The Fukushima Nuclear Crisis and Risk Perceptions
The earthquake and ensuing tsunami that occurred in Japan last month was a horrific event. The ongoing atomic crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power station is also alarming, but I think a good bit of perspective on actual vs. perceived risk is in order before rushing energy decisions that could affect the fate of the planet. We are facing unprecedented, multiple challenges at once. The first challenge is finding ways in which to dramatically slow... Read More
International Biodiversity Conference Deemed a Success
A juvenile Blue-sided Tree Frog - IUCN Red List (Photo: Flickr user leeinhisroom) A recent survey in the United Kingdom posed the question, “What is Biodiversity?” The majority of respondents believed it was a washing powder. As the United Nation’s International Year for Biodiversity begins to come to a close, the sad truth is that many do not know what biodiversity is, let alone that this year was to be devoted to it. Generally the purpose... Read More
Tuna and Salmon in the news
There are some interesting developments in the world of fish this week: The FDA is nearly ready to approve the first genetically modified animal for human consumption. AquAdvantage salmon is Atlantic salmon spliced with a gene from ocean pout (an eel-like fish) that allows it to grow twice as fast as a normal salmon. The company that has developed this fish wants to use it in aquaculture operations, but there are concerns about the safety of the... Read More
The Cove Wins Best Documentary at Oscars
“The Cove,” a documentary film about the slaughter of dolphins for meat in Taiji, Japan, won best feature documentary at the 2010 Academy Awards. I wrote about the powerful film a few months ago [see: "The Cove, a Must See Documentary"], and was hoping that it would win. The film did not get very much press coverage in Japan, and was only shown at two small engagements. The company that has bought the rights to the film is working on... Read More
The Cove: A Must-See Documentary
The town of Taiji, Japan holds a big secret. In a small cove on the outskirts of town, fishermen reportedly slaughter 23,000 dolphins each year and harvest the meat. This is the subject of an incredible (and potentially Oscar-nominated) documentary film: The Cove (2009). The film tells the story of a team of activists who stage an elaborate clandestine operation to film the dolphin slaughter using hidden cameras. Their goal is that by exposing this... Read More
