Katharine Hoeksema

February 12, 2011

SOUTH AFRICA TRIES TO PROTECT RHINOS FROM POACHING

Poachers have already killed 21 rhinos in South Africa this year. 333 rhinos were killed in 2010 (record high). The government launched a National Wildlife Crime Investigation Unit in October to crack down on poachers, and game reserves are dyeing horns, tracking rhinos with micro-chips and cutting the horns off before poachers can get to them. South Africa is home to more than 70 percent of the world's remaining total rhino population.

Source:

Staff Writers, 21 Rhinos Killed in S. Africa so Far this Year, Terra Daily, Jan. 31, 2011, http://www.terradaily.com/reports/21_rhinos_killed_in_SAfrica_so_far_this_year_999.html.

ENGLAND LOOKS AT LIGHT POLLUTION

Light pollution damages the countryside, interferes with wildlife behavior, and negatively effects people's sleep patterns. Consequently, Britons have been asked to take part in a nationwide survey to count the stars to see if light pollution is getting worse. Though street lighting reduces the risk of crime, limiting it to essential areas will not only help reduce obnoxious light pollution but can reduce carbon emissions and save money. England spends £ 530 million on street lighting each year.

Source:

Martin Evans, Light Pollution Disrupting Sleep and Wildlife, says Rural Body, The Telegraph, Jan. 31, 2011, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/8292427/Light-pollution-disrupting-sleep-and-wildlife-says-rural-body.html.

FLORIDA USES CRAIGSLIST TO FIGHT ILLEGAL REPTILE DEALERS

Florida wildlife officials have turned to Craigslist to bust illegal reptile dealers. The Internet Crime Unit was created last year to patrol illegal dealers (no license or permit) selling reptiles in cyber world. Since the beginning of January many sales have been stopped, the most recent being the sale of an 18 inch American Alligator for $100.

Source:

Shaoshao Chen, Wildlife Officials Use Craigslist to Bust Reptile Dealers, The Epoch Times, Jan. 30, 2011, http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/50324/.

CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS FILE AMICUS BRIEF IN CLIMATE CHANGE CASE

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK), filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in American Electric Power Company, et al. v. State of Connecticut, et al. The brief asserts that it is the role of the legislative and executive branches, not the judiciary, to address the environmental and economic issues of federal climate change policy. Judicial establishment of such standards would unconstitutionally interfere with Congressional and Executive branch efforts to address climate change.

Source:

Congressional Documents and Publications, Congressional Energy and Environmental Policy Leaders File Amicus Brief with Supreme Court, Power-Gen Worldwide, Feb. 7, 2011, http://www.powergenworldwide.com/index/display/wire-news-display/1354729206.html.

EPA TO STUDY EFFECTS OF "FRACKING"

Fracturing or "fracking" is the process used by the natural gas industry to recover natural gas from coal beds and shale gas formations. However, recent concern that the fracking process pollutes ground water has led Congress to commission the EPA to conduct a study. The study will investigate reported instances of drinking water contamination in three to five sites across the country where fracking has occurred.

Source:

Andy Soos, Fracking Ground Water, Environmental News Network, Fed. 9, 2011, http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/42336.