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Earth Matters
January 18, 1997
Web posted at: 11:15 p.m. ESTManatees have a rough year
These are tough times for manatees in Florida, although the news isn't entirely bad.
As 1996 began, numbers of the endangered sea creature were the highest ever recorded.
But in the spring, a toxic bloom of red tide struck Florida's southwest coast, killing 151 manatees. It was the largest number of manatee deaths in one place at one time.
When record number of kills by boating accidents and deaths by natural causes are added in, 1996 was the worst year ever for Florida's manatees.
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Chrysler develops fuel cell car of the future
Chrysler's fuel cell car runs on electricity without a battery, and some say it could be the ride of the future.
Chrysler has figured out a way to extract hydrogen from gasoline "inside" a car.
The driver would fill up at a regular gas station. The car would convert the gas to hydrogen and use the hydrogen to generate electricity for power.
"We at Chrysler firmly believe that fuel cells, running on gasoline, offer the capability of being at least 90 per cent cleaner than engines running on gasoline -- while being at least 50 percent more efficient," said Christopher Borroni- Bird of Chrysler Advanced Technology.
The technology is expensive, and critics say it uses the wrong fuel.
"You've got a 21st Century technology, the fuel cell," said Alden Meyer, of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
The car also could run on methanol or ethanol.
The company hopes to build a prototype within two years.
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Cousteau seeks to replace sunken 'Calypso'
It was a year ago this month when the "Calypso," Jacques Cousteau's famous research vessel, sank in Singapore harbor.
Cousteau and his ship are legendary for ocean exploration and discovery.
"I think the only thing I'm really proud of is to awaken the awareness of people all around the world," said Cousteau.
Cousteau wants the legend to continue. He's asking for donations to build "Calypso Two," a state-of-the-art research vessel.
Cousteau says his "Calypso Two" will help him with his studies while breathing new life into ocean science.
Cousteau wants to make the ship a floating classroom, taking on board children from around the world and teaching them about deep sea discovery.
"This ship is a watchdog for the environment, warning governments of what's going on," he said.
Earlier this month, Cousteau was awarded $5,000 from the National Marine Manufacturers Association to go toward building the replacement ship.
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Japanese rally to clean oil spill
It's a dirty job, cleaning up after a Russian oil tanker that broke apart off Japan's western coast earlier this month.
A massive slick started coming ashore Tuesday in an area that depends on fishing and tourism.
Some villagers grabbed buckets and joined the cleanup. Helicopters dropped chemicals and workers sucked up the muck.
The tanker was carrying 5 million gallons of fuel oil. About fifth of that appears to have leaked so far.
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