Did you miss out on seeing Live Earth as it happened? Or maybe you saw it all, but just can't get enough? You're in luck! You can relive your favorite performances, your favorite fashion faux pas, and all the Gore-y goodness (hologram or otherwise!) on MSN's Live Earth site. I also recommend checking out the Green Production Blog. This particular entry was quite touching: Overheard At Our Local Coffee Shop ... 25 year old girl talking on her cell phone: "yeah, so i took the pledge this weekend and went out and bought a bunch of those special lightbulbs." That's …

Emily Gertz reports on environmental issues from her home base in Brooklyn, N.Y. She has written for Grist, BushGreenwatch, The Bear Deluxe, and other independent publications. She contributes to Worldchanging.com, and recently launched OneAtlantic.net: Environmental News & Views for the Atlantic Coast. Saturday, 7 Jul 2007 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. With Live Earth over, Al Gore, Kevin Wall, and their no-doubt-exhausted crew can be congratulated for pulling off at least one crazy ambitious feat: orchestrating a day of concerts across the time zones in eight cities on seven continents, with the cream of the global pop crop exhorting arena-sized crowds to …

Well, I've returned from my camping trip. This was an annual gathering of about half a dozen families. I met an interesting guy named Remy. We had much in common, including our wry sense of humor and an enthusiasm for investigating biodiversity. Upon arrival at the campsite he immediately and correctly identified a snake I had caught. My reputation had proceeded me. Remy was looking forward to the two of us hunting snakes together. He managed to catch two. One was a 3-foot long specimen he spotted crossing the road. He grabbed it by the tail just like his hero …

[Important update to this post here.] One reason I began posting my Rules of Carbon Offsets is a dubious program by the California utility PG&E called ClimateSmart, which is supposed to allow PG&E customers to become "climate neutral." This program actually manages to violate rules zero, 1, and 2 all at once! It really makes clear why offsets are bastardized emissions reductions -- and why trees are an especially dubious offset. This picture graces the "Our Projects" page of the ClimateSmart website. The caption reads : "Photo of van Eck Forest, courtesy of Pacific Forest Trust." Well, that burns rule …

Joseph Romm has been running a series of "rules of the road for carbon offsets" on these pages. This is a worthwhile endeavor, and as good of an excuse as any for me to provide some shade and color to the frequently misconceived debate over offsets. Although I mostly agree with Romm's conclusions, I don't think he chose the best route to reach them. My intent is not to rebut Romm's proposed rules -- again, I (mostly) agree with all of the guidelines posted so far, even if they do contain some important errors of fact and emphasis. And more …

Live Earth reaches an estimated 2 billion, critics harp on hypocrisy By all accounts, Live Earth (perhaps you've heard of it?) was a smashing success. Organizers say the shows reached about 2 billion people in 130 countries. More than 150 musical acts crooned, and supporters held more than 10,000 registered "fringe events" in addition to the main concerts on every continent. Al Gore appeared in person (and in hologram form!) to urge crowds to commit to a seven-point pledge to green their lives, and launched a three-year campaign that will "get the scientific [climate] evidence in front of people all …

Dear Umbra, I'm selling my house in Los Angeles and my toilet is not low-flow. One of the inspectors is trying to tell me I need to replace my toilet with a new low-flow. Well, I know the old ziplock baggie filled with water trick. But I saw that you made mention of some kits to reduce the flow from 3.5 gallons per flush to 1.6 gallons a flush. I believe in recycling. I don't feel that I have to replace my working toilet. Can I modify it? I feel like he's just trying to make a pretty penny. Help …

Don't ever say we never did anything for you. On Saturday, while you were cavorting in the surf, grilling organic free-range meat on the barbecue (or is that barbecuing meat on the grill?), or kicking back with a good book in the sweet, sweet air conditioning, Grist was sweating at Live Earth New York. Er, New Jersey. Whatever. We suffered through sets by Ludacris, Melissa Etheridge, Roger Waters, and the Police to report back -- to YOU, dear Grist reader -- from the front lines of global eco-activism. Or something like that. Check back soon for my report from the …

If not, here it is. Man that's cool. I wish we had one of Chip standing on his head.

I'm watching the Live Earth coverage on NBC, and I've got to say, I'm impressed. It's really well done -- concert highlights intermixed with artist and celeb interviews, and plenty of easy tips on how to take action at home. For those on the East Coast, it's too late -- but West Coasters, tune in! I was struck by two performances -- both of Marvin Gaye's 1971 hit "Mercy, Mercy Me" (one by Alicia Keys in New York and one by John Legend and Corinne Bailey Rae duetting in London). As Keys mentioned in her intro, the song is still …