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Welcome aboard to our latest new affiliate station – KRXA 540am in beautiful Monterey, CA!
IN TODAY’S AUDIO REPORT: The EPA declares pollution a hazard (duh?)….so Congressional Republicans focus on (wait for it) cow farts!; The 39th celebration of Earth Day; PLUS: tons of toxic drugs pollute the nation’s drinking water … All that and more in today’s Green News Report!
Got comments, tips or hate mail? Drop us a line at GreenNews@BradBlog.com or right here at the comments link below. All GNRs are always archived at GreenNews.BradBlog.com.
IN ‘GREEN NEWS EXTRA’ (links below): The Obama Administation details plans for high-speed rail; Must-see TV this week — PBS’s Frontline investigates poisoned waterways in the U.S., and The History Channel asks what happens to the world after we’re gone; will Germany force farmers to use Genetically Modified corn (GMOs)?; Chicago unveils solar-powered recharging stations for electric cars; PLUS: Mars Candy commits to sustainable chocolate…(mmmm chocolate) ….See below for more!
Info/links on stuff we talked about on today’s episode, plus MORE green news, all follows below…
- EPA says greenhouse-gas emissions a threat to public health
Industry groups are wringing their hands about what it will mean to have greenhouse gases regulated under the Clean Air Act, and enviros are chomping at the bit for the agency to get to work. While groups across the spectrum would prefer that Congress pass a new climate bill to address the matter, in the absence of that, the EPA is compelled to start regulating with the laws already on books.
“There’s no time left to waste,” said David Doniger, policy director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s climate center. “We want the EPA to do what it can under the existing Clean Air Act, because that’s what the law is today … We have a problem ahead of us that we’re long overdue in dealing with.”
- SNAP ANALYSIS: EPA says CO2 emissions endanger human health
- EPA’s climate finding ticks off industry, energizes enviros and congressional leaders
- HOW TO COMMENT on the EPA’s finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health
- EARTH DAY 2009: The Green Generation
- What The EPA’s Ruling Means For Business: The decision on CO2 emissions is likely a boon for cleantech; critics fear huge risk to the U.S. economy
The potential breadth of the EPA’s regulatory authority deeply concerns the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is adamant the ruling will put the economy in peril. In November, the Chamber warned the EPA that “a finding of endangerment would trigger a regulatory cascade that would in turn impose an inescapable and unreasonable economic burden on both U.S. citizens and the federal government.”
“No one will benefit from the ruling,” says Bill Kovacs, vice president of environmental affairs for the Chamber, adding that the ruling will allow the “EPA to run wild.”
- AP: Tons of released drugs taint U.S. water
U.S. manufacturers, including major drugmakers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water, according to an Associated Press investigation.
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But some researchers say the lack of required testing amounts to a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy about whether drugmakers are contributing to water pollution. - Boehner: It’s ‘Almost Comical’ To Say Carbon Dioxide And Climate Change Are Dangerous Since Cows Fart A Lot [full transcript here]:
STEPHANOPOULOS: So what is the responsible way? That’s my question. What is the Republican plan to deal with carbon emissions, which every major scientific organization has said is contributing to climate change?BOEHNER: George, the idea that carbon dioxide is a carcinogen that is harmful to our environment is almost comical. Every time we exhale, we exhale carbon dioxide. Every cow in the world, you know, when they do what they do, you’ve got more carbon dioxide. And so I think it’s clear…
- House GOP leader Boehner on ABC: “The idea that carbon dioxide is a carcinogen that is harmful to our environment is almost comical.”:
Almost comical? How about completely tragic?
One of the GOP’s senior leaders thinks this debate is about whether carbon dioxide is a carcinogen? And thinks carcinogens harm the environment, rather than people? And thinks that cows are of concern because they produce carbon dioxide, rather than methane?
It bears repeating: Anti-science conservatives are now the cement shoes on the American people, pulling us down into the ocean hot, acidic dead zone.
…
That’s the beauty of not caring about science or logic. You can spew out all of your disinformation, and different pieces that can stick to different people.
‘GREEN NEWS EXTRA’: More green news not covered in today’s audio report… …. See below!
- Obama Seeks High-Speed Rail System Across U.S.
“What we need, then, is a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st century,” he said, “a system that reduces travel times and increases mobility, a system that reduces congestion and boosts productivity, a system that reduces destructive emissions and creates jobs.”
And he added, “There’s no reason why we can’t do this.”
- Obama’s High-Speed Rail Plan:
there will be a two-stage competitive grant process. In the first stage “applications will focus on projects that can be completed quickly and yield measurable, near-term job creation and other public benefits” and then there will be a “next round to include proposals for comprehensive high-speed programs covering entire corridors or sections of corridors.”
- U.S. Department of Transportation website (including maps!): Vision of High-Speed Rail in America
- Frontline explores “Poisoned Waters” of Puget Sound, Chesapeake Bay
- It’s gonna be a wild scene – after the people disappear
- Monsanto’s Uphill GMO Fight in Germany: The U.S. biotech giant enjoys booming sales worldwide for genetically-modified seeds. But in Germany, it’s being chased away by a quirky coalition
- Chicago unveils solar-powered recharging stations for electric cars
- Mars Candy Commits to Sustainable Cocoa Sources
- Mars Sets Goal for Sustainable Cocoa Sources: Firm Pressed in Overseas Markets by Cadbury’s Standards
That means it will buy cocoa from suppliers who meet certain environmental, labor and production standards. The company said the move is intended to help secure a steady supply of a crop whose production is often threatened by harsh weather in West Africa and whose price is volatile.
Future Provision of water is also depends on the safety of our water resources. Which are in danger due to pollution caused by industries and other sources. I think you should consider recycling of Industrial water. There many Industrial water treatment consultant including JNB who are providing great services.
Oz never gave nothing to the Tin Man (The Boenner). . .
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Just saw a show on Encore re: the 2004 elections and how they didn’t work correctly. The same thing happened in 2008 …will you help do a show on that? There was massive voter fraud in many states. Especially because of ACORN.
youre the biggest socialist Ive ever read–youre a disgrace to the United States. We have the smallest casualty count of any country–everyone knows muslim extremists place innocent children around suspected and confirmed targets. I pray for you.
Bubba @ #4, you’re on the wrong thread.
Not sure what you’re responding to, but comments should be relevant to the post topic.
Also, consider doing some research the definition of “socialist”. I do not think the word means what you think it means.
And just to return the favor, you’re a disgrace to the United States, too!
Thanks for playing!
Sarah @#3, you’re on the wrong thread. Not sure what you’re responding to, but comments should be relevant to the post topic.
Also, you’ve picked up some bad information on the election problems of 2004 and 2008 — there were many, many problems, but none of them were “voter fraud”, the mythological Republican scare-mongering fantasy that is used to pass laws disenfranchising vast numbers of Americans and preventing them from exercising their constitutional right to vote.
Nearly all of those ACORN investigations you seem to be referencing were thrown out of court for lack of evidence.
If you are TRULY interested in election reform and would like factual information, rather than the unfortunate misinformation you’ve apparently picked up elsewhere (Fox News?), please check out our Special Coverage Page on ACORN in the 2008 election with real live verifiable, documented and sourced facts (meaning you can look it up and verify its validity for yourself — you should try it sometime!) rather than disinfo and spin.