Relentless Tiger Poaching Brings Activists and INTERPOL Together

Photo courtesy of Brian Scott.

On the Chinese lunar calendar 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, which commences on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, symbolizing fighting courage, which was admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household — fire, thieves, and ghosts.

Things are currently a little different in real life. The tiger is not fairing so well against both the destruction of its habitat and poachers.

In the early 1900s, tigers roamed throughout Asia and numbered over 100,000, according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Its current estimates indicate that less than 3,500 of these remain as a whole in the wild. Tigers today are pouched for their skins, but almost every part of their bodies can be used for either decorative or traditional medicinal purposes.

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Another Dry Year Ahead For the Golden State?

Stock photo.

Early indicators are showing that California may be facing another consecutive drought year. The state’s first snow survey of the 2009/2010 winter season was put out late last week, showing that snow water content is 15 percent below normal for this time of year.

It’s better than this time last year, when snow water was 24 percent below normal state levels, but still a cause for concern. “Despite some recent storms, the snow survey shows that we’re still playing catch-up when it comes to statewide water supplies,” said Sue Sims, chief deputy director of the California Department of Water Resources.

Snow water content is important in determining the coming year’s water supply. The measurements are used to provide data to hydroelectric power companies, the recreation industry, and hydrologists that prepare water supply forecasts.

The DWR’s early estimate is that it will only be able to deliver about five percent of the requested State Water Project water to the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. This reflects low storage levels in the state’s major reservoirs, and restrictions on water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in order to protect endangered fish species.

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Strenuous Exercise Shown to Increase Longevity in Men with Prostate/Colon Cancer, Say Studies

We’ve all known for years that exercise has many health benefits including lowering high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cardiovascular disease. Well now, multiple studies are also confirming that strenuous exercise a few times a week in men being treated for prostate or colon cancer can increase their chances of remission and long-term survival.

Earlier this month, findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference showed that “men who engaged in five or more hours of vigorous physical activity [during] a week, were at decreased risk of dying from their prostate cancer.”

Researchers assessed the physical activity level for 2,686 patients in a Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Men with metastases (cancer spreading to other parts of the body) at diagnosis were excluded from the study.

“We saw benefits at very attainable levels of activity,” said Dr. Stacey A. Kenfield, lead author of the study and epidemiology research associate at the Harvard School of Public Health.

“We aren’t sure of the exact molecular effects exercise has on prostate cancer, but exercise is known to influence a number of hormones hypothesized to stimulate prostate cancer, boost immune function, and reduce inflammation,” she added.

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States Escalate War Over Solution to Prevent Asian Carp from Entering the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes. Courtesy of the University of Michigan.

In the latest attempt to preserve the Great Lakes at all costs, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has filed suit with the U.S. Supreme Court to immediately order the closing of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal’s locks leading into Lake Michigan.

The action is being taken as an aggressive attempt to keep bighead and silver carp, collectively known as Asian carp, out of the lakes. Reaching up to 90 pounds, these fish are filter-feeders.

Everyone - ranging from government officials, ecologists, recreational fishermen, and the commercial fishing industry - are worried that if these fish get into the Great Lakes that they will deplete the zooplankton which is also the main food source for mussels, fish larval, and some adult fish, like salmon and perch.

Bighead carp. Courtesy of The Outdoor Pressroom.

The overall fear is that if these carp enter the lakes that they will compete with species that have high recreational and commercial value, thereby endangering the local fish industry. Scientists at Duke University speculate that these carp escaped from catfish farms in the southern U.S. The carp spread throughout the Mississippi River system in less that a decade, according to the university.

While everyone agrees that the Asian Carp is a threat that must be eliminated, the raging dispute is over what’s the most effective approach that won’t disrupt commerce in the region. The Illinois Attorney General’s office is currently reviewing the lawsuit and withholding comments, but others have plenty to say, both supporting and denouncing the move.

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International Mining Co. to Payout Biggest Toxic Waste Clean Up Settlement in U.S. History

Cartoon by Khalil Bendib.

For a long time in industry, it has been profitable to do business, save costs by ignoring clean up regulations, and then if caught, pay some small fines. Well, not anymore!

Grupo Mexico, the largest mining corporation in Mexico and the third largest copper producer in the world, has agreed to provide a total of $1.79 billion to resolve the environmental liabilities incurred by its subsidiary, American Smelting and Refining Co. LLC, a mining, smelting, and refining company, based in Tucson, Ariz.

Under a bankruptcy reorganization, ASARCO has been found liable for violations ranging from operations that contaminated land, water, and wildlife resources on federal, state, tribal, and private lands.

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