MOsanthrope

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Earth is the hottest it has been in at least 400 years, probably even longer.
The National Academy of Sciences, reaching that conclusion in a broad review of scientific work requested by Congress, reported Thursday that the “recent warmth is unprecedented for at least the last 400 years and potentially the last […]

Filed under: Politics, U.S., Environment, World

It’s gotten to the point that each time I open the paper to read about Governor Blunt’s latest “cost-cutting initiative”, I instinctively anticipate the paragraph describing how campaign supporters or family business associates are somehow implicated in the deal.
First, we learned of the license bureau fiasco. Next it was the elimination of Department of […]

Filed under: Politics, Missouri, Environment

Still don’t believe that our attempts to raise our kids in a sterile environment are counterproductive? Here’s the latest:

WASHINGTON — Gritty rats and mice living in sewers and on farms seem to have healthier immune systems than their squeaky clean cousins that frolic in cushy antiseptic labs, two studies indicate.
The lesson for humans: Clean […]

Filed under: Science, Health, Medicine, Environment

The news media can’t get enough of the rampaging alligators bit. I’d imagine that bears and sharks are enjoying the peace and quiet.
I’m not sure why, but this story completely cracked me up — especially the last line.
Perhaps I need to do a better job of remembering to take my medication.

Filed under: U.S., Environment, Media

Big Oil pulled out the same old playbook to come up with its new “carbon dioxide is swell” (I am not making this up!) ad campaign. As Think Progress points out, the ads are so ridiculous that only a few rabidly ideological dolts will likely take them seriously.
Go take a look.

Filed under: Politics, Science, Business, U.S., Environment

I’m no physicist, but I have a fairly good grasp of the concepts of gravity and buoyancy; and while I’m sensitive to environmental concerns, I really need help with this:
How is it possible for even the U.S. government to spend $20M to sink a boat?

Filed under: Politics, U.S., Environment

Updated on May 15, 2006 at 9:39 am and 11:24 am.
Florida alligators have apparently become confused about their proper place in the food chain.
Until last week, alligators had killed only 17 humans in Florida in the past 58 years; however, alligator attacks have now resulted in the deaths of three people in […]

Filed under: Politics, U.S., Food & Drink, Biology, Environment

Updated on May 10, 2006 at 2:44 pm.
Americans have become so obsessed with the Bogeymicrobe that we’re now washing countless of tons of antibacterial soap* chemicals down the drain. As it turns out, those drains go somewhere:

About 75% of a potent bacteria-killing chemical that people flush down their drains survives treatment at sewage plants, […]

Filed under: U.S., Biology, Health, Environment

Via Balloon Juice, I learned of a stunning new development in the global climate change debate:

A scientific study commissioned by the Bush administration concluded yesterday that the lower atmosphere was indeed growing warmer and that there was “clear evidence of human influences on the climate system.”
The finding eliminates a significant area of uncertainty in […]

Filed under: Politics, Science, U.S., Environment

Compare and contrast:

WALLACE: Question, isn’t the president now playing politics with the strategic reserve?
BOLTEN: No, no. All that we’re doing with the strategic reserve right now is we’re deferring some deposits that were planned to be made in the summer. We were planning to end the deposits in any event this fall, so we’re just […]

Filed under: Politics, U.S., Environment, Economy

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
 
That’s House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R - IL) exiting a hydrogen powered vehicle before climbing into his SUV for the short ride back to the Capitol after a gas station photo-op.

Filed under: Politics, U.S., Environment

Republican politicians have one solution for every problem:

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Every American taxpayer would get a $100 rebate check to offset the pain of higher pump prices for gasoline, under an amendment Senate Republicans hope to bring to a vote Thursday.
However, the GOP energy package may face tough sledding because it also includes […]

Filed under: Politics, Business, U.S., Environment

I am so not ready for this:

St. Louis Sets New High Temperature
The National Weather Service says St. Louis broke a record high temperature today as the mercury soared past 90 degrees. The previous record was 87 set in 2003.
The mercury hit 92 today.
NWS Meteorologist Ben Miller says we also broke another record. […]

Filed under: St. Louis, Environment

While listening to a discussion of corporate America and climate change on Friday morning’s Diane Rehm Show, I was struck by the remarks of panelist Jim Schultz, the vice president of the American Iron and Steel Institute. Schultz seemed well-spoken and level-headed. The gist of his commentary was that while almost everyone now […]

Filed under: Politics, Business, U.S., Environment, World

Updated on March 24, 2006 at 8:54 pm.
It’s regrettable that posts like this are appropriately filed under both the “environment” and “politics” categories.
Rorschach:

(Reuters)
 
According to two recent studies, the rate of global warming is worse than previously thought:

Researchers from the University of Arizona and the National Center for Atmospheric Research noted that sea levels rose […]

Filed under: Politics, Science, Environment, World

Justin discusses the distinction with some good links.
Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s are great; however, I prefer the Soulard Farmer’s Market. Unfortunately, it’s open only a few days each week.

Filed under: St. Louis, Food & Drink, Health, Environment

Good riddance, indeed:

WASHINGTON, March 10 — Gale A. Norton, who as interior secretary has been a key player in the Bush administration’s efforts to exploit natural resources on federal lands and a focal point of dissatisfaction by environmentalists, announced today that she was resigning, effective at the end of the month. She said that she […]

Filed under: Politics, U.S., Environment

Many of you will recall that in 2002 the Justice Department intervened in a lawsuit brought by auto manufacturers seeking to avoid California’s tailpipe emission standards:

In an unprecedented federal attack on a California auto pollution program, the Bush administration backed carmakers Wednesday in a legal challenge to the state’s requirements for increased sales of electric […]

Filed under: Politics, Business, U.S., Health, Environment

In his State of the Union address, the President outlined his bold new energy policy. I resisted the urge to jump to my feet and applaud, not because I question the wisdom of decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, but because I question the wisdom of anyone who would believe that a former oil […]

Filed under: Politics, U.S., Environment

In the past, U.S. automakers seemed content to bury their heads in the sand and churn out bigger gas-guzzlers with each passing model year.
I sincerely hope that this signals a trend back toward reality in Detroit:

The Idea behind the current crop of Hybrid cars is well known; the cars main energy comes from gasoline which […]

Filed under: Business, U.S., Environment

The EPA is on the case.
In one of many previous posts in which I mistook sarcasm for humor, I mentioned that an EPA advisory board had determined that PFOA, a Teflon byproduct found in the blood of most Americans, is likely carcinogenic.
The report has spurred the EPA to take bold steps to […]

Filed under: Health, Environment

In a previous post, I chronicled the tale of George Deutsch, a Bush administration political appointee who attempted to censor a top NASA scientist’s remarks on global warming. Earlier this week Deutsch resigned his post as a NASA public affairs officer following a determination that he had fabricated academic credentials listed in his résumé. […]

Filed under: Politics, Science, U.S., Environment

Those of you who read Pharyngula or Crooks and Liars have followed the story of James Hansen, a NASA climate scientist who recently complained that NASA political appointees attempted to censor his remarks on global warming.

The top climate scientist at NASA says the Bush administration has tried to stop him from speaking out […]

Filed under: Politics, Science, U.S., Environment

This is a good read, but don’t click the link unless you have a clear head and plenty of free time:
Abramoff and gaming Indians: Just the tip of the iceberg [Updated]

[Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton] is of the James Watt school of pillage the environment (she entered the Reagan Administration to work for […]

Filed under: Politics, U.S., Law, Environment

I can’t put my finger on it, but I know there’s a common thread running through the articles currently appearing on Fortune Magazine’s web site:

Ready for $262/barrel oil?
Two of the world’s most successful investors say oil will be in short supply in the coming months.
DAVOS, Switzerland (FORTUNE) - Be afraid. Be very afraid.
That’s the message […]

Filed under: Business, U.S., Environment

Palestinians elected a group of terrorist wackos to run their government, GM lost $4.8 billion last quarter and is cutting 30 thousand jobs, Ford is cutting 25 to 35 thousand jobs, we’ve all got Teflon in our blood…

and SWAT officers shot Santa Claus during a kiddie porn warehouse raid last night.
Have a nice day.

Filed under: Business, U.S., Humor, Health, Environment

Thank you, DuPont, for providing our horrifying fact of the day:
From the AP:

DOVER, Del. - The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday asked DuPont and seven other chemical companies to work to eliminate use of a chemical that is a key ingredient in the production of Teflon but may pose potential health risks to humans.
* * […]

Filed under: Humor, Health, Environment

Canadian poachers are attempting to bag robotic moose planted by Nova Scotia Natural Resources.
I admire Natural Resources’ creativity, and a pun would be too easy.

Filed under: Sports, Humor, Environment