“More than 80,000 new chemicals have been developed since World War II, according to the Children’s Environmental Health Center at Mount Sinai. Even of the major chemicals, fewer than 20 percent have been tested for toxicity to children, the center says.” Nicholas D. Kristof, in the New York Times.

No wonder we’re having a health care debate!

posted by Mudd

“THERE is a widespread view, particularly among environmentalists and liberals, that big businesses are environmentally destructive, greedy, evil and driven by short-term profits. I know — because I used to share that view.” Jared Diamond in the New York Times.

Notice Monsieur Diamond said “used to”? That’s right. The man who brought us Guns, Germs, and Steel now has this insight to share -“I’ve discovered that while some businesses are indeed as destructive as many suspect, others are among the world’s strongest positive forces for environmental sustainability.”

As some pundits have reminded us, all environmental issues are local. It stands to reason that change will only come from sidewalks, store fronts, even corporate board rooms. Real change begins at home, where the credit card bills are mailed.

Maybe Diamond is on to something…..

posted by Mudd

Breaking wind news from the Environmental News Network – “If you think there’s less smog this year, you are probably right. Thanks in large part to cooler temperatures and more rain, the number of dirty-air days for smog nationwide has dropped by almost half in 2009 compared to last year, according to a survey by the non-profit Clean Air Watch.”

Can I take the surgical mask off now?

posted by Mudd

“I had to keep the Buick speed below what I took to be about sixty because at that point the wind came up through the floor hole in such a way that the Heath wrappers were suspended behind my head in a noisy brown vortex.” Charles Portis, The Dog of the South.

posted by Mudd

As posted in the BBC News – “In 2001 Smokey Bear’s message was modified to: ‘Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.'”

Freddie finally figured out that forest fires are good for forests.

posted by Mudd

As reported by Bill Niman and Nicolette Hahn Niman in The Atlantic – “…. University of Arizona researchers have concluded that about half–yes half–of all food produced in the United States is never eaten. The same study determined that a typical American household throws away almost $600 worth of food every year.”

“Moreover, according to the Department of Agriculture, recovery of just 25 percent of wasted food would feed 20 million people.”

pass the left-overs.

posted by Mudd

“In the almost three years since President Felipe Calderón launched a war on drug cartels, border towns in Mexico have turned into halls of mirrors where no one knows who is on which side or what chance remark could get you murdered. Some 14,000 people have been killed in that time—the worst carnage since the Mexican Revolution—and part of the country is effectively under martial law.”

That’s via The Atlantic, excerpted from a piece by Philip Caputo. The rest of the article reads like a well-crafted crime novel. Too bad it isn’t.

Poor Mexico. So far from God and so close to the United States.
—Porfirio Díaz, dictator of Mexico from 1876 to 1880 and 1884 to 1911

posted by Mudd

SYDNEY – Australia’s plans for an emissions trading system to combat global warming were scuttled Wednesday in Parliament, handing a defeat to a government that had hoped to set an example at international climate change talks next week. (Yahoo News)

posted by Mudd

“You’re neither right nor wrong because other people agree with you. You’re right because your facts are right and your reasoning is right—and that’s the only thing that makes you right. And if your facts and reasoning are right, you don’t have to worry about anybody else.” Warren Buffett, quoting investment guru – Benjamin Graham (CNBC)

posted by Mudd

The Pew Research Center reports – “There has been a sharp decline over the past year in the percentage of Americans who say there is solid evidence that global temperatures are rising. And fewer also see global warming as a very serious problem — 35% say that today, down from 44% in April 2008.”

And then there was ClimateGate.

Does Southwest fly to Copenhagen?

posted by Mudd