Cold, Clear and Deadly, pt. 3

It's not often that a book comes along that can make some Great Lakes industries and environmentalists both uncomfortable. But it's good when one does! Michigan author Mel Visser, a longtime environmental manager at what used to be known as the Upjohn Company, has written a powerful book about the threat posed by global use of persistent organic chemicals. This week we'll interview him about the reception his book has received from interest groups and policymakers.

The book is a fascinating journey through one Great Lakes Basin resident's life, career and conscience. To read more on the book or order a copy: http://msupress.msu.edu/bookTemplate.php?bookID=3156

If you were advising the next President on what to do about the problem of continuing high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in northern waters, including Lake Superior, what would your advice be?

Get the international POPs elimination agreement signed and promote global POPs elimination in industry and agriculture through the UN, G8, and global financial institutions. Create a global cooperative effort engaging agriculture expertise from governments and industries to quickly eliminate toxaphene and chlordane. Toxaphene is a major agricultural pesticide and chlordane is a termite killer for which African and other tropical countries have no adequate substitute. Both infest the Great Lakes.

What is the most interesting reaction to the book from a reader that you've received so far?

 I enjoyed the backhanded compliment of an old friend, “You couldn’t have written that … it’s too understandable … someone must have done it for you!” A repeated interesting comment from students and professors is, “This should be required reading for anyone entering a field of study in chemistry or the environment.”

Comments

[Bert Riesterer]

Dear Mel,
Kudos for COLD, CLEAR, AND DEADLY. Will write the next president to read and take it to heart. Also urge all of my friends to do the same. It truly is a very informative as well as a very moving read. I now have four and next March it will be 5 grandkids. I want them to be able to enjoy a convalesing Lake Superior and hopefully their kids even a healthy one.
Thanks again for your efforts. You're a great guy. Bert Riesterer