http://earthsystems.org
*******************************
*****************************
What's new at earthsystems.org
*****************************
*********************
Issue of the Week
**********************
Tree-sitting to protect the trees of old growth forests. Julia
Butterfly Hill just spent two years living in a tree to protect it.
Lumber companies argue she and others are trespassing. Let
us know what you think.
http://earthsystems.org/issues.html
**********************
Poll of the Week
**********************
Julia Butterfly Hill: Environmental Hero or Law-breaking Trespasser?
http://earthsystems.org/issues.html#poll
*********************************
Happy Holiday from earthsystems.org
*********************************
If you haven't had a chance to check out our holiday message to you, please
do.
http://earthsystems.org/holidays1999.html
earthsystems.org wishes you and yours a joyous holiday season and new millenium!
**********************************
>From Gist:
http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/
**********************************
HOT TODDIES
The year 1999 has been the planet's fifth warmest since consistent global
record-keeping began in 1860, Britain's Meteorological Office reported
today. Temperatures around the world in 1999 were about 0.33 degrees Celsius
higher than the average for 1961 to 1990, and about 0.7 degrees C higher than
temperatures at the end of the last century. Seven of the 10 hottest
recorded years have been in the 1990s, and 1998 was the hottest year of all,
the Meteorological Office said. Canada can claim some credit for pushing
temperatures up: The country pumped out 1.5 percent more greenhouse gases in
1997 than in 1996, bringing its 1997 emissions to 13 percent above 1990
levels, the nation's environment department announced this week. The
Canadian cabinet is considering a five-year, $1.08 billion plan to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, but enviros worry that it won't get full funding.
straight to the source: South Africa Independent, Reuters, 12.16.99
straight to the source: Planet Ark, Reuters, 12.15.99
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=5092newsDate=15-Dec-1999
straight to the source: Toronto Globe and Mail, Anne McIlroy and Mark MacKinnon, 12.15.99
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/gam/Environment/19991215/UWARMN.html
HOW DELIGHTFUL, HOW INSIGHTFUL
Honda's hybrid Insight hit California showrooms yesterday, becoming the first
gasoline-electric hybrid car to go on sale in the U.S. The two-seater, which
has a base price of $19,000, gets about 60 miles to the gallon in the city
and 70 on the highway. Its engine uses both unleaded gasoline and an
electric motor that recharges without being plugged in, drawing its power
from energy created during braking. While California is getting the first
batch of Insights, the cars will be coming to other states in the next few
weeks, Honda says. Toyota was the first company to sell a hybrid car: Its
Prius debuted in Japan two years ago. The four-door Prius, which gets about
66 mpg, will go on sale in Europe and the U.S. next year.
straight to the source: MSNBC, Miguel Llanos, 12.15.99
http://www.msnbc.com/news/318083.asp
REFUGE, JEEZ!
The 521 national wildlife refuges in the U.S. are in sad shape, suffering
from low funding, inadequate staffing, and poor leadership, according to a
survey of 230 refuge managers released yesterday by Public Employees for
Environmental Responsibility. More than 90 percent of the managers surveyed
said they want a new leadership structure for the refuge system or else they
want the refuges removed from the oversight of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. Disrepair in the refuges is rampant, with buildings in poor
condition, dikes not being maintained, and staff unable to keep up with basic
functions such as planting grass and nesting cover for birds, said retired
manager Gene Hocutt. Refuges are located in all 50 states, encompass 93
million acres, and attract some 34 million visitors each year, but the
managers surveyed said the refuges get far less attention and funding than
other public lands.
straight to the source: Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press, John Hughes, 12.16.99
http://www.sltrib.com/12161999/nation_w/6286.htm
**************************************************************************
To subscribe to the DAILY GIST, click here
http://www.gristmagazine.com/grist/gist/ or send an email to
requestst@gristmagazine.com with the words "subscribe dailygist" in the body
of the message.
***************************************************************************
************************
>From EDF:
http://www.edf.org/
************************
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS FOCUS OF U.S. TRANSPORTATION MEMO
Environmental justice issues need to be addressed at both the city and state
levels, says a memo from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
http://www.edf.org/programs/transportation/dot/dotmemo.html
*****************************
BROWSE EDF's ONLINE GUIDE TO 'GREEN CAR' CHOICES
>From choosing to using to disposing of your automobile, the right consumer
choices can minimize environmental impacts. This site tells you how.
http://www.edf.org/programs/PPA/vlc/index.html
To start receiving your own copy of EDF DISPATCH, just fill in this simple
form on the web: http://www.edf.org/Join4Free/
******************************************************
Listowners: Please feel free to re-distribute this
update to your lists.
******************************************************
******************************************************
earthsystems.org News is distributed weekly to our
members and others who have expressed interest in our
work. It is archived at:
http://earthsystems.org/list/members
******************************************************
******************************************************
If you do not wish to receive further mailings, please
write to members-request@earthsystems.org and make the
subject unsubscribe. If you have any problems or
questions, please write to www@earthsystems.org
******************************************************