Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Federal Judge Blocks Review Of Alaska Mine's Impact On Salmon | ThinkProgress


‘King Salmon’, United States, Alaska, Naknek, Bristol Bay, 2013. 
CREDIT: FLICKR/ CHRIS FORD

A federal judge has dealt a procedural blow to the EPA’s efforts to protect a remote part of Alaska from the impacts of what could be the largest copper and cold mine in North America. On Monday, Judge H. Russel Holland of the U.S. District Court of Alaska issued a preliminary injunction in favor the Pebble Mine’s efforts to block the EPA, thus preventing the EPA from taking further steps in its Clean Water Act (CWA) review process. Under section 404(c) of the CWA, the EPA has the authority to veto projects in the interest of protecting important rivers and wetlands. Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed, where the mine would be located is the most productive wild sockeye salmon fishery in the world, and native tribes and environmentalists want the mine halted.
The EPA initiated the 404(c) process to stop the mine earlier this year, alleging the Pebble Mine would have significant and irreversible negative impacts on the Bristol Bay watershed. According to the EPA, it has used this authority sparingly, and typically with major projects that could have “significant impacts on some of America’s most ecologically valuable waters...”




Friday, November 7, 2014

What's the environmental impact of modern war? | Environment | The Guardian




Ban Ki-moon has called on nations to do more to protect the environment from the destruction of war, but even in times of peace our militaries have a huge impact on natural resources


read: What's the environmental impact of modern war? | Environment | The Guardian


Saturday, November 1, 2014

▶ DeSmogCAST 1 "Drilling Down: Fracking, Lobbying and the U.S. Midterm Elections," October 30, 2014 - YouTube


 
 ▶ DeSmogCAST 1 "Drilling Down: Fracking, Lobbying and the U.S. Midterm Elections," October 30, 2014 - YouTube:


DeSmogCAST 1 "Drilling Down: Fracking, Lobbying and the U.S. Midterm Elections," October 30, 2014
-- In this inaugural episode of DeSmogCAST host Farron Cousins joins DeSmog cast Brendan DeMelle, Steve Horn and Carol Linnitt to discuss the Post Carbon Institute's recent report on fracking in the U.S. and the lobbying activities of Canadian corporations in the lead up to the U.S. midterm elections.
This week DeSmogCAST also covers industry efforts to thwart theactivities of clean energy and environmental organizations and how fossil fuel front groups play a role in that effort.

DeSmogCAST is a weekly online show that features DeSmog writers, experts and guests covering breaking news and in-depth analysis on politics, energy and environment issues in the U.S., Canada and around the world.
For more visit DeSmogBlog.com, DeSmog.ca, and DeSmog.uk.
DeSmogCAST is a joint project of DeSmogBlog, DeSmog Canada and DeSmogUK.