Dead Zones Grow in the Gulf of Mexico

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The article implies that the recurring dead zones off of the Oregon and Washington coasts are, like those in the Gulf, due to agricultural runoff. That's not true. They are believed to be caused by abnormal wind-driven upwelling.

David of OR 4:09PM June 09, 2008

Is just a stepping stone, a very clumsy one, on the way to hydrogen fuel cells; but our ability to suddenly pump out all this grain and beans demonstrates what we can produce when we want to, apropos the recently advertised food shortages; just as the billions suddenly available for war prove that we can anti up when we want to. Our only problem seems to be priorities.

molly cruz of CA 1:25PM June 09, 2008

Kent Garber didn't mention in this article that promoting local and organic foods would be part of the solution. The high usage of fertilizer and pesticides is not necessary if we get away from our overly industrialized approach to agriculture which involves monocultures and other factors that contribute to being vulnerable to pests and which create soil nutrient depletion.

Tom Over of OH 10:46AM June 07, 2008