Archive: Jun 2012
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Who Has the Most Cost-Effective Solar CLEAN (feed-in tariff) Program?
In a new report on U.S. CLEAN (Clean Local Energy Accessible Now) programs, I provide a comparison of solar CLEAN Contract (feed-in tariff) rates across the United States. Comparing published rates is not particularly helpful, however, because contract lengths vary (from 15 to 25 years) and the solar resource also varies widely. For international comparisons […]
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Coal companies routinely win ‘competitive bids’ against no competition
These government-run auctions have cost taxpayers almost a billion dollars a year over the past three decades.
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Lonesome George, the last Pinta tortoise, dies at age 100
George was the world’s rarest tortoise and a symbol of the Galapagos.
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Have sledgehammer, will farm
We've covered a lot of good farmland with concrete over the years. But taking it back for urban farming may not be as difficult as it sounds.
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Ask Umbra: What’s up with those ‘DO NOT EAT’ packets in shoeboxes and pill bottles?
A reader wonders what to do with those silica gel packs that come with vitamins and shoes. Umbra offers her a chill pill.
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Meatifest destiny: How Big Meat is taking over the Midwest
With more factory farms, bigger meat processing facilities, and growing numbers of immigrant workers, it looks like Cargill and Co. might be priming the Midwest to produce meat for the world.
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How Peabody gets dirt-cheap land and the rest of us get a gigaton of carbon pollution
In the Bureau of Land Management's corrupt coal-leasing program, taxpayer-owned land is leased at "auctions" where companies like Peabody are often the only bidder.
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Rio grand: Scenes from the Earth Summit [SLIDESHOW]
The Earth Summit in Rio may be over, but just like spring break, the triumphs, tragedies, and terrible judgment calls will live on in memory. Here are some of our favorite moments captured in all their photographic glory.
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Earthlings: Bad at not emitting carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide output in 2010 was higher than any prior year. Nice work, all.
