Latest Articles

Hypnotic video of wind turbine being erected in under 7 minutes

Turns out assembling a 364-foot-high wind turbine is just like playing with an impossibly enormous Erector set. This 1.5 MW turbine went up in Boston, where it will save its owner $350,000 in electricity costs every year.

It will take at least 30 years to safely close Fukushima

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was shut down in March, after earthquake and tsunami damage led to meltdowns, radiation leaks, and evacuations. But an expert panel, convened by Japan’s Atomic Energy Commission, says that fully decommissioning the plant will take at least 30 years. Closing Fukushima Daiichi doesn't just mean shutting down damaged reactors. That […]

Halloween a day late: IPCC digs into the really scary stuff of climate change

The International Panel on Climate Change is gearing up to release its next big report, and climate deniers are gearing up to poke futilely at it, claiming it's wrong in every way possible. But if you, like a normal human being, believe in science, you can get a sneak peek — the Associated Press got […]

Sugary beverage companies are increasing advertising to kids

Despite promises to ease up on advertising to kids, the sugary beverage industry has been increasing marketing to children. If you’re keeping score at home, this is the opposite. They accomplished this feat with a diabolical genius: While pledging to keep their brands out of "television, radio, and print," brands like Coca-Cola have reached out […]

Michael Pollan says corn syrup may not be worse than sugar

Whoa, did the corn industry get to Michael Pollan? The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that he said there may be nothing "intrinsically wrong" with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which at first blush looks like a 180-degree shift from his previous position. "I've done a lot to demonize it," he says. "And people took away the […]

Put your junk mail to work keeping Wall Street occupied

Here's a twofer: You can occupy Wall Street and do something with that junk mail besides just chucking it in the bin. Sure, it'll still end up in the recycling eventually, but it won't be any MORE trashed than before, and in between it can do some good. (Plus, if enough people do this, maybe […]

Critical List: Chances are we’re experiencing climate extremes already; BPA taints receipts

There's a "2-in-3 probability" that we're already experiencing worse climate extremes, thanks to climate change. Nebraska lawmakers are starting to consider a new route for Keystone XL today. Apparently the Center for Biological Diversity is "virtually alone" in linking population growth and environmental problems. (Apparently New York Times reporter Mireya Navarro hasn't been reading Grist.) […]

Peebottle Farms: What to feed your chickens to get the best eggs?

“I have a theory, and I don’t think you’re gonna like it.” Justin was seated across from me at a communal table in a “Secret Restaurant.” We had met not half an hour before, but were now deep in discussion about what chickens should eat to produce the best-tasting eggs — an obsession of mine […]

Preoccupied: Grist readers sound off about the Wall Street protests

Photo: Eric WagnerA couple of weeks ago, we asked you all to send us your observations and insights on the growing Occupy Wall Street movement. (Then we asked again.) And man did you deliver. We received an avalanche of emails, comments, tweets, and posts on our Facebook page. Word came in from New York City, […]

We are the many: 24 hours at Occupy L.A.

Occupy L.A.Photo: Patrick GookinPeople have a lot of misconceptions about the Occupy Wall Street movement. Some may think it’s populated by arrogant 20-somethings looking for attention and a party atmosphere with leftovers from Burning Man and Coachella. Some may think it’s a few leftist apologists and homeless people intermingling uncomfortably. Some may think it’s a […]