ENN: Organic Food Prices Rise, Myanmar Cyclone, CO2 Buying the Answer? and Much More

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					Monday, May 5, 2008
	News of Note General Motors' Quest to Become "Green Motors" On Thursday, Rick Wagoner, Chairman and CEO of General Motors came to San Francisco to speak about the future of the company and "green" auto technology. Top Stories Gene for yield, height in rice identified Scientists in China have identified a single gene that appears to control rice yield, as well as its height and flowering time, taking what may be a crucial step in global efforts to increase crop productivity. In an article published in Nature Genetics, the researchers said they were able to pinpoint a single gene, Ghd7, which appears to determine all three traits. Cyclone kills nearly 4,000 in Myanmar YANGON (Reuters) - A devastating cyclone killed nearly 4,000 people and left thousands more missing in army-ruled Myanmar, state media said on Monday, a dramatic increase in the toll from Saturday's storm. The death toll only covered two of the five disaster zones where U.N. officials said hundreds of thousands of people were without shelter and drinking water in the impoverished Southeast Asian country. Environmentalists divided about burying CO2 Greenpeace and more than 100 other environmental groups denounced projects for burying industrial greenhouse gases on Monday, exposing splits in the green movement about whether such schemes can slow global warming. Many governments and some environmental organizations such as the WWF want companies to capture heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the exhausts of power plants and factories and then entomb them in porous rocks as one way to curb climate change. Will New Eco Clothes be on Target? One of the biggest complaints women have about "going green" concerns the challenge of dressing "green," and that means more than the color. Apart from the occasional organic cotton nightgown sold at Wal-Mart, or the jackets and vests Patagonia remakes from recycled soda bottles, it's been hard to find eco-friendly clothes at an actual store -- where you can feel them, compare them and try them on. Most "green" clothes shopping has had to be done on-line, an experience that leaves very little to be desired when choices are limited, sizes are unpredictable, and the delivery lag sometimes seems interminable.		ENN Spotlight EPA dangles prospect of tougher lead standard, but hedges its bets Like a Kentucky Derby contender that came up lame, EPA Administrator Steve Johnson was a late scratch at his own press conference today to discuss a proposed tougher standard for lead concentrations in the air. As you may know, the lead standard hasn't been updated since 1978. And we know now that virtually any level of lead in the air can get into the blood stream, leading to possible brain damage for children and other bad health effects. EPA is under a court order to issue a final new standard by September of this year. More Top Stories Rising Food Prices Hit Organics Although shoppers have generally accepted that eating organic foods will be more costly, a recent and rapid rise in prices may force some consumers to alter their eating habits. Food prices have been rising for several months now, and at first, organic prices stayed steady. But organic foods are catching up - and then some. A gallon of organic milk, for example, is now nearing $7. Goodbye for Nau It is with a heavy heart (though FAR from a discouraged one) that I share with you, and I am sure I am not the first, that Nau, Portland based sustainable retailer, announced on Friday, May 2nd, just 14 months after launching the business, that they will be ceasing operations. Read below for more details from the Oregonian. Big business muddies EU's biofuels debate Soaring food prices and starving children provide a stirring backdrop to Europe's debate on its biofuels targets, but the big businesses of farming, forestry and automotive could have a heavier influence on policy. The green credentials of biofuels have come under attack in recent weeks over fears they compete for farming land and push up food prices around the world.
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	Member Press Releases Lethal Levels of Asbestos Prompt Closure of California's Clear Creek Management Area By: Center for Biological Diversity The Bureau of Land Management has just closed to the public over 30,000 acres of the Clear Creak Management Area in response to a multi-year Environmental Protection Agency report. Florida Forever Coalition Hails Renewal of Landmark Program By: The Trust for Public Land The more than 160 organizational members of the Florida Forever Coalition today applauded the Florida Legislature for its passage of Senate Bill 542, which reauthorizes the Florida Forever Program for 10 years at $300 million annually. Conservationists Sue to Recover Endangered Jaguars By: Center for Biological Diversity The Center for Biological Diversity filed suit today against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to compel development of a recovery plan and critical habitat for the endangered jaguar. Far Rockaway Middle School Students Celebrate New Playground By: The Trust for Public Land Sixth through eighth-grade students at M.S. 53 Brian Piccolo School in the Far Rockaway section of Queens today celebrated the opening of a new community playground that they designed. Join Robina Suwol at Whole Children, Whole Planet Expo 2008 By: California Safe Schools Join Robina Suwol of California Safe Schools, www.calisafe.org at the Whole Children, Whole Planet Expo, the premier natural parenting and family expo, taking place May 17-18, 2008 at Highland Hall Waldorf School in Northridge. Judge Orders Bush Administration to Stop Delaying Polar Bear Protection By: Center for Biological Diversity A federal judge has found the Bush administration guilty of violating the Endangered Species Act and ordered the administration to issue a final listing decision for the polar bear by May 15, 2008. Laws Can Prevent Harmful Wildlife Invasions By: Environmental Law Institute The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) announces the release of Cooperative Prevention of Invasive Wildlife Introduction in Florida. The report recommends ways in which state and federal agencies can more effectively prevent harmful nonnative wildlife from being introduced into Florida. International Youth Leaders Energized to Make Change After Jane Goodall's Global Youth Summit By: the Jane Goodall Institute One hundred youth from six continents and 28 countries are heading home today after taking part in Jane Goodall's Global Youth Summit. Editor's Note : 'Network News' features press releases submitted directly by organizations in ENN's member network. This content is not specifically endorsed or supported by ENN and is not subject to ENN's editorial process.
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