Environment

Fired Fox-TV Journalists Win Goldman Environmental Prize

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

The prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize has been awarded to Jane Akre and Steve Wilson, TV journalists who researched the potential health risks of rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), the genetically modified hormone injected into U.S. dairy cows to stimulate milk production. The hormone is one of the first genetically modified products approved by the FDA. It is banned in Europe, Japan and most other industrialized nations. The story by Akre and Wilson proved too hot for their local Fox TV network affiliate for which it was produced and ultimately led to their firing.

No
Main Source: 
Goldman Environmental Prize press release, April 23, 2001
Topics: 
Journalism
Environment

Greenpeace Calls on EU to Stop Greenwashing Waste Issue

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

Greenpeace accused the European Union Council of greenwashing for attempting to classify an established health hazard as a source of renewable energy. The EU is advocating incineration of biodegradable waste, despite clear evidence that it produces virtually no useful energy. In addition a new Greenpeace report points to independent scientific research which identifies links between incineration and a variety of human health impacts.

No
Main Source: 
Greenpeace news release, March 27, 2001
Topics: 
Environment
Public Relations

Corporate Front Group Created to Support Arctic Drilling

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

The oil and gas industry has launched the Energy Stewardship Alliance, aimed at winning access to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. ESA claims to be a non-profit coalition of "professional organizations" and "individuals" who believe opening the Refuge to oil drilling is worth the human and environmental risk.

No
Main Source: 
Greenpeace USA, March 22, 2001
Topics: 
Front Groups
Corporations
Environment

"Grassroots" Support for Alaskan Drilling

Submitted by Anonymous on

Arctic Power, a self-described "grassroots" organization, has laid down $4 million dollars to hire Qorvis Communications. The mission? To promote President Bush's plan to expand oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. How grassroots is Arctic power? Their website vaguely refers to people from all walks of society, without much in the way of details. But their board includes representatives from such business groups as the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, the Resource Development Council, and the Alaska Oil & Gas Association. Grassroots? You make the call.

No
Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's, March 7, 2001
Topics: 
Astroturf
Environment

Greenwashing on Trial

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

Does Nike have a First Amendment right to publicly claim that it is a leader in fighting sweatshops -- or is that false advertising? The California Supreme Court may soon decide. In a lawsuit that could have far-reaching implications for corporate "greenwashing" campaigns, environmental activist Marc Kasky has sued Nike Inc., charging that the company's public claims about conditions in its Asian factories amount to false advertising under California's consumer-protection laws.

No
Main Source: 
Mother Jones, February 23, 2001
Topics: 
Corporate Social Responsibility
Environment
Public Relations

"The Woods Are Full of Eco-Terrorists"

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

By his own account, Barry R. Clausen has infiltrated radical environmental groups, staked out logging protests and helped bust a drug ring. He has testified before Congress about a rising tide of eco-terror, has been quoted scores of times in the national and international press and has appeared, he reckons, on 150 talk radio shows. But the Federal Bureau of Investigation and many other law enforcers don't see any sign of the surging eco-terror Mr. Clausen describes. Pressed, he acknowledges that his list of documented terror incidents includes graffiti and pie-throwings.

No
Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal, March 10, 1999
Topics: 
Terrorism
Environment
Public Relations

Pages

Subscribe to Environment