| Back to Archives | Current Issue | Search | Subscribe | Guestbook | Contact EarthWINS | Links |
EarthWINS Daily 5.6
October 9, 2000
Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2000 10:50:17 -0500
From: EarthWINS Daily <EarthWINS-Daily@earthwins.com>
Contents
1. CHINA: 10 ton of cyanide into spill into Chinese river
2. Free Daily World Environment News Subscriptions from
Reuters
3. Contents: Drillbits & Tailings; September 30, 2000.
Volume 5, Number 16
4. Problems with multinational water-bottling companies
a. Earth Day Founder Says Battle is Far From Over
b. Weekly Planet: Who's Afraid of Terri Wolfe?
c. The Problems Facing Florida's Springs
d. Bottled water in Europe: There is something
in the water
5. FWD: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Under Attack!
6. Town seeks more information on power plant
7. Activists rally to stop militarization of space
8. Fuel efficient vehicles outnumbered by gas guzzlers
in U.S. showrooms
9. Invitation to Enviroone
10. Online discussion on the importance of biodiversity
11. Government of Canada action plan 2000 on climate
change
12. Current energy systems unsustainable; efficiency,
new sources key to energy
13. Angola: An African tragedy fueled by oil and diamonds
14. 1000+ links available at SD ONLINE - Download
free report
*********************************************
1. CHINA: 10 ton of cyanide into spill into Chinese river
Oct 9, 2000
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=8484
****************************************
2. Free Daily World Environment News Subscriptions from Reuters
Good environment headline news service email list. To subscribe go to
http://www.planetark.org/subscriptions.cfm
************************************************
3. Contents: Drillbits & Tailings; September 30, 2000. Volume 5, Number 16
From: Project Underground <cbaldi@moles.org>
Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2000 04:21:19 -0700
http://www.moles.org
Drillbits & Tailings
Volume 5, Number 16
September 30, 2000
"While British motorists complain about the price of petrol, the
exploitation of oil is a matter of life or death to many Khanty people.
If the people here (Britain) knew the true costs to the Khanty people
of
the petrol they put in their cars, they would put more energy into
campaigning for a fairer deal for Siberia's tribes." Stephen
Corry,
Director of Survival International - (see "Putin’s Oil Politics Threaten
Siberia & Sakhalin’s Indigenous Peoples")
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contents
NEWS
+ Putin’s Oil Politics Threaten Siberia & Sakhalin’s Indigenous
Peoples
+ Canadian Mining Companies Profit from Burma's Misery
+ Massive Protests Beset Europe Over Fuel Prices
DIARY: The Real Price of Oil
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Write to Shell and the Bangladesh government to stop
oil exploration
HOTSPOTS: Britain, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Nigeria, Prague,
United States
VITAL STATISTICS: Financial Contributions to United States Elections
from the US Mining Industry, 1999-2000
COMMUNITY PIPELINE: Contacts, Publications, Websites
Drillbits & Tailings is the bi-monthly mining, oil and gas update
published by Project Underground online in English and Spanish.
Back-issues are archived on our web site <http://www.moles.org>.
We
welcome submissions or news items, however we cannot offer remuneration.
****************************************
4. Problems with multinational water-bottling companies
a. Earth Day Founder Says Battle is Far From Over
Sunday, October 8, 2000
http://gr.mlive.com/news/index.ssf?/news/stories/20001008gnelson08022302
-------------------------------------------------------------------
b. Weekly Planet: Who's Afraid of Terri Wolfe?
- Oct 5, 2000 by David Jasper
http://www.weeklyplanet.com/Action.lasso?-Token.ID=10645&-Token.Date=10/5/20
00&-Token.Category=Cover&-Response=detail_Cover.lasso&-nothing
-------------------------------------------------------------------
c. The Problems Facing Florida's Springs
From: Visigoth9@aol.com
Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 01:53:48 EDT
Private and public developers, big industry, Government sanctioned
underground injection wells for toxic waste and sewage, spring
water
bottlers who borehole their wells, such as The Perrier/Nestle Corporation(Great
Spring Waters of America), and, the careless actions of businesses
and
private citizens are abusing our country's most important natural
resource.
Each day the dangers to unaffected springs grow larger, and the
affects to
already troubled springs are becoming more evident.
The State of Florida (and other States as well) has severely outdated
laws
concerning protection of their water, and, who has the right
to take it, for
what purposes, and how they withdraw it. Developments near many
critical
watersheds, aquifers, and aquatic eco-systems are not strictly
regulated or
forbidden, nor are the use of nitrate fertilizers and regulation
of sewage
and septic systems tightly regulated in areas where the underlying
ground is
composed primarily of highly porous Karst Limestone; leaving
a gateway for
related pollutants to freely enter the aquifers and groundwater.
Where do
these pollutants eventually surface? In our pristine, crystal
clear springs!
Many springs that were for centuries crystal clear are now cloudy,
choked
with algae, testing positive for organics and chemicals, or slowly
drying up.
The very places so near and dear to out hearts as Floridians
are slowly
either dying, disappearing behind the walls of exclusive gated
communities (where they are polluted further from urban run-off,
and/or
pumped to irrigate lawns!!), or, many that are still pristine are being
pumped by
the environmentally damaging borehole well method for spring water
that is sold everywhere in
plastic bottles--which takes water away from the eco-systems that depend
on it's life-giving and diluting properties in order to flourish!
We at Save Our Springs say,"Enough!!" It is time for Floridians to stand
up
for the State whose fate is in their hands. We seek to educate
all Floridians
from Natives to "Transplants" who may never have even seen a
spring about the
importance of conserving our Floridan Aquifer and it's many outflows
called Springs, and how to do it! Many people in Florida have lost
touch with the REAL
FLORIDA; blinded by Theme Parks, Strip Malls, Tourism, congested traffic,
and Real Estate
deals. To all the uninformed we beg of you to WAKE UP and see the State
in which you
live as it is supposed to be: an exceptionally unique and beautiful
land full of equally
beautiful and unique eco-systems found no where else in the world.
Our Springs are a perfect
example as ours are different in their sheer size, color and
clarity, volume
of water produced, and variety of indigenous plants and animals
that live in
and around them.
In the past our springs were places for locals to gather for every occasion
from beating the Summer heat to picnics to baptisms. Many have
been
featured in magazines such as National Geographin(March 1999) and various
diver and
outdoor publications, not to mention used to develop new underwater
exploration
techniques(Wakulla Springs) for ocean projects.In short, our
springs need your help as they cannot defend themselves!
Feel free to
browse our website and learn about the issues facing Florida's Springs;
we sincerely
hope that your voice will become one of many to speak out and
help us to
Save Our Springs!! Brad Willis-- Vice President
A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT WATER BOTTLERS:
This is the issue that started Save Our Springs! We believe many elements
of
this issue reflect the current trend of greed aimed at Florida's
Springs by
large multi-national corporations; especially Perrier/Nestle!
We are having
a difficult time determinig which springs are being pumped by
whom, as
Perrier has a nasty little habit of getting the spring owner
to get a
withdrawel permit in his name! They also build pipelines to pump
it long
distances to wherever they might be bottling(e.g Crystal Springs
to
Zephyrhills). We suspect several privatley owned springs are
in Perrier's
pocket, but there are springs that have recently been closed
to the public
under mysterious circumstances--which can mean Perrier has come
to town;
this is how they operate in Florida! We suspect Otter Springs is the
latest
victim, and we will keep everyone posted on this and other possible
Perrier
actions in the future! Brad
---------------------------------------------------------------
d. Bottled water in Europe: There is something in the water
From: "Alice McCombs" <tarawins@ezwebtech.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 22:49:18 -0400
September 18, 2000
Author: Sarah Diston
http://www.just-drinks.com/features_detail.asp?art=265
****************************************
5. FWD: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Under Attack!
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000 22:54:44 -0500
From: "Ann Frisch" <afrisch@voyager.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2000 10:05 AM
I learned about this in My ecology class, This National forest is one
of
the most unique places on earth, with one of the greatest amounts of
diversity
in plant an animal species
Spread this as far as you can, especially in Tennessee, where it will
do
the most good.
Write these guys at the addresses below and demand that an environmental
impact survey be done. they have not done one and if they do it will
stop
the highway.
Joseph Leikam
---------------------------
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Under Attack!
The northern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will
be
converted into a five-lane highway with construction starting Jan 2001
without your help.
The plan calls for Hwy 321, a scenic two-lane road, to be widened to
five lanes from Gatlinburg to Cosby. Until now, sanity has prevented
the construction of a major highway along the Park's boarder.
The first phase of this road, a 2.5-mile stretch heading east out of
Gatlinburg, will cost $36,000,000. 70% of it touches the Park's
boundary. 27 concrete retaining walls will be built to hold back
the
mountainsides it cuts through. Streams will be re-routed, and
wetlands
affected, including those inside the Park! The purpose of a five-lane
road is unrestricted economic development because you can not control
curb cuts. What is unrestricted economic development? Anybody
drive
through Pigeon Forge lately? Is that what we want as the boarder
of the
National Park?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most biodiverse area
north of the tropics (see http://www.discoverlife.org). It contains
90%
of the old growth forest left east of the Mississippi River.
Even
though it is by far the most visited National Park, it is also the
most
remote wilderness left in the Eastern US. Stay away from the
AT, get
two miles away from a road, and you can walk days without seeing another
person.
By law, the Park Service must do a comprehensive Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) whenever their (our) land is impacted even indirectly.
There is no way this project can stand up to that kind of scrutiny,
but
the Park Service is not living up to its legal duty to protect our
land.
A public outcry will stop this project. The Tennessee Department
of
Transportation (TDOT) is looking for a reason to pull funds away from
this expensive project. The Park Service was hoping to slip this
by
quietly, but will do an EIS if the public demands it.
If this is not enough to convince you of the idiocy of this plan, consider
this:
The State of Tennessee spends $2,450 on each student in its schools
(K-12)
in 1998/1999. (from State of Tennessee department of Education)
The first 2.5 miles of SR73/Hwy 321 will cost $2,727 per foot.
What can you do to stop the 5 lanning of the Northern Boundary of the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (SR73/Hwy321 widening project)?
Call or write any or all of the following to voice your displeasure
and
demand an EIS:
Mr. Phil Francis
Acting Superintendent
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-1202
Jerry Belson
Regional Director
National Park Service
S.E. Regional Office
Atlanta Federal Center
1924 Building
100 Alabama Street S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 562-3100
Robert Stanton
National Director
National Park Service
Washington Office
1849 East Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 208-6843
Governor Don Sundquist
State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 741-2001
Mr. Ralph Comer
Planning Director
TN Department of Transportation
505 Deaderick Street Suite 900
James K. Polk Building
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 253-4042
Bruce Saltsman
Commissioner
TN Department of Transportation
505 Deaderick Street Suite 900
James K. Polk Building
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-2848
Thank you for your time. It is up to us to protect our Park.
****************************************
6. Town seeks more information on power plant
Oct. 8, 2000 at 2:51:35 p.m.
OSCEOLA, Wis.
http://www.jsonline.com/WI/100800/wi--osceolaplant100800145135.asp
****************************************
7. Activists rally to stop militarization of space
October 8, 2000
http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/10/08/vandenberg.protest.ap/index.html
****************************************
8. Fuel efficient vehicles outnumbered by gas guzzlers in U.S. showrooms
October 2, 2000
http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/10/02/epa.mileage.ap/
****************************************
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000
16:53:22 -0400
From: EnviroOne <list@ENVIROONE.COM>
Dear Member:
I want to take this opportunity to invite you to join EnviroList, a
moderated listserv. If your field is environmental or environmentally
related, then as a member of EnviroList, you can post or receive
postings of current job openings, information on grants, scholarships
and fellowships. Business subscribers will receive available RFPs in
the
environmental industry, updates on available tools to help them meet
environmental regulations, and more. Better still, it is FREE!
Within
the 1 month since its inception, EnviroList membership has growing
at a
phenomenal rate.=20
To subscribe: send e-mail to EnviroList_add@EnviroOne.com.
You do not
need to add a subject or a message to the body of your e-mail.
If you need any other help, send e-mail to support@EnviroOne.com.
Finally, I invite you to visit EnviroOne at http://www.EnviroOne.com
It is the one-stop center for everything environmental. If you
are
interested in a new job, then post your resume as recruiters are always
checking for qualified candidates. Again, its FREE. If
you are an
employer or a recruiter, you can also post jobs and review resumes.
NOTE: Only Employers/Recruiters can review posted resumes.
You can
also opt to have your resume treated confidentially.
Sincerely
Mark Nastasi
****************************************
10. Online discussion on the importance of biodiversity
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000
10:41:22 -0500
From: Scott Jaschik <Scott.Jaschik@CHRONICLE.COM>
An article in the new issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education explores
the growing debate over whether ecosystems are healthier when they
contain
many species of plants and animals. While many ecologists have long
believed this, a number of scientists have been challenging the assumption
in recent months.
The Chronicle is sponsoring an online discussion on this topic and invites
members of this list to read the article and join the discussion at:
http://chronicle.com/colloquy/2000/biodiversity/biodiversity.htm
Scott Jaschik
Editor
The Chronicle of Higher Education
****************************************
11. Government of Canada action plan 2000 on climate change
From: Milton Takei <miltont@efn.org>
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 15:07:40 -0700 (PDT)
Reply-To: Climateconcern@earthwins.com
To climateconcern subscribers:
The following message appears to be a press release issued by the
Government of Canada.
--Milton Takei
-------- Original Message --------
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 17:30:42 -0400
From: portfolio@newswire.ca
Attention News Editors/Environmental Reporters:
Government of Canada action plan 2000 on climate change
OTTAWA, Oct. 6 /CNW/ -
CANADA'S NORTH
Territorial leaders, Aboriginal and Inuit elders are telling us that
they are already experiencing the effects of climate change. In the
past
40 years, annual temperatures in the western Arctic have climbed by
1.5
degrees C while those over the central Arctic have warmed by 0.5 degrees
C. Scientists consistently project that in the 21st century, northern
latitudes will experience more warming than anywhere else in the world.
The Arctic, in fact, has a history of sensitivity to global warming.
As
a northern nation, Canada is therefore expected to experience a greater
degree of warming than countries closer to the equator. As the world's
climate changes, temperature changes are anticipated to be greater
in
the North, and greater in winter than in summer. According to studies
by
Environment Canada, a doubling of CO2 emissions could cause temperature
increases of nearly 5 degrees C in summer and 5-7 degrees C in winter
over mainland areas of the Canadian Arctic.
Climate Change Impacts in the North
The Arctic being extremely vulnerable to climate change, it is expected
that there will be major physical, ecological, sociological and economic
impacts that could include:
Impacts on Human Communities: Changes in sea ice, snow cover, habitat,
and wildlife could disrupt the traditional lifestyle of indigenous
peoples. Thawing permafrost and shorter winters could impede the only
ground transportation across frozen ground and water, increasing
economic costs. Recently, winter ice roads in the Mackenzie Valley
have
required more maintenance and have closed earlier than usual,
restricting use of this important transportation system. In some areas,
the arrival of the animals and birds important for annual hunts has
become disconnected from the timing of solar seasons. New species have
been spotted for the first time in human memory. Climate change is
expected to bring more storms, floods and other deviations from climatic
"norms" which poses risks to coastal communities, water users,
transportation, municipalities and human health.
Changes in Sea Ice: A recent atmosphere-ocean climate model projects
a
60% reduction in sea ice under a scenario in which CO2 is doubled.
Over
the last 100 years, there has already been a significant decline of
Arctic ice cover extent and thickness.
Changes in Permafrost: Today's permafrost boundaries are projected to
move poleward. Thawing of permafrost could alter drainage patterns
and
landscape, and cause severe damage to buildings, transportation
infrastructure and pounded lakes.
Changes in Arctic Wildlife: Although warming may increase biological
production, the distribution of species could change. Important wetlands
may disappear, which could significantly affect ducks and other
waterfowl. As the amount of sea ice decreases, seals, walruses, polar
bears and other species that depend on it would suffer. The basic
science on climate change is sound. However, the impacts in Canada
will
be unique and vary from region to region. We must improve our
understanding of how a changing climate will affect Canadians and how
we
can all adapt to it. Adaptation involves taking action to minimize
the
negative impacts of climate change - and taking advantage of new
opportunities that may arise.
Action Plan 2000 Measures
Northern and Aboriginal communities, especially in remote areas, face
some of the highest energy costs in Canada. Specific initiatives to
support the research in the Arctic include:
- examine the opportunities for energy efficiency and early
application of renewable-energy technology in remote communities that
are not connected to Canada's electricity distribution network.
- work with northern and Aboriginal communities, and businesses
to
develop specific opportunities for economic development in the energy
sector in areas such as energy conservation and alternative energies.
- fill critical gaps in our monitoring networks.
- provide climate change information and training to communities,
community planners, leaders and elders.
Taking Action - Furthering science, and developing adaptation strategies
The Government of Canada has been working to understand climate change
in the Arctic. The Science, Impacts and Adaptation component of the
Climate Change Action Fund identified the Arctic as a research priority.
This Fund supports projects to give northern scientists, decision-makers
and residents a better understanding of how climate change will affect
the North. These projects enhance the observation of the climate in
the
North, increase our understanding of the way the climate system works
in
Arctic Canada, and improve climate model projections. Some of the
Government of Canada's programs and initiatives include:
Canadian Glaciology Program: The world's ice caps provides an excellent
layer-by-layer record of past temperatures, snow accumulation and
atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. The program, which
collects and analyses cores from high Arctic and Cordilleran glaciers,
contributes to the international body of knowledge that is needed to
understand climate change.
Oceans and Arctic Climate Change Research: Canadian scientists are
conducting research in the Arctic and the oceans on both coasts to
better understand how changes in the marine environment will impact
fish
species distribution and abundance, and on coastal communities and
their
economies. Better ocean measurements and characterization, and a better
understanding of ocean/atmosphere processes will improve climate
prediction.
The Climate Research Network: This program consists of a network of
nine
collaborative research groups in 12 Canadian universities, one of which
focuses on climate modeling in the Arctic.
On the International Scene: Canada continues to participate in
international science fora, such as the World Climate Research
Programme, the International Council for Science, the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, and the Intergovernmental Panel
on
Climate Change.
The Way Forward
Action Plan 2000 reflects the Government of Canada's contribution to
the
First National Climate Change Business Plan that is being developed
with
the provinces and territories. Over the next few months, the Government
of Canada will work with provincial and territorial governments, and
stakeholders, to fine-tune the measures and seek partnerships and
contributions. Funding for the final package of the measures will be
announced in Budget 2001.
10/06/2000
For further information: Velma McColl, Director of Communications,
Office of the Minister, (819) 953-2101
=======================================================
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE CLIMATE FORUM.
-------------------------------------------------------
.Please feel free to send your input to:
Climateconcern@earthwins.com
.Please join by sending a blank e-mail to:
Climateconcern-subscribe@earthwins.com
****************************************
12. Current energy systems unsustainable; efficiency, new sources key to energy
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=8471
****************************************
13. Angola: An African tragedy fueled by oil and diamonds
In the bigger picture, where do economic interests and moral
responsibilities clash?
Sunday, October 8, 2000
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2000/democracy/bigger.picture/stories/angola/
****************************************
14. 1000+ links available at SD ONLINE - Download free report
Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000
09:34:52 -0700
From: SD Online <susdev@EUROFOUND.IE>
Dear Reader,
SD-ONLINE has now more then 1022 sustainable development/environment
web
site links.
Go: http://susdev.eurofound.ie
- EDUCATION, Access 303 Training Courses.
- NETWORKS, Explore 292 listed in the databases
- TOOLS, 125 tools links available to help you in your work.
- CONFERENCES, 234 so you can see what is on and where it happens (64
current).
FREE REPORT AVAILABLE NOW
The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working
Conditions has made the following report freely available from SD ONLINE.
Crops for Sustainable Enterprise.
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities,
2000 -92 pages. Authors: Benjamin, Yorick & Van Weenen, Hans.
Go: http://susdev.eurofound.ie/download (PDF: 548k)
Thank you for your interest and support of SD ONLINE.
Go: http://susdev.eurofound.ie
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
SD-ONLINE is designed and developed by EDEN B.V. on behalf of the European
Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
(an
autonomous publicly funded agency of the European Union).
For more information on EDEN's database driven website please email:
eden@antenna.nl
EarthWINS Daily is a project of EarthWINS
Disclaimer
** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, material in this issue of EarthWINS Daily is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. **
The articles in EarthWINS Daily are PHOTOCOPIES for personal informational purposes--please seek reprint permission directly from the source listed. You are encouraged to utilize this information for personal campaign use; including writing letters, organizing campaigns and forwarding. All efforts are made to provide accurate, timely pieces; though ultimate responsibility for verifying all information rests with the reader.
If you distribute information contained in EarthWINS Daily, please:
(1) Copy the information in its exact form,
(2) Cite the author, publisher, and date of the information.
(3) Include this subscription information for EarthWINS Daily -
To subscribe to EarthWINS Daily send an email toThank you!
EarthWINS-Daily-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe to EarthWINS_Daily |
P O Box 573 Shawano, WI 54166 Ph: 715-524-5998 FAX (call first): 715-524-9958 EarthWINS-Daily@earthwins.com www.earthwins.com |
Please sign my guestbook |