Oil Is Fouling Wetlands, Official Says

New York Times

May 19, 2010

James McKinley and Campbell Robertson

Summary: Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana said Wednesday that sheets of heavy crude oil from the offshore spill had seeped deep into the delicate marshes around the mouth of the Mississippi River. He called on the federal government to approve a plan to build sand berms to protect the bayou country.

BP, the Oil Flow and the Public Trust

BP, the Oil Flow and the Public Trust

New York Times

May 22, 2010

By Andrew Revkin

Summary: In a column on The Times Op-Ed page, four scientists from a team of specialists independently assessing the volume of oil gushing from BP’s destroyed seabed well provide more evidence that the company cannot be trusted to put the public interest ahead of its corporate interests as this disaster continues to unfold

Researchers Find Rare Giant Worm Doesn't Live Up to its Billing

Researchers Find Rare Giant Worm Doesn't Live Up to its Billing
by Jim Robbins

April 27, 2010

New York Times

Summary: The Palouse earthworm was rumored to be three feet long back in the 1980's, but researchers have found that it is actually about 9 or 10 inches. Experts feared it extinct because its habitat is almost gone. It appeared to be about 7 inches,but stretched out, it was about 9 or 10 inches. They were also reputed to smell like lilies.

Bid to Relax International Ban on the Sale of Ivory Is Rejected

Bid to Relax International Ban on the Sale of Ivory Is Rejected

by Alan Cowell

New York Times

March 22, 2010


Summary: Tanzania and Zambia encouraged a relaxation on the international trade of ivory. It has been completely banned for 21 years, but the international trade regulations chose to uphold the present law. Elephant poaching is on the rise. Conservationists are pushing to get stricter laws protecting elephants.

Ithaca College Dorms Deemed Energy Efficient

Ithaca College Dorms Deemed Energy Efficient by Lisa W. Foderaco
New York Times
April 16, 2010
At eco-friendly Ithaca College, two dorms proudly display the Energy Star label all over the residence halls. There is zoned heating, energy efficient boilers, and digitally controlled heating systems. A group of students called the Eco-Reps rally for environmental awareness around campus, doing everything from putting fliers in bathrooms to supporting the environment. They are currently petitioning for a third energy efficient dorm.

A Hamburger Helper for Diesel Fuel

A Hamburger Helper for Diesel Fuel
By Matthew L. Wald
New York Times
April 19, 2010
A Nevada company called Advanced Refining Concepts has developed a fuel that runs through conventional fuel pumps, truck fuel engines, and diesel engines, made out of natural gas. It is very expensive. The company produces something called GDiesel, which is comprised mostly of methane. It is like Hamburger Helper in the way that it is an inexpensive filler to diesel gas.

McDonald's Board Opposes Cage-Free Eggs in US

McDonald's Board Opposes Cage-Free Eggs in US
by Leora Vestel
New York Times
April 13, 2010
McDonald's board of directors has recommended that its shareholders vote against a proposal to require that 5 percent of the eggs purchased for the chain’s restaurants in the United States be the cage-free type. The proposal was brought about by the Humane Society. Other fast food companies, such as Burger King, have already committed to switching to cage-free eggs.