Latest Articles

Koch brothers declare war on offshore wind

The dirty-energy-loving Koch brothers have put out a “cost-benefit analysis” of New Jersey offshore-wind plans that finds lots of costs and not so many benefits.

For the first time ever, renters can get solar incentives, too

There's a reason California is the largest solar market in the country -- I mean, aside from its abundance of sun. Namely, its regulators keep coming up with new ways to allow people to DIY-up their own distributed energy systems. Their latest brainstorm is a measure that allows renters to take advantage of the same solar incentives as people who own their own homes.

Panasonic capitalizes on earthquake by replacing factories with ‘smart towns’

Panasonic, the largest appliance maker in Japan, has announced plans to shutter 20 percent of its 230 factories in order to cut costs. But rather than lose that land, the company is capitalizing on Japan’s post-earthquake need for housing. It’s replacing the factories with “smart towns,” featuring "solar panels, energy-efficient refrigerators and rechargeable batteries," the company tells Bloomberg.

Most of the U.S. could be energy self-sufficient

With a little development elbow grease, we could be in pretty good shape for the day the energy apocalypse comes and states have to split into small self-reliant compounds. The majority of U.S. states -- 31 of the 50 -- could be completely self-sufficient with locally-produced renewable energy, according to a report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. In fact, most states could produce many times more energy than they need. They've got South Dakota down as having the potential to produce 32,431 percent of its energy usage! (There's also a bigger map and an interactive map that is actually not all that interactive as far as I can tell.) 

2011 natural disasters cost a record $265 billion

Politicians might not believe in climate change, but insurance companies do. They track disasters, and it turns out that disasters just in the first six months of this year already cost the world more than any other year of disasters on record.

The price tag for 2011 disasters reached $265 billion.

Critical List: Carmageddon is a waste of money; Napa winegrowers aren't afraid of climate change

Carmageddon: L.A.'s shutting down a major highway to add a carpool lane, which is probably a waste of $1 billion in transit funding.

Say it ain't so, Sandra Lee! The Food Network star spoke to a petroleum industry group and won't say why. Maybe she just wants to use crude oil as an ingredient -- it’s not edible, but when has that ever stopped her?

Napa Valley can totally take climate change: Wine growers say, "We'll be able to adapt." Bacon panic: Still on.

Twins' desert solitaire with organic veggies [VIDEO]

In Utah canyon country, 70-year-old twins Bill and Bob Stone live off the grid, grow organic vegetables, and give tours of Native American ruins.

Ask Umbra Book Club: Is minimalism just for the rich?

Is a streamlined life something only a privileged elite can afford? Ask Umbra explores.

Not one more winter in the tipi, honey

Going off the grid seems romantic at first, but unfortunately, women are often the first to encounter the worst realities of homesteading.

Would you eat mutant meat?

The FDA does Big Meat a solid by denying broader use of irradiation, which kills disease but leads to discolored and disfigured food.