News that an “efficient and environmentally sustainable” genetically modified (GM) salmon may be a step closer to commercial “release” had me reaching for a large pinch of salt — and not, I might add, to help season the dish.

As some of you will know from my previous blogs, I am extremely skeptical about the real benefits that GM technology offers. Indeed, I have grave concerns about GM — not only about the potential environmental and health risks associated with the technology, but also the potential control that GM gives “Big Ag” over global food production. These concerns are just as relevant to GM fish production as they are to GM soy, cotton or corn. The difference, of course, is that with fish we are dealing with a living creature, where welfare is also an issue.

full story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-gunther/will-be-eating-gm-fish-wi_b_700611.html

The route to a fully charged electric vehicle runs through the parking lot. At least that’s the path followed by the Car Charging Group, a Florida-based electric-vehicle service provider that announced on Monday it is teaming up with Icon Parking Systems to install plug-in stations at some of Icon’s more than 200 garages and lots in Manhattan. In July, Car Charging Group announced a similar deal with Laz Parking, which has 1,350 facilities in 21 states.
full story: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/e-v-chargers-planned-for-manhattan-parking-lots/

TOKYO — The star of “The Cove,” an Oscar-winning documentary about a Japanese dolphin hunt, is back in Japan to protest the slaughter but had to cancel his trip to the village at the center of the controversy because of threats from an ultranationalist group.

Instead, Ric O’Barry, the former dolphin-trainer for the 1960s “Flipper” TV show, is playing host to a reception Wednesday for some 100 animal-lovers at a Tokyo hotel.

On Thursday, he will take a petition signed by 1.7 million people from 155 nations demanding the end of the dolphin hunt to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, escorted by police security.

full story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/01/ric-obarry-the-cove-star-_n_701672.html

Singer Chrissie Hynde is celebrating the release of a new album (Aug. 24) with her band JP, Chrissie, and the Fairground Boys. But that’s not all she has in the works..

The 58-year-old front woman of The Pretenders is teaming up with bandmate/sometime lover JP Jones, 33, to launch an environmentally friendly, rock-and-roll clothing collection that including T-shirts, skinny jeans, leather jackets, handbags, and cowboy boots — inspired by country-singer pal Emmylou Harris — in leather alternatives.

full story: http://www.stylelist.com/2010/08/23/chrissie-hynde-clothing-line-fairground-luck/

In September 2009, the Court had found that the USDA had violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by approving the Monsanto-engineered biotech crop without first preparing an Environmental Impact Statement. The crop was engineered to resist the effects of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, which it sells to farmers together with the patented seed. Similar Roundup Ready crops have led to increased use of herbicides, proliferation of herbicide resistant weeds, and contamination of conventional and organic crops.
In today’s ruling the Court officially “vacated” the USDA “deregulation” of Monsanto’s biotech sugar beets and prohibited any future planting and sale pending the agency’s compliance with NEPA and all other relevant laws.

Full story, and link to the actual ruling can be found here: http://truefoodnow.org/2010/08/13/federal-court-rescinds-usda-approval-of-genetically-engineered-sugar-beets/

Once consumers’ only concerns in home improvements were to enhance their comfort and make their lives easier. These days, the toxic by-products related to the production–and use–of many household items is inspiring people to create a ‘greener’ lifestyle that is easier on the environment, both inside and out.

1. LED Light Bulbs

These bulbs last 25 to 30 years and only require 30 percent as much power as conventional bulbs. Many LED bulbs are designed to automatically dim after 15 hours of continuous use, creating greater savings. Although they currently are pricey–about $20 for a 60 watt equivalent bulb–when you consider that the LED light you install in the baby’s bedroom won’t have to be replaced until they graduate from college, you can quickly see how the investment will pay off.

2. Recycled Wine Cork Floors

Did you know that cork is harvested from trees without damaging them in the process? This means cork is one of the most eco-friendly products on the market. And just to make idea a little greener, you can buy tiles make from recycled wine corks that resemble the popular penny tiles at a fraction of the cost. Cork floors absorb noise and are easy on the feet, but tough enough to stand up to high heels and pet claws.

3. Non-Toxic Interior Paint

Conventional house paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that emit noxious fumes while curing and damage the ozone in the process. In response to customer concerns, many paint manufacturers are now producing simple, non-toxic paints colored with natural pigments. These organic formulas are offered for all aspects of interior painting jobs, from primer to sealers to paint strippers. Although they cost a little more, they can have a dramatic effect on the overall “green-ness” of your home.

4. Bio-Gel Fireplaces

Nothing warms up a room like a cozy fire, but installing and maintaining a conventional fireplace creates a host of environmental concerns, from destruction of forests to coal mining and air pollution. Alternative fuel fireplaces can be installed in a snap because they do not require a flu, so they can be located in the most unlikely spots. Because these designs use clean, renewable ethanol, they do not emit the noxious odors associated with gas or propane fires.

5. Rain Barrel Irrigation
Make the most of your natural resources by installing gutters that feed rain water into a 50 gallon rubberized collection barrel that is equipped with filter screens and drainage spouts. Place it above your yard or garden and set up a series of drip hoses that use gravity to water your plants with rainwater.

Paula Kolmar and Tom Seslar, two “reporters” hired by BP, have been blogging from the Gulf and posting descriptions of cleanup operations on the company’s “Gulf of Mexico Response” PR Web site. One update by Kolmar, dated May 28 and titled “Ballet at Sea,” describes the laying of oil-absorbent boom amid the unparalleled environmental disaster. Kolmar writes,

“I was on a jack-up boat observing the practice operations several miles out of Bayou La Batre on a day when the ocean was calm, except for the groups of dolphins swimming around us. Even a shark came along to watch the show. Hot, humid conditions intensified by bright sunlight in a cloudless sky were actually made pleasant by the salty sea breezes topped off with lots of sunscreen and bottles of water. Over about four hours we … enjoyed the spectacular ballet at sea. Mind you, these drills are executed by local shrimping captains on shrimping boats who know these waters and how to catch shrimp! … Watching the captains weave the long black boom as seamlessly as a professional ballet troupe performs an intricate dance, I found it difficult to believe that the rehearsals only started some weeks ago … A ballet at sea as mesmerising as any performance in a concert hall, and worthy of an audience in its own right.”

http://www.prwatch.org/node/9206

It should be no surprise that Monsanto’s PR machine is working hard to spin the truth in this morning’s decision in the first-ever Supreme Court case on genetically engineered crops (Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms). Despite what the biotech seed giant is claiming, today’s ruling isn’t close to the victory they were hoping for.

The 7-1 decision issued today by the Supreme Court was on the appeal of the Center for Food Safety’s (CFS) successful suit, which resulted in a ban on GMO alfalfa. And, while the High Court ruled in favor of Monsanto by reversing an injunction that was part of the lower court’s decision, more importantly, it also ruled that the ban on GMO alfalfa remains intact, and that the planting and sale of GMO alfalfa remains illegal.

This point, which seems to be lost in some news reports, is actually a huge victory for the Center for Food Safety and – most importantly – for the farmers and consumers who we represent.

Full story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-kimbrell/supreme-court-case-a-defe_b_620087.html