Fracking-Related Film Offers a Human Take on a Controversial Political Issue

In Review: Promised Land (Fiction)

The title Promised Land brings to mind biblical images of a fertile land flowing with milk and honey. In Gus Van Sant’s new film, the dubiously blessed land flows with a lucrative resource: natural gas. Photos by Scott Green/courtesy Focus FeaturesMatt Damon…
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by: Audrey Haynes – December 27, 2012

New Whistleblower Protection Law “An Environmentally Significant Reform,” say Activists

But some protections may be challenging to implement, they caution

Last month President Obama signed the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act into law. The law revamps protections for federal employees who come forward and report misconduct, abuse of authority, or violation of law in their workplaces. These enhancements could be crucial in advancing…
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by: Audrey Haynes – December 13, 2012

Too Close for Comfort — Toxic Chemicals in Our Couches and Clothing

Series of studies show toxic flame retardants in most US couches and harmful chemicals in branded clothes

Evidence is mounting that toxins are infiltrating the one place most of us believe we are safe in — our homes. Several studies came out this month showing how our furniture, household dust, and even the clothes we wear contain hazardous chemicals.…
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by: Audrey Haynes – November 28, 2012

Coal-Fired Power Plants Disproportionally Impact Communities of Color, says NAACP

Seventy-eight percent of African Americans live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant, says new report by civil rights group

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) released a report on the nation’s coal industry today rating coal-fired power plants according to their impact on neighboring communities. The verdict is grim. Of the 378 plants across the country that…
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by: Audrey Haynes – November 15, 2012

Thailand Theme Park Continues to Host Orangutan Kickboxing Matches

Endangered primates still exploited for amusement despite years of protests by animal welfare activists and anti-trafficking crackdowns

I recently found out that  Safari World, an animal theme park on the outskirts of Bangkok, hosts orangutan kickboxing matches. Captive orangutans, dressed in lurid satin shorts and boxing gloves, kick and punch each other until there is a knockout. The performances…
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by: Audrey Haynes – October 22, 2012

Walt Disney Co. Promises to Stop Using Paper from Rainforests

Move comes after two years of negotiations with Rainforest Action Network

The Walt Disney Company announced Thursday morning that it has committed to stop using paper that comes from rainforests. The policy, which also includes the company’s extensive global network of licensees, marks a significant win for environmentalists who have sought to slow…
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by: Audrey Haynes – October 11, 2012