Solutions Vol. 34, No. 1 January-February 2003 A victory at sea High stakes ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE PLAYS LEAD ROLE battles IN SAVING AN UNDERWATER WILDERNESS ahead 3 undreds of fishermen, environmen- brated as “America’s Galapagos,” had Htalists and local residents crammed been fully protected. into a tension-filled meeting hall in San- The Channel Islands are among ta Barbara, CA. Some carried placards, just a handful of places in the world Companies others wore buttons expressing solidarity. where cold and warm currents collide, tackle global They were all hoping to influence a deci- creating a rich diversity of marine life. warming 4 sion last October on a proposed network Over the past few decades, however, of marine reserves around the Channel white abalone, angel sharks and other

Islands. KAPPENSTEIN species that once thrived

At one point, Santa Barbara here have declined. Sev- Taking up Ventura angler Steve eral species of rockfish John Muir’s Roberson made an have been reduced to 10% last battle 7 impassioned plea to of their historic abun- fellow fishermen: dance, mostly due to ex- “We’ve got to bite the cessive fishing. bullet, guys. I love to Such declines con- fish. I want to fish for Channel Islands vinced many commercial Can the Army National Marine Sanctuary Corps change the rest of my life, and fishermen to put aside a network of marine reserves will allow their differences and work with Environ- its ways? 8 me to do it.” mental Defense and others to negotiate a In a landmark decision the solution. California Fish and Game Commission Our marine ecologist Dr. Rod Fu- The next approved 12 “no-take” zones, putting jita was the first to assemble the science step: Buy 24% of state waters within the Channel showing that West Coast marine reserves Islands sanctuary off limits to fishing. Please see Cover Story, page 2 recycled 10 This victory, which was preceded by two years of heated debate, will pro- Organic: tect marine habitats and allow depleted species to More than recover. The New York just a label 12 Times called it “an impor- tant step forward.” Environmental De- Where we stand 2 fense played a lead role in all aspects of creating the Mailbag 3 new reserves. “This rep- resents a huge change in Regional update 6 how marine ecosystems are managed,” says our News briefs 9 marine conservation

Action center 11 advocate Richard Char- Muench Marc ter. Previously, less than Cavorting in an undersea forest, these sea lions are part of one 1% of the sanctuary, cele- of the continent’s richest ecosystems. WHERE WE STAND By Fred Krupp, President Why we can’t give in to global warming When President The bad news is that the adminis- an Arctic without permafrost or Bush ditched the tration is attempting to scuttle the treaty. oceans without coral reefs. Kyoto Protocol in At the recent climate meeting in New President Bush argues that the March 2001, many Delhi, U.S. officials argued against Kyoto treaty will harm the U.S. predicted the developing countries committing to economy. He should listen to busi- treaty was dead, ness leaders who say inaction on along with hopes ‒‒‒‒‒ global warming will undermine of addressing On climate change, the their long-term competitiveness global warming. and damage America’s standing Thankfully, the rest of the world administration has gone abroad. As members of our Part- resolved that climate change is too from denial to resignation. nership for Climate Change have dangerous to ignore. Ninety-five proven, multiple strategies exist for nations have ratified the treaty, in- ––––– curbing greenhouse gas emissions cluding most industrialized coun- reduce emissions and advocated adapt- without slowing growth. tries, which have committed to ing to global warming. How ironic that in The development of cleaner reduce their emissions. With Rus- such a brief time the administration has technology is an opportunity, not a sia’s ratification expected soon, the gone from skepticism to resignation. peril. Those nations that position pact will go into force. The buildup of greenhouse gases their economies to help provide for Then, the protocol’s cap-and- is cumulative, so some climate change a safer environment will do well by trade framework will “switch on,” is inevitable. We do need to take steps doing good. launching a new global market to to adapt. But that hardly means we spur innovation and investment in should declare defeat and accept a reducing emissions. Good news. world that’s biologically impoverished,

COVER STORY: Science comes to the aid of fisheries Continued from page1 boost fish populations dramatically. He fisherman who participated in the negotia- Benchley, a member of our national and our consultant Dr. Astrid Scholz tions. “There was a lot of give and take.” council. “Today, we have the power to then broadened the eco- To mobilize the destroy the oceans, and we have the nomic debate to include community, we formed a power to save them.” consideration of long-term coalition of divers and impacts on fisheries and local groups and created other benefits such as eco- a citizens’ guide to tourism and diving. reserves. Joining fishermen and Federal officials regulators around a table, will now decide whether Solutions we helped map out the re- to expand the reserves Editor: Peter Klebnikov serve boundaries. Using a into federal waters. An Environmental Defense, 257 Park Avenue Geographic Information enlarged reserve system South, New York, NY 10010. Main number 212- 505-2100. System (GIS) computer could eventually encom- Membership questions: Call 800-684-3322 or model, we were able to pass 426 square miles, email [email protected] locate important kelp beds making it the largest Mailbag: Mail to address above, call 800-242- and rocky reefs that are pre- County James II/Ventura Star Glover complex of marine re- 3251 or email [email protected] ferred fish habitat. “Our Fax attack: Our Action serves in the continental ©2003 Environmental Defense. Published objective was to stay true to Network deluged state offi- United States. The largest bimonthly at New York, NY. ASSN 0163-2566 cials with 13,000 letters on our ecological goals, while is now the Dry Tortugas New York • Washington • Oakland limiting the short-term eco- the Channel Islands. in the Florida Keys. Boulder • Raleigh • Austin • Boston Project office: Los Angeles nomic impact on fishermen,” says Fujita. “For too long, the ocean has been “Environmental Defense listened used as an infinite resource and bot- Online at www.environmentaldefense.org well,” notes Harry Liquornik, an abalone tomless dump,” says Jaws author Peter 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 Editor: Special interests take aim at key I am a veterinarian and was shocked, when I first began prac- environmental protections tice, that feed stores and catalogs offer anyone medication. Are clean air and water endangered? National Environmental Policy Act Often today, feed stores are Special interests may press Congress This crucial law requires public review really drug stores that also sell this year to undo bedrock environ- of federal projects. Road builders claim feed. Whoever happens to be work- mental protections. that these requirements cause delays. ing at the counter gives out advice Environmental Defense will We will block any efforts to silence on the correct dose to use. Frus- stand with our allies to fend off these public input. trated owners often switch rapidly attacks. We’ll also continue working back and forth between antibiotics with both parties to gain new ground Endangered Species Act or use enormous extra-label doses for which there is no data regard- in reducing global-warming emissions. New committee chairs in Congress ing safety. It won’t be easy. Jim Inhofe, an may try to weaken the act and remove Animals that fail to recover are Oklahoma Republican with a zero key protections for rare species. We’ll quickly shipped to slaughter. When rating from the League of Conserva- defend safeguards. that happens, the medication has tion voters, is taking over the Senate The good news is we’ve built not had enough time to be cleared environment commit- bipartisan alliances, from the muscle tissue, meaning tee. “We need to be Seeking allies at which will bolster our that people may consume meat innovative and build defenses. We’ll also rely with more antibiotics than is new coalitions while the state level on states and on newly deemed safe. supporting maneuvers installed progressive I appreciate your recent article on antibiotics in agriculture, but my such as filibusters to block regressive governors to break new ground. experience with large-animal medi- bills,” says our legislative director “Progress in the states will cine leads me to believe that the Elizabeth Thompson. show our allies in Congress that you current situation is even worse. Not Here’s a look at key battles: can both limit pollution and grow only does it encourage animal suf- the economy,” says Thompson. fering, it also plays a significant role Energy Bill in antibiotic resistance. How you can help: New committee leaders will resurrect You can act on up-to-the-minute news an energy bill that does nothing to from Washington by signing up for our G. Eric Wheelis, DVM reduce dependence on oil, subsidizes action alerts at www.environmen- Jefferson, NC taldefense.org/action. Sign up today and ask dirty industries and opens the Arctic your representatives to oppose an energy bill National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. that will lead to greater pollution. We’ll work to stop this bill in its tracks.

Transportation Equity Act This law regulates $135 billion a year in trans- portation programs

John Colwell/Grant John Heilman Colwell/Grant Photography and profoundly affects Steer clear of antibiotics. sprawl and air quality. Industry may attempt LET US HEAR FROM YOU! to use the bill to weak- We want to know what you think. en clean air standards. Contact the editor by mail, phone or We will work to email; see contact information in box increase the funding at left. Letters may be edited for we’ve already gained Long considered off limits, large tracts of the Rocky brevity. for public transit. Mountains are now squarely in oil industry crosshairs.

www.environmentaldefense.org 3 In depth Cool it! Companies take the lead on global warming CAMPAIGN SPURS ACTION TO LIMIT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

he year 2002 brought record floods to “Global warm- TEurope, landslides to the Himalayas ing is the most im- and searing drought to America’s heart- portant environ- land. Most scientists think that human mental threat we activities are making extreme events such face today,” says as these occur more frequently. Environmental De- Yet the Bush administration has re- fense president Fred jected the Kyoto Protocol, the interna- Krupp. “Major com- De Roy/Minden Tui Pictures tional agreement to reduce greenhouse panies have stepped On thin ice: Receding polar caps are one indicator that global warming is upon us. gas emissions, and now is suggesting that up to the plate, but we simply adapt to global warming, let- not the U.S. government.” world,” explains DuPont vice president ting U.S. emissions rise even while other Eight of the world’s largest corpora- David Findlay. “The sooner you start countries work to reduce pollution. (See tions have joined our Partnership for Cli- managing your business with that in “Where we stand,” page 3.) Despite these mate Action, setting firm targets for mind, the better off you’ll be.” In Novem- obstacles, we’ve moved the climate de- reducing their own greenhouse gas emis- ber, DuPont completed an emissions ————— sions. Success came faster than ex- trade with Entergy Corporation, show- pected. The companies already have ing it could benefit financially from its DuPont cut its heat-trapping cut their total emissions 17% below surplus reductions. (See box at right, emissions by 63 percent. 1990 levels, three times the reduc- “How emissions trading works.”) tion required under the Kyoto Pro- ————— tocol. One partner, BP, achieved its FROM VOLUNTARY TO bate forward thanks to member support promised reduction eight years early, sav- NECESSARY ACTION and timely gifts to the Campaign for ing $650 million in the process. Although these companies’ actions are Environmental Defense. The campaign Another partner, DuPont, set an voluntary, they illustrate the kinds of was launched to fend off attacks on the ambitious target of reducing its emissions actions that would occur globally under environment. by 40%. “Critics claimed such targets the Kyoto Protocol. If Russia ratifies were too big and the treaty, as expected in 2003, it will too costly,” says our go into force, committing signatories Clean air visionary policy analyst An- to reduce their emissions. Our work in Environmental Defense drew Aulisi. But the Russia began a decade ago. When economist Dr. Daniel Dudek chemical giant ex- Moscow faltered on its resolve to join helped persuade the first ceeded its target, Kyoto, we partnered with Russian en- Bush administration to achieving a 63% re- vironmental officials to identify public institute emissions trading duction, in part by health benefits. under the 1990 Clean Air investing $50 mil- “Businesses are increasingly recog- Act, resulting in steep cuts in sulfur dioxide, a cause of lion in retrofits. nizing that purely voluntary approaches acid rain. The Economist called it “the greatest green suc- And the company will not be enough” to stop global cess story of the past decade.” Through the efforts of Dudek remained profitable. warming, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and others, emissions trading became an integral part of Greenhouse noted last year. Environmental Defense the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. Dudek is pictured in gas reductions “will is working with McCain and Senator China, which has embraced our cap-and-trade approach. very likely be a real- Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) on green- ity all over the house gas legislation that could become 4 Environmental Defense Solutions a litmus test for U.S. climate policy. • In New York, our general counsel $200 million many such efforts as part campaign We’ve also contributed to important James Tripp served on Governor George goal of a broad strategy to state-level actions. For example: Pataki’s Greenhouse Gas Task Force, $165 million combat global warming. raised to where he played a key role in developing date To date, $165 million • In New England, our climate research recommendations to cut emissions from has been raised toward and outreach activities helped both Mas- the transportation sector. the campaign’s $200 sachusetts and New Hampshire act to million goal. Gifts to the limit greenhouse gas emissions from • In Idaho, we’re helping develop a cli- campaign also will help power plants. mate bill in the state legislature that preserve the oceans, could include crediting for carbon sinks, America’s wildlife and human health. • In California, we helped pass the na- which draw carbon dioxide out of the tion’s first law for reducing greenhouse atmosphere. For more information about The gas emissions from cars and trucks, de- Campaign for Environmental Defense, spite multi-million-dollar opposition The Campaign for Environmental please call Paula Hayes, Vice President from automakers. Defense has enabled us to undertake for Development, at 212-505-2100.

Getting to less: How emissions trading works

The pollution that causes global warming, mostly carbon With an efficient cap-and-trade system, as developed by dioxide (CO2) from smokestacks and tailpipes, rises into Environmental Defense, the government sets a limit or the atmosphere and circulates globally. It doesn’t matter “cap,” lowering overall pollution, and leaves it to compa- where CO2 is reduced, as long as total emissions are cut. nies to find the most efficient way to meet the cap.

1. The challenge Carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere, forming an 3. The result insulating blanket that traps Emissions trading too much heat from the sun. reduces pollution at Once in the atmosphere, CO2 the lowest cost, can last 100 years or more, rewarding companies continuing to cause warming. that find ways to do more than their share and penalizing those that do less.

2. The response

Each plant has a strict pollution allow- ance. If Plant A is able to cut emissions cheaply and does more than the law requires, it has extra reductions that can be sold to other plants.

If Plant B cannot economical- ly reduce its emissions as much as required, it can pay for reductions from Plant A. credit

www.environmentaldefense.org 5 Regional update

Study finds global warming could ravage U.S. crops Asked to picture what greenhouse gas pollution could mean to the American heartland, most people think of parched, cracked fields under a relentless sun. But rainfall patterns are likely to become extreme as well, resulting in heavy flood- ing, a report by Environmental Defense and others says. If greenhouse gas emissions are not curbed, U.S. crop losses from excess rainfall may double in the next 30 years, according to the study, which was published in Global Climate Change. The resulting price tag could climb to $3 ––––– billion per year. Don Riepe We reached these Snowy egrets and other long-legged waders breed at New York U.S. Crop losses could conclusions working City's Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Recently committed funds double in 30 years. with scientists from could help protect their nesting habitat. ––––– Columbia University, NASA-Goddard In- $60 million will help protect stitute for Space Studies and Lawrence Berkeley National New York wetlands habitat Laboratories. This team modified a standard computer model for crop yields to simulate crop damage from too On a given day, passersby at lands in the Jamaica Bay much moisture in the soil. Then it applied the model to the Statue of Liberty include Wildlife Refuge, a world- climate projections used by the U.S. government that show cargo ships, kayakers and the renowned birding hotspot. the average number of “extreme precipitation events” in occasional egret. “Time is critical,” says corn belt states increasing by 30% between now and the Wildlife in New York Don Riepe, the refuge dis- 2030s. Harbor now faces a brighter trict manager. “The marshes Losses could end up even higher, because direct phys- future, thanks to a commit- are eroding at the rate of 40 ical damage to crops from heavy rains and hail is not cov- ment for $60 million over to 50 acres a year.” ered by the study. three years to protect key Another prime candi- “Aggressive steps to reduce greenhouse gas pollution habitat in the estuary. Envi- date for protection is the are needed right now if we hope to head off many of these ronmental Defense general Hackensack Meadowlands, changes,” asserts our scientist Dr. Janine Bloomfield. counsel James Tripp helped ‒‒‒‒‒ secure the funding. “These funds are an essential down New York Harbor payment on the ecological is an essential future of the estuary,” says hub for wildlife. Tripp. Tripp brought together ––––– environmental groups, in- where a major developer cluding NY/NJ Baykeeper, wants to build a mega-mall. to develop a budget for near- “Proposals for new port term priorities. The Port facilities and waterfront Authority of New York and parks in the New York area New Jersey stepped up and are on the table, and we need included the funds in a new to ensure that habitat is resource stewardship pro- included in the planning

NASA gram. process,” says Tripp. After the flood: These crops along the Iowa River were devas- Some of the monies “Economic, recreational and tated in 1993. may be used for a pilot pro- ecological interests all go ject to restore eroding wet- together.” 6 Environmental Defense Solutions Paradise regained CAMPAIGN IN YOSEMITE COULD UNDO A 90-YEAR-OLD MISTAKE

or nearly a century, the Hetch FHetchy Valley, a beloved attribute of Yosemite National Park, has lain hidden under 300 feet of water, serving as a water tank for the City of San Francisco. Once, its granite cliffs, sky-high waterfalls and flowering meadows John Muir to call Hetch Hetchy a “grand landscape garden, one of nature’s rarest and most precious mountain temples.” Muir led the fight against the dam that would destroy the valley in 1913. When the battle was lost, Muir is said to have died of a broken heart. Painting by Anderson Brooks Ninety years ago, the inundation of Requiem for a valley: Before it was flooded, the Hetch Hetchy Valley was celebrated as the eight-mile long Hetch Hetchy Valley a wonderland of waterfalls and subalpine meadows. behind O’Shaughnessy dam remains one of our nation’s worst environmental mis- ing existing reservoirs or using aquifers. Francisco Philistines who know how to takes. We and our allies decided to do If we succeed, 1,900 acres of submerged ‘improve’ the handiwork of the Creator.” something about it. valley floor will be uncovered. Dam builders called environmentalists Our opportunity came when engi- “short-haired women and long-haired neers revealed plans to repair San Fran- OTHER DAMS HAVE BEEN men.” When the valley disappeared, the DISMANTLED ––––– The idea has taken root. Four major Influential officials are newspapers editorialized in support and The New York Times predicted our cam- adding their voices to ours. paign “may well lead to something re- ––––– markable.” Though the dismantling of Times railed: “The battle was lost by su- productive dams is not common, other pine indifference, weakness, and lack of dams have been taken down when they funds.” interfered with fisheries. “A restored Rosekrans intends things to be dif- Hetch Hetchy Valley would be a tremen- ferent this time. “It is troubling that San Library Library of Congress dous asset for the whole country,” says Francisco, a strong supporter of environ- John Muir was broken-hearted when Hetch our analyst Spreck Rosekrans, whose hy- mental causes, draws water from a na- Hetchy vanished under 300 feet of water. drologic modeling proved critical in con- tional park,” he says. “I hope we won’t cisco’s aging and seismically vulnerable vincing decision-makers about the feasi- have to wait another 90 years for the 150-mile long Hetch Hetchy water de- bility of restoring the valley. Hetch Hetchy Valley to become a magi- livery system. The plans go far beyond Three members of the city’s Board cal place again.” fixing old pipes and include building a of Supervisors have introduced a resolu- reservoir. Voters have approved $1.6 bil- tion pledging cooperation with our study. lion in financing to pay for the upgrades. San Francisco’s top water official says the Our regional director Thomas idea of replacing the reservoir will be Graff asked key officials to start rethink- part of the environmental reviews for the ing the entire system. “We believe it is upgrades. possible to repair and even expand the In the old days, Hetch Hetchy—an water supply system and also provide Indian term for “grass valley”—was a environmental benefits,” Graff wrote to breathtaking glacier-carved valley. When Mayor Willie Brown. the 312-foot-high dam was announced, a

We have asked San Francisco to bitter political struggle broke out. The Geoimages support a study examining alternatives New York Times published six editorials Does this belong in Yosemite National for water storage. These include expand- against the project, lambasting “San Park? www.environmentaldefense.org 7 Help for a booming land-preservation movement

and San Francisco Michael Bean stepped in to help the garter snake. group apply for a streamlined permit Land trusts that would allow them to manage the are a fast-growing land for endangered species without sub- national movement jecting them to the same process for de- to stop sprawl and velopers that are destroying habitat. protect wildlife. “Without such assistance, many The number of trusts would be delayed or even prevent- land trusts leapt ed from protecting endangered species,” 42% over the past says the Trust’s Paul Ringgold. “Mi- decade, and today chael’s solution could become a model

Robert Buelterman/POST more than 1,200 for other land trusts.” groups protect 6.2 At a recent Land Trust Alliance Cloverdale Ranch: No place for a parking lot. million acres na- meeting attended by 1,800 people, Bean icture a shopping mall in place of tionwide. Because most endangered presented our nuts-and-bolts guide, Predwoods and sweeping ocean vistas. species inhabit private land, these trusts What Land Trusts Should Know, and our That might have been the fate of the are key to helping species recover. ecosystems specialist Kathy Viatella ex- Cloverdale Coastal Ranch had the San In Cloverdale, the Trust seeks to plained how to take advantage of $3 bil- Francisco Peninsula Open Space Trust restore heavily grazed grasslands by pre- lion in Farm Bill funds for wildlife not acquired it. scribed burning, but this could trigger restoration on private land. Stretching across 5,600 acres off years of red tape under the Endangered California’s famous Route 1, the ranch is Species Act and cost hundreds of thou- “What Land Trusts Should Know About Endangered Species Regulation” is at home to the endangered red-legged frog sands of dollars. Our wildlife attorney www.environmentaldefense.org/go/more.

Can the Army Corps mend its ways? efore the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers arrived, the being lost at an alarming pace, with the river’s delta losing BMississippi River and its wildlife were sustained by sea- 30 square miles of wetlands each year. Corps-built levees, sonal flooding. But a nearly continuous string of levees, dams and training structures are largely to blame. But now, largely financed by the Corps, has cut off the Mississippi the Corps is working with us to develop a bold restoration from most of its floodplain. plan for the river’s floodplain forests and delta. If the project Now the Corps wants to finish the job. Soon the goes ahead, it will be the most ambitious restoration effort Corps expects to receive initial funding for an $85 million in the nation’s history. levee and pumping station near New Madrid, MO, that would bring an end to seasonal flooding on 80,000 acres. “This is one of the last remaining links between the Missis- sippi and its floodplain,” says our water resources specialist, Scott Faber. Even the project’s primary purpose, to reduce flooding in a nearby town, would not be met. Environmen- tal Defense persuaded Missouri officials to delay the project. Although it continues to excel at boondoggles like this, the Corps is seeking to atone for its anti-environmental ways. Amid a difficult climate in Washington, Corps reform remains one of the best opportunities for environmental progress. We have proposed legislative reforms such as independent review of controversial projects that have won support from both fiscal conservatives in Congress and en-

vironmental advocates. Alan Schein/Corbis Ultimately, hope for reform may lie among the Missis- If the present rate of erosion in the Mississippi Delta contin- sippi’s bayous. Millions of acres of wildlife habitat there are ues, New Orleans will be a beachfront community by 2050.

8 Environmental Defense Solutions NEWS BRIEFS U.S. and Mexican experts map Colorado River delta’s health The Colorado River delta was once a Indians’ way of life. Recent floodwaters orities for the delta,” says our ecosystem vast network of waterways covering near- have revived parts of the delta, previously specialist Jennifer Pitt. “It’s a model of ly two million acres. But thirsty farms declared a dead ecosystem. binational cooperation.” The group pre- and cities in the U.S. and Mexico have Now we are helping lead efforts to sented its findings to senior U.S. and choked off the river’s flow, threatening protect this critical wetland. We brought Mexican officials to use as a blueprint for not only wildlife but also the Cucapá together U.S. and Mexican experts to talks later this year on restoring the delta. map a strategy for pre- serving the region—liter- ally. Using Geographic Thanks to you, a Information Systems (GIS) technology, experts year of solutions created interactive maps that highlight conserva- tion opportunities such as restoring water for native trees that benefit the en- dangered Southwest wil- low flycatcher. “This is the first

Carlos Carlos Valdes-Cassilas time experts have pooled Cross-border conservation: One place where U.S.-Mexico their knowledge to come cooperation is working. up with conservation pri- An ocean treasure preserved—for now

Environmental Defense has staved off ting up to five times the recommended Our 35th anniversary year brought several attacks on the Northwestern Ha- catch. (A boat owned by the Council record support from members and waiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Re- head was caught with illegal lobsters friends, making possible the many serve. With more than 30,000 letters and fined $40,000.) victories described in our 2002 Annual Report. Enjoy a behind- from members, we helped convince the Now the state is developing pro- the-scenes look at these achieve- Bush administration not to weaken pro- tections for shallow, coral-rich waters in ments by ordering your free copy tections. And we exposed a backdoor its jurisdiction, which are sure to draw (using the reply form at left) or attempt by fishery managers to ease fish- opposition. “Support from our members see the report online at www.en- vironmentaldefense.org/more. ing for 49 coral-reef-dependent species has been crucial, but the fight is far from Eighty cents of every dollar by “recategorizing” them as bottomfish. over,” says Fried. spent this fiscal year went directly The 1,200-mile-long area to our program services. Thank is the world’s largest marine you for your generosity in making reserve, home to enormous these results possible! With your coral colonies estimated to be continued support, 2003 will bring more than 1,000 years old. significant new victories. “Protections for this unique ocean treasure have been under How donations were used constant assault,” says our sci- entist Stephanie Fried. Now Program ser- the Western Pacific Fisheries vices: 80% Management Council, which Management, oversees area waters, wants to administration reopen the local lobster fishery. Jonathan Blair/Corbis and fundrais- ing: 20% The Council helped drive the Overfishing of lobster limited the food supply of the fishery into collapse, permit- monk seal. www.environmentaldefense.org 9 Green living

Recycling’s new generation

To find recycled products men- tioned in this story, contact the suppliers below, or ask your local merchants to stock products with post-consumer recycled content.

Clothing: Synchilla fleece from Patagonia, 800-638-6464 or www.patagonia.com. Polartec fleece from MED, 888-847-0770 or www.mec.ca/Main/home.jsp

Home improvement: The Home Erickson Charels T. Depot, 800-430-3376, homede- Curb-side programs are just the first step. Today, it’s equally important to buy recycled. pot.com.

Office and school supplies: Out of the box Mama’s Earth, 87 Railroad Street, RECYCLING COMES FULL CIRCLE WITH NEW PRODUCTS Great Barrington, MA 01230, 800- 620-7388, www.mamasearth.com; ecycling is America’s favorite envi- ple way is to create demand by buying Staples, 1-800-3STAPLE, www.sta- Rronmental activity. One hundred more recycled products, including famil- ples.com (search for “recycled”). million of us do it every day. And many iar items like paper and imaginative Americans help make recycling work by items like some of the examples here: Sandboxes, play sets and toys: buying products made of recycled mate- Amazing Recycled Products, P.O. rials. Sales of recycled products grew by • Pop bottle fashions. Companies like Box 312, Denver, CO 80201, 800- 13% between 1967 and 2000. Wellman Inc., which markets its product 241-2174, www.amazingre- cycled.com; The Green Store, 71 But all is not rosy in the world of as Fortrel EcoSpun, turn #1 plastic soda Main Street, Belfast, ME 04915, recycling. New York City mayor Michael bottles into polyester for use in carpets 207-338-4045, www.green- Bloomberg imposed an 18-month mora- and other textiles as well as clothing. store.com; Grandpa’s Cradle torium on recycling glass and plastics, Garments made from bottles include Company, 5204 Onyx Avenue, due to high collection costs and low fleece jackets, sweatshirts and t-shirts. Montague, CA 96064, 530-459-0829, demand for the materials. Other cities, Wellman says recycling three billion www.grandpascradles.com. including Albuquerque, Atlanta and plastic bottles will save 500,000 barrels of Baltimore are considering cutbacks. oil a year. Toner and ink-jet cartridges: It doesn’t have to be this way. In Recycled Office Products, 27 Wal- Europe, efforts to end packaging waste • Fun stuff for the kids. Most of us have nut Street, Peabody, MA 01960, are increasingly effective, as shown by decried the amount of plastic in our chil- 800-814-1100, www.recycledoffice- Germany’s Green Dot laws, which hold dren’s lives, but what about a sandbox products.com; AtLasta Specialty producers responsible for recycling their made of 100% post-consumer recycled Ink, 4600 South Square Drive, High Ridge, MO 63049, 636-677-1900, packaging. Twenty-five local govern- plastic? Or a 95% post-consumer plastic www.inkmkr.com. ments in the U.S. have adopted “zero kids’ art easel? Kids can soar in a horse waste” as a guiding principle. Santa Clar- swing made from 100% recycled tires and Trash bags, paper towels, napkins ita, CA, has even taken on the messy other recycled materials. And the very and tissue: Seventh Generation, task of recycling its disposable diapers. young can drift off to dreamland in a 212 Battery Street, Suite A, No doubt, more recycling would be baby’s cradle made from old wine barrels. Burlington, VT 05401-5281, 800- good for America. How can a recycling For pets, Wal-mart sells a 100% recycled 456-1191, www.seventhgenera- believer improve the picture? One sim- dish from Blueberry Plastic Mill. tion.com. This guest article is one of a series by the editors of E/The Environmental Magazine (for subscription information: 800- 967-6572 or www.emagazine.com). Opinions are the author's and not necessarily those of Environmental Defense staff. 10 Environmental Defense Solutions • School supplies. Mama’s Earth will ings by switching to recycled cartridges. A great tax savings idea outfit eco-kids with such interesting products as pens made from discarded • Tissue, towels and paper galore. Tissue furniture dowels, pencils made from and paper towels with recycled content recycled cardboard and newsprint, soy are readily available and cost about the crayons that are not petroleum-based, same as—or less than—their non-recy- and 100% post-consumer writing tablets, cled counterparts. Top-quality recycled copy paper and three-ring binders. copy paper, writing paper, envelopes and greeting cards are easy to find, but be sure • Toner cartridges. Ink powder contains to check labels for the highest percentage Your bequest to Environmental Defense can help ensure a healthy future. It will cyanide-based chemicals that pollute of post-consumer recycled content. also be deductible from your estate, water and soil when dumped in landfills. benefiting those you care about most. Act In the United States, 56% of used ink-jet • Trash bags. For the trash you can’t today and have a lasting impact. printer cartridges are reclaimed and recy- recycle, there are recycled trash bags. cled, but we could be doing much more Thirty-gallon drawstring trash bags and For information on ways to include En- vironmental Defense in your will, call with the toner cartridges from laser print- 13-gallon kitchen bags from Seventh toll-free 1-877-677-7397, or write Anne ers and copiers. One toner cartridge and Generation have 80% post-consumer re- Doyle, Environmental Defense, 257 Park its packaging create 3.5 pounds of waste, cycled content. Avenue South, New York, NY 10010. and businesses could realize 20-50% sav- By Jim Motavalli

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE ACTION CENTER Don’t let catalogers sell nature short Last year 17 billion catalogs were mailed in the U.S.—59 for every man, woman and child. Almost none contain recycled paper, we discovered in a recent survey. We asked our email Action Network to help stop this waste. Within five days, top catalogers were deluged by messages from more than 5,300 activists asking them to switch to recycled. “Several companies told us they didn’t think using recycled paper mattered to their customers,” says our project manager Victoria Mills. “They are getting the message that they were wrong.” If the entire industry switched to just 10% post-con- sumer recycled content paper, the savings in wood use would

be enough to stretch a six-foot-high fence across the coun- Ken Levinson try seven times. Recycled paper is widely available and com- petitively priced, and making it takes less energy and gener- Cut down on unwanted mail ates less pollution. To stop receiving advertising mail from many national com- panies, send your name (including various spellings) and WHAT YOU CAN DO: address to: DMA Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 643, Send a letter to catalog companies asking them to switch to recycled at www.actionnetwork.org. Find our report, Does Your Carmel, NY 10512 or go to www.dmaconsumers.org/off- Catalog Care?, at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/catalogs. mailinglist.html. To stop receiving a particular catalog, or if you receive A greener world: Just a click away multiple copies, call the toll-free number in the catalog and Want to find out which foods have chemical contaminants ask that your listing(s) be removed. Many companies will or learn how to reduce household toxins? A new Environ- also honor requests to receive catalogs less frequently and a mental Defense web site, greenadvisor.org, compiles the best few may let you switch from paper catalogs to email offers. green consumer information online. Find easily-accessible Ask your city or town how to recycle your catalogs. If tips on buying environmentally friendly products; cooking a catalog has stick-on labels or nonpaper inserts that can green, healthy meals; recycling and reducing waste, and en- interfere with recycling, let the company know you’d like joying nature without leaving more than footprints behind. them to avoid such items.

www.environmentaldefense.org 11 Earth index

•Percent of foods on U.S. grocery store shelves containing at least one genetically modified organ- ism: 60%.

•Number of bird species in the world now endangered: 1 in 8.

•Drop in acid-rain-causing sulfur

dioxide emissions since passage Gibson Stock Photography of the 1970 Clean Air Act: 42%. Most organic food is now sold in supermarkets. But don’t forget local organic farmers!

•Amount of sea creatures killed by fishermen for every pound of New organic standards will help shrimp caught: 3 pounds. the environment—and you •Increase since 1970 in miles dri- In 1980 when Brian Leahy set out to tion or bacteria-killing radiation. ven by the average American: 200%. farm organic rice in Chico, CA, a lo- Our scientist Dr. Rebecca Gold- cal newspaper editorialized that he burg was the only environmentalist on •Number of vaquita porpoises was part of a Communist conspiracy the advisory board that helped develop believed to survive today in the to overthrow the food chain. “We’ve the standards. “Organic foods are good Colorado River Delta: fewer come a long way since then,” says for consumers and the than 100. Leahy. “Organic agriculture is the environment,” Goldburg most successful grassroots movement says. “They promote •Percent of land in the contigu- of the 60s.” biological diversity, en- ous U.S. used for farming: 55%. The figures bear him out. Ac- courage soil fertility and give con- cording to the USDA, organic crop- sumers the chance to say no to sub- •The amount of paper used annu- land quadrupled between 1992 and stances that should be kept out of the ally to produce catalogs in the United States: 3.6 million tons. 2001. Since 1990, retail sales of organic environment.” food climbed more than 20% a year, Before adoption of the standards, with $8 billion in sales projected this consumers often had trouble deciding year. Today, more organic food is sold among bewildering claims for food. What they’re saying about in supermarkets than anywhere else. With no national standards, the organ- This fall the USDA finally is- ic industry developed 53 certification Environmental Defense sued detailed national standards for organizations. Now one organic label "Thanks in part to the work of growing organic food. Now foods may guarantees the rigorous new standards Environmental Defense, North only be classified as organic if they’ve have been met. Says Goldburg. Carolina now has the most aggressive been produced without hormones, “When you see those little USDA clean air bill in the nation." antibiotics, herbicides, insecticides, seals, you can count on them to really chemical fertilizers, genetic modifica- mean something.” —Michael Easley Governor of North Carolina Solutions

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