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.

Rare Bird, Alive and Well, Living in Colombia

Rare Bird, Alive and Well, Living in Colombia
by Henry Fountain
New York Times
April 12, 2010
A Santa Maria sabrewing hummingbird has been found in Colombia, on the Santa Maria Caribbean coast. It is a haven for many different bird species. The bird was thought to be extinct, as it had not been seen in over a decade. However, the specimen was found in the El Dorado preserve, which has plans to expand next year.

Condor Lays Egg in National Park

Condor Lays Egg in National Park by The Associated Press
March 9, 2010
New York Times
In California, at Pinnacles National Monument, a condor laid an egg in the park for the first time in more than a century. Experts are celebrating as this is a huge victory for the endangered birds. In 2004, a female condor was released into the park and was observed having "mating rituals" with a local male. There are 348 condors in the world.

UN Group Rejects Shark Protections

UN Group Rejects Shark Protections
by David Jolly
March 23, 2010
New York Times
The UN Environmental Conference going on Qatar seems to be going in favor of the Japanese/Chinese fishing industry. On Tuesday, delegates decided to oppose strict regulations on the trade of the scalloped hammerhead, oceanic whitetip, and spiny dogfish sharks. The proposal was introduced by the United States, and China fought it vigorously, because they like to eat sharks there. China does not want the international authorities involved in their trade.

India: Pollution Fine Sought Against Coca-Cola

India: Pollution Fine Sought Against Coca-Cola
by Hari Kumar
March 23, 2010
New York Times
A Coca-Cola plant in southern India has caused damage to the water, says the state government panel. The plant, which opened in 2000, is responsible for $47 million worth of damage. According to reports, the plant discharged sludge containing toxic chemicals such as lead. The village council then decided not to renew the company's license, and the suit followed.

UN Rejects Export Ban on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

UN Rejects Export Ban on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna by David Jolly and John M. Broder
New York Times
March 18, 2010
On Thursday, delegates at the United Nations conference in Qatar defeated proposals from America to ban international trade of tuna, and to protect polar bears. The amount of Atlantic Bluefin tuna have greatly declined in the last few years because of the Japanese sushi industry. It is a favorite among sushi lovers and has been hunted in the commercial fishing industry. Polar bears are at risk because of global warming. It was a terrible day for conservation efforts.

Aerial Wolf Hunt Begins

Aerial Wolf Hunt Begins
by Leslie Kaufmann
New York Times
March 16, 2010

On Tuesday, the authorities near the Yukon-Alaska border began an aerial wolf hunt to preserve the caribou population for shooting by hunters. The wolves are predators of the caribou, which have a total population of 46,500. The government plans to kill 185 wolves, or 80% of the population and have regularly done so since 2006.

Nuclear Waste Burial Scrunitzed

Nuclear Waste Burial Scrunitzed

by The Associated Press, New York Times

March 3, 2010

Over 10,000 pounds of incredibly radioactive material have been buried in Utah. In fact, some of this nuclear waste is so radioactive that the state may forbid it. This mass has accumulated since 2003 at the Savannah River Site, about 70 miles west of Salt Lake City. It is composed of depleted uranium.

Sea Lions Returning to the Docks in San Francisco

Sea Lions Returning to the Docks in San Francisco

by The Associated Press, New York Times

March 2, 2010

After a brief yet baffling disapperance, the sea lions in San Franscisco are back. The sea lions disappeared around Thanksgiving from their home by Pier 39. About 1,700 are typically there, but their numbers dwindled down to a handful in recent weeks. Luckily, they are back, pleasing tourists. This is not usual but nothing to worry about, experts say.

Wal-Mart in Ambitious Plan to Make Supply Chain Greener

Wal-Mart in Ambitious Plan to Make Supply Chain Greener
by Stephanie Rosenbloom
New York Times
Feb 25, 2010
Wal-Mart has launched a campaign to "go green". They are trying to cut 20 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2015, equal to the amount of 3.8 million cars on the road. Wal-Mart encourages its suppliers to think about how they source, manufacture, package and transport carbon-dioxide heavy goods, such as bread and meat. The plan is still in its early stages, but Wal-Mart is optimistic for its environmentally-friendly future.

Arizona: Condors Died from Lead Poisoning

Arizona: Condors Died from Lead Poisoning
by The Associated Press
The New York Times
Feb 22, 2010
In the last three months, three California condors have died in northern Arizona. The cause of death for the ultra-rare species has been attributed to lead poisoning. Sources believe the condors ingested lead pellets while eating. They usually eat dead animals, and there are 350 condors left in existance in the world.

President Touts His Alternative Fuels Plan

President Touts His Alternative Fuels Plan
by John M. Broder
New York Times
February 3, 2010
On Wednesday, President Obama called for the nation to increase its production of corn-based ethanol and alternative liquid fuels. He hopes to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, which are polluting the environment. A bill concerning alternative energy is stuck in the Senate, as some Senators do not believe in the existence of global warming. Obama hopes to have a cleaner America. I think it is kind of ridiculous that some people do not believe in global warming, as it is obviously true.

In Texas, Resistance Over Stricter U.S. Smog Limits

In Texas, Resistance Over Stricter U.S. Smog Limits
by James C. McKinley Jr.
New York Times
February 3,2010
Environment supporters and business groups debated in Texas on the proposal to tighten smog-producing pollutants. Unfortunately, it would be extremely costly, on industry and local governments. Especially in Texas, where oil is king, the proposal was met with strong opposition. However, the environmentalists vow to fight for cleaner air. People from Texas are being a little ridiculous. They should want clean air.

In Reversal, Government Agrees to Protect Jaguar

In Reversal, Government Agrees to Protect Jaguar
by Leslie Kaufman
New York Times
January 12, 2010
Since 1997, the jaguar has been listed as an endangered species, but just this week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it would aim to protect the habitat of the animal. The jungle cat is usually native to Central or South America, but it can venture north into the U.S. There are almost 5,000 jaguars in Mexico. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also trying to prevent the creature from being poached.

Freeze Threatens Florida's Tropical Fish

Freeze Threatens Florida's Tropical Fish
by Damien Cave
January 10, 2010
New York Times
Due to the recent cold weather in Florida, not only are the strawberries and oranges suffering, but the tropical fish as well. There is a severe guppy shortage, and the populations of some other fish have been declined by an estimated 50%. Florida's tropical fish industry, which provides about half the tropical fish in the world (Asia provides the other half) , is a $45 million a year industry. When the water temperature dips below 60 degrees, it is problematic for the fish.

Floridians Shiver and Pray for the Strawberries

Floridians Shiver and Pray for the Strawberries
by Damien Cave
January 6, 2010
New York Times

Due to the recent cold temperatures in Florida, the strawberry crop is at stake. Ice is currently encasing all the strawberries except for the most ripe, and since Christmas, the price of a pound of strawberries has risen by $2 a pound. The temperatures are 20 degrees below normal, and it is the fourth consecutive night of freezing in Florida.

Large Oil Spill Reported in China

Large Oil Spill Reported in China
by David Barboza
January 3, 2010
New York Times
A leak in a pipeline in China has caused a huge oil spill in part of the country's Yellow River, and threatens to pollute the whole river if it spreads. A crew of 700 people is working to prevent the damage from escalating, and the leak was most likely caused by construction work. About 40,000 gallons of oil were released. Local residents have been warned not to use the water.