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‘Eco-terrorism’: The scourge of flyer distribution

Laugh? Or cry? Hard to say. Here's a bulletin issued yesterday by the Department of Homeland Security. Among other things, it says this:

Attacks against corporations by animal rights extremists and eco-terrorists are costly to the targeted company and, over time, can undermine confidence in the economy. ... Although we have no specific, credible information at this time suggesting animal rights extremists and eco-terrorists are planning to target known corporations, we encourage private sector owners and operators to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and continue to enhance protective measures.

On the TPM Muckraker site, which is hosting the document, Justin Rood adds:

Such radical extremist groups may use several tactics -- each devastating in its own way -- including:

- "organizing protests"
- "flyer distribution"
- "inundating computers with e-mails"
- "tying up phone lines to prevent legitimate calls"
- "sending continuous faxes in order to drain the ink supply from company fax machines"

That's right. If the ink runs out of your fax machine, that means the terrorists have won.

Joking aside, though, Rood makes the relevant point:

Two new exhibits explore the science of climate change

I am a museum geek. And proud of it. I love museums. Especially when they're free and as awesome as the Smithsonian. I have many a fond memory of field trips to D.C., wandering the National Mall and exploring such intriguing pieces as this hugemongous man at the Hirshhorn, Dorothy's ruby slippers at the Museum of American History, and the Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History.

So it was with great interest (and nerdy glee) that I read about the Smithsonian opening a pair of exhibits on climate change. Part of the Natural History Museum's "Forces of Change" series, the two exhibitions -- "Arctic: A Friend Acting Strangely" and "Atmosphere: Change is in the Air" -- focus on the science of climate change using graphics, film shorts, interactive computer displays, and, uh, not-so-interactive stuffed caribou.

TRI This on for Sighs

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I’m the Train Wreck They Call the City of New Orleans

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New Jersey to California: You are #2

Like most people, I enjoy mocking New Jersey as a toxic miasmatic wasteland. Yesterday, New Jersey responded by serving me a double portion of shut-the-hell-up. By a 4-0 vote, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved one of the most robust renewable-energy standards in the country. By 2020, 20% of the electricity the state's utilities sell must come from renewable resources. And there's more: 2% must come from solar, making New Jersey, on a solar-per-capita basis, the nation's solar leader. Take that, you California hippies.

Toxic (press) releases

Good news about pollution? The U.S. EPA says so. This Washington Post story makes it seem like the U.S. made great strides in reducing toxic emissions in 2004.

The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that chemical pollution released into the environment fell more than 4 percent from 2003 to 2004...The agency said releases of dioxin and dioxin compounds fell 58 percent; mercury and mercury compounds were cut 16 percent; and PCBs went down 92 percent. [Emphasis added.]

Now, the fall in dioxins in particular seemed like pretty big news. But it also struck me as a bit suspicious. So I looked into the numbers a bit.

The Mass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

A green agenda on immigration should emphasize local production Regardless of their disagreements on other subjects, political elites in both major U.S. political parties believe above all in globalization — […]

One Flu Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Wetland restoration could help contain bird flu A recent report commissioned by the U.N. gives a unique reason to restore tens of thousands of lost or degraded wetlands: It could […]

Ready, Aim, Hire

Green career expert Kevin Doyle gives advice to green job-seekers Our eco-jobs columnist, Kevin Doyle of the Environmental Careers Organization, is back again with wise counsel to help you get […]