News
The Ethanol Scam Continues as U.S. Ramps Up Production
Corn ethanol has not contributed to our energy independence as its life cycle is likely a wash or worse in negative energy savings. Largely due to fracking, the U.S. is now the largest producer of both oil and natural gas. We export increasing amounts of both as production ramps up, and now our net exports exceed imports.
The recent landmark, peer-reviewed research underscores that corn ethanol adds to climate change and causes other substantial problems. It’s well past time to repeal this boondoggle.
It’s time for DNR to restrict the commercial crab harvest
The time has come for DNR to restrict commercial harvest by adopting strict daily bushel limits for males and greatly decreasing the bushel limits for females, reducing the number of crab pots used, shortening the crabbing season, closing crabbing two days each week, and adopting a quota system for each commercial crabber as with rockfish.
Read MoreBest practices for lawn care when living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
rigorous scientific review found that the world’s insects are hurtling down the path to extinction, threatening a “catastrophic collapse of nature’s ecosystems.” More than 40% of insect species are declining radically including 53% of butterfly and 46% of bee species; some are critical pollinators responsible for 35% of the world’s food crops. More than 3,500 species of native bees sustain these crop yields. Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants also depend on pollinators. Pesticides are clearly implicated in these radical declines of insects as well as other pollinators including moths, birds, and bats.
Read MoreOfficials, Chesapeake Bay Foundation must take action to prevent flesh-eating diseases
We need to greatly ratchet down the nutrients especially from agriculture and also from existing and new development. The environmental community must change its tactics and stand up to agribusiness and use the courts and legislature to crack down on this major source of bay pollution. We also must significantly reduce global warming emissions that lead to rising water temperatures and increased nutrients, both which fuel the proliferation and deadliness of flesh eating organisms.
Read MoreEnding population growth is a mark of progress
Economic growth does not require population increases. We can grow our economy by using education and technology to increase productivity. We live in a world of finite resources with food, water, and health care insecurity. With slower or zero population growth, we can make greater progress toward resolving economic and environmental issues and boost our productivity as a nation and the quality of life for all of us. Calling for population growth to increase the number of workers flies in the face of the need to find employment for the 6.3 million currently unemployed.
Read MoreHow do we fight waterborne diseases? By reducing emissions and alerting the public to the dangers…
Health departments and the Department of Natural Resources need to issue regular public notices through the media about the dangers posed by these toxic organisms. Their messages should indicate precautions that can be taken to avoid waterborne diseases, especially for those most susceptible, including the immunocompromised or those with diabetes or chronic liver disease. Here’s what needs to be emphasized:
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