Published on November 11th, 2008
Improper disposal of medical scanners and industrial equipment has led to nuclear waste being included in consumer products made from recycled metal, such as beer kegs, cutlery, purses, sinks, and tools.
Last year, the US customs rejected 64 shipments of radioactive goods from India and China. The French nuclear regulator found elevator buttons from India contained radioactive metal exposing employees to three times the safe dose of radiation.
Via: Bloomberg
Image: versageek on Flickr under a Creative Commons License
Published on October 14th, 2008
In order to expand training operations at Fort Irwin, CA, the Army began relocating 770 desert tortoises in March 2008. Coyotes immediately began killing the relocated tortoises. In response to a lawsuit filed by The Center for Biological Diversity to stop the translocation, the Army suspended the operation. Ileene Anderson, a biologist with the Center for Biological Diversity explained:
We predicted that the translocation of tortoises from Fort Irwin’s expansion would be disastrous, and unfortunately, we were proven right. The loss of so many tortoises is certainly not helping this threatened population. The Army must minimize the death rate. If relocation really is necessary, it needs to be done much more carefully.
Image: USGS
Via: World-Wire
Published on October 13th, 2008
Australian scientists have discovered 274 fish, ancient corals, molluscs, crustaceans and sponges in uncharted depths of the Southern Ocean. According to the Sydney Morning Herald:
The astounding discoveries of creatures never thought to have existed were found in waters up to 3,000 metres deep, among scores of extinct volcanoes whose great mountains and canyons provide vital, thriving habitats.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Published on October 3rd, 2008
In an unusual move for an administration that cares little for endangered species, the U.S. Department of the Interior proposed adding 48 species found only in Hawaii to the federal endangered species list this week. The administration claimed to be using a “newly developed, ecosystem-based approach to species conservation,” even though the Clinton administration used such an approach. In related news, the Center for Biological Diversity filed five lawsuits regarding Bush Administration political interference in designations for six western species, including the California tiger salamander, southwestern willow flycatcher, and western snowy plover. Noah Greenwald, science director for the Center for Biological Diversity stated:
The Bush administration has the worst record protecting endangered species of any administration since passage of the landmark Endangered Species Act. In the case of these six species, the administration’s malfeasance resulted in the removal of protection for over 300,000 acres of habitat in seven western states.
Maybe these species should move to Hawaii.
Via: World-Wire
Image: US Fish & Wildlife Service
