Alaska Wants Polar Bears Off List
Alaska Governor Sean Parnell is suing the federal government to overturn the listing of polar bears and a threatened species, writes the Associated Press. The governor believes that the Endangered Species Act is being used improperly to shut down petroleum development in the state. About 90 percent of Alaska's general fund revenue budget comes from the petroleum industry, which has suffered as the North Slope wells continue to dry up.
-- Lisa Lombardi
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November 06, 2009
New Perspective on Global Warming Debate
In this clip from the Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert and Al Gore argue about global warming and the economy with...Stephen Colbert and Al Gore.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Formidable Opponent - Global Warming With Al Gore | ||||
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-- Lisa Lombardi
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October 09, 2009
Maldives President Dives Deep for Climate Change
The president of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, will hold a cabinet meeting on October 17th -- 20 feet underwater, reports Globalwarmingisreal.com. In preparation for the underwater meeting, he has asked members of his cabinet to take scuba lessons and learn underwater signs. There's a method to Nasheed's madness; as the lowest-lying nation on earth, Maldives could disappear if sea levels continue to rise as a result of global warming. Nasheed will present a document for his cabinet to sign which calls for all countries to cut their carbon emissions (no worries, it'll be in a waterproof sheath) that he hopes to present at the COP15 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
-- Lisa Lombardi
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October 05, 2009
Soda Tax Could Help Budget, Health
A study done by the Center for Science in the Public Interest suggests that a tax on soda could help states raise budget money. Perhaps more importantly, a tax could also dissuade people from consuming as much soda, which is a major contributor to both obesity and diabetes. In an article written by the LA Times over the weekend, a senior research analyst for the Center for Consumer Freedom was quoted as saying a tax shouldn't punish a consumer's personal choice. Do you think a tax on soda would be a good idea?
-- Lisa Lombardi
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September 11, 2009
Senator Franken Draws Map From Memory
Senator Al Franken showcased his drawing skills at the Minnesota State Fair, sketching out the entire United States from memory. Thanks to World Hum for pointing out the video of this impressive, if slightly useless, feat. It begs the question, though: Could you draw all 50 states from memory? More importantly, can you name all 50 states from memory? (Hint: One of them is Delaware.)
-- Lisa Lombardi
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August 11, 2009
Obamas to Visit National Parks
The Obamas plan to take a vacation this August to visit some of the country's national parks and take advantage of the last of the fee-free days of summer. Stops will include Yellowstone National Park and The Grand Canyon. The Obamas may not have read our about National Parks Secrets, but you still can. Bonus: almost all the parks we mention are participating in the fee-free days, and you won't have to deal with the Secret Service.
-- Lisa Lombardi
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August 05, 2009
Court Reinstates 2001 Roadless Rule
Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed a 2001 decision that will protect more than 58 million acres of National Forest roadless areas. The decision overrules a Bush Administration policy that allowed individual states to implement their own rules. All of the United States, with the exception of Idaho and the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, will be affected by the decision. Representatives of Colorado wilderness organizations, in particular, are praising the decision. Colorado Wild, High Country Citizens' Alliance, Wilderness Workshop, and The Wilderness Society collectively issued the following statement:
"We are thankful that the protections provided by the 2001 Roadless Rule have been restored to Colorado's roadless National Forests. The 2001 Rule provides strong, balanced, and consistent protections for these American treasures. A state-specific Rule for the management of Colorado's National Forest roadless areas is unnecessary and inappropriate."
-- Lisa Lombardi
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May 12, 2009
Cyclists' Bill of Rights for Colorado
Governor Bill Ritter signed a senate bill aimed at protecting cyclists in Colorado yesterday, according to Backcountry's The Goat. Senate Bill 148 requires motorists to give cyclists a minimum of three feet of space while passing or risk a $110 fine, Out There reported. Additionally, any object thrown at a cyclist from a car, like a cell phone, or hot coffee will be classified as a class 2 misdemeanor for the motorist. Class 2 misdemeanors carry a fine of $250 to $1,000 and a possible jail sentence of three to twelve months.
Some Coloradans are angry that bicycles would get special protection under the law, and believe that the existing vehicle laws are sufficient. But bike organizations, like BicycleColo.org, are applauding the decision to uphold "safe and common sense rules for bicyclists and motor vehicles on public roads," their website states.
Tell that to this Colorado family, which moved six miles across town using bicycles only, in a community bicycling event that brought sofas, trailers, and bike enthusiasts together for a "modern-day barn raising." It's part of a trend of bike moves that took off a few years ago in Portland.
--Melanie Lidman
What do you think about Colorado's new bike law? Could your home state benefit from a similar law? Tell us in a comment below.
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May 11, 2009
Whaling Talks Break Down
Negotiations have stalled between the world’s few pro-whaling nations and the vast majority that stand opposed. The BBC reports that Japan has refused to whittle down the number of whales it kills in its annual Antarctic hunt, that no progress is expected through 2009, and that the talks themselves may be in peril.
Japan, along with Norway, speak in the loudest pro-whaling voices, claiming they hunt for the sake of science or out of sovereign right. Less politically powerful indigenous peoples in Canada or Greenland quietly cling to lower-impact subsistence hunting and face less wrath (though wrath nonetheless) from environmental and animal-rights activists.
Worldwide whale populations have plummeted since industrialized hunting fleets spread across the world in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many species continue to teeter on the edge of extinction. Japan’s most recent whaling season was one of the most dismal on record, owing in part to bad weather and part to the active harassment of organizations like Paul Watson’s Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, whose organization Outside executive editor Michael Roberts writes about in the upcoming June issue, on shelves soon.
--Sean Brander
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May 05, 2009
Grey Wolf Removed from Endangered Species List
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the grey wolf from the endangered species list Monday, deeming "the populations are viable, they are in great shape, they have extreme genetic diversity and so the Endangered Species Act did its job to bring wolves back," according to Discovery News. The wolf was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1974, after being almost completely decimated by hunting and environmental programs. Hunters will now be able to apply for licenses to shoot wolves, except in northern Wyoming, where the species is still protected.
After being reduced to about 300 wolves in 1973, the grey wolf population in the lower 48 now stands at roughly 5,500, and the population grew eight percent last year.
Groups like Defenders of Wildlife decried the removal, calling it "potentially disastrous" and saying they plan to fight the decision in court.
--Melanie Lidman
Do you think the grey wolf requires additional protection? Tell us in a comment below.
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