As founders of the Madison Environmental Justice Organization, Maria and Jim Powell are among a vanguard of advocates from around the world pushing for grassroots studies of mercury pollution.
The scale and urgency of the problem is highlighted Aug. 6-11 at "Mercury 2006," the eighth international conference on mercury as a global pollutant. Hosted by UW-Madison at Monona Terrace, the conference will address the science, health, public-policy and socioeconomic dimensions of mercury pollution.
A second, more advocacy-oriented conference, "Finding Solutions to the Global Mercury Crisis," is scheduled for Aug. 7-10 next door to Monona Terrace at the Hilton Hotel, with free admission. In conjunction with the conferences, MEJO is hosting a free potluck dinner from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Brittingham Park shelter, serving fish caught in Monona Bay (for anyone with the nerve), followed by a workshop during which Hmong anglers will share their stories.
For more information on the "Finding Solutions" conference, log on to www.mercurypolicy.org, e-mail jimpowell@mejo.us, or phone 240-1485. For more information on Mercury 2006, go to: www.mercury2006.org.
