowed the industry to operate without As a result, the health impact of the oversight. phaseout on illnesses from asthma to The report recommends the creation heart disease could be “second only to of a safety board, paid for by the industry, our achievements in reducing the city’s A P hoto and an independent monitoring office at the EDF’s goal: Those responsible for the Gulf smoking rates,” says Thomas Farley, the Department of Interior. It also recommends disaster must pay for ecosystem restoration. city’s health commissioner.

Brushing off threats, California fast-tracks action on global warming Global warming legislation may have goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions At first, emitters will receive free stalled in Congress, but in California to 1990 levels by 2020. emissions allowances. Over time, however, climate action is on the fast track. Last The ambitious target was established they will have to bid for allowances at December, state officials approved new under AB 32, the state’s landmark global quarterly auctions. One proposal under regulations that will create the country’s warming law, which EDF co-sponsored. discussion would distribute auction revenues biggest carbon trading market, with the A major tool for reaching the 2020 to California’s electricity ratepayers. target is a cap-and-trade The unveiling of the regulations followed program, an approach a referendum in which California voters long championed by EDF. overwhelmingly upheld the state’s global While the regulations warming law, by a margin of 61% to 39%. may still be adjusted The law had been challenged by two Texas due to legal challenges, oil companies but was vigorously defended they will cover 85% of by EDF and others. The vote showed the state’s emissions by continued support for fighting climate 2015, including those change, even in tough economic times. from electric utilities, “Last November, big polluters from refineries, manufacturing out-of-state tried to overturn California’s and transportation fuels. clean energy and clean air agenda,” said California is the world’s Derek Walker, director of EDF’s California eighth largest economy, Climate Initiative. “Voters responded with M athew G rimm Under the new climate law, carbon-storing wetlands could with a gross state product a resounding ‘no,’ and now California is become a new cash crop for California’s farmers. of $1.7 trillion in 2009. moving forward.”

14 solutions sPRING 2011 edf.org field notes

China’s new five-year plan: A step toward responsible growth in California Pollution becomes a priority Clean air and responsible growth were clear winners in December, after a federal appeals court in California rejected a bid by developers to overturn a law designed to control air pollution from development in the San Joaquin Valley. The law requires developers to offset the emissions created by new developments by using cleaner construction equipment, building near existing services like supermarkets, and other means. EDF helped defend the

ibor Bognar/Corbis law against the National Association of T Homebuilders, which brought the action. Shanghai: Growth at what price? The San Joaquin Valley, stretching In China, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, 240 miles from Stockton to Bakersfield, a sign associated with tranquility and has some of the nation’s worst air, with wisdom. Those qualities will be needed high levels of ozone—the main cause this year as China unveils its twelfth of smog—and particulate pollution. In five-year plan, which will guide the Fresno, CA, one in six children goes to Jeff G reenberg/ P hoto E dit nation’s development from 2011 to school with an inhaler. 2015. Environmental protection has been The court’s decision has major Under the law, developers are required to mitigate air pollution created by their projects. a priority in these documents for at least implications for the rest of California. Air a decade, even as pollution has risen with quality regulators in San Francisco, Los “In the past, California developers China’s extraordinary economic growth. Angeles and the fast-growing exurbs are got away with practices that aggravate The previous five-year plan focused considering similar controls on sprawl air pollution,” said Kathryn Phillips, who on major air pollutants like sulfur dioxide. and have been awaiting the outcome of heads EDF’s California Transportation and It removed limits on the fines that could this case. Air Initiative. “Now they’re accountable.” be imposed on water polluters, required CEOs of the largest sulfur-emitting companies to sign contracts specifying Progress on chemical testing when they would install pollution First, the good news: Despite the EPA announced it will require safety controls at their plants, and raised China’s continued Congressional attacks on testing of 19 chemicals, many used in environmental protection authority to the EPA, the agency’s budget for testing toxic everyday home products. Among them are ministerial level. EDF, which has worked chemicals was not targeted. In January, chemicals in a common food preservative in China since 1991, played a major role in and a well-known household cleaner. helping it develop these policies. The bad news? It took EPA two and At press time, guidelines for the a half years to get to this stage with these new plan suggest that it will include 19 chemicals. In fact, of more than 80,000 increasingly stringent environmental chemicals in commercial use, EPA has goals—including a cap on nitrogen oxides tested only 200 for safety since 1976. and, likely, a carbon target aimed at This regulatory snail’s pace, says Dr. reducing the carbon intensity of China’s Richard Denison, a senior scientist at economy 4045%­ from 2005 levels by 2020. EDF, shows why Congress must reform If China is to meet those ambitious goals, the current, failed law regulating toxic the government may need to rely more on chemicals. market incentives—and less on subsidies N eville M ountford-Hoare/ P hotolibrary and command-and-control methods—to Have commonly used chemicals been ONLINE: See the latest on our spur innovation. tested for safety? Probably not. campaign at edf.org/chemicals

edf.org solutions SPRING 2011 15 A STEP BACK IN TIME Preserving Cuba’s unspoiled Gardens of the Queen Alamy I mages “I heard for years about the wonders of the Gardens of the Queen archipelago. The stunning scenery and sea life provide a window to the past.” N ational G eographic/ etty I mages

ore than five centuries ago, when Christopher Columbus first laid eyes on this Mjewel-like labyrinth of coral reefs, islets and keys, he named it the Gardens of the Queen for his patroness, Queen Isabella of Spain. Astonishingly, the area, located off the remote southeastern coast of Cuba, is still a pristine natural paradise. Today, however, the Gardens face a series of threats, including tourism, invasive species and illegal fishing. EDF’s chief oceans scientist, Dr. Douglas Rader, is working with our Cuban partners to conserve the Gardens, now a national park. Recently, Dr. Rader explored the area, diving on thousand-year-old reefs to take stock of the sea life. Here are excerpts from Dr. Rader’s dive journal. ernandez ONLINE: See an audio slideshow about EDF’s work in Cuba at edf.org/slideshow N oel L opez F “Protecting the reef is a team effort, “Diving with free-swimming Goliath groupers— involving everyone behemoths long gone from elsewhere in the from local fishermen Caribbean—is an experience never to be to some of Cuba’s forgotten.” top scientists.” (Dr. Rader is in the top row, far left.)

“The abundance of big predators like sharks is a sure sign of an ecosystem in balance. I saw silky, Caribbean reef,

blacktips, lemons and rink/ G etty I mages nurse sharks, plus the ‘holy grail’ of div- ing—whale sharks— Stephen F the world’s largest.” “By week’s end we counted 124 species.

ernandez We did no night diving so we missed a whole element of fish diversity. That’s because the fish hide in daytime to avoid

N oel L opez F the enormous number of predators.”