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I won’t be going to Paris wearing the usual friendly, compliant Pacific smile ... I won’t be going to Paris in a Pacific frame of mind at all.
—Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama of Fiji discusses how Pacific island nations (already threatened by sea-level rise) will make strong demands of the industrialized world at the upcoming United Nations climate summit.
EPA is considering banning the pesticide chlorpyrifos. -
After a court-ordered review of the insect-killing chemical, which has been linked to nervous system damage and childhood development problems, the agency may disallow its use on edible crops. A final ruling is due next December. Los Angeles Times
Indoor carbon dioxide levels could be making you less productive at work. -
A new study found that workers in a simulated office with high CO2 concentrations (designed to mimic conventional indoor air quality) showed poorer cognitive function, while workers in a simulated green building office, with better ventilation, scored much higher on cognitive tests. Washington Post
Environmentalists criticize Indiegogo for letting climate deniers crowdfund. -
The Heartland Institute is using the site to raise money for "Pandemonium in Paris," an effort to derail the United Nations' climate conference. Indiegogo says the fund-raiser does not violate its terms of use, which ban campaigns that "cause harm to people or property." Hmm... The Guardian
Russia blocks creation of Antarctic marine sanctuaries. -
The international effort to protect two pristine ecosystems in the Southern Ocean requires a consensus from the European Union and 24 countries. For the first time, China expressed support for a sanctuary in the Ross Sea, but Russia thwarted the plans for the fifth consecutive year. Agence France-Presse
Cyanide kills 22 elephants in Hwange National Park. -
The latest deaths, which included calves, bring the total number of elephants poisoned in Zimbabwe this month to 62. The horrific poaching trend kills silently, making it harder to catch the culprits. Cyanide can also kill other species in the ecosystem, especially when spread by rains. Associated Press