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U.S. is freaking out over tiny E.U. carbon tax on air travel

Long ago, in a land far, far away, where it seemed possible that carbon cap-and-trade would be a thing that we all got on board with, the European Union decided it would make sense to include air travel in its carbon trading scheme, because flying on planes is one of the most carbon-intensive activities that humans engage in. But — psych! — turned out no one (*cough* Congress *cough*) really wanted to deal with carbon. The E.U., however, did not get that memo and still wants to charge American airlines for the carbon they emit on their way to Europe. Here's how that's playing out so far:

The U.S. airline industry: NO FAIR! We'll see you in court, suckers!

The European Union: Um, ok, well, they're our courts. 

State Department picked less-than-objective company to review Keystone XL impact

Sometimes you wish government bureaucrats would just stop and think. It's been clear for a while now that the State Department favors the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. But one would think that they'd like to at least preserve the appearance that they were conducting a thorough and unbiased review of the pipeline’s environmental impacts.

Apparently that wasn't a particular concern, because the department allowed TransCanada, the pipeline operator, to participate in the selection of the company conducting the environmental review. Perhaps less than surprisingly, Transcanada recommended Cardno Entrix, which considers TransCanada a "major client," to do the job.

Critical List: Spilt oil tars New Zealand shores; climate change is a top issue for Europeans

Oil has reached New Zealand beaches, after an oil tanker ran into a reef last week. The tanker was carrying 1,700 tons of oil and 200 tons of diesel.

All these attacks on obscure regulations about boilers and concrete might seem boring, but in reality, they're part of a campaign that could destroy decades of environmental progress.

Europeans think that climate change is one of the top two issues facing the globe. (Although the No. 1 concern was a sort of Voltronesque mega-problem: poverty, hunger, and lack of drinking water.)

Rick Perry used to be against ethanol, but now he's in Iowa, so … he's not sure what he thinks.

Food Studies: future terroir

What can the taste of place mean in a country only three and half times bigger than Washington D.C.?

Will new LEED standards allow for clearcut timber?

Environmentalists say that proposed changes to LEED green building standards will undercut forest protection.

Spokes Patrol: Bike cops out in force at Occupy Portland

Portland Police have made an art of policing public protests by bicycle, and man do they know how to spoil a good party.

Buy a dozen, give a dozen

What happens when the TOMS Shoes -- get a pair, give a pair -- model gets applied to food? A New York program is trying it out with pastured eggs.

Ask Umbra: What's up with plastic made from plants?

Grist's new head honcho can't get his head around compostable, plant-based plastic. Umbra breaks it down.

McKibben asks Occupy Wall Streeters to join Keystone pipeline protest [VIDEO]

Climate activist Bill McKibben brought his anti-Keystone-pipeline message to a big Occupy Wall Street crowd gathered in Washington Square in New York City.

Can we make nature even better?

A new book reexamines traditional views of wilderness, asserting that human influence over nature is undeniable.