NEWS BRIEFS The climate of the 1990s has been the warmest since the middle ages, according to an article in the April 23 issue of Nature. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, used a statistical approach to bring together data from tree rings, cores drilled into polar ice, and coral reefs, in addition to historical records. The research shows that the effects of greenhouse gases have come to the fore in the present century. For a copy contact Michael E. Mann (voice (413) 545-2286 e-mail
[email protected]. umass edu) At least 16 million hectares of natural forest a year are razed worldwide, fueling atmospheric carbon dioxide buildup, calculates an April paper from the Worldwatch Institute. The loss of forests has affected natural climate regulation, erosion and flood control, and habitat and watershed protection, according to "Taking a Stand: Cultivating a New Relationship With the World's Forests." The paper details government subsidies that encourage current timber industry practices It cilso describes on going efforts to forests such as eliminating production waste and restoring the carbon sequestration role of forests For a CODV call (OiY)} 4.52 1QQ2
ext The 80% increase in fish consumption advisories in the U.S. from 1993 to 1996 has not resulted in increased government efforts to protect public health, according to a report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental organization. Contaminated Catch: The Public Health Threat From Toxics in Fish reports that there is no federal program to protect the public from consuming fish contaminated by pollutants such as methylmercurv PCBs and dioxins State programs vary from extensive The report ommends that EPA develop a national database for fish contaminflHnn pViase o u t releflses of
persistent toxics, and uphold the public's right to know about contaminants. For a copy, call (202) 289-6868. Pesticide concentrations in Indiana's White River Basin are among the highest found at U.S. Geological Survey monitoring stations nationwide, according to a new USGS report. Twenty-five different pesticides or their degradation products were found in at least 5% of samples near the river's mouth. Most of the pesticides were associated with agricultural use but lawn insecticides were found in urban areas The report Water Quality in the White River Basin Indiana 1992-1996 by Joseph M Fenelon is publised as USGS Circular 1150 Copies are available free of charge from (317) 290-3333
An alternative method of wheat farming can reduce excess amounts of nitrogen entering the environment, while increasing profits, according to an article in the April 3 issue of Science by researchers from Stanford University. "Integration of Environmental, Agronomics, and Economic Aspects of Fertilizer Management" describes the strategy of applying less nitrogen fertilizer later in the crop cycle which was used successfully in one of Mexico's major breadbaskets Fertilized land is the greatest anthropogenic source of nitrogen oxides according to the article NO is a primary pollutant associated with glohal warmint? acid rain dpnosition and water pollution Call Pamela Matson at 725-6812 The Blasker Award for Environmental Science and Engineering will award $250,000 to an indi-
vidual or group that has developed and implemented the most innovative and sustainable method of protecting water supplies. Entries for this award must be postmarked between November 1 and 15, 1998. Next year, the award is earmarked to reward the developers of the most environmentally sustainable energy-supplying product. "The Blasker Award is designed to inspire new thinking toward solving critical world environmental and science issues" said Rita Colwell Ph D. chairperson of the distinguished committee of scientists and engineers "who judge the efforts For more information see the organization's web site: httrW/www blasVpr ora
The idea of creating a "National Institute for the Environment" received a thumbs down from the National Science Foundation's governing board. A March statement by the executive committee of the National Science Board said that such an organization "could isolate environmental research from related science and engineering research." The board's views on the concept which has been advocated for the past several years were requested by Congress The statement is available at h t t p 7 / wwwnsf gov/home/nsb/ document htm People in the news. The American Chemical Society's Division of Environmental Chemistry has presented its 1998 Graduate Student Awards to Wayne Brubaker, Indiana University; Rajat Ghosh, Carnegie Mellon University; Carolyn Krueger and Brian Logue, Oregon State University; Yann Le Gouellec, University of CaliforniaLos Angeles; Eugene LeBoeuf and Angela Lindner, University of Michigan; Huizhong Ma University of Delaware; Penney Miller Ohio State University Annett Sullivan University of Wyoming; Denise Taylor and Lisa Ann Totten Johns Hopkins University Timothy Tsukamoto University of Nevada-Reno; Jianzhone Zhene Clarkson Universitv and Meifanp Zhmi Ilniversity nf Florida
JUNE 1, 1998/ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / NEWS • 2 5 5 A
