Union of Concerned Scientists
I found out about the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) website through a post on Treehugger on the UCS Cartoon Contest: Choose Your Science Idol Today!. UCS was founded at MIT in 1969 to encourage scientific research in the aid of environmental and social issues, conducting technical studies and communicating results with the public, media and policy makers. UCS combines "rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world." UCS has also prepared a list of Ways to Support the Integrity of Science.
By registering on UCS, you are kept abreast of key issues and have an opportunity to make your voice heard. For example, UCS recently raised concerns about plans to 'fast track' approval of genetically engineered (GE) rice that has contaminated non-GE rice crops.
UCS also distributes a number of newsletters. The October Food & Environment digest discussed issues around antibiotic use in cattle, an analysis of the E. coli outbreak linked to spinach, FDA approval of a virus-containing spray that kills food-borne bacteria, demand for organic food, and Kraft's agreement to sell only non-genetically engineered food to China. GREENTIPS looked at options for improving the efficiency heating residential water.
I have found the UCS website a well-balanced and thoughtful source of information, useful regardless of my opinion on the subject. You can even play the Great Green Web Game on consumer choices and the environment.
Comments
The last article describes how small-scale hog producers have much lower levels of Salmonella infections. Yet most hog production is still based on overcrowding and unsanitary practices, with routine use of antibiotics required to keep the animals healthy. Practices that seem logical from the perspective of the hog producer may have unintended impacts on the health of the consumers of these producers. Drug-resistant bacteria can spread to humans who do not directly consume products from these 'industrial agriculture' operations. Drug-resistance can also be transferred between bacteria species, further increasing the risk. The challenge is understanding the end-to-end implications of decisions, and building the full cost into the decision making process.