Forest plantations established on formerly non-forested land, like this experimental poplar stand in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, accumulate soil carbon that helps to offset carbon emissions and climate change. Image credit: Ray Miller ANN ARBOR–(ENEWSPF)–April 1, 2013. Surface appearances can be so misleading: In most forests, the amount of carbon held[Read More…]
Environmental
Secretary Salazar Celebrates Establishment of San Juan Islands National Monument
ANACORTES, WA–(ENEWSPF)–April 1, 2013. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joined local, tribal, and federal leaders today to dedicate San Juan Islands National Monument, a beautiful archipelago of more than 450 islands, rocks, and pinnacles in the northern reaches of Washington’s Puget Sound. “The designation of San Juan Islands National[Read More…]
Fruit Flies Live Longer when Fed Organic Diet
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 1, 2013. Fruit flies that are fed organic food lead healthier lives compared to those that are fed conventionally grown food, according to a study, “Organically Grown Food Provides Health Benefits to Drosophila melanogaster,” published March 26 in PLos One. The study, led by Ria Chhabra, a[Read More…]
EPA Proposes Achievable Cleaner Fuels and Cars Standard, Slashing Air Pollution and Providing Extensive Health Benefits
WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–March 29, 2013. Based on extensive input from auto manufactures, refiners, and states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed sensible standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce harmful pollution, prevent thousands of premature deaths and illnesses, while also enabling efficiency improvements in the cars and trucks[Read More…]
Studies Find that Pesticides Cause Brain Damage in Bees
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–March 29, 2013. Two studies released Wednesday support the findings of the European Food Safety Authority that neonicotinoid insecticides pose an unacceptable risk to bees. The pair of British studies indicate that neonicotinoids and miticides cause brain damage, compromising bee survival. The study, published in Nature Communications by researchers[Read More…]
Proposed Spraying of California Rice Threatens Food Chain
State moves to approve first use of harmful pesticide despite harm to honeybees, aquatic ecosystems, and waterfowl Sacramento, CA–(ENEWSPF)–March 28, 2013. In a move that could inflict widespread harm on wildlife and agriculture, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has proposed to allow aerial and ground spraying of a[Read More…]
Sun Belt Cities Demand Less Energy Than Northern Counterparts
ANN ARBOR–(ENEWSPF)–March 28, 2013. Much has been made of the increasing energy demands of the warmest regions of the U.S., but cooling down actually requires less energy than heating up, says a University of Michigan researcher. “The traditional discussion of climatology and energy demand concentrates on the energy demands for[Read More…]
EPA Announces Chemicals for Risk Assessment in 2013
Focus on Widely Used Flame Retardants WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–March 27, 2013. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will begin assessments on 23 commonly used chemicals, with a specific focus on flame retardant chemicals, in order to more fully understand any potential risks to people’s health and the environment. This[Read More…]
Report Exposes the Flaws in EPA’s Pesticide Approval Process
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–March 28, 2013. A scathing new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) sheds much needed light on the flaws in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) pesticide approval process, noting that in terms of the agency’s ability to offer transparency and rigorously test these inherently toxic chemicals, “the[Read More…]
Federal Court Halts McKenzie Bridge Timber Sale in Oregon
Sensitive Wildlife Habitat and Drinking Water Supply Protected. Court Requires Assessment of Significant Environmental Harm. EUGENE–(ENEWSPF)–March 27, 2013. United States District Court Judge Anne Aiken has found that the United States Forest Service broke the law in seeking to carry out the controversial Goose logging sale near McKenzie Bridge, Oregon,[Read More…]
