It is no secret that the last two months of 2008 and the first two months of 2009 were especially trying times for industries across the economic spectrum. What many may not realize, however, is that the recycling industry--which has steadily grown over its 30-year lifespan--was hit hard by the economic downturn as well. As domestic recyclables in the U.S. continued to provide a relatively constant supply, demand decreased from China. At one point during the most prominent part of the downturn, boatloads of recycled goods were stalled in Chinese harbors because of the lowered demand. Currently, inventories in recycling warehouses remain high, and many managers do not want to accept more supply until the market picks back up again. Some municipalities are even recognizing the drop in recycling commodity prices and offering suggestions for what to do about it.
It is no secret that the last two months of 2008 and the first two months of 2009 were especially trying times for industries across the economic spectrum.
What many may not realize, however, is that the recycling industry--which has steadily grown over its 30-year lifespan--was hit hard by the economic downturn as well.
As domestic recyclables in the U.S. continued to provide a relatively constant supply, demand decreased from China.
At one point during the most prominent part of the downturn, boatloads of recycled goods were stalled in Chinese harbors because of the lowered demand.
Currently, inventories in recycling warehouses remain high, and many managers do not want to accept more supply until the market picks back up again.
Some municipalities are even recognizing the drop in recycling commodity prices and offering suggestions for what to do about it.
SUNDIAL, West Virginia, June 23, 2009 (ENS) - West Virginia State Police today arrested at least 29 demonstrators, including government climate scientist Dr. James Hansen, actress Daryl Hannah, and 94 year-old former West Virginia Congressman Ken Hechler, for tresspassing on the property of a mountaintop removal coal mining company to protest the destructive practice. The protesters deliberately entered the Goals Coal plant owned by coal giant Massey Energy to draw public attention to the destruction of mountains immediately above the Coal River Valley community of Sundial in Raleigh County. The demonstrators attempted to deliver a letter of demands to the company regarding this facility, which they say threatens the students at Marsh Fork Elementary School.
The protesters deliberately entered the Goals Coal plant owned by coal giant Massey Energy to draw public attention to the destruction of mountains immediately above the Coal River Valley community of Sundial in Raleigh County.
The demonstrators attempted to deliver a letter of demands to the company regarding this facility, which they say threatens the students at Marsh Fork Elementary School.
See Monday OT comments.
According to the most recent report on the status of the world's fisheries by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, fisheries supply at least 15% of the animal protein consumed by humans, provide direct and indirect employment for nearly 200 million people worldwide and generate $US85 billion annually. This same report indicates that 28% of the world's fisheries stocks are currently being overexploited or have collapsed and 52% are fully exploited. A new study published in this week's issue of PLoS Biology provides the first global evaluation of how management practices influence fisheries' sustainability. The study assessed the effectiveness of the world's fisheries management regimes using evaluations from nearly 1,200 fisheries experts, analyzing these in combination with data on the sustainability of fisheries catches. The results indicate that most fisheries management regimes are lagging far behind standards set by international organizations, and that the conversion of scientific advice into policy, through a participatory and transparent process, plays the most critical role in determining the sustainability of fisheries.
A new study published in this week's issue of PLoS Biology provides the first global evaluation of how management practices influence fisheries' sustainability. The study assessed the effectiveness of the world's fisheries management regimes using evaluations from nearly 1,200 fisheries experts, analyzing these in combination with data on the sustainability of fisheries catches.
The results indicate that most fisheries management regimes are lagging far behind standards set by international organizations, and that the conversion of scientific advice into policy, through a participatory and transparent process, plays the most critical role in determining the sustainability of fisheries.
