Related Stories
EPA Addresses Mountaintop Removal Mining, Water Heater Efficiency
Coal Industry Sues Obama Admin
Mining Industry: BofA’s Coal Policy A PR StuntRelated TopicsAll EL StoriesCoalComplianceFacilitiesHazardous WasteManufacturingMiningPenaltiesPolicy & LawPollutionWaste Environmental Leader’s daily roundup of key environmental enforcement news:
Goodman Oil to Pay $171,000 for Tank Violations
Goodman Oil Company and Goodman Oil Company of Lewiston agreed to pay a $171,091 fine for a series of fuel storage tank violations at former gas stations across Idaho under a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice, EPA announced yesterday.
The settlement, approved by the federal court in Boise, Idaho on October 1, covers a range of violations beginning as early as 1991 and ending in 2009. The companies have agreed to pay the penalty from the sale of their properties in Idaho and Oregon.
The violations occurred at former gas stations owned by the Goodman Oil companies in Boise, Homedale, Nampa, Weiser and Lewiston, Idaho. EPA inspectors identified fuel storage tanks at the stations that were not compliant with EPA requirements. They risked contaminating groundwater, which is a primary source of drinking water for much of Idaho.
“Poorly maintained fuel storage tanks and piping can endanger an area’s groundwater supply, so gas station owners must keep storage systems in good shape,” Peter Contreras, manager of the Ground Water Unit at the EPA in Seattle said in a press release. “Thousands of people in Idaho depend on groundwater, so we expect facilities to run their businesses in a way that protects nearby residents.”
The facilities had a range of violations that included failure to:
Conduct adequate leak detection
Upgrade pipes and tanks in a timely way to prevent corrosion
Comply with an EPA request for information on the facilities
Document financial resources to clean up petroleum releases and cover potential hazards to third parties, including citizens, in the event of a release
The Boise-based companies have since closed or sold most of their facilities in Idaho and Oregon. When storage tanks are not properly maintained, they risk leaking fuel and chemicals into groundwater, which can harm human health. There are approximately 96,000 confirmed releases from storage tanks awaiting cleanup across the nation according to EPA.
Pesticide Importer/Manufacturer Faces Fines for Reporting Violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed penalties against a Massachusetts company that produces and imports pesticides and pesticide devices for importing these products for distribution or sale without submitting the required forms to EPA, the agency said in a press release.
In its complaint, EPA’s New England office alleges that Millipore Corp. of Billerica imported unregistered pesticides (chlorine tablets) for distribution or sale on numerous occasions without submitting the Notice of Arrival forms required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, known as FIFRA.
According to the complaint, Millipore also imported pesticide devices (water purification devices) on numerous occasions without submitting the required Notice of Arrival forms. EPA’s complaint alleges that these FIFRA violations occurred from Sept. 2005 to Oct. 2008 and seeks a penalty of up to $6,500 for each violation.
Under FIFRA, all pesticides used and sold in the U.S. are required to undergo a rigorous, science-based review process to ensure that they can be used safely and do not pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. Importers of pesticide products must provide data to EPA regarding pesticides or devices that may be entering the U.S. prior to their import.
The Notice of Arrival forms provide important information to EPA regarding pesticides and pesticide devices entering the country including, for example, the major active ingredients, quantities, countries of origin, identity of producing establishments, carriers, ports of entry, and contact information.
Citizen Groups Attempt to Intervene in Mountain Mining Lawsuit
The Sierra Club and a coalition of regional citizen groups are seeking to intervene in a coal industry lawsuit over the Obama administration’s crackdown on mountaintop removal coal mining, the Charleston Gazette reports.
Lawyers for the coalition groups filed a motion to intervene in the suit brought by the National Mining Association in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Mining industry lawyers are seeking to block more detailed permit reviews and tougher water quality guidance issued earlier this year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In a news release, the citizen groups said that they filed their motion because “the mining industry should not be able to prevent government agencies from doing their jobs: To follow the Clean Water Act, consider the key scientific information discussed in the guidance, and protect America’s water from destruction.”
“For 40 years the Clean Water Act has protected Americans from unacceptable pollution like the mining waste that destroys our essential mountain streams,” Debbie Jarrell, assistant director of Coal River Mountain Watch told the Charleston Gazette. “But here in Appalachia, we’re still waiting for real protection.”
The other groups seeking to intervene are Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, and Statewide Organizing for Community Empowerment.
While the coal industry favors mountaintop removal’s efficiency, and local political leaders praise the jobs provided, there is a growing scientific consensus that the practice is causing widespread and irreversible damage to the region’s forests, water quality and communities.
Shortly after taking office, the Obama administration announced it was taking “unprecedented steps” to reduce the environmental impacts of mountaintop removal.
EPA began much more rigorous reviews of valley fill permit applications being considered by the federal Army Corps of Engineers and threatened to exercise its Clean Water Act authority to block those permits if it believed the impacts were too great.
In its suit, the mining association alleges this process “adds significant additional time to the corps regulatory review” and is “dramatically altering timelines” for companies to receive new mining permits.
This April, EPA also announced a new guidance for its regional offices in reviewing water pollution permits for mining projects being considered for issuance by state agencies like West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection.
The new guidance calls for much tougher review, and perhaps rejection of permits, based on the potential to increase the electrical conductivity of streams, which is a stronger measure of many harmful pollutants from mining and has been linked to damage of aquatic life.
EPA made its guidance effective immediately on an interim basis, but is also conducting an eight-month public comment period and subjecting the scientific reports the guidance is based upon to peer review.
In its suit, the mining association said the guidance constitutes a rulemaking that should have gone through a public comment before it was put into effect.
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin ordered the state Department of Environmental Protection last week to file a similar lawsuit against EPA and the Corps of Engineers.
EPA to Begin Attleboro Cleanup–Public Meeting to be Held on Oct. 18
Clean up of the hazardous waste at the former Walton & Lonsbury facility at 78 North Ave., Attleboro, Mass. begins next week on Oct. 19. EPA will also hold an informational Public Meeting to discuss the work on Monday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Council Chambers at Attleboro City Hall at 77 Park Street.
Walton & Lonsbury, Inc. operated the 13,500 square foot chrome plating facility from 1940 to 2007, specializing in plating oversized objects such as pistons for large hydraulic equipment.
Until 1970, the hazardous wastes generated from the facility were discharged directly via an underground pipe into the wetlands behind the facility. From 1970 until the mid-1980s the facility disposed of waste in surface lagoons; and then from 1986 until 2007, the company operated their own wastewater treatment facility to manage their wastes. As a result of their waste management and plating practices, toxic contaminants remain on Site both in and around the building. EPA will be working to remove these contaminants over the next 18-36 months.
During building demolition and excavation, EPA will install air monitoring stations around the Site to continuously check the air quality in order to ensure the safety of the public near the Site.
excerpts from environmental leaders
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Poverty forces Roma people to scavenge toxic e-waste
>Taking advantage of apparently ineffective waste recycling schemes, impoverished Roma people living in slums on the fringes of Paris - and elsewhere - are scouring the streets in search of discarded electrical and electronic goods in order to break the items down and extract key elements including aluminium, copper, iron and lead for sale to a network of scrap dealers.
Despite the implementation of the EU-wide Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), and the introduction of other measures designed to allow the legal disposal of unwanted electrical and electronic goods, recovery rates remain low and as much as half of France's so-called e-waste is ending up in the hands of 'parallel networks', according to Ecologic, an official e-waste recycling organisation.
The country is estimated to generate some 1.5 million tonnes of electrical and electronic waste annually. Roma communities lack the necessary skills and equipment to safely break down sometimes toxic electrical and electronic goods, according to medical experts, with cables often burned in open fires to extract precious copper and old car batteries melted down for the lead.
Medical organisations, including Doctors of the World, are concerned Roma communities, particularly children, are at risk of serious health problems if the unofficial e-waste recycling continues. They cite previous studies into the issue that they claim show instances of lead poisoning in Roma children and the contamination of land used as a Roma camp.
Article continues: http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/629864/poverty_forces_roma_people_to_scavenge_toxic_ewaste.html
Despite the implementation of the EU-wide Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), and the introduction of other measures designed to allow the legal disposal of unwanted electrical and electronic goods, recovery rates remain low and as much as half of France's so-called e-waste is ending up in the hands of 'parallel networks', according to Ecologic, an official e-waste recycling organisation.
The country is estimated to generate some 1.5 million tonnes of electrical and electronic waste annually. Roma communities lack the necessary skills and equipment to safely break down sometimes toxic electrical and electronic goods, according to medical experts, with cables often burned in open fires to extract precious copper and old car batteries melted down for the lead.
Medical organisations, including Doctors of the World, are concerned Roma communities, particularly children, are at risk of serious health problems if the unofficial e-waste recycling continues. They cite previous studies into the issue that they claim show instances of lead poisoning in Roma children and the contamination of land used as a Roma camp.
Article continues: http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/629864/poverty_forces_roma_people_to_scavenge_toxic_ewaste.html
Growing Population and Climate
Changes in population growth and composition, including aging and urbanization, could significantly affect global emissions of carbon dioxide over the next 40 years. The research, appearing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), was conducted by an international team of scientists from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. By mid-century it is estimated that global population could rise by more than three billion people, with most of that increase occurring in urban areas. The study showed that a slowing of population growth, following one of the slower growth paths considered plausible by demographers at the United Nations, could contribute to significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that such slow growth paths by 2050 could account for 16 to 29 percent of the emissions reductions thought necessary to keep global temperatures from causing serious impacts.
Globally, the growth rate of the human population has been declining since peaking in 1962 and 1963 at 2.20% per year. In 2009 the estimated world annual growth rate was 1.1%. The last one hundred years have seen a rapid increase in population due to medical advances and massive increase in agricultural productivity.
The actual annual growth in the number of humans fell from its peak of 88.0 million in 1989, to a low of 73.9 million in 2003, after which it rose again to 75.2 million in 2006. Since then, annual growth has declined. In 2009 the human population increased by 74.6 million, and it is projected to fall steadily to about 41 million per year in 2050. Each region of the globe has seen great reductions in growth rate in recent decades, though growth rates remain above 2% in some countries of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, and also in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
In their new study the researchers sought to quantify how demographic changes influence emissions over time, and in which regions of the world. They also went beyond changes in population size to examine the links between aging, urbanization, and emissions.
The team found that growth in urban populations could lead to as much as a 25 percent rise in projected carbon dioxide emissions in some developing countries. The increased economic growth associated with city dwellers was directly correlated with increased emissions, largely due to the higher productivity and consumption preferences of an urban labor force.
In contrast, aging can reduce emissions levels by up to 20 percent in some industrialized countries. This is because older populations are associated with lower labor force participation, and the resulting lower productivity leads to lower economic growth.
The authors developed a set of economic growth, energy use, and emissions scenarios, using a new computer model (the Population-Environment-Technology model, or PET). To capture the effects of future demographic change, they distinguished between household types, looking at age, size, and urban vs. rural location.
In addition, they drew on data from national surveys covering 34 countries and representative of 61 percent of the global population to estimate key economic characteristics of household types over time, including labor supply and demand for consumer goods.
“Households can affect emissions either directly, through their consumption patterns, or indirectly, through their effects on economic growth,”? O’Neill explains.
The authors also suggest that developers of future emissions scenarios give greater consideration to the implications of urbanization and aging, particularly in the United States, European Union, China, and India.
The net conclusion is that an older population consumes less than a younger population due to labor needs. The other major impact is that a developing nation (which tends to be younger) as opposed to a older more mature industrial nation will increase its ecological demands on the climate faster.
For further information: https://www2.ucar.edu/news/population-trends-another-influence-climate-change
Globally, the growth rate of the human population has been declining since peaking in 1962 and 1963 at 2.20% per year. In 2009 the estimated world annual growth rate was 1.1%. The last one hundred years have seen a rapid increase in population due to medical advances and massive increase in agricultural productivity.
The actual annual growth in the number of humans fell from its peak of 88.0 million in 1989, to a low of 73.9 million in 2003, after which it rose again to 75.2 million in 2006. Since then, annual growth has declined. In 2009 the human population increased by 74.6 million, and it is projected to fall steadily to about 41 million per year in 2050. Each region of the globe has seen great reductions in growth rate in recent decades, though growth rates remain above 2% in some countries of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, and also in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
In their new study the researchers sought to quantify how demographic changes influence emissions over time, and in which regions of the world. They also went beyond changes in population size to examine the links between aging, urbanization, and emissions.
The team found that growth in urban populations could lead to as much as a 25 percent rise in projected carbon dioxide emissions in some developing countries. The increased economic growth associated with city dwellers was directly correlated with increased emissions, largely due to the higher productivity and consumption preferences of an urban labor force.
In contrast, aging can reduce emissions levels by up to 20 percent in some industrialized countries. This is because older populations are associated with lower labor force participation, and the resulting lower productivity leads to lower economic growth.
The authors developed a set of economic growth, energy use, and emissions scenarios, using a new computer model (the Population-Environment-Technology model, or PET). To capture the effects of future demographic change, they distinguished between household types, looking at age, size, and urban vs. rural location.
In addition, they drew on data from national surveys covering 34 countries and representative of 61 percent of the global population to estimate key economic characteristics of household types over time, including labor supply and demand for consumer goods.
“Households can affect emissions either directly, through their consumption patterns, or indirectly, through their effects on economic growth,”? O’Neill explains.
The authors also suggest that developers of future emissions scenarios give greater consideration to the implications of urbanization and aging, particularly in the United States, European Union, China, and India.
The net conclusion is that an older population consumes less than a younger population due to labor needs. The other major impact is that a developing nation (which tends to be younger) as opposed to a older more mature industrial nation will increase its ecological demands on the climate faster.
For further information: https://www2.ucar.edu/news/population-trends-another-influence-climate-change
Water Crisis in Asia
As the contradictions of Asia’s water challenges have been laid bare this summer—with millions affected by flooding while others are hit by droughts—one thing has been made clearer: the coming water crisis could exacerbate already simmering domestic and regional tensions.
Heavy monsoon rains have produced the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history, with more than three weeks of flooding leaving at least 1,500 dead and more than 4 million homeless. Millions of Pakistanis already require humanitarian assistance, yet the likelihood that many more could be added to this list has grown with the announcement that 200,000 have been evacuated as flood waters continue to rise in Singh Province in the country’s south.
Meanwhile, flash floods and mudslides have submerged some villages in China’s Gansu Province, killing hundreds and leaving more than a thousand missing. Today, Chinese state media announced 250,000 had been evacuated in the north of the country after the Yalu River burst its banks.
But while attention has been focused on disasters in Pakistan in China, South-east Asia has been hit by its own torrential downpours. Last month, Singapore suffered three major floods—an unprecedented number for the prosperous city state—with even the shopping and financial districts hit in the first serious flooding disaster in the city since 1978.
Vietnam has also been affected, with many parts of Hanoi under water last month after a major storm struck the country. What added insult to injury in Vietnam’s case is that the flooding came after a nine-month dry spell that disrupted the country’s power supply (about a third of Vietnam’s power source comes from hydroelectric power plants whose operations have been adversely affected by falling water levels in the Mekong River).
Article continues: http://the-diplomat.com/2010/08/23/asia%E2%80%99s-water-crisis/
Heavy monsoon rains have produced the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history, with more than three weeks of flooding leaving at least 1,500 dead and more than 4 million homeless. Millions of Pakistanis already require humanitarian assistance, yet the likelihood that many more could be added to this list has grown with the announcement that 200,000 have been evacuated as flood waters continue to rise in Singh Province in the country’s south.
Meanwhile, flash floods and mudslides have submerged some villages in China’s Gansu Province, killing hundreds and leaving more than a thousand missing. Today, Chinese state media announced 250,000 had been evacuated in the north of the country after the Yalu River burst its banks.
But while attention has been focused on disasters in Pakistan in China, South-east Asia has been hit by its own torrential downpours. Last month, Singapore suffered three major floods—an unprecedented number for the prosperous city state—with even the shopping and financial districts hit in the first serious flooding disaster in the city since 1978.
Vietnam has also been affected, with many parts of Hanoi under water last month after a major storm struck the country. What added insult to injury in Vietnam’s case is that the flooding came after a nine-month dry spell that disrupted the country’s power supply (about a third of Vietnam’s power source comes from hydroelectric power plants whose operations have been adversely affected by falling water levels in the Mekong River).
Article continues: http://the-diplomat.com/2010/08/23/asia%E2%80%99s-water-crisis/
Ending Hunger in Africa
There is no one-size fits all or single crop solution to solving global hunger, alleviating poverty, or protecting the environment and mitigating climate change. But the good news is that there is a multi-crop solution and it's already being spear-Some 1 billion people worldwide are affected by "hidden hunger," or micronutrient deficiencies — lack of Vitamin A, iron, and iodine, none of which are found in staple crops, but rather, in vegetables. Vegetable production is the most sustainable and affordable way of alleviating micronutrient deficiencies among the poor.
It's also the most sustainable and affordable way of improving biodiversity, preserving traditions and cultures, and improving livelihoods. Because vegetables typically have a shorter growing period than staple crops, they are less risk-prone to drought, maximizing scarce water supplies and soil nutrients better than crops such as maize.
Unfortunately, no country in Africa has a big focus on vegetable production. But that’s where AVRDC — The World Vegetable Center steps in, working with farmers to build a sustainable seed system in Africa. The Center does this by breeding a variety of vegetables with different traits—including resistance to disease and longer shelf life—and by bringing the farmers to the Regional Center in Arusha and to other offices across Africa to find out what exactly those farmers need in the field and at market.
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41881
It's also the most sustainable and affordable way of improving biodiversity, preserving traditions and cultures, and improving livelihoods. Because vegetables typically have a shorter growing period than staple crops, they are less risk-prone to drought, maximizing scarce water supplies and soil nutrients better than crops such as maize.
Unfortunately, no country in Africa has a big focus on vegetable production. But that’s where AVRDC — The World Vegetable Center steps in, working with farmers to build a sustainable seed system in Africa. The Center does this by breeding a variety of vegetables with different traits—including resistance to disease and longer shelf life—and by bringing the farmers to the Regional Center in Arusha and to other offices across Africa to find out what exactly those farmers need in the field and at market.
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41881
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
290 World Scientists Petition for Alternate Serengeti Highway / Warn of Dangers
290 Scientists from 32 countries have signed a petition asking the government of Tanzania choose an alternate route around the Serengeti National Park, rather than building one through it.
The petition is a reaction to the announced plans of the Tanzanian government to build a commercial route across the northern part of the Serengeti National Park.
International and conservation organizations, the travel industry, and the public have protested the decision. Now scientists are speaking out. The petition, and accompanying survey, follows an article in the scientific journal, Nature, in which 27 leading scientists described the destruction the road would cause.
The Petition of scientists states:
“Evidence from other parts of the world, combined with our deep understanding of the Serengeti ecosystem, makes it clear – the road will result in severe, negative, irreversible impacts, with little mitigation possible.”
The petition reiterates warnings by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in July of this year about specific negative impacts of the highway and adds,
“The proposed road cuts through a critical wilderness area that is essential to the migration. The type of road surface matters little. The migration itself could easily collapse, with a devastating effect on all wildlife, the grasslands, and the entire ecosystem.”
It concludes by asking that an alternative highway be found:
“The government of Tanzania has to work for development and welfare in all areas of the country. But there is no need to sacrifice its most precious wilderness, or its income from tourism, or its heritage of conservation. An alternative can and must be found.”
“Scientists, government officials, engineers, conservationists, economists, aid and lending institutions - all can study and work together to both protect the environment and help the people. This task is critical for both Tanzania and the world.”
Included in the petition is a survey about likely negative impacts. Results clearly show that scientists believe these to be extremely serious. Many, in fact, concluded that the collapse of the wildebeest migration was likely or even inevitable. Results of the survey on impacts are:
In your opinion, how likely are the following:
Combined % Saying Inevitable, Extremely Likely, Very Likely
Disruption and obstruction of migration routes: 85%
57% said it would be inevitable. 28% said extremely likely.
Introduction of invasive plants, animals, and disease: 91%
35% said inevitable. 67% said very likely or extremely likely.
Increased mortality due to wildlife-vehicle collisions: 98%
67% said inevitable. 21% said extremely likely.
Intensive, organized poaching, especially reintroduced rhino: 88%
32% said inevitable. 38% said extremely likely.
Loss of habitat from human settlement and agriculture: 87%
40% said inevitable. 32% said extremely likely.
Eventual collapse of migration:
54% said very or extremely likely. 17% said inevitable. 71%
Respondents also wrote about their professional experiences and opinions:
Dr. Anne Pusey, a professor at Duke University who studied lions in the Serengeti for ten years, wrote: “The Serengeti is a unique and precious ecosystem - one of the very few large scale migratory systems of large animals remaining on the planet…A road across the migratory routes will devastate the system for all the reasons listed in this [petition] letter and survey. “
Traci Birge, a researcher from Finland echoed the thoughts of many in saying, “the proposed highway route would be devastating for the ecology of the Serengeti, and would have long-term negative effects on local residents, wildlife and ecology and would be a terrible blow for global biodiversity.”
Scientists, including top experts in their field, are from more than fifty different universities, research, and conservation organizations. Scientific fields represented included: Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Population Ecology, Reproductive Biology, Wildlife Epidemiology, and Biodiversity Management.
Among the 32 countries represented are: UK, USA, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Israel, Finland and Australia, and the African countries of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The petition and survey were conducted by Save the Serengeti, a nonprofit organization.
Results of the petition and survey, including petitioners names, organizations, countries, and detailed written responses can be found at: http://www.savetheserengeti.org/?p=417
# # #
Contact:
David Blanton
info@savetheserengeti.org
Boyd Norton
info@savetheserengeti.org
Website
http://www.savetheserengeti.org/
The petition is a reaction to the announced plans of the Tanzanian government to build a commercial route across the northern part of the Serengeti National Park.
International and conservation organizations, the travel industry, and the public have protested the decision. Now scientists are speaking out. The petition, and accompanying survey, follows an article in the scientific journal, Nature, in which 27 leading scientists described the destruction the road would cause.
The Petition of scientists states:
“Evidence from other parts of the world, combined with our deep understanding of the Serengeti ecosystem, makes it clear – the road will result in severe, negative, irreversible impacts, with little mitigation possible.”
The petition reiterates warnings by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in July of this year about specific negative impacts of the highway and adds,
“The proposed road cuts through a critical wilderness area that is essential to the migration. The type of road surface matters little. The migration itself could easily collapse, with a devastating effect on all wildlife, the grasslands, and the entire ecosystem.”
It concludes by asking that an alternative highway be found:
“The government of Tanzania has to work for development and welfare in all areas of the country. But there is no need to sacrifice its most precious wilderness, or its income from tourism, or its heritage of conservation. An alternative can and must be found.”
“Scientists, government officials, engineers, conservationists, economists, aid and lending institutions - all can study and work together to both protect the environment and help the people. This task is critical for both Tanzania and the world.”
Included in the petition is a survey about likely negative impacts. Results clearly show that scientists believe these to be extremely serious. Many, in fact, concluded that the collapse of the wildebeest migration was likely or even inevitable. Results of the survey on impacts are:
In your opinion, how likely are the following:
Combined % Saying Inevitable, Extremely Likely, Very Likely
Disruption and obstruction of migration routes: 85%
57% said it would be inevitable. 28% said extremely likely.
Introduction of invasive plants, animals, and disease: 91%
35% said inevitable. 67% said very likely or extremely likely.
Increased mortality due to wildlife-vehicle collisions: 98%
67% said inevitable. 21% said extremely likely.
Intensive, organized poaching, especially reintroduced rhino: 88%
32% said inevitable. 38% said extremely likely.
Loss of habitat from human settlement and agriculture: 87%
40% said inevitable. 32% said extremely likely.
Eventual collapse of migration:
54% said very or extremely likely. 17% said inevitable. 71%
Respondents also wrote about their professional experiences and opinions:
Dr. Anne Pusey, a professor at Duke University who studied lions in the Serengeti for ten years, wrote: “The Serengeti is a unique and precious ecosystem - one of the very few large scale migratory systems of large animals remaining on the planet…A road across the migratory routes will devastate the system for all the reasons listed in this [petition] letter and survey. “
Traci Birge, a researcher from Finland echoed the thoughts of many in saying, “the proposed highway route would be devastating for the ecology of the Serengeti, and would have long-term negative effects on local residents, wildlife and ecology and would be a terrible blow for global biodiversity.”
Scientists, including top experts in their field, are from more than fifty different universities, research, and conservation organizations. Scientific fields represented included: Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Population Ecology, Reproductive Biology, Wildlife Epidemiology, and Biodiversity Management.
Among the 32 countries represented are: UK, USA, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Israel, Finland and Australia, and the African countries of South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The petition and survey were conducted by Save the Serengeti, a nonprofit organization.
Results of the petition and survey, including petitioners names, organizations, countries, and detailed written responses can be found at: http://www.savetheserengeti.org/?p=417
# # #
Contact:
David Blanton
info@savetheserengeti.org
Boyd Norton
info@savetheserengeti.org
Website
http://www.savetheserengeti.org/
Reuseit.com Helps Consumers Give the Good Life This Holiday Season
Living simply and healthfully while making a significant, long-lasting impact on the environment and society – that’s the definition of the good life, says reuseit.com. This holiday, you can help people live the good life by giving gifts that help them consume less, preserve natural resources and save money, too. Reuseit.com helps solve a common problem for conscious consumers who want to give a gift but don’t know what makes sense. The company’s products are beautifully designed and solution-oriented, helping the recipient eliminate thousands of disposables from their life.
Recognized in 2009 and 2010 as one of Inc. 500's fastest-growing companies, reuseit.com is a one-stop-shop to help consumers give the good life with its innovative gift ideas. What’s more, the products come from good companies that are socially responsible, and reuseit.com donates one percent of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. The company has empowered its nearly 240,000 customers to eliminate more than 900,000,000 use-and-toss items.
“This holiday season, we anticipate another onslaught of eco-tschotskes and gimmicky green products from a huge range of retailers,” said Vincent Cobb, founder of reuseit.com. “Our gift ideas reinforce the fact that we’re not going to consume our way out of this problem. The holidays are a chance to share the good life with friends and family, and reusables are gifts that keep giving throughout the year. Giving gifts that actually help people consume less is a smart, interesting idea whose time has come."
To help consumers select the right reusable for anyone on their gift list, the company has created a comprehensive Gift Center to make the process easy, with buying guides, videos, and hand-picked gift ideas for him, for her, for kids and niches like travelers, co-workers, newbie environmentalists and more.
Below are the company’s top ten overall reusable gift picks for the holidays – innovative, well-designed products that help replace some of the most common disposables.
Reuseit.com’s 2010 Overall Top 10 Picks for Giving the Good Life:
1. Bobble Filtering Reusable Water Bottle - affordably-priced PET water bottle with a built-in filter
2. I’m Not A… Products - clever replacements for paper lunch bags, paper towels, plastic water bottles, plastic bags, facial tissue and more
3. reuseit™ Recycled PET Mesh Ultra Compact Tote - a smart, stylish, 55% recycled bag that folds into its own compact pouch
4. Vapur Collapsible Water Bottle - rolls up flat when empty, can be conveniently stored in bags, purses or pockets and filled for on-the-go hydration
5. To-Go Ware Repeat Utensil Set & Zelco Stainless Steel Portable Utensils - innovative alternatives to disposable plastic utensils
6. Insulated Mugs - ideal for the commuter or coffee lover, porcelain, stainless steel and safe plastic options
7. Glass Bottles - cut back on bottled water and paper cup waste with these gorgeous & safe glass options
8. "We Are Happy to Serve You" New York City Coffee Mug - iconic design, perfect for the office worker looking to cut back on paper and Styrofoam cups
9. Ultra-Compact Shopping Bags - smart & stylish stocking stuffers - makes great gift wrap, too
10. Essential oils - Homemade perfume, cologne, cleaning products and air fresheners make a unique gift
Some of reuseit.com’s best sellers are from its house brand, reuseit™, including everyday basics like shopping totes, ultra-compact bags, lunch bags and more. For more holiday gift picks, visit the company’s Gift Center and check out their Gift Wrap Buying Guide for tips on wrapping gifts with reusable bags.
About reuseit.com
Recognized as a leader and innovator, reuseit.com won Green America’s prestigious Green Business of the Year in 2007 and their Longtime Leadership award in 2009. A trusted source, the company is a BizRate Circle of Excellence Gold Honoree and was recognized by Inc. 500|5000 in 2009 and 2010 as one of the nation’s Fastest Growing Companies. The company has been featured hundreds of times including major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, ABC News and Vogue. Reuseit.com is an authentic, triple-bottom-line company, supporting Fair Trade Practices and donating one percent of all sales to environmental causes through 1% For the Planet. To date, Reuseit.com has empowered its nearly 240,000 customers to eliminate more than 900,000,000 use-and-toss items.
About Verde PR & Consulting
Verde PR & Consulting is a full-service public relations, marketing, branding, and consulting agency, with an emphasis in new media and corporate social responsibility. Verde’s clients are in the adventure-based outdoor, bike and snowsports industries, as well as the health and wellness and natural grocery markets. http://www.verdepr.com and join the conversation on Twitter.
Recognized in 2009 and 2010 as one of Inc. 500's fastest-growing companies, reuseit.com is a one-stop-shop to help consumers give the good life with its innovative gift ideas. What’s more, the products come from good companies that are socially responsible, and reuseit.com donates one percent of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. The company has empowered its nearly 240,000 customers to eliminate more than 900,000,000 use-and-toss items.
“This holiday season, we anticipate another onslaught of eco-tschotskes and gimmicky green products from a huge range of retailers,” said Vincent Cobb, founder of reuseit.com. “Our gift ideas reinforce the fact that we’re not going to consume our way out of this problem. The holidays are a chance to share the good life with friends and family, and reusables are gifts that keep giving throughout the year. Giving gifts that actually help people consume less is a smart, interesting idea whose time has come."
To help consumers select the right reusable for anyone on their gift list, the company has created a comprehensive Gift Center to make the process easy, with buying guides, videos, and hand-picked gift ideas for him, for her, for kids and niches like travelers, co-workers, newbie environmentalists and more.
Below are the company’s top ten overall reusable gift picks for the holidays – innovative, well-designed products that help replace some of the most common disposables.
Reuseit.com’s 2010 Overall Top 10 Picks for Giving the Good Life:
1. Bobble Filtering Reusable Water Bottle - affordably-priced PET water bottle with a built-in filter
2. I’m Not A… Products - clever replacements for paper lunch bags, paper towels, plastic water bottles, plastic bags, facial tissue and more
3. reuseit™ Recycled PET Mesh Ultra Compact Tote - a smart, stylish, 55% recycled bag that folds into its own compact pouch
4. Vapur Collapsible Water Bottle - rolls up flat when empty, can be conveniently stored in bags, purses or pockets and filled for on-the-go hydration
5. To-Go Ware Repeat Utensil Set & Zelco Stainless Steel Portable Utensils - innovative alternatives to disposable plastic utensils
6. Insulated Mugs - ideal for the commuter or coffee lover, porcelain, stainless steel and safe plastic options
7. Glass Bottles - cut back on bottled water and paper cup waste with these gorgeous & safe glass options
8. "We Are Happy to Serve You" New York City Coffee Mug - iconic design, perfect for the office worker looking to cut back on paper and Styrofoam cups
9. Ultra-Compact Shopping Bags - smart & stylish stocking stuffers - makes great gift wrap, too
10. Essential oils - Homemade perfume, cologne, cleaning products and air fresheners make a unique gift
Some of reuseit.com’s best sellers are from its house brand, reuseit™, including everyday basics like shopping totes, ultra-compact bags, lunch bags and more. For more holiday gift picks, visit the company’s Gift Center and check out their Gift Wrap Buying Guide for tips on wrapping gifts with reusable bags.
About reuseit.com
Recognized as a leader and innovator, reuseit.com won Green America’s prestigious Green Business of the Year in 2007 and their Longtime Leadership award in 2009. A trusted source, the company is a BizRate Circle of Excellence Gold Honoree and was recognized by Inc. 500|5000 in 2009 and 2010 as one of the nation’s Fastest Growing Companies. The company has been featured hundreds of times including major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, ABC News and Vogue. Reuseit.com is an authentic, triple-bottom-line company, supporting Fair Trade Practices and donating one percent of all sales to environmental causes through 1% For the Planet. To date, Reuseit.com has empowered its nearly 240,000 customers to eliminate more than 900,000,000 use-and-toss items.
About Verde PR & Consulting
Verde PR & Consulting is a full-service public relations, marketing, branding, and consulting agency, with an emphasis in new media and corporate social responsibility. Verde’s clients are in the adventure-based outdoor, bike and snowsports industries, as well as the health and wellness and natural grocery markets. http://www.verdepr.com and join the conversation on Twitter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)