It’s summertime, and throughout the Great Lakes region, families are making vacation plans. While some will travel far and wide in search of adventures, many will stay closer to home and enjoy what the Great Lakes have to offer. Recently, Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator Suzanne Elston discovered that some of the greatest wonders lie right in your own backyard:
Author: Suzanne Elston
Commentary- Too Much Stuff
Now that the warm weather is here, the season of the yard sale has begun. From now until the first frost of fall, bargain shoppers will be cruising the neighborhood on Saturday mornings in search of recycled gold. And even while this consumer craze is gaining momentum, Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator Suzanne Elston wonders what would happen if they held a yard sale, and nobody came?
Commentary- Emissions Trading Misses the Point
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become a global priority. Trading in emissions credits is one of the methods outlined in the Kyoto Protocol that could help countries like the United States reach their reduction targets. Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator Suzanne Elston wonders what would happen if we used this mentality to solve other problems:
Commentary- Pesticide Ban May Be a Victory
Last month the Canadian government unveiled a proposal to ban the use of lawn chemicals and pesticides. If the proposal becomes law, Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator Suzanne Elston says a lot of people will be very happy:
Commentary – E. Coli Deaths Raise Questions
A small town in Ontario, Canada received international attention recently when an E. coli outbreak claimed several lives. Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator Suzanne Elston points out that the tragedy in Walkerton is just the tip of the iceberg:
COMMENTARY – &Quot;FRANKENFISH" TO HIT STORE SHELVES?
Canadian researchers have developed a genetically altered
salmon. Dubbed "Frankenfish" by the public, the designer salmon grow
about eight times faster – and as much as 37 times larger – than normal
salmon. While fish farmers are hoping to bring their latest catch to
a dinner table near you, Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator
Suzanne Elston finds the whole thing rather unappetizing:
Commentary – Epa Misses an Opportunity
Last month (April) the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency decided
against regulating ash and sludge from coal-burning power plants as a
toxic hazardous waste. Instead, the EPA will develop voluntary coal-ash
disposal standards. Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator Suzanne
Elston says the move is a major setback in the war against global
warming:
Commentary – The Costs of Comfort
A recent Canadian Government study shows that sports utility vehicles
are responsible for a seven-percent increase in auto emissions. Great
Lakes Radio Consortium commentator Suzanne Elston thinks it’s time
consumers took a second look at the cost of comfort:
Commentary – Cyber Patrol Blocks Activist Sites
Mattel’s money losing software division, Mattel Interactive, has
recently been put up for sale, in part because of the controversy
surrounding its internet blocking program, Cyber Patrol. Rather than
selling off the company, Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator
Suzanne Elston wonders if they’re missing a marketing opportunity:
Commentary – A Neighborly Dispute
Earlier this month, the Department of Energy announced that
spent nuclear fuel from American research reactors will be melted down
and stored, rather than reprocessed and reused. The announcement comes
at the same time that Canadian researchers are planning to recycle
nuclear
waste into reactor fuel. Great Lakes Radio Consortium commentator
Suzanne Elston says that this is one time when recycling shouldn’t be an
option.