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This week on Focus Earth Bob Woodruff and his team take a look at the presidential candidate's environmental promises in the final days of the campaign and investigates the impact of the financial crisis on the green economy. Then the team reports on endangered wildlife, from the spotted owl to eBay sales, before taking a final look at a green business that is making money while raising the community's eco-consciousness.
The debates are over and only a few days of campaigning remain before the 2008 presidential election. Many promises have been made and plans for energy independence have been proposed but what can voters rely on? The Focus Earth team takes a look at what has been promised by the candidates, explaining what is new, what is likely, and what has been said before.
The economy has become the prominent issue in the presidential campaign. Bianna Golodryga reports on how the crisis has effected the development of alternative energy. With less investment capital available, progress seems to have slowed. However, some economists predict that the emergence of a green economy could help solve the world's financial problems.
Then, Brian Rooney reports on new developments in the battle to save the spotted owl. In tough economic times, the voices of those supporting the expansion of logging to create jobs have grown louder. Unfortunately, this logging threatens the owl's habitat and, despite protections, their numbers continue to decline. What is the answer to this conflict between conservationists and the economy?
The effort to save the spotted owl is a classic cause for the environmental movement, but what is the overall state of wildlife in the United States? A recent report from the International Fund for Animal Welfare found that eBay is responsible for 2/3 of online sales of illegal animal products worldwide. eBay quickly responded by banning the sale of such items. Bob Woodruff sits down with the IFAW's Paul Todd to discuss the report and the status of endangered species.
Finally, Bob Woodruff visits a recycling company in Everett, Massachusetts, that is raising it's community's awareness of green issues and showing that a conscious, green, business can make money and help the environment at the same time.
Checkout the Planet Green Schedule to see these stories and more on Focus Earth.
Don't miss Focus on Focus Earth: eBay Bans Illegal Animal Products and Focus on Focus Earth: The Green New Deal
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