A personal quest to promote the use of wind energy and hydrogen technology in the Great Lakes area of the United States. The Great Lakes area is in a unique position to become an energy exporting region through these and other renewable energy technologies.
"One thing that many people do not realize is that states like Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan are sitting on a gold mine of wind energy potential. Or, more properly, next to the mine. The Great Lakes are probably the area in the USA with the third largest inland wind energy potential. Think of just the nickname for Chicago. "The Windy City". Milwaukee is even windier, I can tell you. Why? Because they sit on the edge of a great flat area where there is both a land-water temperature differential, and a large flat expanse of water that is comparably shallow. Oilrigs certainly operate in deeper waters. And you won't have to construct transmission lines all the way from the plains of Montana to put it to use. The Great Lakes area has an opportunity to get the jump on wind energy's future, if that fact is recognized and exploited. Wind energy means jobs for construction and maintenance workers, thousands of them. Wind energy means leasing rights and extra money for family farmers struggling to make it on agriculture alone. In most cases farmers can grow crops right up to the base of a windmill. The land footprint has a small impact on total farm acreage. Wind energy also means freedom from fluctuating fuel prices. Wind is free. The cost of a barrel of polluting oil can be raised or lowered drastically based on fears or political whims. The potential gains are enormous. We've all seen the flow of good manufacturing jobs out of the area. Well, they can't tell the wind to blow in another country so it's more "convenient" or cheaper to produce. The wind is perfectly happy to whip up opportunities for us right around here. Most of all, because we here in the Great Lakes region have the potential to have a huge positive impact on U.S. energy industry emissions' contribution to global warming."
Archives
05/11/2003 - 05/17/2003
05/18/2003 - 05/24/2003
05/25/2003 - 05/31/2003
06/01/2003 - 06/07/2003
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06/15/2003 - 06/21/2003
06/22/2003 - 06/28/2003
06/29/2003 - 07/05/2003
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07/27/2003 - 08/02/2003
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10/26/2003 - 11/01/2003
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11/30/2003 - 12/06/2003
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12/14/2003 - 12/20/2003
12/21/2003 - 12/27/2003
12/28/2003 - 01/03/2004
01/04/2004 - 01/10/2004
01/11/2004 - 01/17/2004
01/18/2004 - 01/24/2004
01/25/2004 - 01/31/2004
02/01/2004 - 02/07/2004
02/08/2004 - 02/14/2004
02/15/2004 - 02/21/2004
02/22/2004 - 02/28/2004
02/29/2004 - 03/06/2004
03/07/2004 - 03/13/2004
03/14/2004 - 03/20/2004
03/21/2004 - 03/27/2004
03/28/2004 - 04/03/2004
04/04/2004 - 04/10/2004
04/18/2004 - 04/24/2004
04/25/2004 - 05/01/2004
05/02/2004 - 05/08/2004
05/09/2004 - 05/15/2004
05/16/2004 - 05/22/2004
(!Not tax deductible!
The AWEA's annual expo:
Global WINDPOWER 2004
McCormick Place
Chicago, Illinois, USA
March 28-31, 2004
I was there...
---------------
Dan Stafford - Publisher
WE WELCOME ENERGY STORY SUBMISSIONS!
Please note the E-mail link by the title of the webpage. Comments, stories, and article submissions are welcome. Any accepted submission entitles the submitter to a link on the Journal page included at the bottom of their submitted entry when published to the journal. The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal makes no claim as to the accuracy of submitted material. The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal neither endorses nor opposes opinions expressed in submitted material. Submitter must provide name, city, and state or country. The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal imples no promise to publish all submissions. Adult content wil definitely NOT be published. Submitted material will be screened and appropriate entries published at the owner's discretion.
Safe, healthy, good for the economy, good for the environment, good for farmers, good for you, and just downright good produce:
State-by-state directory of farmers' markets
-----------
For additional information and resurces, please visit my Wind Energy links page at: Whizzyrds.com
T-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, cards, and posters are available at: Wind Energy T's
Wind Energy poetry is located at: Wind Poems
(Both mp3 and text versions are available in some cases, we are working on doing mp3 for all of them.)
I strongly encourage those seriously interested in learning about the technology, players, politics, and issues of Wind Energy to spend time browsing the American Wind Energy Association website. They are the premier industry trade organization and have extensive resources available.
(www.awea.org)
Alpha Solar
Clean energy generation systems for off-grid living and environmental impact reduction.
The Great Lakes Information Network:
*PING*
The Distributed Resources & Green Power weBlog by Bruce Irving
P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit your question at www.emagazine.com;
or e-mail Earth Talk at earthtalk@emagazine.com.
OTEC News weBlog: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
The Green Ocean Project: Using solar energy to distill water for agriculture.
Other weBlogs by Daniel Stafford:
The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal
*Spell Book*
Affirmation Station
Remembering Mom
Save Hotel Baker
Uncle Harold's Farm
The Last Legend of Memphis
The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal
From Back Yard To Wind Farm...Win-Wind!
E-mail Your Comments & Stories!
After an extensive review of proffessed policy intentions, I will reverse myself and offer my personal endorsement of Democratic Candidate Dennis J. Kucinich for President of the United States.
His environmental policy alone is excellent, but this candidate is on every issue statement I have so far seen solidly for human rights, civil rights, workers' rights, sound environmental and energy policy that will result in a much cleaner and more sustainable economy, support of family sustainable agriculture over industrial agricultural operations, clean water, investment in critical infrastructure, and much, much more. This is a candidate that supports a liveable world for all, and a world at peace. I strongly urge you to review his platform statements at: http://www.kucinich.us
Alternatively, you can view the ten key points of his campaign at: Ten points acrobat
Try this: http://www.presidentmatch.com It will run you through a series of poll questions and then show how close each candidate is to your views.
Anyone interested in interviewing Dennis Kucinich please write to: interviews@kucinich.us
24/7 Dennis Kucinich Internet Radio - Progressive Mojo
MP3 clips of rhetorical history, musicians' songs on the state of politics in the USA, and more:
http://www.benfrank.net/nuke/Free_Peace_mp3s.html
In the Primary, you ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT.
In the General Election, you TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET!
(Until this one because Dennis Kucinich is going to win!)
Progressive Newswire: http://www.commondreams.org/newswire.htm
"Prayer For America" Speech
(Real Audio)
Air America Radio - Listen Live!
Saturday, January 17, 2004
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Great Lakes Daily News: 16 January 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Muskegon-Milwaukee ferry schedule
----------------------------------------
The new high-speed auto ferry to Milwaukee will run three round trips daily
during the summer, beginning June 1, the company running the ferry announced
Thursday. Source: The Holland Sentinel (1/16)
Pennsylvania trout fed feed with toxins
----------------------------------------
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has struggled with the issue of
elevated PCB levels in hatchery-raised trout since 1998. Source: Erie
Times-News (1/16)
Group wants Ohio to invest in cities, protect farmland
----------------------------------------
To debut Tuesday, the nonprofit group Greater Ohio will focus on changing
state development policies by fortifying old communities and protecting
resources such as farmland and forests. Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer
(1/16)
Wind power promoted
----------------------------------------
A green-energy enthusiast with an innovative plan is trying to blow life
into Ontario's fledgling wind power industry. Source: The London Free Press
(1/16)
60,000 ash trees to be cut to halt bug
----------------------------------------
More than 60,000 ash trees will be destroyed over the next 10 weeks in a
last-ditch effort to halt the spread of the emerald ash borer across
Ontario. Source: The Toronto Star (1/16)
Ontario power shortage by '06, report says
----------------------------------------
The Ontario government is sticking with its plans to shut coal-burning
generators by 2007, despite a task force report warning of electricity
shortages as early as 2006. Source: The Toronto Star (1/15)
Wisconsin DNR grants air permit for planned coal plants
----------------------------------------
The Wisconsin DNR has granted an air emissions permit to Milwaukee-based We
Energies, despite the objections raised by environmental groups and local
residents during a November hearing. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
(1/15)
Washtenaw County well ordinance aimed at safety
----------------------------------------
A proposed Washtenaw County law could go a long way toward solving a
pervasive and little-known pollution problem: abandoned wells. Source: The
Ann Arbor News (1/15)
Groups want to join lawsuit against federal agencies
----------------------------------------
The Lake States Resource Alliance, the Lake States Lumber Association and
the Ruffed Grouse Society have asked to intervene in a lawsuit filed by the
Habitat Education Center. Source: The Ashland Daily Press (1/14)
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html
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Consortium (www.glrc.org), both based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
TO SUBSCRIBE and receive this Great Lakes news compendium daily, see
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ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition
Industrial meat production causes more problems than it solves
A massive new scientific study that found high contamination levels in farmed salmon made headlines last week, but the results shouldn't really be surprising. Applying industrial production methods to raising food animals has caused problems at every turn.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-16/s_12076.asp
Ebola may come from bush meat, study finds
The deadly Ebola virus, which emerged mysteriously from African forests, probably attacks people who butcher and eat infected animals, researchers said Thursday.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-16/s_12148.asp
Panel says Energy Dept. can't justify relaxed testing of radioactive waste shipments
The Energy Department has not done the necessary tests to justify relaxing the testing of radioactive waste shipments bound for a New Mexico storage site, a panel of scientists said Thursday.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-16/s_12152.asp
South Africa land issue looms in election year
The weather has not been kind to South African maize farmer Tom van Rooyen, but his biggest worry is the political forecast.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-16/s_12146.asp
Gore blasts Bush space plan and says president neglects Earth
Former Vice President Al Gore scoffed at President Bush's plan to send astronauts to the moon and Mars and said Bush was a "moral coward" for ignoring global environmental threats.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-16/s_12147.asp
Sewage in St. Croix harbor causes cruise ship diversion to British Virgin Islands
A cruise company canceled plans to dock in St. Croix this weekend, saying that raw sewage pouring into the island's harbor meant poor water quality and health hazards to its passengers.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-16/s_12153.asp
New Yorker dreams of a city where he can sleep
Fledgling Manhattan-based composer Aaron Friedman finally decided he'd had enough about a year ago after he was rudely awakened late one night for the umpteenth time by the woeep-bloeep-doeep of a car alarm.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-16/s_12151.asp
Halliburton defends fuel contract in Iraq
Vice President Dick Cheney's old company Halliburton, which has tallied nearly $6 billion in U.S. military business in Iraq, defended its record Thursday after Pentagon auditors asked for an investigation into suspected price gouging for fuel.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-16/s_12150.asp
Native American tribe sues for Pennsylvania land
A native American tribe from Oklahoma filed suit Thursday claiming the right to ancestral land in Pennsylvania in an effort to establish a casino in the state.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-16/s_12149.asp
Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.
Natural Resources Defense Council:
Environmentalists and State of Nevada in Court to Challenge Yucca Mountain Radiation Standards
Natural Resources Defense Council:
Go Truck Yourself: Outdoorsy Subaru Dodges Fuel Economy Rules
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy:
Court Rules for Better Air Conditioner Standards: Consumers, Utilities, and the Environment Win
The Heinz Center:
Heinz Center Issues First Annual Update to The State of the Nation's Ecosystems
Earthjustice:
EPA Sued For Illegally Taking Direction from Chemical Industry Group
International Fund for Animal Welfare:
EAZA and IFAW welcome European Parliament's demand for action to save Great Apes
Arizona Wilderness Coalition:
Wilderness for Tumacacori Highlands Would be First for Arizona in More than a Decade
Natural Pet Market D1D1366D000000FA1BCEF0F5B02AFF7C Poisonous Plastics for Dogs Natural Pet Market offers all natural, ecologically friendly products for companion animals. All of our products are carefully selected based upon quality of ingredients and materials used and the impact they have on the environment. We value the responsibility of a symbiotic relationship with our pets and our environment and believe that what we put on or into our pets has an effect on their health and the well-being of the environment. We strive to offer product choices where this effect is positive.
Subject: GRACE Alert: Indian Point and Yucca Mountain Move Forward With Controversial Plans to Store Radioactive Waste
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 16:04:53 -0500
From: GRACE alerts@gracelinks.org
Indian Point and Yucca Mountain Move Forward With Controversial Plans to Store Radioactive Waste
In a Dec. 29 letter, Entergy notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that it intends to move spent nuclear fuel from the Indian Point Unit 2 reactor into casks outside the plant beginning in July 2005. Spent fuel rods from Indian Point units 1 and 3 will follow in future years, company officials said.
What Entergy is trying to ignore, is the fact that a high-level storage site 30 miles north of New York City could become a terrorist target. The cask system, designed by Holtec International, has drawn criticism from a former utility auditor for possible safety flaws. Those casks are just like aluminum, just like a Pepsi [can]," Oscar Shirani, a former quality assurance auditor for Exelon who was fired from the company, said. "They could shatter."
Entergy's plan reflects a trend among utilities to build temporary storage sites for spent nuclear fuel in anticipation that the government's planned nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain will not open on schedule around 2010. According to NRC, 26 reactors around the country are storing nuclear waste in dry casks until Yucca Mountain is complete.
In a critical hearing before the US Court of Appeals held on January 14th, a three-judge panel heard oral arguments on the government's long-term plan to bury hazardous radioactive waste at the Yucca Mountain Repository in the Nevada desert. The hearings consolidated a half-dozen different lawsuits, whose major challenges to the government included it's ability to meet radiation release standards now in effect, the length of time required for suitably safeguarding that waste, and the EPA's discretion in setting public health standards.
Opponents argued that the government's plan is based on political expediency and not a prudent analysis of the long-term public health effects of siting the repository near aquifers and farmlands that would be irrevocably contaminated by potential leakage. They also objected to a regulatory compliance period set at 10,000 years, where studies have shown that radiation lasts hundreds of thousands of years.
To read more about the issues, see:
http://riverkeeper.org/campaign.php/indian_point/we_are_doing/824
For a statement by plaintiffs in the court case, see:
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_enviro_nuclear/nuclear_waste/hi-level/yucca/articles.cfm?ID=10882 , and http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=1624
==============================
For more action alerts, see:
http://www.gracepublicfund.org/
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 14:38:40 -0800 (PST)
From: NW SEED awea_smallwind_alert@yahoo.com
Subject: DG Insight features distributed wind generation
Energy Info Source's DG Insight features the article, "Wind Powering Distributed Generation" in their Dec 2003 newsletter. This article will also be archived online at: http://www.energyinfosource.com/commentary/section.cfm?pub_ID=20
DG Insight is a new, monthly newsletter for energy industry professionals providing monthly analysis, commentary, and news on the Distributed Generation Industry.
---------------------------------
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
AWEA Small Wind News and Alerts:
The AWEA Small Wind News and Alerts list is a timely source for information updates, news clips and action alerts focusing on small wind energy. This list is announcement-only with low-traffic, weekly mailings.
Subscribe: awea-smallwind-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awea-smallwind
Post message: awea-smallwind@yahoogroups.com [message posting moderated by AWEA]
Unsubscribe: awea-smallwind-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Thursday, January 15, 2004
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Great Lakes Daily News: 15 January 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Health department to hunt down source of pollution
----------------------------------------
New Baltimore's Lake St. Clair beach was closed to swimming 37 times last
year and 36 times in 2002 - the most of any of Macomb County's six beaches,
records show. Source: The Associated Press (1/15)
Icebreakers working overtime in cold
----------------------------------------
The extreme cold that has gripped the province over the past couple of weeks
has made life difficult for many, including those who patrol the St.
Lawrence River on Coast Guard icebreakers. Source: CBC Montreal (1/15)
AEP pledges to cut greenhouse gases
----------------------------------------
American Electric Power has joined President Bush's growing number of
"Climate Leaders" who have voluntarily pledged to curb greenhouse gas
emissions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this week.
Source: The East Central Indiana Star Press (1/15)
Wrong mix of materials starts fire at Avon plant
----------------------------------------
A fire that sent plumes of black smoke to the sky along Lake Erie's
shoreline Tuesday morning was apparently caused by the wrong mix of
materials at a recycling plant. Source: The Plain Dealer (1/14)
Goderich names water quality high priority
----------------------------------------
County council has agreed to make water quality a high-priority issue in the
years to come, but stress they can't afford to foot the bill for local
initiatives. Source: The Goderich Signal-Star (1/14)
'Musseling' their way into new opportunities
----------------------------------------
High School Biology teacher Matt Berg and four members of his research group
will be heading to Indiana this February to present their findings on
unionid mussels at The Great Lakes Mollusk Watcher's Conference. Source:
Burnett County Sentinel (1/14)
Toronto mayor bullish on ferry
----------------------------------------
The new mayor of Toronto says he supports a high-speed ferry that will soon
link his city and Rochester. Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
(1/12)
2-county effort would monitor water quality
----------------------------------------
"Monitoring" is a word often associated with the St. Clair River and Lake
St. Clair, but many local residents remember the days when water quality
didn't mean much. Source: The Port Huron Times-Herald (1/12)
Hope for fish
----------------------------------------
Natural resources personnel hiked through spruce and balsam on private
property northwest of Ashland Thursday to release hatchery-spawned coaster
brook trout into Whittlesey Creek and into a north fork of the waterway.
Source: The Ashland Daily Press (1/9)
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html
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Information Network (www.glin.net) and the Great Lakes Radio
Consortium (www.glrc.org), both based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
TO SUBSCRIBE and receive this Great Lakes news compendium daily, see
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ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition
EarthTalk: Scandinavia leads world in environmentalism
This week in EarthTalk: Find out where nations fall on the Environmental Sustainability Index, and learn how green your running shoes are.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-15/s_12030.asp
U.N. health agency starts first mass cholera vaccination
Health workers in Mozambique are carrying out the world's first mass vaccination against cholera in an attempt to reduce cases in one of the worst-hit areas.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-15/s_12066.asp
USDA tracing suspect cattle from Canada
When investigators went to the Alberta, Canada, farm of Wayne and Shirley Forsberg, the couple's remarkably simple records made it easy to prove they raised the Holstein that brought the first known case of mad cow disease into the United States. But investigators are having far more trouble finding the scores of other animals from the Forsberg ranch that came into the United States with the diseased cow.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-15/s_12068.asp
Canada challenges EPA action against Teck
Canada objects to a demand by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in its fight with Teck Cominco Ltd. over a study of smelter slag pollution in Lake Roosevelt on the Columbia River downriver from Trail in Washington state.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-15/s_12063.asp
U.S. Supreme Court takes up air and water pollution cases
The U.S. Supreme Court heard from attorneys Wednesday that Southern California's smog problem calls for rules stricter than national standards for vehicles that pollute the region.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-15/s_12064.asp
Yucca Mountain nuclear waste fight goes to court
In a last-ditch effort to stop a nuclear dump in Nevada, the state told a federal appeals court Wednesday the government has failed to ensure that thousands of years from now people will be protected from the waste's radiation.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-15/s_12065.asp
Iowa spotlights farm issues, doesn't solve them
John Kerry toured hog lots, Howard Dean criticized subsidies to "corporate megafarms," and John Edwards talked agriculture policy at a Kanawha farmstead, all in the hunt for the farm vote in Iowa's kick-off presidential caucuses.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-15/s_12072.asp
India begins massive tiger census
Donning fiberglass vests and steel helmets, scores of wildlife officials began scouring the Sunderbans forest in eastern India to count tigers Wednesday and find out why some become man-eaters.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-15/s_12061.asp
Dinosaurs once roamed Brazil's Amazon
Scientists say they have found dinosaur fossils in Brazil's Amazon, proof that the ancient creatures once roamed the region.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-15/s_12062.asp
Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy:
Court Rules for Better Air Conditioner Standards: Consumers, Utilities, and the Environment Win
The Heinz Center:
Heinz Center Issues First Annual Update to The State of the Nation's Ecosystems
Earthjustice:
EPA Sued For Illegally Taking Direction from Chemical Industry Group
Spire Corporation is the world's leading supplier of photovoltaic manufacturing and testing equipment and turn-key production lines.
Spire Solar Chicago is bringing jobs and economic development to Chicago, as well as generating clean solar electricity and avoiding pollution. Spire is building a photovoltaic module manufacturing plant at the Midwest Center for Green Technology on Chicago's West Side. Dozens of skilled jobs will be created for local and metropolitan area residents.
NEG Micon, the world's largest wind turbine manufacturer, has revenues over $600 million and employs around 1,300 people globally. In 1998 and 1999 NEG Micon installed 511 wind turbines in North America in wind farms in California, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Quebec, Wyoming and Texas. NEG Micon USA is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois and employs 30 people in Champaign, Illinois who manufacture, market and install wind turbine generators for the U.S. and Canada.
Airmisc Co.
o Business type: manufacturer
o Product types: wind turbines (small), air filtering and purification systems, water filtering and purification systems, air filtering and purification system components, water filtering and purification system components.
o Address: PO Box 339, Streamwood, Illinois USA 60107
o Telephone: 877-570-8283
o FAX: 877-570-8283
http://www.airmisc.com/windtree.html
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Hi Dan,
The Great Lakes Directory (http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org) is a comprehensive online resource highlighting environmental issues around the Great Lakes basin. The Directory contains daily environmental articles, a network of over 1,000 environmental groups, funding resources, free environmental software, nonprofit management resources, and a massive library of online Great Lakes environmental information.
Here are your weekly Great Lakes environmental jobs, events and news headlines from the Great Lakes Directoy. More headlines, action alerts, resources, grants, jobs, and free activist software at http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org
From Jenny Tahtinen of the Environmental Association of Great Lakes Education (EAGLE).
http://www.Eagle-EcoSource.org
The 12th Annual Living Green Conference and 2004 EcoSource Directory are coming soon! Visit http://www.eagle-ecosource.org/livinggreencon.htm or call 218-726-1828 for more information!
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE DANGERS OF MERCURY, CHECK OUT THE GREAT LAKES DIRECTORY "CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS" ISSUE PAGE! Go to
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/children's_environmental_health/children's_environmental_health.htm
Check out the Great Lakes Directory's Issue Pages!
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org
BUMPERSTICKERS OF THE WEEK:
"Never separate the life you live from the words you speak." Paul Wellstone
"You can no more win a war
Than you can win an earthquake."
THIS WEEK'S GREAT LAKES HEADLINES:
01/14 - Nature Conservancy Announces Purchase of Minnesota Power land
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mn/011404_great_lakes.htm
01/14 - Cow farm settles legal battles over environmental pollution
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/011404_great_lakes.htm
01/14 - Great Lakes United Habitat Watch #288
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/ny/011404_great_lakes.htm
01/13 - $300 million wind farm proposed for Ontario area
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/on/011304_great_lakes.htm
01/13 - Feds tell Duluth to fix sewers
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mn/011304_great_lakes.htm
01/13 - More Ohio waterways need cleanup
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/011304_great_lakes.htm
01/12 - Bottler taps into trouble in Michigan
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/wi/011204_great_lakes.htm
01/12 - Cancer fears in salmon may boost sales of wild fish
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/il/011204_great_lakes.htm
01/12 - Possible fee boost may hurt recycling in Michigan
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/011204_great_lakes.htm
01/10 - Polluter fight lacks muscle
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/011004_great_lakes.htm
01/10 - Lawsuit alleges NIPSCO waste tainted Indiana town's water
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/in/011004_great_lakes.htm
01/10 - Know the history of your fish
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/wi/011004_great_lakes.htm
01/09 - Indiana to enlarge local nature preserves
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/in/010904_great_lakes.htm
01/09 - Ohio preserve closes for couple of months to protect eagles
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/010904_great_lakes.htm
01/09 - Watershed plans should consider local comments
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/010904__great_lakes.htm
01/08 - Michigan may ban genetically engineered pet fish
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/mi/010804_great_lakes.htm
01/08 - Talks under way to clean up Toronto dump
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/on/010804_great_lakes.htm
01/08 - Indiana conservationists want bottled-water tax
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/in/010804_great_lakes.htm
For more information, go to http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org
GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL JOBS:
http://www.GreatLakesDirectory.org/jobs.htm
GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS:
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/events.htm
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Great Lakes Daily News: 14 January 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Customers may pay price for utility's violations
----------------------------------------
Customers of Wisconsin Energy Corp. could see a special charge on their
electric bills to help the company pay for $600 million in environmental
upgrades to its aging power plants. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
(1/14)
It's full steam ahead: Mayors
----------------------------------------
The mayors of Toronto and Rochester stood side by side to announce that it's
anchors aweigh for a ferry link across Lake Ontario that they said will
benefit both cities. Source: The Toronto Star (1/14)
3 rescue missions save 16 Lake St. Clair anglers
----------------------------------------
After 16 ice fishermen were rescued from three ice floes in Lake St. Clair
yesterday, the U.S. Coast Guard issued renewed warnings for anglers to use
common sense to avoid unnecessary risks. Source: The Detroit News (1/14)
Daley urges companies to spruce up city's 'second shoreline'
----------------------------------------
Corporations are invited to become stewards for one of 50 sites along the
Chicago River, contributing to beautification, on-site cultural programs and
planning efforts of the Friends of the Chicago River. Source: Chicago
Sun-Times (1/14)
$300 million wind farm proposed for area
----------------------------------------
A Toronto company is in the process of acquiring 14,000 acres to create a
$300 million, 200-megawatt wind farm on the shores of Lake Huron. Source:
Port Elgin Shoreline Beacon (1/14)
High court considers citizens' right to sue
----------------------------------------
A 34-year-old law giving any citizen the right to file suit over
environmental violations may hang in the balance as Michigan's highest court
considers a dispute involving expansion of an Upper Peninsula mine. Source:
Booth Newspapers (1/14)
Feds tell Duluth to fix sewers
----------------------------------------
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Duluth, Minn., and the
Western Lake Superior Sanitary District to complete a costly effort to stop
sewage overflows from reaching the St. Louis River and Lake Superior.
Source: Duluth News Tribune (1/13)
Verbal firefight breaks out between Great Lakes and Maine restorationists
----------------------------------------
A lighthouse preservationist's fundraising prank has been revealed but not
everyone understood the joke. Source: The Grand Rapids Press (1/13)
Planning for Tall Ships Celebration in shipshape
----------------------------------------
All hands are on deck for the return of tall ships to Bay City, Mich., in
2006. Source: The Bay City Times (1/11)
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html
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Consortium (www.glrc.org), both based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
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ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition
Why California must burn
California's ecology is not simply subject to fire, but predicated on it. Virtually all of the state's terrestrial ecosystems evolved with wildfire.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-14/s_11974.asp
U.N. aims to study link between environment, wars
The United Nations wants to study links between the environment and human conflict to see how future wars might be sparked by factors like global warming.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-14/s_12024.asp
British government reconsiders stance on GM crops
The British government said Tuesday it was considering whether to recommend that European Union rules on growing genetically modified corn be changed, after receiving scientific advice on its latest crop trials.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-14/s_12026.asp
Finland stages nuclear drill, readies to build new reactor
This sparsely populated land of 5.2 million on Europe's northern fringe has long, cold winters, and officials say it could not survive without the contentious energy form that has been on a decline in much of Europe.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-14/s_12027.asp
Court overturns Bush air conditioner standards
A federal appeals court overturned a Bush administration decision to weaken energy-efficiency standards for new air conditioners, a move which could save American consumers $20 billion and avoid the need for up to 200 new electricity plants by 2030.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-14/s_12022.asp
Group names 10 most endangered parks
A conservation group's annual list of the 10 most endangered national parks has six holdovers from last year, still considered victims of dirty air, inadequate funding, and bad policy.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-14/s_12029.asp
Kazakhs may face another Aral Sea disaster
Kazakhstan may face an ecological disaster on the scale of the drying out of the Aral Sea if it does not adopt better water management practices and win Chinese cooperation, the United Nations warns.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-14/s_12025.asp
California budget woes stall marine plan
California's budget woes have stalled plans to create an 1,100-mile necklace of coastal marine reserves to protect and renew the environment along the length of the state.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-14/s_12028.asp
Judge allows use of controversial whale-seeking sonar
A federal judge rejected environmentalists' pleas to immediately halt testing of an experimental sonar system to detect whales, instead setting a hearing to study the issue further.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-14/s_11983.asp
Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.
National Audubon Society:
GREENEST OF THEM ALL - AUDUBON NATURE CENTER IS CERTIFIED AS NATION'S MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUILDING
Island Press D1D1364B000000FA0FDAFE6D75900AB6 Conservation Directory Complete Guide to Environmental Organizations Now Available - Conservation Directory 2004 Greg Barber Company D1D1366D000000FA0FA1E22E14F85814 What Is Recycled paper? What is Recycled Paper?
Kucinich has been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, which has compiled extensive information on his environmental record: http://www.lcv.org/Campaigns/Campaigns.cfm?ID=93
Kucinich has a 100 percent rating on the environment from the Public Interest Research Group: http://www.pirg.org/score2002/ohio.htm
An op-ed by Dennis J. Kucinich on utility deregulation and privatization based on his personal experiences as the mayor of Cleveland: http://kucinich.us/powertothepeople.htm
After an extensive review of proffessed policy intentions, I will reverse myself and offer my personal endorsement of Democratic Candidate Dennis J. Kucinich. His environmental policy alone is excellent, but this candidate is on every issue statement I have so far seen solidly for human rights, civil rights, workers' rights, sound environmental and energy policy that will result in a much cleaner and more sustainable economy, support of family sustainable agriculture over industrial agricultural operations, clean water, investment in critical infrastructure, and much, much more. This is a candidate that supports a liveable world for all, and a world at peace. I strongly urge you to review his platform statements at: http://www.kucinich.us
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
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Great Lakes Daily News: 13 January 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Land, water projects targeted
----------------------------------------
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has unveiled a $147 million bonding initiative
to fund a broad range of environmental projects, though some
conservationists say it falls short in critical areas. Source: St. Paul
Pioneer Press (1/13)
More Ohio waterways need cleanup
----------------------------------------
Two-thirds of the waters sampled for a recent Ohio EPA study did not meet
state standards for recreational use because bacteria levels were too high,
including Lake Erie beaches and the Maumee River. Source: The Toledo Blade
(1/13)
Environmental groups worry about details of reform bill
----------------------------------------
Wisconsin lawmakers are weighing legislation that would streamline the
state's permitting process for businesses and landowners - a bipartisan bill
that some environmental groups worry would end up harming the state's air
and water. Source: Star Tribune (1/13)
Windsor suffers border woes
----------------------------------------
When the U.S. goes to Code Orange, border traffic comes to a standstill and
the ripple effect is felt throughout the streets and economy of Windsor.
Source: The Windsor Star (1/13)
MDNR takes dim view of GloFish
----------------------------------------
They may be the next big fad for aquarium owners, but Michigan state
lawmakers are being asked to turn out the lights on a new glow-in-the-dark
fish, which DNR officials compare to an invasive species. Source: The
Kalamazoo Gazette (1/12)
Bottler taps into trouble in Michigan
----------------------------------------
Wisconsin conservationists who opposed plans by Nestle to build a
water-bottling plant in their state are feeling vindicated by problems the
company is having in Michigan, where the plant was eventually located.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (1/12)
Winter boaters should be cautious
----------------------------------------
One doesn't expect boating accidents on Lake Michigan in January, but some
do venture out on the cold waters during the season when the lake is at its
most dangerous. Source: The Michigan City News-Dispatch (1/11)
Heavy ship traffic moves through icing St. Mary's
----------------------------------------
Shipping traffic reached midsummer levels last weekend as a half-dozen
vessels delayed in difficult ice conditions finally made some progress
against ice forming on both sides of the Soo Locks. Source: The Sault Ste.
Marie Evening News (1/11)
Group backs coho salmon planting for Lake Superior
----------------------------------------
A sport-fishing group wants the Michigan DNR to bolster the coho salmon
population in Lake Superior, saying catches have been on the decline
recently. Source: The Marquette Mining Journal (1/10)
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html
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Consortium (www.glrc.org), both based in Ann Arbor, Mich.
TO SUBSCRIBE and receive this Great Lakes news compendium daily, see
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ENN Environmental News Network
E-mail Edition
Consumer appetite erodes quality of life for all
The world is consuming goods and services at an unsustainable pace, with serious consequences for the well-being of people and the planet, according to the Worldwatch Institute's annual report, State of the World 2004.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11975.asp
Professors design mad cow 'digester'
The bodies of dead cattle infected with mad cow disease are usually burned to destroy the misshapen proteins suspected of causing the brain-wasting ailment, although there are doubts whether this is safe, cost-effective, or environmentally sound. A new company says it has a better alternative.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11979.asp
Architect finds quake-safe houses hard to sell
Iran-born architect Nader Khalili has a technique for building earthquake-proof houses, but he is struggling to sell it to governments even though he teaches it for free and it could save countless lives.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11988.asp
France is hot to host nuclear fusion plant
France is determined to win the blessings of an international consortium to host the first large-scale nuclear fusion plant, the French prime minister said.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11978.asp
Indian tribe takes Everglades fight to U.S. Supreme Court
Looking out over the water and sawgrass that stretches for miles in every direction, William Buffalo Tiger recalled one of the first signs that pollution was slowly killing the Everglades: batches of dead snakes.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11989.asp
Bush may appeal Yellowstone snowmobile ruling
The Bush administration has taken a step toward a possible appeal of a judge's ruling that ordered the National Park Service to ban snowmobiles from Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11985.asp
North Korea plans talks on nuclear reactors
Experts from North Korea and the U.S.-led consortium that suspended construction of nuclear reactors in the communist state will hold talks on the project this week, a South Korean official said Tuesday.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11987.asp
Pombo to take on Endangered Species Act 'bit by bit'
The cowboy hat-wearing rancher who chairs the House committee in charge of environmental policy says he's finished trying to recast the Endangered Species Act in one fell swoop. Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., says now he wants to take it on bit by bit.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11982.asp
Groups fear for Yellowstone bison
With Yellowstone National Park's bison population at its highest level in years, some environmentalists fear huge numbers of the beasts will wander into Montana this winter and be killed in the name of controlling disease.
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-01-13/s_11984.asp
Today's Press Releases (Become an Affiliate)
Direct from non-profit environmental and educational organizations.
Competitive Enterprise Institute:
Coalition Supports Decision to Drop Kyoto Credits from Revised Greenhouse Reporting Program
Project NatureConnect, Institute of Global Education:
Best Selling N.Y. Times Author Says: " 'The Web of Life Imperative'---Buy This Book Right Now"
National Audubon Society:
GREENEST OF THEM ALL - AUDUBON NATURE CENTER IS CERTIFIED AS NATION'S MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUILDING
Monday, January 12, 2004
Help Save South Chilcotin Park!
Hello Friend,
In the next few days, British Columbia's government will decide the fate of South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park.
The mining industry is pressuring government to change the park's boundaries, or eliminate it altogether. This decision concerns me greatly as the park, located just north of Whistler, is an ecological jewel.
If you don't want the boundaries of South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park changed to allow mining and mining exploration, call your MLA, Minister Stan Hagen, or the premier right now.
To find out who your MLA is, and to be connected to them on a toll-free line, just call Enquiry BC.
Enquiry BC numbers:
Victoria: 250-387-6121
Vancouver: 604-660-2421
Elsewhere in BC: 1-800-663-7867
Outside of BC, regular phone rates apply: call 1-604-660-2421
or go to: http://www.legis.gov.bcca/mla/3-1-1.htm
Prefer to write a letter or e-mail? Please see the links at the bottom of this page.
If you have a chance, email me at panos@davidsuzuki.org and let me know if you are planning to follow up on this action alert.
Thank you for your help,
Panos Grames
Outreach Coordinator
Forests and Wildlands
David Suzuki Foundation
More info:
Located just north of Whistler, BC, South Chilcotin Park was first proposed in 1937. After 64 years of work, this extraordinary and significant ecological zone, where the wet climate of coastal BC meets the dry climate of the interior, was made into a park in 2001.
The creation of this park gave endangered species such as the grizzly bear and bull trout habitat protection, and the eleven million dollar wilderness tourism sector the long-term certainty that encourages investment. If the size of the park is reduced, opportunities for the recovery of endangered wildlife will be lost along with socio-economic opportunities.
* The Lillooet LRMP, after five years of study, reached a consensus that the Spruce Lake/Southern Chilcotin area was the area’s priority for protection.
* The tourism industry fully supports the retention of the Spruce Lake/South Chilcotin Park.
* Recreation and conservation groups have been lobbying for the protection of the South Chilcotin for over 60 years.
* The BC public loves BC provincial parks and will not stand for the dismantling of a provincial park to appease mining interests.
* Investors will not support an industry that wants to develop in sensitive and controversial areas. Investors want mining projects that are environmentally friendly and generate a return on investment.
* Years of exploration in the South Chilcotin have not found mineral deposits of economic significance.
* The government needs to complete the LRMP plan by designating as park all areas that were agreed upon after five years of public discussions.
See these websites for action centers that allow you to easily send a letter or fax to BC government officials.
WildCanada
Earth Care
Western Canada Wilderness Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1/12/2003
CONTACT: Xiaochun Li, (608) 262-6142, xcli@engr.wisc.edu
NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: High-resolution photos of the cold laser being used to cut cheese are available at http://www.news.wisc.edu/newsphotos/coldlaser.html
WISCONSIN ENGINEERS DEVISE CUTTING-EDGE METHOD TO CUT CHEESE
MADISON - Lasers do everything these days - from removing tattoos to playing music on compact discs. Now, in the great dairy state of Wisconsin, lasers have been harnessed to an entirely new purpose: slicing cheese.
Xiaochun Li, a University of Wisconsin-Madison mechanical engineering professor and laser expert, along with graduate student Hongseok Choi, has become the first to adapt a so-called "cold laser machining" technique, primarily used in laser eye surgery, to the task of cutting cheddar. Not just a cheesy idea, Li contends that the advance holds real promise as a clean, precise and cost-effective way to cut cheese commercially, especially into very thin slices.
"The fast-food industry wants cheese that is still nicely shaped, but is cut very thin so that customers consume less fat," says Li, who began the project at the request of a Wisconsin manufacturer of cheese-processing equipment. "But when you cut cheese thinner and thinner, mechanical systems have trouble. The cheese tears or sticks to the blade."
Li has applied for a patent on the technique through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), the patent and licensing organization for UW-Madison.
Lasers are devices that produce tight beams of light energy in units called photons, each traveling at the same wavelength and in the same direction. Laser light deposits large amounts of energy in a very small area; in most of today's commercial lasers, this causes extremely rapid, localized heating that cuts a material by melting or even evaporating it, Li says.
But when he tried cutting through thin slabs of cheddar with a traditional laser, the cheese did what you might expect: it cooked. "The burning was severe and the smell was bad," Li says, with a laugh. "To make laser cheese processing acceptable to industry, we knew we had to find a cleaner process."
Li turned next to a relatively new class of lasers that emit light in the ultraviolet (UV) range. Unlike conventional lasers, which produce light of longer wavelengths and cut purely by heating, higher energy UV lasers cut through a process called photoablation.
Photoablation occurs when a laser produces photons whose energies exceed the energies of the bonds holding molecules together, Li explains, so that a photon striking one of these bonds immediately breaks it. The millions of photons emitted by a UV laser smash all the bonds in a material, obliterating it molecule by molecule with little or no heating.
In a series of experiments, Li and Choi optimized the parameters of a 266-nanometer UV laser to make exceptionally smooth cuts in cheese without causing burning. To demonstrate the dexterity of the system, the pair has made CAD (computer aided design) drawings and used them to guide the laser in creating intricate slices of mild cheddar.
The main drawback of Li's laser technique is its speed; his current research laser cuts at a relatively slow pace of one inch every 25 seconds. So, although it can carve complicated shapes in thin cheese much more quickly than a mechanical system, the laser loses in a race of straight-up slicing.
At this point, the method is also limited to cutting cheese one-tenth of inch or less in thickness. Both of these limitations can be addressed by employing faster and more powerful UV lasers, which, Li says, are already under development and should reach the marketplace in the near future.
Given their potential benefits - lasers are smaller, cleaner, more accurate, and possibly cheaper and easier to maintain than cutting systems fitted with mechanical blades - Li believes UV lasers eventually could assist in the processing of many other foods, such as meats and vegetables.
"Engineers usually only think about high-tech applications of lasers, such as semiconductors," he says. "One major point of this research is that the use of lasers is possible for processing food. I hope my work will help build a bridge between laser technology and the traditional food industry."
###
- Madeline Fisher, (608) 265-9861, mmfisher@warf.org
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news release system, please send an email to:
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University Communications
University of Wisconsin-Madison
27 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: (608) 262-3571
Fax: (608) 262-2331
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1/12/2004
CONTACT: Jiming Jiang (608) 262-1878, jjiang1@wisc.edu
RICE CENTROMERE, SUPPOSEDLY QUIET GENETIC DOMAIN, SURPRISES
MADISON - Probing the last genomic frontier of higher organisms, an international team of scientists has succeeded in sequencing a little understood - but critical - genetic domain in rice.
In doing so, the group, led by Jiming Jiang, a professor of horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and C. Robin Buell of the Institute for Genomic Research in Rockville, Md., has exposed a supposedly barren region of a rice chromosome known as the centromere. The work, published in the current (Jan. 11) online editions of the journal Nature Genetics, reveals for the first time that a native centromere, typically composed of enormous spans of indecipherable, non-coding DNA, contains active genes.
The feat promises to help fill in a key genetic void and enhance the scientific understanding of chromosomes, the molecular structures that are found in all animal and plant cells, and are the essential carriers of hereditary information, enabling the processes of cell division and replication.
At a practical level, the work is a necessary step toward science's long-term goal of creating an artificial chromosome for plants, says Jiang. Such a tool, now available only for humans and yeast, would be an invaluable aid to scientific study and a precursor to precision plant engineering techniques.
"This is a significant step," says Jiang. "This is the first centromere to be sequenced at this level for any higher organism."
The centromere of rice, says Jiang, lent itself to sequencing because, unlike centromeres from other organisms, it is of a manageable size. Most centromeres are composed of vast stretches of what was once called "junk DNA," seemingly nonsense genetic sequences with no apparent coding function.
"They're humongous," Jiang explains. The DNA within centromeres is "highly repetitive, and it is resistant to mapping, cloning and sequencing," he says.
The finding of active genes was a surprise, says Jiang. The newly discovered rice centromere genes, whose functions are unknown, belie the idea that the centromere is an enormous molecular wasteland composed only of non-coding DNA.
"This is the first time active genes have been found in a native centromere," according to Jiang. "There are at least four active genes" interspersed in the DNA of the rice centromere.
The centromere is one of three essential elements of every chromosome. In addition to centromeres, chromosomes are composed of telomeres, genetic sequences that cap and protect the ends of chromosomes, and a site known as the "origin of replication" or "ori," where the actual business of genetic replication takes place. With all three components in hand, it would be possible, in theory, to construct an artificial chromosome.
In most organisms, including the critical model organisms such as the mouse, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, centromeres have proved to be nearly intractable for sequencing.
The rice centromere is accessible, says Jiang, because the centromere of rice chromosome 8 lacks the vast tracts of repetitive non-coding DNA common to most species. And that there are active genes in the centromeres of rice provides an intriguing window to evolution. It may be that the centromere sequenced by the team led by Jiang is in its early evolutionary stages.
The evolutionary progression of the centromeres, Jiang suggests, may be analogous to how temperate forests evolve from more diverse ecosystems to climax forests where a single species of tree dominates. In the rice centromere, it may be that evolution has not yet purged active genes to be replaced by the long and repetitive blocks of DNA that mark the centromeres of most organisms.
In addition to Jiang and Buell, co authors of the Nature Genetics paper include lead author Kiyotaka Nagaki, also of UW-Madison; Zhukuan Cheng of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shu Ouyang, Mary Kim and Kristine M. Jones of the Institute for Genomic Research; and Paul B. Talbert and Steven Henikoff of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center on Seattle.
###
- Terry Devitt (608) 262-8282, trdevitt@wisc.edu
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news release system, please send an email to:
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University Communications
University of Wisconsin-Madison
27 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: (608) 262-3571
Fax: (608) 262-2331
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1/12/2004
CONTACT: Vicki Bier, (608) 262-2064, bier@ie.engr.wisc.edu
UW-MADISON RESEARCHERS INVESTIGATE WAYS TO THWART TERRORISM
MADISON - In an effort to secure our country from future terrorist attacks, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are developing techniques not only to prioritize possible targets, but also to develop effective risk-reduction and resource-allocation strategies.
Their work is part of the newly established Homeland Security Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events, which is headquartered at the University of Southern California and funded for three years by a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Interested in studying the risks and economic implications of terrorism, a group of UW-Madison faculty, led by Vicki Bier, a professor of industrial engineering and engineering physics, will explore strategies for securing the United States and its infrastructure against attack. The strategies include determining what targets might be most vulnerable to an attack and what risk-reduction strategies could successfully thwart such an event. Overall, the group's work will provide insight into related homeland-security issues, such as the allocation of resources among different types of threats.
"The potential number of terrorists threats is enormous," says Bier. "But we can't defend everything. We must pick and choose where our resources are needed most."
To do this as effectively as possible, a screening method must be developed to rank a target's vulnerability to a variety of attacks, says Bier. Targets include facilities that are part of key infrastructure systems, such as electricity, transportation and telecommunications.
Ranking this vulnerability goes beyond determining the level of physical and economic damage of an attack. It also includes an assessment of the feasibility of launching a successful attack on the site and the availability of technology to carry it out.
Through collaboration, Bier and other researchers nationwide will draw on expert opinion to develop a process for prioritizing the list of potential terrorist targets and the damage that could result after attack. UW-Madison's Larry Bank, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, will work closely on the project. His research interests include assessing the vulnerability of buildings to intentional attacks.
While knowing what sites or critical systems could become terrorist targets is important, it is also important to know how best to defend those likely targets. Addressing this issue is at the heart of UW-Madison's work on the risks and implications of terrorism.
"Threats adapt as we try to reduce them," explains Bier.
One way Bier plans to overcome this problem is by using game theory - the analysis of a situation involving individuals with conflicting interests. When it comes to terrorism, Bier says, "We want to take into consideration the conscious decisions of the other players. How will terrorists adapt their strategies based on what we're doing?"
Bier offers this example: If all post offices were equipped with machines that sterilize anthrax, other delivery services, such as the United Parcel Service - or even bicycle couriers - could become a means for distributing the deadly spores.
By determining how terrorists could adapt to the hardening of certain targets, researchers, policymakers and others involved in national security can develop more effective risk-reduction strategies, says Bier. She adds that this information could also apply to local agencies, such as state departments of transportation.
Larry Samuelson, a UW-Madison professor of economics and a leading expert on game theory, will be involved in the effort to explore risk-reduction strategies based on how terrorists might respond to them.
"In a world where we don't have as much money as we'd like, we need research to underpin our decisions so we're spending our money in the most effective way possible," says Bier. "Because we cannot afford to defend everything to an equal level, it's important to have as good a method as possible for deciding where to put our resources."
To conduct this research, Bier and her colleagues at UW-Madison will collaborate with researchers at other institutions involved in the new homeland security center, including New York University, North Carolina State University and the University of California, Berkeley.
"The center represents a broad effort and encompasses the work of people in different disciplines at different institutions," says Bier. "Although UW-Madison is just one part of the center, our contributions will be an integral part of the overall project."
For more information about the Homeland Security Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events, a press release issued by the Department of Homeland Security on Nov. 25 can be found on the agency's web site at http://www.dhs.gov.
###
- Emily Carlson, (608) 262-9772, emilycarlson@wisc.edu
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Great Lakes Daily News: 12 January 2004
A collaborative project of the Great Lakes Information Network and the Great
Lakes Radio Consortium.
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Great Lakes states top mercury contamination list
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Four Great Lakes states--Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania--have
some of the most severe cases of mercury contamination in the country.
Source: Great Lakes Radio Consortium (1/12)
Indiana falls short on federal cleanup money
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Most Great Lakes states are taking advantage of a federal program to get
money to help make creeks, rivers, and lakes cleaner. But one has not found
a way to get the federal dollars. Source: Great Lakes Radio Consortium
(1/12)
Polluter fight lacks muscle
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Without an influx of cash, Michigan officials warn, they will be unable to
conduct the inspections and issue the penalties needed to stem rampant water
pollution violations that helped propel a recent increase of toxic dumping
in the Great Lakes. Source: The Detroit News (1/11)
Plan to expand Superior coal terminal returns
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An expansion of the Midwest Energy Resources Co. coal terminal in Superior,
Wis., which stalled last summer when a judge imposed stricter environmental
standards on the project, is once again moving ahead. Source: Duluth News
Tribune (1/11)
Chemicals pose danger in private well water
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Although Michigan has highest number of private wells in the country, it
does not require them to be tested for chemicals, even when located near
contaminated sites. Source: The Flint Journal (1/11)
COMMENTARY: Whose cheap water is it?
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Is unadulterated water different than beer, pop or irrigated corn? That's a
key question raised by the recent court ruling to shut down a bottled-water
plant in Michigan. Source: Booth Newspapers (1/11)
Benefactor may pay for duneland
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An unidentified benefactor has offered to invest more than $30 million to
preserve 413 acres of Lake Michigan duneland to keep it from being
developed. Source: The Holland Sentinel (1/10)
Ontario forging ties with U.S. border states
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In the post 9-11 world, Ontario officials increasingly view contacts with
neighboring U.S. states as an essential supplement to direct contact between
Ottawa and Washington. Source: The Toronto Star (1/10)
Indiana to enlarge local nature preserves
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Indiana has earmarked nearly $700,000 for natural resources projects in two
northwestern counties, including the expansion of wetland refuges to help
overcome the negative effects of nearby development. Source: The Northwest
Indiana Times (1/10)
Coast Guard begins icebreaking to aid Lake Superior shipping
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On Friday the Coast Guard on began breaking ice to keep Lake Superior
shipping afloat. Source: Booth Newspapers (1/9)
For links to these stories and more, visit http://www.great-lakes.net/news/
Did you miss a day of Daily News? Remember to use our searchable story
archive at http://www.great-lakes.net/news/inthenews.html
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***Week of 1/11/04 EARTH TALK installment***:
EARTH TALK
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: Overall, how does the U.S. measure up to other developed nations in terms of environmental responsibility? Lauren, Long Beach, CA
The U.S. ranks 45th out of the 142 countries evaluated by the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI), which measures overall environmental progress using 20 core indicators, including urban air quality, environmental regulations and resource use. Finland, Norway, Sweden, Canada and Switzerland top the list as the most environmentally conscious nations. The United Arab Emirates has the worst score.
Developed by the World Economic Forum, The Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) at Columbia University, the ESI gives the U.S. a poor rating in greenhouse gas emissions and reducing waste, but applauds its decreases in water pollution and active discussion on environmental policy.
According to Juliet Schor and Betsy Taylor, authors of Sustainable Planet (Beacon Press), Americans consume more than citizens of any other industrialized nation. According to Schor and Taylor, if every one of the Earth?s six billion inhabitants consumed at the level of the average American, four extra planets would be needed to meet the resource demand.
On the other hand, argues University of California at Berkeley professor Jack Hollander, the author of The Real Environmental Crisis: Why Poverty, Not Affluence, is the Environment?s Number One Enemy, environmental awareness and environmental movements are a function of wealth and education. Hollander writes, ?my conviction that the vicious and self-perpetuating cycle that connects poverty and environmental degradation can best be broken by attacking and eliminating the source of the problem--poverty.?
According to Alex De Sherbinin, a senior staff member at CIESIN, an updated ESI is due out in 2005. The new and improved ESI will use updated data sets and address the development goals established by the United Nations Millennium Project, which have an implementation goal of 2015. Millennium goals include decreasing the number of poor and hungry people, improving sanitation and water services, reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita, and slowing the rate of deforestation.
CONTACT: World Economic Forum, 91-93 route de la Capite 1223, Cologny/Geneva Switzerland, (41-22) 869-1212, www.weforum.org/glt, contact@weforum.org; The Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, 250 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, (203) 432-3123, www.yale.edu/envirocenter, ycelp@yale.edu; CIESIN, Columbia University, PO Box 1000, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, (845) 365-8988, www.ciesin.org, ciesin@columbia.edu.
GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit your question at: www.emagazine.com; or e-mail us at earthtalk@emagazine.com.
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EARTH TALK
From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: Are the materials used in athletic shoes environmentally harmful?
--Margaret Southgate, Hamilton, New Zealand
The ingredient that gives some athletic shoes their cushioning support is sulfur hexafluoride, known as SF6. It's a popular man-made gas with a uniquely buoyant chemical structure. Unfortunately, SF6 is also an unusually persistent global warming gas that is more damaging to the atmosphere (molecule by molecule) than carbon dioxide.
Nike?s ?Air? technology previously used 288 tons of SF6 a year, accounting for one percent of worldwide production before they began to phase out SF6 use in the mid 1990s. According to a spokesperson from the Nike Environmental Action Team, upon the company?s discovery in 1992 that SF6 was environmentally damaging, they began investigating alternative materials and started to replace SF6 air bags with nitrogen bags. In October of 2001, Nike partnered with the Center for Energy & Climate Solutions and the World Wildlife Fund, making a commitment to complete the phase out of SF6 by June of 2003. ?We?re still on an aggressive plan to transition SF6 to more environmentally friendly substances, and most of the transition has happened, but we?ve run into complications in some of our newer and more technical products in terms of finding a suitable substitute,? according to Veda Manager, director of global issues management at Nike. He says the company?s new goal is to end SF6 use by 2006.
There are other environmental issues with shoes, when you consider the resources and energy that go into making our feet comfortable. Perhaps in exchange for its overuse of SF6, Nike is making an attempt to reduce running shoe waste. They now will take back their shoes, as well as other brands, grind them up and reuse them in athletic surfaces. Granulated rubber from the shoe outsole can be turned into artificial soccer, football and baseball field surface, and weight room flooring. Granulated foam from shoe midsoles can become synthetic basketball courts, tennis courts and playground surfacing tiles. And fabric from the shoe uppers can be used for padding under hardwood basketball floors. Since 1993, Nike has recycled 13 million pairs of shoes.
CONTACT: Nike Environmental Action Team, 9000 SW Nimbus Drive, Beaverton, OR 97007, (503) 671-8044, www.nike.com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=27; Center for Energy & Climate Solutions, 2900 S. Quincy Street, Suite 410, Arlington, VA 22206, (703) 379-2713, www.energyandclimate.org.
GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit your question at www.emagazine.com; or e-mail us at earthtalk@emagazine.com.
EarthTalk
Questions and Answers About Our Environment
A Weekly Column
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c/o E/The Environmental Magazine
***A nonprofit publication***
28 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
PHONE: (203) 854-5559/(X106) - FAX: (203) 866-0602
E-mail: earthtalkcolumn@emagazine.com
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Mail: P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881 U.S.A.
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