Latest Articles

The surprising reason why Newark Mayor Cory Booker supports wind power

Newark Mayor Cory Booker is handsome, approachable, and once saved a lady from a fire — he’s basically the Ryan Gosling of politics. And one of the reasons people like him, even people like me who know next to nothing about his job performance, is that he’s always willing to make jokes about himself, and […]

Good news: Americans are using a lot less coal

Here is a bit of energy-use news to feel good about: Americans are using a lot less coal. In the first quarter of this year, the portion of the country’s electricity that came from coal was almost 20 percent less than in the same period last year. And overall, the Energy Information Administration predicts, coal […]

Mesmerizing data visualization shows a day in the life of a city’s bike usage

[vimeo 40866482] This video is probably what Ralph Steadman sees when he takes half a tab of acid and looks at a map of Budapest, but it’s also a data visualization of the city’s bike usage during a 24-hour period. The size, location, and direction of the bubbles reflect how many people are on bikes at […]

‘Weight of the Nation’ takes a realistic look at a looming crisis

According to one critic, this four-part HBO series -- which begins tonight -- offers a systematic examination of the obesity epidemic.

Yet another ridiculous billboard campaign featuring psychos

Apparently the political discourse in this country is irrational enough that one anti-green billboard campaign featuring megalomaniacs will not satisfy our craving for crazy. No, there have to be two billboard campaigns in one month that cast aspersions on good ideas by associating them with crazy dudes that no one likes. We present to you: […]

Here comes everybody: Number of bicycle-friendly cities soars

More cities are making way for cyclists, according to the League of American Bicyclists. But we still have a long, long road ahead.

Critical List: Gas prices drop; Mount Fuji’s on top of an active fault

Gas prices are falling. Americans are willing to deal with a 13 percent hike in electricity bills if it means more of their power will come from clean energy. Twenty-six states are fighting for schools to teach evolution and climate change — a welcome change from school reformers who want to tear down those ideas. […]

A growing problem: Notes from the ‘superweed’ summit

What did hundreds of scientists and Big Ag executives decide when they met last week to discuss the mounting crisis of herbicide-resistant 'superweeds'? That they should spray more herbicides, of course.

Ask Umbra: I need a book of eco-tips!

A reader seeks a book's worth of green living advice. Umbra searches the stacks.

Carp diem: Making a living off invasive fish [VIDEO]

The Perennial Plate crew joins a fisherman who brings in a giant haul of this invasive fish nearly every day.