Weekly Grist: World's cheapest car debuts, Forest Service official threatened with jail time, and more

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Weekly Grist: World's cheapest car debuts, Forest Service

official threatened with jail time, and more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tiny

Tata

Tata Motors unveils world's cheapest car in India

 

The world's cheapest car was unveiled in India last week by

Tata Motors, which hopes that its new $2,500 subcompact will help make

car ownership a reality for tens of millions of people in the developing world.

The Tata Nano, dubbed the " People's Car, " gets respectable gas

mileage, about 50 miles per gallon, but its introduction was met by

protests from environmentalists fearful that more-accessible autos will

clog India's substandard road system, dirty the air, and worsen climate

change. Currently in India, two-wheeled transportation is common, while

only seven in every 1,000 people own a car. Rajendra Pachauri, chair of

the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said

of the cheap new Nano, " I am having nightmares. "

 

 

[ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ]

 

 

source: Associated Press, The Christian Science Monitor, The Telegraph

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's

the New Year all right, but will it be a greener

year? Let Grist's eco-solutions be a part of your New Year's resolutions --

grab a copy of Wake Up and Smell

the Planet, Grist's eco-guide to everyday life.

 

 

 

 

NEWS

 

 

 

Nobody's

Fuel

Romney, McCain spar over fuel-efficiency on campaign trail

 

 

John McCain and Mitt Romney have been sparring over

fuel-efficiency standards lately (among other things) as the two seek to

position themselves to win today's Republican presidential primary in

Michigan. Recent polls have forecast a close race between the two in the

state. For his part, McCain has been vocal about supporting the new

vehicle fuel-efficiency standards that were passed by Congress and signed

into law late last year. " I have great faith in the automobile

industry that they'll be able to meet these CAFE standards, " McCain

said. Romney, who has been trying to cast himself as a champion of the

auto industry, criticized McCain for supporting the tougher standards,

saying they would handicap the industry. " Look, you can't keep on

throwing anvils at Michigan and the auto industry and then say, how come

they are not swimming well? " he said. The two campaigns have also

been feuding over SUVs, with McCain's camp accusing Romney of supporting

a tax increase on SUVs while campaigning for governor of Massachusetts.

 

 

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sources: The Washington Post, The Washington Post, The New York Times, CBS News, Associated Press

see also, in Grist: Interviews and info on the presidential candidates'

energy plans and environmental positions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polar

Vault

Decision on whether to list polar bears as a threatened

species is delayed

 

he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had been expected to

announce last week its decision about whether to list the polar bear as

threatened under the Endangered Species Act, but instead announced it

would miss the deadline. The agency said it hopes to make a

recommendation to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne within the next

month, after continued analysis of scientific data and public comment.

Meanwhile, the Interior Department will be holding a sale of drilling rights in polar-bear habitat

in early February that itself could further imperil the bears.

 

 

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sources: Associated Press, Reuters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You've Got Jail

Forest Service official threatened with jail time over

fish-killing fire retardant

 

Mark Rey, the undersecretary of agriculture in charge of the

U.S. Forest Service, has been threatened with jail time or house arrest

for his agency's attempts to continue using a flame retardant on forest

fires that's toxic to fish. In 2002, fire retardant was dropped on a

blaze in central Oregon, killing about 20,000 fish. Soon after, green

group Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics sued. As a

result, in 2005, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy found that the Forest

Service violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered

Species Act when it failed to properly conduct public reviews of the fire

retardant chemical. On Friday, the same judge noted that the agency still hadn't completed the reviews,

ruling, " The Forest Service, throughout these proceedings, evidenced

a strategy of circumventing, rather than complying with the law. "

Rey and the Forest Service have one more chance to explain themselves at

a hearing late next month; if the judge isn't convinced of the agency's

progress in complying with the law, Rey could see jail time or the agency

could be ordered to use only water on fires until review of the retardant

is complete.

 

 

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sources: The Missoulian, Associated Press, The Sacramento Bee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cars

and Effect

Automakers unveil greener vehicles at Detroit auto show

 

At press previews of the 2008 North American International

Auto Show that opens next weekend in Detroit, automakers announced plans

to roll out greener vehicles as well as other greenish initiatives. On

the hybrid front, market leader Toyota has said it will offer a plug-in

hybrid to government and corporate customers by 2010; the plug-in will

run on lithium-ion batteries instead of the nickel-metal hydride ones

that help power its popular Prius model. Toyota hasn't yet announced when

it expects the plug-ins to be available to the general public, but the

news has plug-in enthusiasts salivating. Meanwhile, General Motors has

announced it's invested in a start-up company aiming to produce ethanol

from non-corn sources such as wood chips, plastic waste, and trash. The

company is also showcasing a Saturn Vue two-mode hybrid at the show.

 

 

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sources: The New York Times, The New York Times, Associated Press

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let Your Commission Be Your Guide

Federal Trade Commission reviews environmental marketing

guidelines

 

With consumers becoming more and more concerned about greenwashing, the Federal Trade

Commission has agreed to review its voluntary

environmental marketing guidelines. Last week, the agency held a public

forum on carbon offsets and renewable-energy credits, the first in a

series of workshops designed to review the guidelines, which have not

been updated since 1998. Now-common green marketing buzzwords like carbon offsets, renewable energy,

and sustainable

still have no definitions under the guidelines. " We want to make

sure the guides reflect today's marketplace, consumer perceptions, and

current science and technology, " said an FTC lawyer about the

update. Meanwhile, carbon offsets have become big business; Americans

spent more than $54 million on offsets last year alone.

 

 

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sources: BrandWeek, BusinessWeek, Environmental Leader

The New York Times

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Border in the Court

U.S. Supreme Court refuses Canadian company's pollution

suit appeal

 

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal from a

Canadian mining company in a cross-border pollution case, in effect

sustaining an earlier appeals court ruling holding the company liable for

pollution under U.S. law. Just 10 miles north of the U.S. border in

British Columbia, the mining company Teck Cominco has been operating a

smelter that from 1892 until 1994 dumped toxic mining waste into the

Columbia River that drains into the United States. Members of the

Colville Confederated Tribes and later the state of Washington sued under the U.S. Superfund law

seeking study and cleanup. Teck argued that as a Canadian company

operating in Canada, it wasn't liable for polluting the United States.

But last year, an appeals court ruled that the company was indeed

responsible for some cleanup costs; the company then appealed to the U.S.

Supreme Court to block the ruling. Now that the Supremes have refused to

hear the appeal, Teck and other cross-border polluters can be held

responsible. The National Mining Association and the U.S. Chamber of

Commerce sided with Teck, fearing Canadian retaliation that could hold

U.S. businesses liable for polluting Canada. And we wouldn't want that.

 

 

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sources: The Canadian Press, Reuters, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Bloomberg

The New York Times

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Better Than Sacks

China announces ban on super-thin plastic bags, fees for

others

 

China has announced a ban on super-thin plastic bags in the

country as well as a fee for other plastic bags, both beginning on June

1. The ban was prompted by the usual plastic-bag concerns of rampant

unsightly litter and the wasted resources used to produce it all.

" Our country consumes huge amounts of plastic bags every year, "

a notice posted on the central government website said. " While

providing convenience to consumers, they have also caused serious

pollution and waste of energy and resources because of excessive use and

inadequate recycling. " The notice suggested widespread use of cloth

bags and baskets instead. Penalties for rule flouters, including

manufacturers of plastic bags that are less than 0.025 millimeters thick,

include fines and other penalties. Up to 3 billion plastic bags a day are

used in China.

 

 

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source: Reuters

The New York Times

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking

for a job where you don't have to check your values at the door? Find

the perfect green-leaning job opportunity on Grist's new job board. Or if you're a company with

a conscience, post your jobs here.

 

 

 

 

GRIST COLUMNS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

Focus,

People, Focus

Join the largest teach-in ever and help fight climate

change

 

On Jan. 31, more than 1,300 colleges, universities, high

schools, middle schools, faith organizations, civic groups, and

businesses will join together in the biggest national teach-in in U.S.

history, Focus the Nation: Global-Warming Solutions for

America. If you're not already on board, well, what are you

waiting for? Eban Goodstein, director of Focus the Nation, explains how

(and why) to get involved.

 

 

[ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ]

 

 

see also, in Gristmill: Focus the Nation, save the planet -- now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie

Crist Superstar

An interview with Florida's governor, a Republican climate

crusader

 

Meet Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a surprising blend of Grand

Ol' Party and bleeding-heart greenie. During his first year in office, he

shocked and delighted environmentalists by pushing an aggressive agenda

to stave off climate change and taking other big steps to protect the

natural beauty for which his state is famous. In an interview with

Grist's Amanda Griscom Little, Crist talks about his lifelong concern for

the environment, his animosity toward coal, and the day when he realized

he needed to take action against global warming.

 

 

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new in Grist: An interview with Florida's governor, a Republican

climate crusader

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy

New Career

How to find a great green job in '08

 

Ah, a new year. Time to dust off that exercise equipment,

throw out those cigarettes, and tell yourself that this year you really

are going to follow through on those resolutions. If your aims for '08

include seeking out a green career, you're in luck. This month, eco-job

guru Kevin Doyle offers up eight career planning basics for the new year.

His tips range from setting goals to networking to financial planning. So

put away the party hats and get out a to-do list. It's time to follow

through on this one.

 

new in Gristmill: Green job planning for 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worn

Yesterday

On (inherited) fur coats

 

Q.

Oh advice maven on all things green, I have a problem!

 

I live in a very

cold climate (read: Great White North) and my mother recently gave me my

grandmother's old fur coat ... I would never buy a fur coat, but is it OK

to wear one that is twice my age and has been used and loved? If it is OK

to wear, how do I communicate this to my eco-conscious friends? If it's

not, what do I do with it?

 

Cold in Canada

 

A. Dearest Cold,

 

All the animal advocates, who have thoroughly thought through all the

implications of wearing fur, instruct us to be fur-free. I am sorely

tempted to say go ahead, though ...

 

Read the rest of Umbra's answer.

 

 

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new in Grist: On (inherited) fur coats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smear

Tactics

A review of six hand and body lotions

 

'Tis the season to be scaly, with winter's harsh weather

doing a number on many an epidermis. So is there eco-relief out there for

dry-skin sufferers? Katharine " Chappy " Wroth and a few friends

test some lotions to see if they can find one that smells OK, doesn't

contain (too many) nasty chemicals, and won't break the bank.

 

 

[ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ]

 

 

new in Grist: A review of six hand and body lotions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good

Thymes and Bad

A food writer looks back at 2007, from supermarket

monstrosities to organic-garden epiphanies

 

The life of a food writer/caterer isn't all pristine produce

and Eden-like organic gardens. It also involves schlepping a cart through

supermarket aisles -- and beholding the sometimes-terrifying things that

lurk on the shelves. Roz Cummins relives the highs and lows of the year

that was, and sets us off on a delicious '08 with a classic apple

dessert.

 

 

[ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ]

 

 

new in Grist: A food writer looks back at 2007, from supermarket

monstrosities to organic-garden epiphanies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE GRIST LIST

 

 

From Scoring to Score. A lonely

penguin finds mates in New Zealand and the Viennese are veggie virtuosos,

in this week's Grist List. Sign up to get The Grist

List each week by email.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPINION & ANALYSIS

 

 

On the road again? Radiohead's

Thom Yorke on carbon-heavy touring.

by Sarah van Schagen

 

Miracle grow. Cargill's

well-connected fertilizer unit wows Wall Street, dumps on Florida.

by Tom Philpott

 

Investors see opportunity in

efficiency and wind. Energy stocks are looking

attractive.

by Kari Manlove

 

Whom will Gore endorse?

by David Roberts

 

What Al Gore could do. There's a

need for someone to draw contrasts among candidates on climate.

by David Roberts

 

Lights, camera, cuteness! Knut to star

in Hollywood flick.

by Sarah van Schagen

 

Bookin' it. What

everyone's saying about Grist's new book, Wake Up and Smell the Planet.

by Ashley Braun

 

The Extreme (plug-in) Hybrid:

no breakthrough needed!

by Joseph Romm

 

Modestly right, not

interestingly wrong. The right way to interpret

Shellenberger & Nordhaus.

by David Roberts

 

Countdown to the 2008 Farm

Bill: Part II. A livestock title for fair and

competitive markets.

by Aimee Witteman

 

More scientist/activists. Here's hoping

newly politically active scientists don't step on rakes.

by David Roberts

 

Show me the money! Scientists do

not have a financial incentive to settle the climate debate.

by Andrew Dessler

 

The elusive green-collar job. With all the

upbeat talk about an environmental labor boom, is rhetoric running away

from reality?

by Adam Stein

 

Tabling the presidential

discussion, part I: Follow the money. How Obama and

Clinton stack up on food and ag.

by Tom Philpott

 

Adventures in CFL-land. Brit blames

bulb for TV-remote glitch.

by Katharine Wroth

 

 

News flash: Industrial food is

really, really bad. Men's Health uncovers some real

whoppers.

by Tom Philpott

 

The key ideas behind Sky

Trust. A look at the framing behind the last climate

policy proposal.

by Joe Brewer

 

But what about the less

attractive countries? Swedish company to warm

buildings using body heat.

by Adam Browning

 

The high costs of doing

nothing, part I. Spending on adaptation and

mitigation now is an investment, spending later is a waste.

by Bill Becker

 

The high costs of doing

nothing, part II. True costs of fossil fuels make

renewables seem cheap in comparison.

by Bill Becker

 

Backin' the saddle again. British

supermarket expands bike-trailer program.

by Katharine Wroth

 

False hopes. Are Obama and

Edwards promising ponies?

by David Roberts

 

Make electric cars, not ads. GM CEO sows

doubt about Volt debut date.

by Marc Geller

 

A solar grand plan. A roadmap to

getting 70 percent of U.S. electricity from solar by 2050.

by David Roberts

 

Gnashing my teeth over

globalization. Can economic democracy make the

global economy more sustainable?

by Jon Rynn

 

What does California's climate

bill mandate? Does AB-32 call for maximizing

emission reductions or minimizing costs?

by David Roberts

 

Western Climate Initiative and

transportation fuels. Why the West should worry about

transportation emissions.

by Eric de Place

 

The mystery machine. Amazing

Race-ers awarded vague electric vehicle.

by Sarah van Schagen

 

Hillary's poisonous N.H.

cloud. Clinton lobbied for tire burning near Granite

State.

by Brent Blackwelder

 

Green gap is more of a chasm. The

presidential debates once again highlight the obvious.

by Adam Stein

 

Consumption. We can

consume less without sacrificing well-being.

by David Roberts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE NEWS

 

 

So Cellulose, Yet So Far. Study touts

environmental benefits of switchgrass-derived biofuel.

 

Nuclear Skies Ahead. Britain will

push ahead with nuclear power.

 

Hoop Dreams. Newest Air

Jordan shoe will be made to sustainable standards, says Nike.

 

Where's the Reef? Coral reefs

suffer from proximity to humans, says study.

 

The Splice of Rice in China. Biotech

company says GM crops reduce emissions and could be used as carbon

offsets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE GRIST STORIES

 

 

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