In case you haven’t noticed, Monsanto has been targeting media consumers lately with an ad campaign that declares its pesticides and genetically-engineered products the best friends sustainable agriculture ever had. Now it’s getting the word out over the airwaves, notably by sponsoring programming on Public Radio. Here in Minnesota, the frequency with which Public Radio’s listeners are treated to Monsanto’s feel-good message makes one wonder: does MPR now stand for Monsanto Private Radio?

The good news is that a bevy of “food safety” bills being considered in Congress are probably not part of a grand conspiracy to outlaw organic and sustainable family farming, as some highly-charged e-mails making the rounds claim. But you don’t always need malevolent intentions to do great harm. Regardless of intent, it is the impact that counts. (more…)

Although legislation creating a model paint recycling and stewardship program is expected to pass the Minnesota Senate – and is supported by the paint industry – it faces significant hurdles for the second year in a row.

Work on S.F. 477 follows a surprise veto of similar legislation by Gov. Tim Pawlenty last year. And some observers of the Minnesota House say this year’s legislation (H.F. 569) may be watered down. If it is, Minnesota will lose a chance to lead on a waste issue with serious consequences for our water and air.
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This week’s update from lobbyist John Tuma:

“Let’s call it the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party.”
-Hubert Humphrey, August 1943*

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by Lynne Bly, Fresh Energy

We’re supposed to have our first 80-degree day today; flowers are poking up in gardens; but perhaps one of the surest signs of spring was the morning news report that yesterday’s House session lasted until after midnight.

The end of this year’s session is only a few weeks away, and the crunch is hitting.

Take a few minutes to let your legislator know (again) what issues are important.

And take the opportunity to thank them for their service. It’s a difficult year with tough choices all round.

The sulfide mining industry argues that if its mining is not done in our state, it will be done elsewhere. Such an argument misses the point. Minnesota should not engage in a race to the bottom, loosening safeguards and letting industry have its way with our clean water. While we certainly should not hide our polluting industries in Third World countries, we ought to demand that if they operate here in Minnesota, they operate with the very highest level of protections for our water and our tax dollars. (more…)

Interviewed this week on WCCO-TV by Don Shelby about his new partnership with Conservation Minnesota in providing outdoor recreation weather forecasts and climate analysis, meteorologist Paul Douglas said the science supporting the global warming hypothesis is strong, and deplored the politicization of the issue by those with an agenda. (more…)

Some may have been surprised to read this week in the Star Tribune and Agri News that the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association talked one of the biggest agribusinesses in the world into pulling funding out of a clean water initiative in southeast Minnesota. When one considers the MSGA’s recent history, it’s not surprising at all. (more…)

This week’s update from lobbyist John Tuma:

“When I find a guy who can paddle better, shoot straighter, snowshoe faster, split wood quicker, and portage bigger loads, I’ll marry him.”
- Dorothy Molter, 1907-1986*

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By Carin Skoog, global warming solutions coordinator, Fresh Energy

One of the most promising recommendations from Governor Pawlenty’s Climate Change Advisory Group, adopting the Clean Cars standards would result in significant reductions in asthma-causing smog and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, and would save consumers money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Fourteen states have already adopted these more protective state-based vehicle emissions standards, and Minnesota should add its voice the pressure being put on automakers to deliver the cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks we all want to drive. (more…)