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Looks at the controversy between US President Bill Clinton and the House over the deal to save a redwood grove in California. The agreement by state and federal officials to give Texas millionaire Charles Hurwitz more than $300 million for 7,500 acres of environmentally sensitive land; The number of unsuccessful attempts made by Hurwitz to get government officials to buy the acres; The lawsuit filed by Hurwitz against the government.

States that on June 27, 1997, the second United Nations (U.N.) Earth Summit ended negotiations, with delegates failing to make significant progress towards resolving any of the planet's most vexing environmental problems. Comments from U.N. General Assembly President Razali Ismail of Malaysia; Number of countries involved in the summit; Issues discussed at the summit; Detailed information on the summit.

Reports on President Bill Clinton's address at the United Nations General Assembly, in which he warned that the Earth's temperature is being dangerously increased by human activity. Rejection of appeals by European leaders that he offered a specific target for reducing greenhouse gases; Percentage of greenhouse gases which the United States produces.

Looks at the support given by President Bill Clinton in favor of proposals made by the Environmental Protection Agency, to force cities to find alternative ways to reduce pollution or face sanctions. What sanctions are included; Details on proposals made; Why proposals were made; Objectives of the proposals; Impact of pollution on the quality of the air; Views of president Clinton. INSET: Glossary..

Reports that United States President Bill Clinton appears likely to endorse tougher clean air regulations. Possible resolution to a battle over standards; Results of a study which shows what government standards fail to protect.

Reports that scientists have identified a force that could drive future population growth which they call the granny glut. Conclusion from an analysis done by European researchers; Effects of the increasing growth among older populations on the world's human inhabitants; Reference to a report in the June 19, 1997 issue of `Nature.'

Provides information on topics that will be discussed at the United Nation's `Earth Summit Plus 5' meeting, which commences in New York on June 23, 1997, in what is being billed as the largest and most importance environmental conference since the original 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. State of the environment since 1992; Who is expected to attend the event; Goals of the summit. INSET: Rio Plus Five: The state of the earth..

Looks at the fears and concerns of Americans over air pollution standards which were proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Opposition to these proposals; Details on the standards; Reference to a campaign to oppose the introduction of the standards.

Focuses on a one-cell predator which can transform itself from animal to plant and back again, known as the Pfiesteria piscicida. Reference to this predator capturing the attention of scientist worldwide when it emerged in 1991; Findings which confirmed the predator in coastal waters around the United States; Comments from JoAnn Burkholder, an aquatic botanist with North Carolina State University.

Reports that research conducted by Pascal Gagneaux and colleagues from the University of California in San Diego on a West African chimpanzee troop, revealed that female chimps are more likely to stray than males. Details on the research; Views that females in the animal kingdom, can be dominant when supervising the gene pool.

Reports that three White House agencies, the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Council on Environmental Quality, have joined forces to create a final version of the federal clean air standards. Comments from Curtis Moore, counsel to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; Details on the proposed regulations; Political expense of tougher standards.

Reports that a resolution will be introduced in the United States Senate, which calls for the release of an overdue report from the administration of American President Bill Clinton, on mercury. Suggestion that the metal is more of a health threat than was previously believed; Information on the Environmental Protection Agency's report; Number of American women believed to be exposed to the metal; Major sources of mercury.

Reports on a predator mite which was brought into West Africa in the 1990s to save that country's cassava crops from another mite, the cassava green mite, which had destroyed the crop. Description of the predator mite; Details on the cassava plant; Information on the cassava green mite and its advent into Africa; Damage caused by the green mite.

Reports on the efforts of the United States Senate to make it easier to build roads through federal lands and to delay some cut off welfare benefits to legal immigrants. Plans of the Census Bureau to use sampling techniques for its national year 2000 head count; Little progress in passing a bill to provide funding for flood victims; Opposition of environmentalists to the road building policy.

Looks at the monarch butterfly's ability to use the sun as a compass when flying. Reference to a study reported in the May 1, 1997 issue of the journal `Nature'; What the butterfly needs to navigate properly; Comments made by University of Arizona biologist Sandra Perez.

Focuses on the effects of lead poisoning, a threat in the community of Smelterville, Idaho that has recorded some of the highest blood-lead levels ever measured in humans. Information on the legal wranglings over the efforts to remove the contaminants; Comments made by Michael Frandsen, spokesman for Idaho Republican Senator Larry E. Craig; Information on a controversial plan to limit litigation in exchange for a faster cleanup.

Reports that a study on Earth's thinning ozone layer by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, disputes a 1988 study that shows a decline in solar radiation. Information on both studies; Comments by E.C. Weatherhead, who conducted the research by the administration.

Reports that on April 25, 1997 President Bill Clinton administration designated the coho salmon species as officially `threatened' with extinction in California but allowed Oregon to adopt a plan to rescue the same fish. Businesses the decision could potentially have an effect on; Views of fishermen and environmental groups on the split decision.

Focuses on the reactions of environmental groups when leading oil and chemical corporations were invited to a seminar to offer advice on teaching children about the environment and they were not. Seminar sponsored by the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission; Views of critics of environmental education; Teachings of environmental education.

Declares that persons with limited radiation exposure appear to live longer than neighbors who had none at all. Possible explanations for this; Debate surrounding issue; Outline of data on radiation exposure. INSET: Measuring radiation's effects..

Comments on the request by Senator Robert G. Torricelli for an ethics investigation of Kevin Bromberg, an attorney for the Small Business Administration (SBA), in regards to Bromberg trying to weaken a proposed environmental regulation. Actions which Torricelli wish to be taken against Bromberg; Reference made to the `right to know' law.

Reports that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has acknowledged that it has over estimated some of the health benefits of stricter air pollution standards they wanted to impose. Purpose this acknowledgement has served; Features under a revised estimate; How the admission is viewed by critics of the policy; Continued support for the proposal; How the error was made in the EPA's calculations.

Focuses on measures being made by United States' President Bill Clinton's administration, in preventing Americans from becoming the victims of human radiation experiments and other medical research. Details on measures; Comments from Energy Secretary Fedrico Pena; Types of radiation problems reported; Cost of medical settlements.

Proposes that the administration of United States President, Bill Clinton, is considering to soften a key environmental initiative that would force many businesses to report releases of toxic chemicals in their communities. Reason for administration's decision; Dispute surrounding proposal; Details of initiative; Environmental groups' views on initiative.

Focuses on a ruling in the United States Supreme Court, which will allow landowners to fight environmental regulation, with the use of the Endangered Species Act. Comments from Gregory K. Wilkinson, who represented Oregon ranchers; Information on the ruling.

Presents information on the findings into an investigation on the types of sand that `sing.' Characteristics of sands that `sing'; Explanation of the sounds produced by the sands.

Reports that the chairman and vice chairman of the Senate intelligence committee announced that the confirmation hearing for Central Intelligence Agency Director Anthony Lake will take place as scheduled for 1997 and that they would schedule a committee vote on Energy Secretary designate Federico Pena. Date Pena's hearing will be voted upon; Number of times Lake's confirmation hearings has been postponed; Who postponed hearings.

Declares that Frank H. Murkowski, chairman of the United States' Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is using the delayed nomination of Federico Pena's confirmation as Energy Secretary, to press the White House for a deal over timber rights in Alaska's Tongass National Forest. Acknowledgements made by Murkowski in an interview with Alaska Public Radio Network on February 27, 1997; Details on Murkowski's efforts to press for deal.

Reports on a move by American President Bill Clinton's administration to impose stricter environmental regulations on the mining industry in efforts to seek royalty on mining income. Information on some measures proposed by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt; Reference made to the 125-year-old law which governs hard-rock mining on federal lands.

Focuses on the link found by researchers of radiation releases at Three Mile Island nuclear plant, Pennsylvania, which alleged caused high cancer rates in nearby communities, after a series of mechanical failures at the plant in 1979. What a report released by the researchers in the February 24th, 1997 edition of the `Environmental Health Perspectives' revealed; Description of what took place at the plant; Studies conducted that alleviated fears about cancer risks.

Reports on the efforts by scientists of the United States Navy, to rescue the northern right whale, one of the world's most endangered mammals. What scientist are using to listen to the whales; Reason for wanting to rescue the whales; What poses the biggest threat to the survival of the whales; What the scientists are listening to in an attempt to learn about the whales.

Reports that a plan to restrict tourist flights over the Grand Canyon National Park, has been delayed by federal officials. Expected announcement of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Reason for the delay; Objections to a proposed route by the FAA; Details on aspects of the flight-restriction plan.

Focuses on the defense of the Environmental Protection Agency's clean air standards on February 12, 1997 by the Agency's Administrator, Carol M. Browner. Reasons for criticism of the standards; Details on Browner's defense; Reasons for the decision to toughen standards.

Reports that Conoco Incorporated announced on February 11th, 1997, its plans to drill for oil near the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. Opposition to the drilling; Where the drilling would occur; Size of the reserves; Procedures that must be followed before the company can start to drill.

Reports that the `White Pox' disease has infected the coral in Key West, Florida. Description of coral; Possible cause of the disease; Detailed information on the disease; Comments from a University of Georgia marine ecologist, James Porter.

Presents information pertaining to the air pollution debate in the United States focusing on the the request of the Senate's clean air subcommittee in the first congressional review of the Environmental Protection Agency's proposals for tightening air standards for urban smog and soot. Outcome of request; Views of key individuals.

Suggests that the sudden thaw that ended the last Ice Age, may have been the result of high concentrations of dust in the atmosphere. Suggestions made by researchers studying seismic data; Warmer temperatures seen as a possible reason for a huge number of icebergs; Detailed information on icebergs.

Reports on plans by the United States' Environmental Protection Agency, to move towards a more thorough public airing of its proposals for strengthening the nation's air quality standards. Expected decision to extend public comment period by two months; When proposed regulations were unveiled; Circumstances leading to them; Mention of proposed regulations forcing diesel locomotives to reduce emissions.

Reports on a lawsuit filed against the United States' Energy Department by a coalition of states and power companies to hold the government to a 1998 deadline for opening a dumpsite for spent commercial nuclear fuel. Other measures being sought in suit; Circumstances leading to action; How waste is currently being kept; No comment issued from Energy Department on issue.

Highlights what type of questions were asked of Federico Pena, American President Bill Clinton's nominee for Energy of Secretary, at his confirmation hearing on January 30, 1997. How Pena responded to questions concerning nuclear waste storage; Confirmation of William Daley as Commerce Secretary; Critics views over the Pena's nomination as Energy of Secretary.

Focuses on the methods used by researchers from Sweden and Oregon, to domestically cultivate the mushroom Cantharellus cibarius. Description on the mushroom; Flavor of mushroom; Information on the original cultivation of the mushroom; Where the mushroom usually grows; Discovery of more efficient method of cultivating the mushroom by two fungal gardeners; Details on the method; Results of their method.

Reports on the ruling by United States District Court Judge Stanley S. Harris, stating that environmental officials overstepped their jurisdiction when they tried regulating excavation practices used to drain swamps and marshes. Impact this ruling could have on President Bill Clinton's efforts to preserve wetlands; What the ruling of the judge came as a result of.

Reports on the actions taken by a group of Chicago businessmen, in light of the debate over the administration of President Bill Clinton's proposed clean air standards. Possibility that barbecuing will become non-existent; What proponents of the standards were advertising; When hearings on the proposed standards are scheduled. INSET: Substandard..

Focuses on the parenting style of dinosaurs, following the collection of 80-million-year-old eggs. Revelation that dinosaurs built nests and cared for their young similarly to birds; Belief of scientists.

Reports on Integrated Pest Management, which stems from the desires of farmers and manufacturers in the United States to develop effective pesticides. History of pesticide development; Insect resistance to some pesticides; Active ingredients used in pesticides; Comments from Garry Hamlin, spokesman for Dow Elanco Company; Few expectations program will work; Comments from different persons.

Reports that federal officials in the United States (U.S.) charged 15 people and three companies with smuggling chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), ozone-damaging refrigerants, on January 9, 1996. Reference to the ban on the production of CFCs in the U.S.; Reason for the increase in the smuggling of CFCs to the U.S. from Mexico; Dangers of CFCs.

Reports on discoveries in science. Instability of the solar system; Little correlation between intelligence and early speaking ability; Discovery that nicotine stimulates the brain cells in the same way as does cocaine.

Assesses the shark population in the United States, focusing on a proposal by the National Marine Fisheries Service to tighten restrictions on shark fishing. Percentage shark stock in the 1990s; When the rules will go into effect; How opponents reacted to the restrictions; When the proposed rules were announced.

Looks at the results of a study conducted by the Uniformed Services University's Brad Schmidt and colleagues, on the common traits that would predict why individuals panic under stressful conditions. Detailed information on the study; How the study was conducted; Comments from Schmidt.

Presents information on an article published in the December 12, 1996 issue of the magazine, `Nature,' which pertained to climatic conditions in North America in the two millennia before 1996. Details on research for the article; Excerpts from the article.