A BIMONTHLY REPORT TO MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND

VOL. XXVII, NO.6 Letter NOVEMBER 1996 Environment Wins at the State Level Director’s Message EDF Turns to Every Member DF’s successes in California, Colorado, E North Carolina, and Texas show the To Help Meet Deadline for importance of environmental coalitions act- All-0r-Nothing Challenge ing at the state level. With the trend to move power from Washington to individual states, his is a crucial time for EDF’s 21st Century targeted state action can sometimes yield TCampaign, the fundraising effort to dramatic benefits for the environment. strengthen EDF’s capability to take on some of the most critical environmental challenges NORTH CAROLINA of the next century. We North Carolina’s General Assembly has must raise $500,000 approved landmark legislation that begins from our members to to reshape environmental policy in the qualify for the Kresge state, including appropriating as much as Foundation’s $1 million $60 million a year for a Clean Water Man- all-or-nothing challenge Stan Coe agement Trust Fund—the largest appropria- Ecologists Dr. Douglas Rader and Dr. Joseph Rudek grant. tion for environmental protection in North and North Carolina EDF director Melinda Taylor If we are successful, Carolina history. The legislators acted in helped persuade the state legislature to pass Kresge’s grant will provide the advanced response to public outrage on pollution that landmark environmental legislation. computer equipment essential to the success is fouling rivers and killing fish. EDF of our efforts to protect global oceans, helped lead a coalition of environmental especially along the coastal plain where it is engage businesses in reducing waste and pol- groups in crafting the legislation and fight- concentrated. The new law requires permits lution, create environmental regulations that ing many efforts to weaken the bills. for hog farms, better training of operators, work, protect wildlife and habitats, and help One of the bills orders tougher regula- and annual inspection of the facilities. The China meet its energy needs without mas- tion of the state’s rapidly growing hog package of bills includes funds for hiring sive environmental damage. We’ve come a industry, a major source of water pollution, Continued on Page 3. Continued on Page 5. Alliance Projects Aim to Make Businesses Greener he Alliance for Environmental Inno- S.C. Johnson, based in Racine, WI, is Tvation has enlisted two major Ameri- a leading maker of household and con- can corporations, S.C. Johnson Wax and sumer products, including cleaners, Starbucks Coffee—each a leader in its insecticides and repellents, and personal field—to participate in joint projects care items. The company’s major brands that will build environmental improve- include Raid, OFF!, Drano, Glade, Edge, ments into the design and development Future, Pledge, and Windex. of their products and packaging. EDF The Alliance-S.C. Johnson task force and The Pew Charitable Trusts created will focus on how to integrate environ-

the Alliance to engage businesses in Lewis Green mental objectives into Johnson’s product reducing waste and pollution. EDF’s Studying possible alternative coffee cups at Starbucks design and development process. The work in the landmark McDonald’s and headquarters in Seattle are Starbucks environmental affairs aim is to make environmental considera- Paper Task Force efforts showed that specialist Karen Humphrey, EDF scientist Kevin Bryan, Star- tions an integral part of all of the com- environmental-business partnerships can bucks director of environmental affairs Susan Mecklenburg, pany’s products—from the initial prod- lead to innovative solutions. and EDF economic analyst John Ruston. Continued on Page 3.

Rush Hour Blues 5Variable bridge tolls could help clear the air—and traffic jams. Back to the Earth 7Population and Climate 4 An EDF study suggests that world Composting at home (and Inside elsewhere) can reduce waste 6For the Birds population may be a key variable for and save money. Ecologist David Wilcove stabilizing atmospheric carbon dioxide. turned a childhood fascination into a career.

100% Recycled (75% Post-Consumer) Paper Totally Chlorine Free Please Share or Recycle News Briefs South Texans Strongly Prefer Clean Electric Energy Future Tripp Named to Task Force on

Texas electricity customers prefer solar Scientifically selected customers were Closing Fresh Kills Landfill and wind energy and energy efficiency polled both before and after they had an EDF General Counsel James T.B. Tripp is above all other options, according to recent opportunity to deliberate among themselves serving on a task force to find alternative polls conducted by three Texas utility com- and ask questions of experts. EDF energy ways of managing the 13,000 tons per day of panies. The polls asked consumers how the program manager Karl R. Rábago served as New York City solid waste that are now being companies, West Texas Utilities, Southwest- an expert on renewable energy and environ- dumped at the notorious Fresh Kills Landfill, ern Electric Power Company, and Central mental concerns. the largest in the city.The state and city have Power and Light, should meet new demand When asked which options the utilities agreed to close Fresh Kills by the end of for electric power over the next several years. should pursue first and second, over half 2001. The issue is how much of this waste the customers chose efficiency and renew- will be exported and how much recycled. ables—far more support than for fossil fuel Tripp and Barbara Warren of Staten and imported power options. Customers Island, the other environmentalist named to were also willing to pay more for clean the Task Force, are urging a major reorienta- energy and expressed strong concerns tion of the city’s solid waste strategy, away about global warming and air pollution from disposal and toward intensive recy- problems. cling and waste reduction strategies, includ- “These poll results send a strong mes- ing composting of food and yard waste and sage to utilities about what it takes to satis- use of economic incentives to increase recy- fy customers,” said Rábago. “Everyone says cling. (See related article on page 4.)

Lower Colorado River Authority customers will rule in the competitive EDF’s energy program is working to give con- future. These companies and the Public sumers practical options for clean energy, such as Utility Commission now have an opportu- BECAUSE OUR FUTURE this West Texas wind farm. nity to make that slogan into reality.” DEPENDS ON IT..... New Approach to Restoring the San Francisco Bay and Delta A technical report prepared by EDF and The report, Restoration of the San Fran- The Bay Institute of San Francisco outlines a cisco Bay-Delta-River System: Choosing Indi- new scientific framework for measuring the cators of Ecological Integrity, is being used by health of the entire San Francisco Bay-Delta- the Federal/State consortium responsible for

River system. The proposed set of ecological designing an ecosystem restoration plan Photodisk, Inc. indicators represents a major departure from under the 1995 Bay-Delta Accord. EDF Your gift of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds the old approach of measuring the success of attorney John Krautkraemer negotiated the will help EDF confront some of the individual small projects piecemeal. accord shortly before his death. most critical environmental challenges now and in the next century: air and water pollution, loss of wildlife and Get EDF Letter Online habitat, global climate change. And, you’ll benefit by: The full text and graphics of EDF Letter, - avoiding capital gains tax as well as other EDF publications, are avail- - receiving an immediate income tax able on the World Wide Web at deduction www.edf.org. Members who read the - avoiding probate costs newsletter online can opt not to receive it Please help us provide for the future by mail, simply by sending an e-mail by providing for yours. request to [email protected]. For more information or a personal proposal, please contact: “One day, all non-profit organizations Anne B. Doyle, Dir. of Planned Giving, EDF

Jay Thomas/International Stock will have well-designed and useful sites on Box 66, 257 Park Avenue South, A new approach, which EDF helped develop, con- the Web,” said the online magazine Better New York, NY 10010 (Phone 212-505-2100 or siders the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem as a Worl d recently.“Let’s hope that they look at e-mail: [email protected].) whole rather than piecemeal. EDF’s example.”

National Headquarters California Office Rocky Mountain Office Texas Office 257 Park Avenue South 5655 College Avenue 1405 Arapahoe Avenue 44 East Avenue New York, NY 10010 Oakland, CA 94618 Boulder, CO 80302 Austin, TX 78701 Letter 212-505-2100 510-658-8008 303-440-4901 512-478-5161 Editor: Norma H. Watson Assoc. Editor: Tim Connor Capital Office Membership Line: North Carolina EDF Project Office ©1996 Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. 1875 Connecticut Ave., NW 202-387-3525 128 East Hargett Street 6 Faneuil Hall Marketplace Published at NY, NY ISSN 0163-2566 Washington, DC 20009 Fax: 202-234-6049 Raleigh, NC 27601 Boston, MA 02109 202-387-3500 Internet: [email protected] 919-821-7793 617-723-2996 Visit EDF Online at www.edf.org

2 Coalitions of National and State Groups Win Important Victories Together

Continued from page 1. a generation, would earmark more than $600 key role in a wide coalition that defeated all more hog farm inspectors as well as for million for direct environmental restoration but one of the bills and convinced Gov. Roy cleaning up the Neuse River and other pol- efforts throughout the San Francisco Bay- Romer to veto the bill that passed both luted waters, restoring and protecting wet- Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta watershed. It houses. The coalition also helped defeat leg- lands, and protecting still-pristine waters. also includes funds for erosion control above islation that would have made it more diffi- NCEDF director Melinda Taylor praised Lake Tahoe and for wastewater reclamation cult to clean up Colorado’s air. the General Assembly action. “The bills and water conservation projects. In a major legislative success, EDF led a passed this session are a critical step toward “Voter approval of Prop. 204 would be bipartisan effort to establish a state-based long-term management that will protect an especially big boost to the environment program for protecting air quality within and restore the state’s drinking water, fish- of the most important estuarine watershed pristine areas. Although the Federal Clean ing, and recreational resources,” Taylor said. on the Pacific Coast,” said Thomas J. Graff, Air Act provides a means to protect visibility an EDF attorney and early leader in the in “class 1” pristine areas such as national CALIFORNIA coalition. parks and wilderness, there is no comparable EDF helped lead a wide coalition of EDF analyst David Yardas sees similari- program to protect these areas from such California environmental, farm, and busi- ties in how EDF and other environmental pollution as acid rain. Under the new pro- ness interests in negotiating a $995-million and taxpayer groups thwarted Congression- gram, if Colorado gets Federal notice that air environmental restoration bond issue. al efforts to authorize the massive Auburn pollution is damaging a class 1 area, the state Labeled the Safe, Clean, Reliable Water Dam on California’s American River and to must promptly confirm the pollution, identi- Supply Act, it won overwhelming statewide turn back the clock on the 1992 Central fy its sources, and develop a plan to reduce bipartisan support from legislators and Valley Project Improvement Act. “This it. “This isn’t a perfect bill,” Martin said, “but from Gov. Pete Wilson. It goes before voters sends a clear signal that there’s a way to get it is a major step forward and demonstrates as Proposition 204, in November. things done—by rolling up our sleeves and that we can build bipartisan coalitions to Prop. 204, the state’s biggest water bond in working together—as an alternative to con- protect the West’s natural resources.” tinued conflict and gridlock,” he said. TEXAS COLORADO Over the opposition of private utilities EDF and Colorado’s other conservation in Texas, EDF helped pass a utility reform organizations teamed up to defeat several law to provide significant environmental extreme bills before the Colorado General and consumer benefits. This law—EDF’s Assembly in 1996 and forged a bipartisan top priority in the 1995 Texas legislative ses- consensus to support a strong new clean air sion—requires utilities to compare up front plan. the costs, including the environmental The legislature considered nine “tak- costs, of all reasonable alternatives (such as ings” bills that would have limited local renewable energy and energy efficiency) to governments’ authority to adopt land use meet energy needs. It also requires, for the plans and zoning ordinances, even though first time, real and timely public participa- Colorado is one of the nation’s fastest grow- tion in the process. ing states and its citizens are insisting that As an outcome of this law, the Texas

Rick Gerharter/Impact Visuals local governments help plan for sensible Public Utility Commission can reward util- California state capitol at Sacramento growth. EDF attorney Jim Martin played a Continued on page 8.

Making Environmental Considerations an Integral Part of Businesses Continued from page 1. The Alliance-Starbucks joint task force ing additional types of packaging, store uct concept through development, produc- will try to solve the company’s “double- construction, and coffee growing and pro- tion, packaging, and marketing. cup” problem: having to deliver one serving cessing, for example. “Ultimately, we want to show how of take-out hot coffee in two disposable “We believe Starbucks can enhance its building environmental factors into product cups to insure customers’ comfort. The pro- customers’ experience by further integrating development from the outset can meet con- ject’s first priority will be to maximize the the environment throughout its operations,” sumers’ needs with less harm to the envi- use of reusable cups in the Starbucks sys- said Alliance director Ralph Earle, a mem- ronment,” said Jackie Prince Roberts, the tem, for in-store customers as well as com- ber of the EDF-Starbucks team. “This pro- Alliance’s associate director. muters and people working near Starbucks ject has the potential to set a new standard stores. The Alliance-Starbucks team will for environmental leadership in the retail The Double-Cup Problem also recommend different single-use cup and service sectors.” Starbucks is the leading national retailer of materials to reduce the environmental The Alliance intends all of its projects to gourmet coffee with more than 900 stores impacts of the virgin, bleached paperboard produce measurable environmental and that sell hot coffee, coffee-based cold now being used. business benefits. Its aim is to create mod- drinks, pastries, sandwiches, coffee beans, The Alliance hopes that solving Star- els and methods that other businesses will coffee makers, and accessories. It aims to bucks’s double-cup problem will lead to a adopt to the benefit of both the environ- have 2,000 stores by the year 2000. range of other initiatives, potentially cover- ment and the economy.

3 Column Community Composting Starts from the Ground Up

By EDF General Counsel James T. B. Tripp composter in return for agreeing to weigh model for others. The key to its success has and EDF Founding Trustee Arthur P. Cooley. and compost their kitchen wastes, weigh been a municipality that is willing to offer ost municipalities in the U.S. now have their non-recyclable curbside mixed waste, financial incentives out of potential waste Mprograms for recycling various kinds of attend a training session, and prepare disposal savings, a small citizens committee paper, cardboard, and plastic, metal, and monthly reports. glass containers. These materials are central- This eight-month pilot project ly collected and processed for efficient found that about 30% of the mixed transport to mills and factories that use waste otherwise destined for the incin- them to make new products. erator went into the composter. Many Another major component of municipal participants found that, after compost- solid waste is organic waste: food, grass clip- ing in combination with Bellport’s pings, leaves, and woody debris. Food waste existing recycling program, they had typically constitutes 10% to 15% of munici- little garbage remaining. Just as impor- pal solid waste by weight; yard waste from tant, they reported few problems. 4% in New York City to well over 20% in Encouraged by these results, the village suburban areas. Together, food and yard agreed to expand the program. Work- wastes make up over 20% of municipal ing with its Compost Committee, it solid waste. Thus there is good reason for offered a composter for $10 (far below municipalities to look closely at efficient cost) to any household that agreed to Kirk Condyles Working with a backyard composter are Bellport Compost management of organic wastes. Although use it for food waste and attend a train- Committee members Jim Tripp, Dava Stravinsky, and Art many municipalities have yard waste com- ing session. More than 150 families Cooley. posting programs, only a few cities, such as signed up. Seattle and Los Angeles, have initiated Last summer Mayor Trotta hired four including some composting experts, and an municipally supported food waste compost- students to visit residents and better explain informed citizenry. ing programs. the recycling and home composting efforts Composting In An Urban Setting Landfilling or incinerating food and and the costs of different waste disposal yard wastes is expensive and creates environ- techniques. More families have since In New York City, Tripp chairs the Com- mental problems. Organic wastes can be expressed interest in participating in the post Committee of the Citywide Recycling centrally collected and composted, but— program. Our goal is 25% of households Advisory Board set up under the City’s unlike recyclables—there are powerful rea- participating this year and 50% by 1998. recycling law. We have focused initially on sons for managing them decentrally, ideally urban institutions with space to conduct Village Will Reap Savings at the individual sites where they are gener- pilot on-site composting of food as well as ated. Composted organic matter can be used Bellport has endorsed the program both yard waste. We are working closely with a on-site, in home and community gardens, because of the breadth of resident support number of grassroots and educational orga- parks, or around trees. Composting on site and potential cost savings. Each ton of food nizations, including City Green, Open also avoids municipal collection—often the and yard waste handled on site means one Road of New York, the New York Botanical most expensive step in managing solid less ton sent to an incinerator or landfill. Garden’s composting program, the Gaia waste—and disposal and other costs. Since Bellport households generate about Institute, and the Frederick Douglass Acad- EDF is testing on-site composting in 300 tons of food waste per year, the poten- emy, a school in Harlem. These organiza- two settings: one in the small suburban tial savings in disposal fees (currently $65 a tions are testing a variety of on-site com- community of Bellport in the Town of ton) and collection costs should allow Bell- posting demonstration methods and tech- Brookhaven on Long Island, where EDF port to recover its one-time investment in nologies, and we have advocated for strong was founded in 1967; the other in urban composters within a year. Future savings budgetary support for the projects before New York City. could also come from reducing the current the City Department of Sanitation and the The Village of Bellport has embarked on two weekly mixed-garbage pick-ups to one. New York City Council. a home composting program that will cre- Combined, these savings could reduce Bell- Decentralized and on-site food and yard ate tons of organic matter for local gardens port’s annual budget by more than 3%. waste composting programs have tended to while diverting a significant amount of We believe that this is the first time a take a back seat to recycling programs. The waste from an incinerator. The program municipality in New York State has real energy behind composting programs began two years ago, with creation of a embraced home-based food composting comes from small firms, grassroots organi- Compost Committee, chaired by Tripp, with enthusiasm and support, and the State zations, and citizen enthusiasm. In both with Cooley and two EDF members, Dava Department of Environmental Conservation Bellport Village and New York City, we Stravinsky and Anthony Graves—both has honored Bellport’s innovative approach have found that cooperation between a composting experts—as members. Working with a special award. The program’s environ- national environmental organization, with Bellport Mayor Frank Trotta, we set up mental benefits and cost savings have caught municipal officials, and grassroots groups is a pilot home food waste composting project the interest of other Long Island communi- not only possible but productive in solving involving 16 families who received a free ties, and we hope the program will serve as a environmental problems.

4 Director’s Message: 21st Century Campaign Needs Every Member’s Help

Continued from page 1. ge challenge campaign will help us qualify win” solutions that benefit both the environ- long way. The 21st Century Campaign has for Kresge’s $1 million grant.* ment and the economy. already received $11 million in gifts from Tools for the New Century Your Gift Is Important foundations and individuals, and with addi- tional projected major If we succeed in Your special gift before December 31 will gifts we think we can meeting the help ensure EDF’s effectiveness into the come within $500,000 Kresge chal- next century. Whether $25 or $2500, yours of the $15 million goal. lenge, EDF’s sci- could be the gift that takes us over the top But unless we reach entists and and unlocks the $1 million Kresge grant! the full goal, we will economists will I ask for the help of every member. Please not receive any part of have the hard- join EDF in building an environmentally the Kresge grant. ware and soft- secure future, for the well-being of our world That’s why I’m turn- ware they need and future generations. Fred Krupp ing to each and every to perform tech- Executive Director member to help close nical and eco- the gap. I hope you will help us reach our nomic analyses membership goal of $500,000 by December that are essential *Since we are only permitted to count new 31 to let us take advantage of this all-impor- to solving envi- T. Charles Erickson and additional contributions that our mem- tant opportunity. ronmental prob- bers designate for the Kresge challenge, Every gift, large or small—from $10 to lems. Using advanced computer networks, please use the specially marked reply enve- $10,000—is critical at this stage of the cam- we will be able to work with others—includ- lope facing this page to make your gift. paign. Any gift you make now to the Kres- ing traditional adversaries—to find “win- Variable Tolls Can Cut Traffic Congestion and Smog s a direct result of EDF efforts, variable Variable pricing, familiar in off-peak Atolls—higher at rush hours and lower at rates for telephones and electricity and low- off-peak times or for car pools, vans, and season travel, helps equalize demand and buses—are being considered for use on reduce the need for costly new equipment. highly congested bridges in both New York “Demand-based pricing gives us better and California. Demand-based tolls offer phone service and cuts travel and electric drivers incentives to avoid rush hour travel utility costs,” said James T.B. Tripp, EDF and to use car pools and mass transit, thus general counsel who also serves as chair of reducing congestion and delays, saving the Tri-State Transportation Campaign motor fuel, and cutting air pollution. coalition. “It can also help reduce traffic The New York State Thruway Authority congestion and air pollution.” Scenic Hudson Congestion pricing and alternative mass transit has agreed to study variable tolls and tran- “The key to success,” added EDF trans- could reduce traffic tie-ups on the Tappan Zee sit improvements on the Tappan Zee portation specialist Michael Replogle, “will Bridge north of New York City. Bridge, a major Hudson River crossing be to deliver better value for Thruway north of New York City. EDF first urged users—more travel options and chances to “A $3 peak-hour toll, with off-hour dis- peak-hour tolls on Hudson River bridges in save money and time and reduce pollution.” counts and no toll for car pools, would 1977,with the support of Dr. William Vick- The Thruway Authority will talk to bridge reduce traffic delays by 40% in morning rey, professor of economics at Columbia users, regional officials, and the public to rush hours,” said EDF economist Michael University and world-renowned authority determine the best, most equitable strate- Cameron. “An across-the-board $1 toll hike on utility and transportation pricing. gies for dealing with the increasingly severe does almost nothing to reduce congestion.” The Tappan Zee toll for the general traffic problems before making any changes Although the Governor, many legisla- public is now $2.50, but a discount allows in bridge tolls. tors, and a key business group endorsed most daily commuters who travel at times variable tolls, they were removed from con- California Misses Opportunity of peak traffic congestion to pay only $1. sideration by a key conference committee of Studies of Tappan Zee traffic problems have California lawmakers, faced with the need the legislature. The San Francisco Chronicle concluded that the commuter discount for money to reinforce state-owned bridges said, “State lawmakers passed up a rare worsens congestion and have recommended against earthquakes, nearly passed legisla- opportunity to...help pay for strengthening its elimination. tion that would have doubled fares on all seven earthquake-prone bridges and reduce For more than two years, a coalition of five bridges crossing San Francisco Bay, nightmarish congestion on the Bay Bridge environmental groups that includes EDF, from $1 to $2. EDF urged them instead to and improve air quality.” Federated Conservationists of Westchester consider charging variable tolls to improve EDF attorney Thomas J. Graff said, County, and the Regional Plan Association, traffic flow while raising funds—at least on “The legislature’s failure to pass a variable joined with business groups and public offi- the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, toll option dooms Bay Area commuters to cials to urge toll reforms and expanded where nearly 30,000 vehicles cross daily suffer through ever more horrible traffic cross-Hudson travel alternatives. during peak commuting hours. jams.We intend to change that.”

5 People Ecologist David Wilcove’s Life is for the Birds

he bird photos adorning Dr. David S. later, he is rifling through a file of colored TWilcove’s tidy office compete for atten- maps of the United States. Wilcove is work- tion, like snapshots of favorite friends and ing with Princeton scientists on a “hot family. The exotic Sulawesi crested myna spots” project that will pinpoint areas with from last summer’s trip to Indonesia. The the greatest concentration of all types of pensive-looking spotted owl Wilcove endangered species, from insects to mam- championed while at the Wilderness Soci- mals. “Our findings lead me to believe that ety. The mighty harpy eagle, a memory we can target critical areas for protection from his 1994 trip to Venezuela. Wilcove and incentives, and protect a great many hesitates to pick a favorite—after all, he endangered species on a relatively small estimates he has seen between a quarter and amount of land.” a third of the world’s 9,600 or so bird Despite many dire predictions of loom- species over the years. That’s a lot of birds, ing extinctions, Wilcove remains upbeat and a lot of memories. about the future of biodiversity, and thinks Wilcove is not paid to globetrot and he has plenty of company.“I think all envi- spot birds. He does that on vacations. The ronmentalists are optimists at heart,” he rest of the year, this energetic, bespectacled says. “I wouldn’t be doing this work if I did- scientist, an ecologist in EDF’s ecosystem n’t think we were making progress.” restoration program, fights for the cause of Wilcove’s hard work and optimism rub endangered species in the United States. His Charles Erickson off on colleagues. “I often use David as an passion for protecting biodiversity stems As a committed ecologist and birdwatcher, protect- example to my students of what very pro- from a deep love of wildlife, a love that ing birds and other wildlife is exactly what David ductive and important career paths ecolo- began with birds. Wilcove wants to do with his life. gists can take,” says Oregon State Universi- An unusually clear Washington D.C. battle to keep them strong. “At about the ty professor Dr. Jane Lubchenco, president skyline glistens through the window behind beginning of my second year in graduate of the American Association for the Wilcove as he explains that he was fascinat- school, I made the decision that when I got Advancement of Science and a member of ed with birds even as a toddler growing up out, I wanted to work full time for the envi- EDF’s Board of Trustees. in Buffalo. As a sixth-grader, at the height of ronment.” Adds Michael Bean, “David is an excep- the environmental movement of the early After Princeton, Wilcove moved to tionally talented writer, an exceptionally 1970’s, he developed a broader concern for Washington and worked for a year at The committed ecologist, and a remarkably environmental issues and how they affect Nature Conservancy, studying the rare humorous and fun person to work with.” wildlife. This concern never wavered. species of Virginia. Then he spent five years So what does Wilcove do when he’s not Wilcove majored in biology at Yale, then at the Wilderness Society, working with working to save species or chasing birds in went on to Princeton to pursue a doctorate economists and attorneys to protect ancient distant lands? “I am an avid but uninspiring in ecology and evolutionary biology. His forests and the species living in them. swimmer and runner,” he says with a chuck- Since joining EDF’s staff in the summer of 1991, he has taken on three projects of “I think all environmentalists are which he is especially proud. First, in 1993, “We can protect a great many optimists at heart.” he published a study of how rare a species endangered species on a relative- must become before the Federal govern- ly small amount of land.” ment will put it on the endangered species thesis explored the disappearance of song- list. “We were able to show that by the time birds from Eastern U.S. forests as these habi- most species are listed, their populations are le, “and I like writing.” He has written nat- tats became fragmented. “It was a sobering so small that there is a strong possibility of ural history articles for Wilderness, Wildlife project,” reflects Wilcove, “because it was in extinction and a very difficult uphill battle Conservation, Audubon, and other maga- a sense a metaphor for what is happening to to recover them.” zines, and coauthored a book on South- wildlife habitat around the world.” Second, he is working on the Safe Har- western ecosystems, Defending the Desert. Initially, Wilcove expected to join the bor program with attorney Michael J. Bean, Currently he is writing a book on the academic world after earning his doctorate, chair of EDF’s wildlife program, and EDF wildlife of the United States. but the “Sagebrush Rebellion” of the early economist Robert Bonnie. The program And what would he like to do in the 1980’s changed his plans. He entered gradu- develops economic incentives to encourage future? “More of the same. I get paid to go ate school when James Watt held the reins private landowners to protect and restore out and protect endangered species—you at the Department of the Interior and Ann habitat for endangered species, such as can’t beat that,” Wilcove says, with a grow- Gorsuch Burford headed the Environmental EDF’s work in the Southeast to assist the ing smile. “Though I hope I can spend Protection Agency. Laws protecting wildlife, endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. more time birdwatching.” clean air and water, and parks were under Talk of a third project sends Wilcove By Howard Youth fire, and environmentalists fought an uphill racing to a gray file cabinet. A few seconds

6 Population Growth Could Affect Global Warming

By Drs. Stuart R. Gaffin and Brian C. O’Neill, the gap evident between Rio and Cairo. graph), T (CO2 emitted per dollar unit of climatologists in EDF’s New York office, and Until such linkages are clarified, the “popu- income) has to be reduced 80% below its Dr. John Bongaarts, Vice President, Research lation-consumption debate” will rage on. projected “business-as-usual” value in the Division, The Population Council, New York. Developing countries, with the highest pop- year 2100 to stabilize CO2 concentrations at ulation growth rates, are understandably sen- 650 ppm. If instead the world were to fol- f the many changes forecast for the 21st sitive to the widespread tendency to blame all low the UN low projection, then achieving Ocentury—new technology, resource environmental problems on population with- stabilization at 650 ppm would require only depletion, loss of biodiversity, global warm- out considering the relative contribution of a 10% reduction in T below its projected ing—projections of world population other factors such as consumption. business-as-usual value. growth probably conjure up the most vivid For 450 ppm (the level EDF advocates), A Mathematical Model images in the public’s mind. It is hard not to the corresponding reductions required are form strong mental pictures when we think With these issues in mind, EDF has begun 90% and 75% respectively. In this case of today’s crowded cities and then learn that a new joint effort with The Population more of the reductions would have to come world population is currently expanding at Council, focusing on one specific environ- from other strategies, such as reduced con- the rate of nearly one billion per decade. mental issue: global climate change. In this sumption, improved energy technology and Although world population a century effort, the authors are working to quantify efficiency, or switching to lower carbon from now is anyone’s guess, projections of the relationship between population and intensity fuels. population in the next several decades are emissions of greenhouse gases (principally What Population Policies Are Available ? arguably among the more accurate esti- carbon dioxide, CO2) that lead to global mates we have about the future. The so- warming. Such work will be important to Population policies aim to bring down fer- called “population momentum,” associated upcoming negotiations on ways to limit tility rates, the average number of children with the many young people now alive who emissions in the future. born to a woman during her reproductive will eventually have children of their own, The new study borrows a method first years. The desirable means to reduce fertili- makes a planet of around 8 billion people in developed by scientists Paul Ehrlich and ty rates are all non-coercive and focus on 2025 very likely. John Holdren to examine the environmen- Vivid images notwithstanding, do we tal impacts of population in general. Their really know what a world of 8 or more bil- equation is sometimes called the “IPAT” These options constitute one lion people will look like, compared to the model: excellent “no-regrets” climate 5.8 billion today? This is tantamount to ask- change policy. ing, do we understand the linkages between I (environmental impact) = P (population) x population growth and environmental A (affluence per person) x T(technology). change? The answer to these questions has improving the well-being of women. to be “No,” considering the separation of When applied to global warming, I repre- The most obvious first step is to help these issues at two recent global confer- sents total CO2 emissions and T stands for women avoid unwanted pregnancies. More ences. The 1992 Earth Summit Conference the amount of CO2 emitted per dollar unit than 100 million women in developing in Rio de Janeiro focused on many environ- of income. countries do not want to get pregnant but mental issues but largely overlooked popu- Several analysts have already used this are not practicing contraception. Voluntary lation. The 1994 Conference on Population method to explore the relationship between family planning programs of high quality and Development in Cairo led to a compre- population and greenhouse gas emissions. can provide needed information and access hensive Program of Action but largely over- However, they have often failed to take a to contraception. looked the environment. few necessary precautions such as dividing Fertility declines can be accelerated by Study of the linkages between population the world population into many regions improvements in girls’ education, greater and the environment might have prevented and, to the extent known, allowing for gender equality, and reductions in child interactions between the P, A, and T fac- mortality. Even today’s population momen- 30 tors. Our work is new in that we are the tum can be partially offset by raising the UN World Population high first to apply the model (with precautions) average age of onset of childbearing 25 Projections (28 billion) to study the role of population growth in through increasing secondary school educa- stabilizing atmospheric CO2 at target levels tion for girls and by efforts to reduce pre- 20 ranging from 450 to 750 parts per million mature adolescent pregnancy. (ppm), the targets considered by the Inter- All of these population policy options 15 governmental Panel on Climate Change. are desirable in their own right because they medium Our modeling indicates that population improve individual welfare directly. Our (11.5 billion) may be a key variable for stabilizing atmos- work shows that they may also be important 10 POPULATION (BILLIONS) pheric CO2 in the long term and that the for stabilizing global climate. Thus they CO2 target chosen will affect the extent to constitute an excellent “no-regrets” climate 5 low (4.3 billion) which population polices help meet the change policy. By looking at the whole pic- goal. In general, we find that stabilizing cli- ture, we will realize a unique opportunity to 0 United Nations, N.Y. 1992 mate is much easier with lower population achieve simultaneous environmental and 1950 2000 2050 2100 2150 growth. To quote a result from the model, if socioeconomic benefits. YEAR population follows the UN high path (see

7 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND

Address Corrections to: P. O. Box 96969 Washington, D. C. 20090-6969 EDF Office Addresses on page 2. Address Correction Requested Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed Brazilian officials have publicly stated that Brazil will exclude will Brazil that stated publicly have officials Brazilian dollars of Everglades, the in millions and Basin Mississippi the “In importance and should not be ruined by poor planning, poor by be ruined term not short should and importance phase first The communities.” profits, local of marginalization and improve- minor on focus to intended was project Hidrovia the of the in dredging maintenance and navigation and safety for ments heavy engineering include would phase second the river; lower works, as dredging, such through channelization, blasting rock and as Corum- far as Pantanal.the phase—extending first However, the bá, channel, shipping major a create set to now which Brazil—is sites, Pan- 93 at the in dredging including significant require would construction that ensure to working tanal. are Vivos Rios and EDF environmen- a comprehensive until started is not phase first the on is complete. assessment tal stud- feasibility Pantanal. the Yet from works engineering damaging Pantanal, the through project the designing on focus to continue ies Pantanal—are the Descalvados—in at port a new for plans and discussion. under 100 last the of works engineering the undo to spent being now are social, environmental, serious the know now years,” Moore. “We noted avoid should We modifications. river large-scale of costs economic and better find to hard work instead and mistakes same the repeating design, barge alternatives, different stream-flow including improved agriculture.” operators, barge to sustainable and information This critical ecosystem of glob- of ecosystem critical This

al importance is threatened by a by is threatened al importance pro- navigation massive planned ject, Hidrovia as the known Paraguay-Paraná. coun- five The and Paraguay the share that tries Rivers—Argentina, Paraná Bolivia, Brazil, a navi- create to Uruguay—want Paraguay, and of that to similar system gation River. Mississippi the An $11mil- environ- and study feasibility lion assessment,mental pri- funded marily by the Inter-American UN the and Bank Development Program,Development is under-

way to design a waterway to bring to a waterway design to way from barges 20 to 16 of convoys Atlanticthe Ocean to South T.J. Ulrich/VIREO T.J. Working for Better Alternatives Better for Working abundant bird life, could

“If the U.S. is to come closer to meeting its commitments under commitments its meeting to closer come U.S. is to the “If Besides providing new incentives for clean power, the law opens the opens law power, clean the for incentives new providing Besides Deborah Moore, a scientist who is leading EDF’s efforts to pro- to efforts Moore, EDF’s is leading who Deborah a scientist

he Pantanal—along the border of southwestern Brazil, southwestern of Paraguay, border the Pantanal—along he wetland, than remaining largest more world’s the Bolivia—is and

be harmed by the Hidrovia project. Pantanal’s

Environment Wins at the State Level Uncertain Future for South America’s Pantanal Wetlands Pantanal America’s South for Future Uncertain

reducing emissions that are contributing to global climate change.” climate global to contributing are that emissions reducing office. law, “This implemented, if well in step can be a significant utilities operate in Texas,” said Jim Marston, director of EDF’s Texas EDF’s of Marston, Jim director said Texas,” in operate utilities nor more cost-effective opportunity than reforming the way electric way the reforming than opportunity cost-effective more nor the Rio treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, gas better is no greenhouse there reduce to Rio treaty the pete for a share of the growing Texas market. Texas growing the of a share for pete with cleaner gas turbine and wind power technologies can now com- can now technologies power wind and turbine gas cleaner with electric grid to wholesale competition. Independent power producers competition. power wholesale to grid Independent electric these emissions come from electric power plants in the state. the in plants power electric from come emissions these enth among nations in carbon dioxide emissions. of dioxide a third carbon in About nations among enth emissions; if Texas were an independent country, sev- rank would it an independent were Texas if emissions; dirtiest power plants. Texas also leads the nation in greenhouse gas greenhouse in nation the also leads plants.power dirtiest Texas existing Texas rate structure lets utilities profit most by building the building by most profit utilities lets structure rate Texas existing ities for investing in energy efficiency and renewables. and efficiency the Ironically, energy in investing for ities Continued from page 3. This jabiru stork, typical of the

T tect the Pantanal, the tect environmental global is of region “This said otter, caiman, puma, macaw. and hyacinth wetlands, vegetation, wildlife, climate. its even and and animals,and region, the river to giant the unique including many area’s the change forever could works engineering the that found is estimated to contain more than 150,000 species of birds, of species plants, 150,000 than more contain to is estimated impacts, possible the of analysis own his published University, who ten times the size of the Florida Everglades. Florida Rich biodiversity, in the size of it the times ten State Diego San of Ponce project. the Victor against Hydrologist project. The indigenous peoples of the Paraguay Basin are united are Basin Paraguay the of project. peoples indigenous The from South and North America and Europe, and Hidrovia America the reform North to and South from Alive), a network of more than 300 non-governmental organizations non-governmental 300 than Alive), more of a network Since 1994, EDF has worked with the Rios Vivos Coalition (Rivers Coalition Vivos Rios the with worked has EDF 1994, Since could cost more than $1 than more billion. cost could ucts and the export of soybeans, of export the and ucts iron, and timber, waterway gold the expand the import of agricultural chemicals, agricultural of import the fuels,expand prod- other and America’s interior, a distance of more than 2,000 miles. to 2,000 than Intended more of interior, a distance America’s