EJToday is SEJ's selection of new and outstanding stories on environmental topics in print and on the air, updated every weekday. SEJ also offers a free e-mailed digest of the day's EJToday postings, called SEJ-beat. SEJ members are subscribed automatically, but may opt out here. Non-members may subscribe here. EJToday is also available via RSS feed. Please see Editorial Guidelines for EJToday content.
"Report Points to Risk of Serious Gap in Weather Satellite Data"
Green/NYT, 02/18/2013"A new report from the Government Accountability Office elevates the problem of looming gaps in satellite weather data to a 'high risk' concern for the federal government."
"Secret Funding Helped Build Vast Network of Climate Denial Thinktanks
Guardian, 02/15/2013"Anonymous billionaires donated $120m to more than 100 anti-climate groups working to discredit climate change science."
"Ouster of Scientist from EPA Panel Shows Industry Clout"
PBS NewsHour, 02/14/2013"In 2007, when Deborah Rice was appointed chair of an Environmental Protection Agency panel assessing the safety levels of flame retardants, she arrived as a respected Maine toxicologist with no ties to industry."
Canada's New Confidentiality Rules on Arctic Project Called 'Chilling'
Postmedia, 02/14/2013"A bid by [Canada's] federal government to impose sweeping confidentiality rules on an Arctic science project has run into serious resistance in the United States."
"EPA Unaware of Industry Ties on Cancer Review Panel"
Center for Public Integrity, 02/13/2013EPA scientists in 2010 were ready to declare that even small amounts of hexavalent chromium -- found in the drinking water of some 70 million Americans -- may cause cancer. But the American Chemistry Council, the main industry lobby group, urged delay. EPA did delay, on the recommendation of a science panel that was supposed to be independent -- but was secretly stacked with panelists tied to the industry. In fact, they had helped industry oppose hexavalent chromium lawsuits instigated by Erin Brocovich.
US Report Urges More Study of Breast Cancer's Environmental Links
Center for Public Integrity, 02/12/2013"A new federal advisory panel report makes a forceful case for more research into environmental causes of breast cancer, which was diagnosed in 227,000 women, killed 40,000 and cost more than $17 billion to treat in the United States last year."
"NASA to Launch New Earth-Observing Satellite"
Climate Central, 02/11/2013"If the weather holds, NASA will launch its newest Earth-observing satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in southern California late Monday morning."
"The Sockeye’s Secret Compass"
Green/NYT, 02/08/2013"Every summer, millions of sockeye salmon flood into the Fraser River in British Columbia, clogging its shivering waters with their brilliant blushing bodies."
Bacteria Found Deep Under Antarctic Ice, Scientists Say
NY Times, 02/08/2013"For the first time, scientists report, they have found bacteria living in the cold and dark deep under the Antarctic ice, a discovery that might advance knowledge of how life could survive on other planets or moons and that offers the first glimpse of a vast ecosystem of microscopic life in underground lakes in Antarctica."
New Tech Helps Doctors Link Environment to Health Risk
Wash Post, 02/06/2013An asthma inhaler rigged to a GPS device? Just as this new medical tech device may help researchers determine the precise triggers of asthma attacks, the emerging field of geomedicine promises to help correlate environmental conditions with health risks.
"How the 'Kochtopus' Stifled Green Debate"
Independent, 01/25/2013It's not just that the billionaire Koch brothers have spent tens of millions to undermine science and stifle debate on climate change. It's that they do it in secret.
"After Failed Climate Coverage, CNN Reports Americans Don't Understand Climate Change"
Media Matters, 01/24/2013"Promoting a recent poll, CNN is treating climate change as a matter of opinion, saying Americans are divided over whether or not it is real. But the network itself has fueled such confusion, often failing to report that manmade emissions are driving climate change or giving credence to those who deny the science behind it."
"53 Senators Urge Approval of Keystone XL Pipeline"
AP, 01/24/2013"More than half the Senate on Wednesday urged quick approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, ramping up pressure on President Barack Obama to move ahead with the project just days after he promised in his inaugural address to respond vigorously to the threat of climate change."
"Rules Would Restrict Medical Research on Chimpanzees"
Wash Post, 01/23/2013"New federal rules proposed Tuesday would severely restrict medical and behavioral research on chimpanzees and send nearly all of the government’s remaining 450 research chimps into retirement, an unfunded project that could cost $25 million."
Gulf Oil Spill Scientific Conference Begins Monday in New Orleans
New Orleans Times-Picayune, 01/22/2013"The largest gathering of scientists and engineers from around the world to discuss the effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill kicks off in New Orleans on Monday, with more than 800 people from universities, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and industry expected to attend. The three day Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference is aimed at understanding the impacts of pollution resulting from the spill and its effect on natural systems in the Gulf and along the shoreline, and on the people who live and work there."

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