Latest Articles

The grand tour: How bike tourism helps local economies

This is the eighth column in a series focusing on the economics of bicycling. Bike-friendly cities, off-road paths, and scenic country roads where cyclists can spin along in comfort aren’t just good for the people who live in those places. They also attract tourists. And tourists mean money for the local economy. Tourism is one […]

Reno 9-year-old finds simple, smart water-saving solution

Two years ago, Mason Perez, then seven, went to wash deposits of ballpark ketchup and relish off his hands and face. The water in the Reno Aces ballpark poured out the faucet so hard and fast that it hurt his hands. His mom turned down the faucet, and that's when Perez had a brilliant, simple […]

Mitt Romney loves climate science, hates winning

Oh, Mitt Romney. You have such electable hair. So why do you want to waste it by doing things like believing in global warming? That's not how people become the Republican presidential nominee. Yes, Mitt is apparently not participating in the traditional quadrennial GOP candidate 5K Fun Run Away From Anything That Sounds Mildly Liberal. […]

Critical List: Bean sprouts newest E. coli suspect; the ‘golden age’ of natural gas

German authorities are now accusing bean sprouts of causing the E. coli outbreak in Europe, but don't have inarguable proof, yet. Vegetables, unlike humans, are guilty until proven innocent, it seems. Climate delegates begin meeting today in Bonn, in the run-up to the Durbin round of climate talks. They've got a lot to hash over, […]

Hoofin’ it: Ask Umbra on faux-leather Birkenstocks

Send your question to Umbra! Q. Dear Umbra, I love Birkenstocks, but what’s the deal with Birko-Flor? A leather alternative, sure. But they’re vinyl, and I believe vinyl is a four-letter word in Grist world. Would I be better off just sticking to traditional leather-upper Birks? JenniferBrooklyn, N.Y. Heart and sole. Photo: pi?A. Dearest Jennifer, […]

Genetically engineered salmon’s fishy promises

Cross-posted from Gilt Taste. For those who follow the theater of food politics, particularly the underwater portion of the drama, AquaBounty’s AquAdvantage genetically engineered salmon has played something of leading role for two decades, dating back to the 1990s when the fish was first conceived. The AquAdvantage salmon, in case you haven’t heard about it, […]

Nuclear power is expensive and uninsurable

The world’s beleaguered nuclear industry continues to take a battering. The “nuclear renaissance” juggernaut that once seemed unstoppable now appears dead in its tracks. The cabinet of Germany’s conservative government on Monday voted to take the country out of nuclear permanently by 2022. Not to be outdone on the right, the country’s opposition parties say […]

Three prominent Republicans care about climate change, sort of

In recent weeks, three prominent Republicans — Mitt Romney, Chris Christie and Jon Huntsman — have publicly affirmed their belief in climate change and the need to reduce pollution. This is good news! But as far as I can tell, they don’t have a plan to address the issue between the three of them. The […]

Want more cash in your pocket? Live in a neighborhood with good transportation options

A report released Thursday by the House Democratic Livable Communities Task Force recognized that families living in auto-dependent neighborhoods spend significantly more money on transportation, with fewer dollars available for health care, food, and other family expenses. In response, the two dozen representatives proposed a “Freedom from Oil” [PDF] agenda that would reduce oil use […]

Mitt Romney: Reducing global-warming pollution is 'important'

Breaking with Tea Party Republicans, Mitt Romney said that "it's important for us to reduce our emissions" that cause climate change.