Consumer

Watchdog Groups Call for Improvements in Contractor Misconduct Database

The Project on Government Oversight (POGO) and OMB Watch want the federal government to tighten the accountability of federal contractors by fixing problems with the database — a potentially valuable tool for environmental reporters.

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"Environmentalists Seek to Wipe Out Plush Toilet Paper"

Environmentalists are criticizing paper companies for making ultra-soft toilet paper out of cut trees instead of recycled fiber.

Consumer

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: Wash Post, 09/25/2009

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Data Deficit Hampers Consumer Product Safety Commission

A new GAO report says Customs has refused to give the CPSC shipping-manifest information it has been requesting for years. The manifests are a way to track products imported into the U.S. which may have been recalled due to toxicity and/or safety issues.

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"The Carbon Case for Downloading Music"

"A new study has found that downloading music is substantially better from an emissions perspective than buying compact discs."

Consumer

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: NYTimes, 08/19/2009

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"More Scrutiny Urged for Bottled Water"

The Government Accountability Office, testifying before a Congressional committee, urged the Food and Drug Administration to stiffen oversight of bottled water and give consumers more information about what they are drinking.

Consumer

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: Wall St. Journal, 07/09/2009

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Greenwash Misleads Shoppers, Congress Told

"98% of supposedly environmentally friendly products in US supermarkets make false or confusing claims, campaigners say."

Consumer

Public

National (U.S.)

Source: Guardian, 06/22/2009

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Book Shelf, Book 2- The Winds Of Change: Climate, Weather, And The Destruction Of Civilization

Climate change scientist paints a stark and vivid picture

THE WINDS OF CHANGE: CLIMATE, WEATHER AND THE DESTRUCTION OF CIVILIZATIONS By Eugene Linden
Simon & Schuster, $26

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Environmental Studies

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Cash for Clunkers Legislation Rolls Closer

Two competing bills before Congress would pay people to scrap old, inefficient vehicles. But some say the proposed legislation is not as green as it looks and other factors need to be taken into consideration.

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An Old topic-Recycling-Offers Some New Angles And Stories

By SALLY DENEEN

If you haven't covered recycling for a while, you – and your audience – might be surprised by how things have changed and the variety of new angles to explore.

The number of curbside recycling programs now surpasses 9,000. Yet, a greater percentage of recyclable plastic bottles and aluminum cans are landing in the garbage.

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Report: Hints of Substantial Urban Residential Infill

Researchers with EPA's Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation has found that residential development in some metro areas has moved from suburbs and exurbs to infill development within urban areas.

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