News from 10 November 2000 on edie

First signs of success in fight to save world’s most abundant lake

A programme to control water hyacinth, which has been literally choking Lake Malawi, Africa’s third largest and the world’s most abundant in fish life, appears finally to be succeeding.

Environmentalists mourn death of a pioneer

The founder of Friends of the Earth and the Sierra Club’s first Executive Director, David Brower, has died aged 88.

Strict new US safety regulations for pipelines

The US Department of Transportation has issued new regulations to reduce environmental and health risks from the US’s 3.5 million kilometres of oil and gas pipelines.

US Government bans toxics from Great Lakes

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that the move will remove up to 700,000 toxic pounds of chemicals annually, including a 90% reduction in mercury levels.

Government to allow building on one-third of farmland

A leaked government report reveals that 15 million acres, a third of Britain’s total farmland, will be free to be developed by local authorities.

New air quality legislation “would cost businesses $50 billion”

In a critical environmental judgement on 7 November, the US Supreme Court has queried industry arguments that the federal government must consider cost as well as health benefits in setting national air pollution standards.

Green votes may have cost Gore presidency

Green voters are said to have caused the knife-edge presidential vote in the US, with Green Party candidate Ralph Nader winning nearly 100,000 votes in a shock result in the critical state of Florida.

Brown’s pre-budget gets thumbs down from environmentalists

Frozen fuel duty and lower prices for low-sulphur fuels are heavily criticised by environmental groups

Danish budget ‘a victory for the environment’

The Danish Government has set aside 244 million krone (£20 million) for environmental projects every year for the next four years in what has been described by observers as a ‘victory for the environment’.

European Court strengthens environmental protection

The European Court of Justice has ruled that EU Member States may not use economic, social or cultural requirements, or regional or local characteristics to delete sites listed for special protection.

Environmental groups slam Spanish Governmental water plan

An ambitious plan, involving channelling water 700 kilometres to the parched south has been condemned by environmentalists as damaging to nature and possibly illegal under European law.

New draft Water Bill gets tough with water companies

Tough new proposals to protect the environment and benefit the consumer are in the draft Water Bill which has been published for consultation.

Day: 10 November 2000