The plantiffs, who live along highways in Kawasaki, an industrial city just south of Tokyo, filed suit claiming that they suffered from asthma and other ailments caused by exhaust from passing cars and trucks. The defendants appealed the case, however, and yesterday a deal was struck that requires the authorities only to admit fault and promise to work to improve air quality along the highways in question. The plaintiffs dropped demands for compensation because many are old and feared they wouldn't live long enough to get the money. The bill seems to be headed for passage by the House and Senate next week, and Clinton is likely to sign it into law. Grist Magazine Organic Farmers Cross over Pollination Pollen from genetically engineered plants can travel significant distances and contaminate other crops, according to a report commissioned by the British government and leaked to the public this week.
Organic farmers are furious.
Officials have refused to comment on the report, which is still in draft form. Ford Ford Motor Co. Chair Bill Ford Jr. talked up the company's commitment to the environment yesterday at its annual shareholders meeting. Several stockholders at the meeting charged that the company is not doing enough to curb emissions of greenhouse gases, but their proposal to require the company to disclose its emissions and its lobbying efforts against climate change regulations was overwhelmingly defeated. In other car news, Nissan has unveiled an early prototype of an eco-friendly car powered by a fuel cell that converts liquid methanol into electricity. The company plans to continue developing its technology independently rather than joining one of two larger industry alliances working on green cars.