th comments
Emily said: "wow. that's impressive...." [read]

John Laumer said: "Editor's remark: Sierra Club spokesperson has supplied the following in response to a comment... -------------------- In answer..." [read]

Cybercat said: "@Joe I think they're going off the flat gas price, rather than before or after government and state taxes. I wouldn't mind seeing another ..." [read]

Cybercat said: "There isn't a percentage for how much is generated from feeding animals other animal by-products so all the assumptions made below are part on that..." [read]

BenSchiendelman said: "Live in cities, use the public transportation, buy fruits, vegetables and grain at the farmer's markets. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Gre..." [read]

Scott Johnson said: "Nice house! I'm wondering just how much floor area it has. That's a lot of floors + a lot of stair climbing, but it's a very unique home...." [read]

Russia Joins Global League of Climate Obstructionists, Putting Future U.N. Treaty in Doubt

by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 05. 9.08
Business & Politics

moscow st. basil's cathedral
Image courtesy of JackVersloot via flickr

When in Rome: Joining its fellow top polluters -- China, India and the U.S. -- Russia has signaled it would rebuff the imposition of tougher emission standards, casting doubt on the prospects for a future U.N.-mediated climate treaty, reports Reuters' Alister Doyle. Government officials said last week that the country wouldn't accept binding caps under a new deal to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, set to expire by the end of 2012.

Read more: Russia Joins Global League of Climate Obstructionists, Putting Future U.N. Treaty in Doubt

We Hear Ya: Answers to Questions about the Sierra Club and Green Works

by Greg Haegele, Sierra Club on 05. 9.08
Business & Politics

green%20works%20quality%20and%20value.jpg

We've been listening closely at the Sierra Club to the public discussion -- on blogs and elsewhere -- about our endorsement of the new Green Works line from the makers of Clorox products. It's been a fascinating debate with folks lining up in various camps often for different reasons. The issues we've seen being raised are the same concerns that came up when members of various Sierra Club committees considered this new alliance.

After a thorough review of the company and its new product line, we decided to move forward with our collective eyes wide open. In response to the lively debate that's ensued, we've posted an FAQ on our website that answers questions like "What is Clorox's overall environmental record?" and "Isn't Clorox a big dumper of chlorine into the environment?" I hope it helps those of you who have following the discussion on Treehugger and elsewhere to understand why we made the decision we did.

Read more: We Hear Ya: Answers to Questions about the Sierra Club and Green Works

DDT Redux: PBDEs In Peregrine Falcons Close To Levels Damaging Developing Lab Rats & Mice

by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 05. 9.08
Business & Politics

peregrine%20falcon.jpg

We already know that Petroleum Furnishings Give Kitties and Kiddos Higher PBDE Exposures. This is a familiar tale, set in the periodic table of elements, where bromine perches near chlorine. And where Rachel Carson, according to the Think Tank Experts, is the enemy.

The eggs of peregrine falcons living in California's big cities contain some of the highest levels ever found in wildlife of a flame retardant used in consumer products, a new study has found.

Read more: DDT Redux: PBDEs In Peregrine Falcons Close To Levels Damaging Developing Lab Rats & Mice

World Fair Trade Day Has Ecological Theme

by Bonnie Alter, London on 05. 9.08
Business & Politics

world-fair-trade-day has ecological theme.gif

Tomorrow is World Fair Trade Day and a time for all of us to celebrate Fair Trade Organisations and buy more Fair Trade goods through Fair Trade stores. This year's theme is "Fair Trade + Ecology" and member organizations in 70 countries will be doing their best to promote the principles and values of Fair Trade. There are so many communities across Africa, Asia and Latin America that are benefiting from the movement's commitment to paying a living wage by teaching people to create products that are useful, use local materials, and do not have a negative impact on the environment.

People Tree, the first fair trade clothing brand, is launching a special limited edition line of dresses for the occasion. There are Fair Trade events happening all over the world in celebration. The range of groups is awe inspiring; from jute carrier bags from Bangladesh to handicrafts made out of discarded tins in Madagascar to delicate carved spoons made out of dead wood from Argentina. All over the world, people working in communities are making a better life for themselves and their families from fair trade principles in action. Make sure you support a Fair Trade company today. :: World Fair Trade Day

Is the Lieberman-Warner Climate Bill on its Last Legs?

by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 05. 8.08
Business & Politics

john warner and carl levin

Oh Lieberman-Warner climate bill, we hardly knew ye: Climate Progress' Joe Romm brings us the sad news that the legislation may be on its way out -- victim, as he put it, of "apathy" and some serious watering down (read: neutering). Oh yes: It also turns out that whole "getting 60 votes" thing got in the way:

Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) shrugged off suggestions she is having trouble winning over moderates and conservatives from either party in her quest to find 60 votes and squash an inevitable filibuster.

“To tell you the truth, we don’t know if we’ll wind up getting 60 votes this time,” Boxer said in an interview. “But we do believe we’re making tremendous progress and we’re going to start the debate.”

Read more: Is the Lieberman-Warner Climate Bill on its Last Legs?

Ford Becomes First Automaker to Join the Climate Registry

by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 05. 8.08
Business & Politics

The Climate Registry Members Map image

Last year we wrote about the Climate Registry. John said: "Good metrics are a necessity for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources. "Good" means everyone uses an agreed-to baseline year, to which all changes are compared, uniform methods for estimating emissions, and validation by third parties. With good metrics, plans for reduction, regardless of whether they are voluntary or mandatory, will be of higher value. The Climate Registry meets all these prerequisites."

Well, this year Ford became the first automaker to join voluntarily the Climate Registry, showing that it at least has the intention (we'll have to see how much action will follow) to be more transparent and accountable when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. Most members of the registry are states and provinces, and it is a good sign to see big companies also joining. We encourage others to follow Ford's example, and then to take action to reduce their emissions. ::Official Ford Announcement

EPA: Why Impose Limits on Toxicant Levels in the Water Supply?

by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 05. 8.08
Business & Politics

fresno water reservoir
Image courtesy of Mel B. via flickr

When questioned by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works yesterday about the potential health risks posed by perchlorate, a chemical used in solid rocket fuel, Benjamin H. Grumbles, the EPA's assistant administrator for water, said: "We know that perchlorate can have an adverse effect and we're concerned about that."

Yet, when further pressed by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who chairs the committee, on whether the agency would take action to limit the amount of perchlorate in water -- a no-brainer, you'd think, right? -- Grumbles answered that there was a "distinct possibility" (read: almost guaranteed) that it would not, reports the LAT's Marla Cone.

Read more: EPA: Why Impose Limits on Toxicant Levels in the Water Supply?

American Gas Pains

by Greg Haegele, Sierra Club on 05. 7.08
Business & Politics

lower%2048%20crude%20oil%20reserves%20and%20production.jpg

Last week, three of the world's biggest oil companies reported record-breaking quarterly profits in excess of $27 billion. It's pretty hard to fathom that kind of money - but what is easier for the rest of us to see in real terms is also breaking records: the cost of a gallon of gas.

And of course as the gas prices skyrocket yet again, rather than getting the energy leadership our country really needs, we hear the same old calls to drill for more domestic oil - especially in some of our last wild places, like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Polar Bear Seas (the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas off the coast of Alaska).

Read more: American Gas Pains
We'll be working on better category archives soon. In the meantime, take a look at the weekly archive if you really want to dig around, or use the search box at the top of the page.

TreeHugger breaks it down for you in a series of in depth how-to articles that will help you green your life. No time like the present!

th ads
th top picks
th ads