Spotlight on the Oceans IT’S TIME for a TEDDY ROOSEVELT of the SEAS

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Solutions Vol. 35, No. 4 July-August 2004 Spotlight on the oceans IT’S TIME FOR A TEDDY ROOSEVELT OF THE SEAS. A bipartisan WILL THE WHITE HOUSE DELIVER IN 2005? call for more ill the oceans survive as healthy generation opportunity to reverse an eco- habitat 3 Wecosystems? A lot depends on nomic and environmental disaster,” says people like Rich Young. Coming from a our oceans director David Festa. family of fishermen, Young began trawl- Currently, 82 fish species are in trou- ing off the California coast in the 1970s, ble in North American waters. One major Cleaner air when an average season yielded 250 tons cause of the decline is overfishing. The for your of rockfish and other groundfish. But commission agrees with steps we have backyard 4 gradually, overfishing and pollution took long advocated: (1) Protect critical areas their toll, and by 1990 Young was find- like spawning grounds; (2) make science, ing it harder to survive in the fishery. not politics, the basis for setting of catch In 1992, the federal government limits; and (3) divide the allowable catch Antibiotic capped the number of boats and restrict- into percentage shares for each fisherman. campaign ed harvests in a futile attempt to halt the sizzles 7 declines. This only resulted in more fren- POLLUTION CLOSES MANY zied competition among fishermen. “I OCEAN BEACHES missed plenty of birthdays and holidays Equally troubling is the deterioration of because of fishing,” recalls Young. estuaries and other coastal ecosystems Open season The declines reached a crisis point because of agricultural runoff and coastal for energy and, in 2002, the government closed development. As a result, each summer much of the continental shelf off the about 12,000 beaches are closed or under companies 8 West Coast to trawling. Finding it pollution advisory. Compounding these impossible to stay in business, Young and problems is chronic mismanagement by his family made the wrenching decision the tangle of federal agencies overseeing Endangered: last year to sell his boats. the oceans. The night What went wrong in the Pacific This month, the commission’s report fishery finds echoes along the entire U.S. Please see sky 10 coastline. Now, a presidential commis- Cover Story, p. 2 sion has found evidence that the Consumers decline is systemic. The oceans have help fight been sadly neglect- warming 12 ed, the U.S. Com- mission on Ocean Policy concludes, Where we stand 2 but they are resilient, and the Mailbag 3 commission sug- gests a road map Regional update 6 for recovery. “The com- News briefs 9 mission’s recom- Action center 11 mendations are a blueprint for Lowell Georgia/Corbis action, a once-in-a- Fisheries are crashing as hard as the waves but recovery is possible. WHERE WE STAND By Fred Krupp, President Speak softly and carry a big toolkit If there is political the Interior Department to protect clean The consensus reached around will, great things air in the West (see p. 8), launched an the diesel rule was a breath of fresh are possible. That endangered species recovery campaign air. The New York Times called it “the thought crossed with private landowners and met individ- most important clean air initiative to my mind as I ually with 14 Senators to build support originate in and be brought to fruition stood alongside for global warming legislation. by the Bush administration.” It closed EPA administrator Today’s environmental challenges a loophole that had been responsible Mike Leavitt this demand that we be agile and ready to for close to half of all diesel particu- May to commend ‒‒‒‒‒ lates from mobile sources. The result him on new regulations that were is a triumph for human health. hammered out to cut diesel air pol- Solutions that engage all When decision makers signal lution from construction equipment sectors are most likely to they will take strong action and and other “nonroad” engines. The succeed. involve all stakeholders, as EPA did administration signaled early that it on diesel, the conversation then would take strong action against ––––– turns to how, not whether, to act. diesel emissions. It worked with use a variety of methods. We must The same approach should be industry, but it also listened to forge new partnerships and build an deployed on other urgent issues like health experts and environmental environmental majority that is above global warming and overfishing. groups until a consensus was built. partisanship and ideology. Solutions There’s no time to lose. Different tasks take different that engage all sectors, enlisting the tools. In that same week in May, Envi- creativity of entrepreneurs, are most ronmental Defense filed suit against likely to succeed.

COVER STORY: A chorus grows for oceans reform Continued from page 1 will go to President Bush for much-need- candidates to issue explicit, meaningful mental Defense was the first group to ed action. As The New York Times editori- commitments on the oceans. Whoever is recognize the human dimension and find alized: “It’s time for everyone to pay atten- elected in November can become the a solution that works not just for the fish tion [to the plight of the oceans].” “Teddy Roosevelt of the oceans” by en- but for fishermen as well.” Environmental Defense has enlisted shrining protections for the seas that paral- WHAT YOU CAN DO a wide range of allies to help implement lel Roosevelt’s national park initiatives. Send a message to President Bush: Urge many of the commission’s recommenda- America needs marine protected him to take a stand as a champion of the tions. But responsibility starts with the areas to safeguard crucial habitat and van- oceans and preserve this vital and fragile resource. Go to www.environmentaldefense.org/go/action. president. With all eyes on the presidential ishing coral reefs. The president must race, Environmental Defense will urge the strengthen conservation law enforcement and encourage the use of market-based tools for fishery management. Solutions In California we are promoting a Editor: Peter Klebnikov sweeping Ocean Protection Act that will Environmental Defense, 257 Park Avenue enact key recommendations of the com- South, New York, NY 10010. Main number 212- 505-2100. mission. That’s where Rich Young comes Membership questions: Call 800-684-3322 or in. Following his experience with disas- email [email protected] trous fishery management, Young teamed Mailbag: Mail to address above, call 800-242- up with Environmental Defense, testified 3251 or email [email protected] before Congress and accompanied our ©2004 Environmental Defense. Published scientists to workshops with fishermen bimonthly at New York, NY. ASSN 0163-2566 along the Pacific coast. New York • Washington • Oakland “We’re working to provide fisher- Boulder • Raleigh • Austin • Boston Project office: Los Angeles Sacramento Sacramento Bee/Bryan Patrick men with incentives to fish less wasteful- Collapsing fisheries are bringing an end to ly and to coordinate with each other Online at www.environmentaldefense.org family traditions for Rich Young and others. rather than compete,” he says. “Environ- 2 Environmental Defense Solutions Member 25 Main Street Anytown, NY 11199

Environmental Defense 257 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10003 MAILBAG Washington watch

Dear Environmental Defense: Despite attacks, endangered species I am a high school student writing to express my concern for the Bush win bipartisan support administration’s reaction to the Kyoto accord on global warming. I Conservatives who from the endangered list. The initial would like to know what you feel the have sometimes response has been favorable. Our American public can do to rectify this bristled at federal national symbol was saved by a ban on situation. I am also curious to know protection of en- DDT that resulted from our efforts, what your organization is doing. My dangered species and by its listing as an endangered generation and I are very concerned. recently gave an species. Today 7,678 pairs of eagles Maria Zupan, Missoula, MT enthusiastic thumbs-up to our new roam the skies in the lower 48 states, Back from the Brink campaign. We and the number continues to rise. Environmental Defense president Fred Krupp responds: are seeking to bring 15 imperiled One way citizens can help is by doing species back from the brink of extinc- THREATS IN CONGRESS precisely what you are doing—mak- tion by working cooperatively with Despite such successes, attacks on the ing your voice heard. One thing landowners. Upon our announcement Endangered Species Act continue. Environmental Defense is doing is of the plan, Senator Mike Crapo (R- Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA) working to pass the McCain-Lieber- ID) said, “This program exemplifies is championing a bill, supported by the man Climate Stewardship Act to the progressive, results-oriented and administration, to make it harder to reduce global warming pollution. respectful approach to conservation.” designate critical habitat for endangered Let’s work together. To persuade Speaking for the Bush adminis- species, part of a larger trend of trying Congress to act, we are seeking one tration, Interior Secretary Gale Norton to weaken the Act by a thousand cuts. million “citizen co-sponsors” of McCain-Lieberman. Please visit said, “We believe your Back from the “The Endangered Species Act is www.undoit.org to sign our petition, Brink campaign can successfully join undermined by the perception that it and encourage your classmates to our combined efforts to promote coop- is broken and ineffective,” says our sign it as well. Public pressure is an erative conservation strategies.” wildlife specialist Michael Bean. “The invaluable part of the change process. Such alliances are long overdue. bald eagle’s recovery shows that the Our Back from the Brink campaign Act is working.” recognizes that most endangered species depend on private land for their survival, and that protecting these species means enlisting landowners of all political stripes. In the past, landowners feared that helping species would lead to new restrictions on their land. Now, Dear Environmental Defense: Safe Harbor, an approach pio- I took your Clean Car Pledge, and neered by Environmental now I have fulfilled it. Like Fred Defense and adopted by the Krupp, I’m the happy owner of a new Fish and Wildlife Service, gives hybrid car. Bill Moore, Pisgah Forest, NC landowners a guarantee that helping species will not engen- Fred Krupp now has over 47,000 der new restrictions. miles on his 2001 Toyota Prius. One Environmental Defense by one, people are making a differ- vigorously supports a strong ence for cleaner air, and you can, Endangered Species Act. too. Take the Clean Car Pledge at Launching Back from the VIREO www.cleancarcampaign.org. Brink, we called on President Waiting for better days. The Southwestern willow Bush to remove the bald eagle flycatcher’s habitat is vanishing.

www.environmentaldefense.org 3 In depth Breathing easier NEW CLEAN AIR RULES WILL HELP NATION’S 22 MILLION ASTHMA SUFFERERS

red Fuerte always checks the pollution smog trap. That Findex before venturing outside his may explain, in part, Fresno, CA, home. The slightest bump in why the county’s ozone causes his lungs to spasm and his childhood asthma airways to swell. In 2001, the 52-year-old rate is more than made 28 trips to the emergency room. twice times the Breathing on a smoggy day is like “driving national average. with the parking brake on,” he says. “Of the many The number of Americans with triggers of asthma asthma has more than doubled in the attacks, air pollu- past 15 years to more than 22 million. “It tion is one thing we has reached epidemic proportions,” says can clearly do Rick Planet Gerharter/Lonely our health director Dr. John Balbus. something about,” New diesel rules will mean fewer smoggy mornings for 159 million Americans in Los Angeles and other counties. Children are especially vulnerable says Balbus. Envi- because their lungs are still developing ronmental Defense has set a goal of cut- Americans under the nation’s smog-pro- and because they tend to be active out- ting air pollution from tailpipes and tection program, many of whom never side during smog season. smokestacks by 80% over the next before have had the benefits of these Exactly what causes asthma is not decade. We’re pushing for tougher emis- health protections,” says our attorney known for sure, but once a person has sions standards, cleaner power plants and Janea Scott. asthma, air pollution can trigger attacks. incentive programs to get immediate In Fresno, the trigger is pulled all reductions. VICTORY AGAINST POLLUTING too frequently. The valley’s bowl shape The Environmental Protection DIESEL ENGINES and hot, windless climate create a perfect Agency adopted stricter smog limits in One major source of harmful air pollu- 1997 but failed to tion is diesel exhaust—that unmistakable implement them, black plume billowing from buses, bull- Smogbuster prompting Environ- dozers and barges. Such exhaust contains Having grown up outside Denver, Janea Scott knows a mental Defense, the more than 40 cancer-causing com- thing or two about smog. She also knows about the American Lung pounds, ranking it among the most dan- mountain majesty of Colorado’s Front Range. Fulfilling Association and gerous air pollutants. her dream of becoming an advocate for environmental allies to take joint Three years ago, we helped win justice, Scott, an attorney, joined Environmental Defense legal action. Envi- stricter federal limits for diesel trucks in 2000. In her first assignment, she found herself as the ronmental Defense and buses. Building on that victory, EPA lone environmentalist on EPA’s advisory group on non- spearheaded negotia- finalized new rules in May that will slash road diesel. Undaunted, tions that resulted in emissions from diesel-powered tractors, she worked with col- a recent settlement. construction equipment and other non- leagues to secure strong Under the road engines. national rules that will agreement, EPA has The new rules require refineries to improve air quality for designated 474 produce low-sulfur diesel fuel and engine millions of Americans. counties in 31 states makers to cut diesel emissions by more Now she has set her as out of compliance than 90%, a reduction that could prevent sights on remaining diesel with the federal 12,000 premature deaths every year. The loopholes: stationary gen- smog standard, clean-fuel requirement also covers locomo- erators, locomotives and requiring them to tives and marine transport, but they were commercial shipping. prepare cleanup given an additional two years to comply. Polluters beware. plans. “This decision We are now pressing EPA to adopt brings millions more stricter emission standards for commer- 4 Environmental Defense Solutions cial marine engines, which decades, Environmental are the dirtiest of the dirty Defense seeks to accelerate Leave a legacy forever yet still remain under-regu- their cleanup through retrofit Your retirement plan is a wonder- lated. Our new report, Smog programs. For example, we ful way to provide for your Alert: How commercial ship- helped pass legislation in future—and the health of the ping is polluting our air, shines Texas creating an incentive planet. All you need to do is name us as the beneficiary of your a spotlight on the problem. fund for diesel retrofits (see retirement account. That’s all it EPA estimates that by 2030 box) and are now promoting takes. This simple act on your marine vessels will produce a national program. part helps ensure that America’s treasured wilderness areas 25% of all smog-forming pol- Says Balbus: “A child and clean water will be protected for generations to come. lution from mobile sources, if born today should not have not contained. to wait until she is an adult For more information, call toll-free 1-877-677-7397, or write Anne Doyle, Environmental Defense, 257 Park Avenue South, Because existing diesel before she can breathe New York, NY 10010. engines can remain in use for healthy air.”

Smog alert: Regional steps to curb pollution Over half the U.S. population lives in areas with unhealthy levels of smog (highlighted on map). Now EPA is requiring these areas to clean up their air. Environmental Defense is working with poli- cymakers, businesses and government officials to design innova- New York tive solutions. We recently issued a study showing that moving freight by rail can be twice as clean as truck transport and would ease traffic congestion. We also partnered with ferry companies to install pollution controls and helped shape a citywide ordinance to clean up diesel machinery at city-sponsored construction sites.

California The state Colorado Last year, the recently Denver area experienced the passed highest smog levels in more stricter lim- Texas Transit buses in Dallas than 15 years. Cleaner sum- its on emissions from highly polluting and garbage trucks in Houston mertime gasoline, as EPA now diesel-powered backup generators, are being equipped with the requires in the area in which are frequently located near latest pollution controls, cut- response to our advocacy, will schools. Spurred by an Environmental ting their smog-causing emis- help solve the problem. Defense report, this action may pave sions by 50% or more. This is the way for nationwide rules. the result of legislation we helped pass, creating a $650 million incentive fund for cleaning up diesel engines. Photos clockwise from Photos top clockwise from right: Ian Clark/ImageState; Peter Arnold; DART; Banana Stock/ImageState

www.environmentaldefense.org 5 Regional update

Rescued from the path of a steamroller

In the decades that he’s worked 100 North Carolina acres, Boon Chesson has learned a lot. The loblolly pines he intro- duced, on U.S. Forest Service advice, have proved a bad idea, no match for upland hurricanes and ice storms. The rare native longleaf pines on Boon’s land are another story, however. Hardier and prettier, with furniture-grade wood, their open canopy lets sunlight in, nourishing lush glades and savanna—habitat once common in the Southeast.

Until farming and fire suppression choked them out, Mitsuaki Iwago/Miden Pictures Carolina’s piedmont prairies were home to elk, bison and The Northwest Hawaiian Islands reserve is the only mostly grasses taller than a man: Indian grass, purpletop, beggar intact large coral reef ecosystem left on the planet. lice and the endangered Schweinitz’s sunflower. “I began to think,” says Boon, “I’d like more of these native sons.” Joining ranks to protect a Environmental Defense has long worked to secure Farm Bill conservation funds for good stewards of private threatened global treasure land. This spring, our When Uncle Buzzy Agard, a the reserve without ––––– policy analyst David respected elder, first fished the Environmental Defense,” “I’d like more of these McNaught and part- Northwest Hawaiian Islands Agard says. native sons,” says tree ners persuaded the in the 1940s, he thought Unfortunately the pro- farmer Boon Chesson. government to fund “This is nirvana! I could fish tections are far from secure. landowners willing to this place forever!” As the Commerce ––––– do controlled burns But soon he noticed the Department finalizes a man- and thin forests in order to restore prairie habitat. fish disappearing. “First the agement plan for the reserve, Boon is now the proud father of 2,000 Schweinitz’s mullets were gone, then the powerful political interests sunflowers, rescued from the path of a road-paving thread fins. I realized I was are seeking to weaken key machine. The yellow-headed beauties are flourishing on helping destroy this unique safeguards. Our scientist Dr. his land—producing seed for other landowners—and rare place.” So Agard instead Stephanie Fried traveled to birds, butterflies and quail have moved in. Says Mc- began fighting to protect the ‒‒‒‒‒ Naught: “We’re trying to revive whole natural communi- remote archipelago, home to ties so that many species now at risk can thrive again.” sacred Native Hawaiian sites, “I realized I was endangered monk seals and helping destroy this thousand-year-old coral unique place.” forests. We worked with Agard ––––– and other Native Hawaiian Washington this spring with fishermen, activists and local local partners to argue for environmental groups to science-based protections. develop a conservation plan Our Action Network mem- for this area, which President bers sent federal officials Theodore Roosevelt had first more than 25,000 messages protected. When President of support for a strong man- Clinton announced the agement plan. Northwest Hawaiian Islands “I would like my

Dale Dale Suiter/USFWS-NC Coral Reef Ecosystem grandchildren to see the Native Americans lit fires regularly to sustain the Reserve in 2000, Agard marine life I saw, without Schweinitz’s sunflower and other tall prairie grasses. proudly joined him on stage. having to read about it in a “We would never have won book,” says Agard. 6 Environmental Defense Solutions Iowa pig farmers join campaign to keep antibiotics working

“WHEREAS, Many of our customers That resolution, passed in January, is try’s biggest poultry producers say they (including McDonald’s) are the latest demonstration of what happens have greatly restricted antibiotic use—the requesting a decrease in antibiotics when one of the world’s largest food com- benefits to human health should be sub- in animal feed.... panies changes its purchasing policy. Since stantial. Agricultural misuse of antibiotics, last summer, when Environmental De- along with their overuse in human medi- “RESOLVED, The Iowa Pork Producers fense helped persuade McDonald’s to stop cine, has caused many dangerous bacteria Association urges all producers to buying poultry and pork that had been fed to become resistant, leading to untreatable voluntarily discontinue the use of growth-promoting antibiotics, we’ve staph infections, fatal food poisonings in all growth-promotant antibiotics in gained a legion of partners in the effort to children and a sharp increase in deaths swine finishing rations.” keep these wonder drugs working. from infections among the elderly. The latest is In May, the Government Health Care without Accounting Office called antibiotic resis- Harm, an international tance resulting from agricultural uses of coalition of 450 hospi- antibiotics “an unacceptable risk to the tals and health-care public health.” But the damage can be facilities, whose new reversed. A report from the World purchasing policies for Health Organization reveals a decline in meat, poultry, seafood bacterial resistance in Denmark after and dairy now require most feed uses were banned in 1998. suppliers to forego the Our scientist Dr. Rebecca Gold- routine use of medically burg explains how antibiotics regain their important antibiotics. effectiveness. “When there’s even a slight

Banana Stock/ImageState As suppliers meet metabolic cost for bacteria to resist an Antibiotics anyone? Our campaign would ban routine use of this growing demand— antibiotic, but no longer a survival advan- human antibiotics in poultry and livestock. already five of the coun- tage, the nonresistant bacteria win.” World Bank urged to drop harmful oil and gas projects With their mud huts and lack of running future fossil-fuel invest- water, the villages along the dusty road to ments,” says our interna- Chad’s Doba oil fields show few signs of tional director Bruce this African nation’s newfound oil wealth. Rich. “Oil and mining The World Bank backed the Exxon- companies depend on the Mobil-led oil project, touting its benefits Bank for credibility. for the poor. But Chad’s dictator-presi- Without it, they have a dent spent the first oil millions on harder time convincing weapons, and jailed project opponents. private investors to fund Chad is only the latest of many controversial projects.” development casualties. A recent World Oil companies Bank-commissioned report failed to protested the report, and identify a single oil, gas or mining pro- Bank management at first Korinna Horta Casualties of greed: For these Bagyeli children from ject funded by the Bank that had rejected its recommenda- Cameroon, the oil pipeline’s wealth has not trickled down. achieved its mandate of alleviating tions. But an international poverty. The report, the Extractive coalition we helped build of environmen- have raised with the Bank for years,” says Industries Review, urges the Bank to tal, indigenous and labor organizations Rich. “It would be indefensible if the redirect about $800 million in annual pressured the Bank to reconsider. Our Bank failed to carry out the recommen- investments to projects that promote local partners in Africa and Indonesia and dations of its own independent report.” renewable energy and protect human six Nobel peace laureates joined our call, Send a message to World Bank President rights. The Bank’s board may vote on the and the European parliament passed a James Wolfensohn urging the bank to report’s recommendations this month. resolution backing the recommendations. invest in renewable energy at www.envi- “This will have ripple effects for “This review validates concerns we ronmentaldefense.org/go/action. www.environmentaldefense.org 7 Environmental groups team up with ranchers to fight massive Wyoming gas development

Now BLM protect the air of national parks and wilder- plans some ness areas. Yellowstone National Park, 100,000 gas and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the oil wells on the Grand Tetons and Wind Cave National prairie, more than Park will suffer, as will U.L. Bend, five per square Fitzpatrick and Bridger wilderness areas. mile. Sprawling “Unrestrained development like this across one million will damage the water, landscape, wildlife acres of Wyo- and air quality over a huge area,” says our ming and Mon- attorney Vickie Patton. “The impacts on tana, it will be the visibility alone are staggering.” biggest energy In assessing potential damages development in from air pollution, BLM avoided study- the lower 48 ing the full impact by splitting the pro- states. More than ject in two parts and by ignoring pollu- 23,000 miles of tion from area power plants. BLM also J. Cooney/Animals Animals roads and 52,000 failed to release its analysis on time, The sprawling Powder River Basin development threatens migra- miles of pipelines thereby thwarting public comment. tion routes and habitat of the pronghorn antelope (above), the sage and power lines Interior contends that state regulators grouse and other wildlife. will be erected. can adequately remedy the pollution. ancy Sorenson’s life changed the Remote wilderness ecosystems like Nday the “land men” came knocking Upper Frozen Lake are likely to acidify, on the door of her ranch in the rolling and pockets of spectacular natural beauty hills of Wyoming’s Powder River Basin like Yellowstone National Park and the and surprised her by announcing they Grand Tetons will be assailed by harmful would drill for natural gas there. air pollution. Soon her 1,200-acre ranch was Building on two decades of work crawling with wildcat drillers. “We became protecting western air, Environmental an industrial zone,” says Sorenson. “We Defense teamed up with the National got pipelines, power lines, generators, a Wildlife Federation, the National Parks radio tower, 54 wells and 19 different Conservation Association and the

drilling agreements. The virgin prairie has Montana Environmental Information Powder River Basin Council Resource been ruined. It will never be the same.” Center and filed suit against the Depart- Gas companies in Wyoming and Montana Worse yet, Sorenson has no legal ment of the Interior and BLM in May. can drill right out from under ranchers’ feet. right to stop energy com- We charge that panies from drilling. Interior approved the Ranchers, Indian tribes and envi- Under a split ownership massive coal-bed methane ronmentalists have united to oppose the law, minerals beneath pri- development without new “gold rush.” Our lawsuit comple- vate land are owned by the adequately examining or ments litigation by allies that focuses on Bureau of Land Manage- mitigating its serious air the threat to aquifers. ment (BLM). “There is no pollution impacts. At drill Says our Rocky Mountain regional protection for surface own- sites, heavy machinery director Timothy Sullivan: “Legal action ers or regard for the envi- spews out carbon monox- will force the federal government to ful- ronment,” says Sorenson. ide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur fill its responsibility of preserving the Before the Interior dioxide, sooty particles treasures of the West.” Up for grabs: One million Department opened up and volatile organic com- unspoiled acres. the West for development, pounds. WHAT YOU CAN DO Send Interior Secre- there were fewer than 1,000 coal-bed Furthermore, we charge, Interior tary Gale Norton an email message urging her to stop the environmental damage methane wells dotting the pristine land- Secretary Gale Norton failed in her associated with coal bed methane projects. Go to scape of the Powder River Basin. responsibility under the Clean Air Act to www.environmentaldefense.org/go/action. 8 Environmental Defense Solutions NEWS BRIEFS Government backs off changes to organic food Following a storm of tion and Senator Patrick Leahy (D- Department has committed itself to pro- protest from Envi- VT), who authored the organic stan- tecting the integrity of the nation’s ronmental Defense dards law. organic food program,” said Goldburg. and others, the U.S. In response, Agriculture Secretary “Consumers need to know they can trust Agriculture Depart- Ann Veneman rescinded the decision and the organic label.” ment has dropped directed her department to consult with sweeping changes that would have the National Organic Standards Board, Update: McDonald’s undermined the nation’s organic food which originally developed the standards. standards. Our scientist Dr. Becky Goldburg sits on packaging The agency had announced new that board. “I’m delighted the Agriculture You might not notice that your McDon- directives in April allowing ald’s fry container feels a bit lighter, but the use of pesticides and the environment will. The company antibiotics in organic crops recently reduced the weight of the paper and dairy cows. The changes used in its fry cartons and increased the also would have allowed post-consumer recycled content of its farmed and wild fish, personal napkins. These improvements, among care products and pet foods to others, helped McDonald’s meet a com- be labeled organic, even mitment to offset the adverse environ- though no production stan- mental impacts of packaging changes dards exist for these items. the company made last fall. Those Environmental De- changes included moving several of its fense protested the changes, sandwiches from paper wraps to rigid

as did the Organic Trade Jim West containers and switching to bleached Association, the Keep Consumers need to know whether they can trust the white carryout bags. Antibiotics Working coali- organic label. After discussions with Environ- mental Defense, McDonald’s agreed to Should DDT’s use be expanded? A global offset the impacts of those changes through packaging improvements else- perspective where. We monitored the company’s brought the peregrine falcon and bald progress and confirmed in May that the eagle back from the brink of extinction. company had offset the impacts and then The new DDT advocates argue some, achieving additional improvements that the U.S. ban put out of reach the beyond our targets. most effective response to a resurgent “These actions show that with hard malaria that now kills two million peo- work and a little ingenuity, companies ple a year. But to attribute the rise in can optimize both their business and malaria worldwide to the U.S. ban is their environmental performance,” says wrong, says Balbus. The primary caus- our program manager Gwen Ruta. es have been the decline of public Adrin Snider/AP Photo Collapsing public health systems are respon- health systems, political instability in sible for a surge in malaria cases. malaria-ravaged countries and increas- ing resistance of mosquitoes to pesti- When a New York Times story called for cides and drugs. the renewed global use of DDT, Environmental Defense supports Environmental Defense health director the 2001 Stockholm convention on Dr. John Balbus knew a response was Persistent Organic Pollutants, which warranted. We were founded, after all, allows limited, carefully monitored

expressly to end the use of DDT. Our indoor use of DDT for public health Arnold Grames/Bilderberg/Peter Eberhard scientists brought the original lawsuit in purposes until “safer, affordable and Balancing act: McDonald’s has offset the 1967, won a nationwide ban in 1972 and effective alternatives are made available.” impacts of its switch to bleached bags. www.environmentaldefense.org 9 Green living

Light busters

The largest group fighting light pollution is the International Dark-Sky Association, with 41 chapters in the U.S. and branch- es in 17 countries. It publishes a newsletter and offers member discounts on night-friendly lighting and other products. Individual memberships are $30. 3225 N. 1st Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 (520- 293-3198; www.darksky.org).

A related organization, the Dark Sky Society, can be joined for free

at www.darkskysociety.org. Alastair Grant/AP Photo For thousands of years, humans have found wisdom and mystery in the night sky. An excellent overview of light pollution is found at www.sierra- club.org/longisland/lightpollu- Bring back the night tion.html. LIGHT POLLUTION BEWILDERS BIRDS, WASTES ENERGY PRODUCT SOURCES AND ERASES STARS FROM THE SKY nly eight generations ago, our cities who have never seen the stars.” Sea Gull Lighting’s Dark Sky ancestors were able to see an esti- Unnecessary lighting also has prac- Outdoor Wall Lantern is available O mated 11,000 stars in the cloudless night tical consequences. Unwanted light tres- at 301 West Washington Street, Riverside, NJ 08075 (866-449- sky. Today, because of “skyglow” caused passes across property lines, wastes ener- 2821; www.seagulllighting.com). by misdirected nighttime illumination, gy and money (an estimated $1 billion two-thirds of all Americans no longer annually in the U.S. alone), affects sleep Other companies that make sky- can catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. In patterns and, because of preventable friendly consumer lighting many urban areas a combination of air glare, causes traffic accidents. include Spring City Electrical pollution and excessive artificial light has But aren’t we safer with ubiquitous Manufacturing Company, P.O. Box reduced visible stars to less than 100. night lights? Studies in the U.S. and 19, Spring City, PA 19475 (610- “Light pollution” is caused by Great Britain show no significant link 948-4000; www.springcity.com) unnecessary nighttime commercial and between crime rates and extra lighting, and Hadco, P.O. Box 128, 100 domestic illumination that invades our and motion detectors and shields can put Craftway, Littlestown, PA 17340 privacy and interferes with nature’s time- the light where it’s needed. (717-359-7131; www.hadcolight- less patterns. For instance, birds confused Here are some ways you can take a ing.com). by artificial light now sing at night in stand against light pollution. Order the GlareBuster directly for many locations. $79.95 from Affordable Lighting, Such light trespass not only has the • There ought to be a law. Nine states 727 Boston Post Road, Guilford, power to render 100-inch telescopes use- already have strong laws to control light CT 06437 (800-548-8714; less for serious astronomy, but also has pollution, and bills are pending in ten www.theglarebuster.com). important implications for ordinary more. Arizona’s law requires all outdoor human life. Dr. Arcadi Nebolsine, a cul- light fixtures above 150 watts to be shield- Motion sensor lights in a variety tural historian at Drew University, feels “a ed (except airport navigational lights and of styles are available at very important environmental relation- some streetlights), which means no light www.darksky.org/fixtures/mot- ship for mankind” is being lost. “Sadly,” can rise above the bottom of the lamp. sensec.html he says, “we have children growing up in New Mexico gives residents and businesses Guest columnist Jim Motavalli is editor of E/The Environmental Magazine (for subscription information: 800- 967-6572 or www.emagazine.com). Opinions are the author’s and not those of Environmental Defense staff. 10 Environmental Defense Solutions the option of shielding night lights or any home security system. Installed with shutting them down at 11 pm. Other exterior flood or spotlights, motion sen- states, like Connecticut, Maine and Texas, sors also save energy and money. regulate state-funded lights only. • Reclaim the night sky. A Virginia high • Shield it. Although only about 1% of school student and amateur astronomer, outdoor lighting fixtures are sky-friendly, Jennifer Barlow, founded National Dark the market is growing. You can replace Sky Week (www.ndsw.org) when she unshielded outdoor lights with alterna- realized that the light haze around our tives like the fully shielded Glare-Buster Lobo/Corbis Pedro planet was cutting us off from the rest of ($60 to $80), which directs all light The unbearable lightness of evening. the universe. For this year’s week, cele- downward, away from the sky and neigh- brated April 19-26, Barlow recommend- bors. Sea Gull Lighting’s Dark Sky •Use motion detectors. Your outdoor ed turning off unnecessary lights, spread- Outdoor Wall Lantern ($210) recesses its lights can be fitted with sensors that ing the word, going to star parties and bulb in the upper part of the fixture, pre- detect movement by large objects. Off observatories, and seeing “the greatest venting light leakage. The Parshield ($20; most of the time, these lights turn on show the universe has to offer.” parshield.com) fits onto existing flood- conveniently as you enter your yard at lights, making them night-friendly. night and can play an important part in By Jim Motavalli

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE ACTION CENTER Too slick: Stop ExxonMobil’s global warming disinformation campaign ExxonMobil continues its cynical effort to spread doubt about the science of global warming and derail government action on greenhouse gas emissions. Its strategy was made clear six years ago in a confidential oil industry memo, saying that “victory will be achieved when uncertainties in climate science become part of the conventional wisdom.” ExxonMobil has since provided millions of dollars to organizations that energetically voice skepticism about global warming, often using misleading statistics. Who are these “experts” and why do you so rarely hear where their money comes from? Follow the money trail at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/exxonmobil. John K. Humble/Stone Other energy companies including BP, Entergy, There’s still time to choose parks, transit and clean air. Ontario Power Generation, Shell International and Suncor mine the allocation of hundreds of billions of your tax dol- Energy have joined with Environmental Defense in recog- lars to projects around the country over the next six years. nizing the overwhelming scientific evidence that human Both current versions contain provisions that will weak- activities are contributing to global warming and have taken en the Clean Air Act and increase pollution that contributes action to rein in their own emissions. to asthma, heart disease and cancer. Both will increase traffic and urban sprawl; damage communities, parks, wildlife refuges WHAT YOU CAN DO: Send ExxonMobil CEO Lee R. Raymond an email message urging that he halt the misinformation campaign and historic sites; and reduce opportunities for the public and and join the market leaders working to slow global warming. Go local officials to shape transportation priorities. to http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/exxonmobil. The House’s version, says our transportation director Michael Replogle, is “a less toxic brew.” And there’s still Support better transportation solutions time to seize this opportunity to improve transportation A House-Senate panel will spend the smoggy months of choices, air quality and the use of public money and land. summer reconciling their pending bills governing the Let Congress know that you want a transportation bill that pro- nation’s highway and mass-transit construction programs. tects public health and the environment. Take action at When complete, the Transportation Equity Act will deter- www.environmentaldefense.org/go/actioncenter.

www.environmentaldefense.org 11 The Day After Tomorrow: A preview of coming attractions?

Giant hailstones kill dozens in China! How to tell fact Seventy-five tornadoes in the United from fiction? You can States kill 36 in one day! Scenes from learn the true story this summer’s much ballyhooed global on the hazards of warming movie The Day After Tomor- global warming from row? No, these are real-life weather The Heat Is On, our events that occurred during the making new, comprehensive of the film. survey of the issue at Life seemed to imitate art in eerie www.environmen- ways as the movie took shape. In 2002, a taldefense.org/ Takashi Seida/Twentieth Century Fox Seida/Twentieth Takashi Rhode Island-sized ice shelf in Antarc- go/theheatison. Time to do something about global warming? tica disintegrated, weeks after the movie’s creators wrote the opening scene depicting its collapse. “We joked that Partners spread the word on warming we’d better start shooting soon or we’d If you’ve been en- on water bottles, reminding people to be making a documentary,” said director joying Stonyfield help keep the earth a cool place. Silk will Roland Emmerich. Farm yogurt lately, or hand out Undo It postcards at Race for With its flash-freezing super- Clif bars, Odwalla juice, Silk soy milk, the Cure events they sponsor all sum- storms that wreak havoc on Manhattan, Trinity spring water or Organic Valley but- mer. Organic Valley, a farmer-owned the movie is far from realistic. None- ter and eggs, you may be seeing our Global cooperative, will hand out postcards at theless, the script is based partly on fact. Warming: Undo It logo in your sleep. Our farmers’ markets in states that are critical “The theory of abrupt climate Undo It campaign aims to win passage of to the vote on McCain-Lieberman. change is real, but even gradual change the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stew- “Global warming is a huge issue can have serious consequences,” says our ardship Act to cut global warming pollu- that can seem paralyzing,” says Stony- climate scientist Dr. James Wang. “The tion nationwide. Now these six brands— field Farm CEO Gary Erickson. “We characters in the movie fail to connect through their packaging, web sites and want to educate people about the ways the dots and they don’t act fast enough events across the country—are urging their every one of us can contribute to solving to prevent disaster. That’s a Hollywood customers to help us reach our goal of one the problem.” ending I hope we can avoid.” million “citizen co-sponsor” petition signatures and a Senate What they’re saying about majority on this critical bill. Environmental Defense At sports events and green festivals throughout the “The emissions trading project has summer, from Grandma’s been tremendously successful so far. Marathon in Duluth, MN, to This experiment needs to be the Hotter-n-Hell cycling race expanded now.” in Wichita Falls, TX, Clif Bar will gather petition signatures. —China’s minister of the environment Xie Zhenhua, commenting On the Stonyfield Farm web on the program we helped design to site, Gurt the Cow puts a big

cut sulfur dioxide pollution across hoof print on our petition and David Samuel Robbins/Corbis heavily industrial regions of China. urges everyone else to do the Our message on global warming will be delivered at same. Trinity will hang a tag farmers’ markets nationwide.

Solutions

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