The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition 02/24/2004

Five power companies commit to clean energy and limits on CO2
Five electric power companies from across the U.S. have answered a challenge from World Wildlife Fund to become the first U.S. power companies to support a mandatory cap on heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions and confirm their commitment to clean energy.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13263.asp

Galapagos fishermen protest to demand more freedom
Fishermen in Ecuador's pristine Galapagos islands led protests Thursday to demand greater freedom from environmental regulations and blocked park officials from attending work, island sources said. On the remote island of Isabela, fishermen held a peaceful protest and prevented environmental authorities from working until their demands are met to loosen norms so they can use long-line fishing and sell by-catch of sharks in the islands.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13403.asp

Texas bird flu may be worse than thought
A strain of avian flu found on a Texas chicken farm is considered far deadlier to poultry than originally thought and has spread to live bird markets in Houston, federal officials said Monday. However, the flu is not the same strain that has killed at least 22 people in Asia, said Dr. Ron DeHaven of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13398.asp

Brazil tribes fear for their environment
Naked children are leaping from mango trees and tumbling into the mild water of the Xingu River without a care. But up by the grass-roofed long houses, the village elders fret that their way of life may come to an end soon. "We're worried for our children and grandchildren," says Rea, a Kayabi Indian woman. "Our Xingu is an island, and if the white man enters with his machines, he'll break it all down in no time."
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13396.asp

France bans insecticide after bee deaths
France on Monday suspended sales of an insecticide that allegedly was killing bees. Agriculture Minister Herve Gaymard said farmers who use insecticides containing the chemical Fipronil would be able to exhaust supplies on hand through the spring, but sales were ended Tuesday.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13404.asp

Germany wants new U.N. chemicals agency in Bonn
The German government said on Sunday it was bidding to host a new United Nations agency to police trade in chemicals in Bonn, the capital of former West Germany. The United Nations' "Prior Informed Consent" convention that will police trade in hazardous chemicals enters into force on Tuesday and the German environment ministry said in a statement that Bonn would be the ideal location for its secretariat.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13395.asp

Great Barrier Reef faces major coral destruction
Australia's Great Barrier Reef will lose most of its coral cover by 2050 and, at worst, the world's largest coral system could collapse by 2100 because of global warming, a study released on Saturday said. The study by Queensland University's Centre for Marine Studies, commissioned by the Worldwide Fund for Nature, said that the destruction of coral on the Great Barrier Reef was inevitable due to global warming, regardless of what actions were taken now.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13397.asp

Shanghai may relent on bicycle ban
Labeled bike-haters in a nation of cyclists, bureaucrats in China's largest city now appear to be backpedaling. A ban on bicycles in much of this busy commercial hub's downtown area took effect last month, drawing widespread scorn. With cars clogging city streets, residents have scoffed at suggestions that the prohibition was needed to reduce congestion.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13402.asp

Southeast England fights to save sparrows
The ordinary house sparrow is disappearing from gardens and parks throughout Britain, and government officials met Friday to discuss ways of curbing the bird's decline. The number of house sparrows has dropped from 12 million pairs to fewer than 7 million pairs over the last 30 years, according to researchers.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-02-24/s_13399.asp

Environmental Marketplace Update (Become a Member)

We'd like to encourage you to visit our Environmental Marketplace where you'll learn about some amazing environmentally-focused businesses. A few examples:

A Happy Planet, San Francisco's original and oldest natural fiber home furnishing's company. They are opening a new organic bedding showroom to let customers try organic mattresses, pillows, comforters, toppers and other chemical-free bedding accessories. Read their story

Island Press, demonstrating how new ideas and new thinking can unleash solutions to environmental problems. They have just published a new book entitled "Politics, Pollution, and Pandas: An Environmental Memoir" written by Russell Train, the first of the EPA's nine administrators to publish a candid memoir about the EPA. Read the story

Global Exchange Online Fair Trade Store markets fairly-traded products. Did you know that America is the world's largest chocolate consumer, and in 2000 alone, they consumed 3.3 billion pounds of chocolate? Read more about fair trade chocolate

Vegancats.com, dedicated to the principle that the lives of all animals have inherent value. Their article antitled "Mad Cat Disease?" sheds light on mad cow disease and our pet food supply. Read the article

Message!Products, helping to fund important animal, environmental, and social organizations. Learn how you can make a difference


Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.

World Land Trust:
Internet recruitment for conservation organisation the World Land Trust way above charity average