NEWS BRIEFS Forty percent of deaths worldwide can be linked to environmental factors including chemical exposure, contaminated water and food, airborne particulates, and malnutrition, report scientists from Cornell University. Based in part on World Health Organization data, they estimate that 80% of all cancers are caused by environmental problems. Waterborne illnesses such as malaria and cholera constitute 80% of all infectious diseases and the health of 4-5 billion people is adversely impacted by air pollution The authors predict that the incidence of disease will increase in response to global warminp (D Pimentel et al "Ecoloev of In-
mates of fossil fuel emissions, the researchers modeled carbon dioxide sequestration and transport. Despite the near balance in North America, the scientists concluded that forests and crops worldwide cannot keep pace with the estimated 7.1 billion tons of total global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels per year. (S. Fan et. al., "A Large Terrestrial Carbon Sink in North America Implied by Atmospheric and Oceanic Carbon Dioxide Data and Models " Science Oct 16 1998; 282 442-446}
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Disease " RioScience Orrober 1998 817-826) Developing countries are taking surprisingly bold steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report by the National Environmental Trust, a nonprofit environmental group. The voluntary measures being implemented include reducing fossil fuel subsidies, developing energy substitutes, and encouraging renewable energy use. By comparing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions with those of developing countries the authors found that Texas is responsible for more carbon dioxide emissions than 93 developing countries combined Leadership and Equitv The United States Developing Countries and Global Warming is available at the organization's Web site: http7/www envirotrust com/climate html North American forests and crops are absorbing about as much carbon dioxide as is emitted from the burning of fossil fuels, according to a study by scientists from Princeton University, Columbia University, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Using atmospheric carbon dioxide measurements from 63 ocean stations throughout the world, together with esti-
Microevolutionary changes may be just as important as ecological shifts when assessing species' reactions to global warming, warn researchers in a paper published in Conservation Ecology. In the face of environmental stress, species that cannot shift their geographical range must adapt if they are to survive. Studies of fruit flies indicate that some genetic mutations have already occurred, and the authors suggest several other species might serve as good models, including grasshoppers mice and mustard plants. The paper "Tracking the Genetic Effects of Global Warming: Drosophlla and Other Model Systems" is HVd.ila.l3le on the ^A/eb at http7/wwwconsecol org/ Journal / vol2 /iss2 / art2 / By openly reporting their greenhouse gas emissions and committing to reduce them, three high-profile corporations are setting an example for the business world. British Petroleum, General Motors, and Monsanto Corporation call for action to reduce the risk of climate change in Building a Safe Climate, Sound Business
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Future. The report was produced in conjunction with the World Resources Institute, a nonprofit environmental group, and it draws upon three long-term energy use scenarios. The authors argue that there are "major business opportunities" for reducing climate change risks, but stress that government must do its part by providing a "supportive policy environment." The report is available on the World Resources Institute's Web site (http7/www wri org/wri/cpi/scsb/) Renewable energies cannot be expected to help the United States meet its greenhouse gas reductions within t h e next decade, concludes Management Information Services, Inc., an economic research group. To challenge die public perception that renewable energies—including solar, hydro, and geothermal—have been underfunded, die report claims that over the last 50 years, these technologies have received $90 billion in federal subsidies and incentives, second only to oil, which received $272 billion. Regardless, renewable power provides negligible amounts of compared to fossil fuel-derived and nuclear the recommends redistributing energy funding to further develoD these sectors To rpniipct a
CODV of Federal Incentives for the Enerev Industries call (202) 889-
1324 States have paid to remediate nearly 41,000 sites not on the federal Superfund list and have cleanups underway on 13,700 additional sites, according to a study by the Environmental Law Institute. The report, An Analysis of State Superfund Programs: 50State Study, 1998 Update, provides descriptions of state statutes, expenditures, cleanup standards, and cleanup activities. States have identified approximately 24,000 sites as needing some type of cleanup; another 69 000 known and suspected sites have not yet been fullv investigated New Jerhas bv far the largest number of sites needing cleanup with 4915 Copies of the $50 report be ordered at (800) 433-5120 or
