Latest Articles

Great places: reorienting progressive politics for the 21st century

This is part one in a series on “great places.” Read parts two, three, four, and five. I asked a while back what new vision or principles could unite the left’s fractious coalition. As you probably guessed, I’ve got a pet idea along these lines. It’s a bit out in left field, at least in […]

What to do about ‘plastic soup’ in the ocean

Is there a less appetizing phrase than “plastic soup”? (Don’t answer that.) The New York Times Green blog reports on what happens to plastic in the oceans — it turns into a soup of seawater and plastic particles — and what we can do about it. The answer, basically: Try to stop putting so much […]

Freewheeling: Bicycling and the art of being broke

This is the seventh column in a series focusing on the economics of bicycling. More and more of us have less and less money these days. Fortunately, there are a lot of things you don’t need money to do, and bicycling is one of them. When you’re broke, a bicycle can help a lot. Financially, […]

Critical List: Tornado hits Joplin, Missouri; Chicago preps for climate change

A half-mile wide tornado leveled a Missouri town. And another volcano in Iceland poured ash into the sky. Cut it out, nature, we get it: you don't like airplanes. In Chicago, government officials not only believe in climate change, they are preparing the city for a steamier future. Local officials have been leading on adaptation […]

Cup o’ woe: Ask Umbra on single-serve coffee alternatives

Send your question to Umbra! Q. Dear Umbra, I work in an office of serious coffee drinkers. We have a Keurig single-cup coffee brewer that everyone loves because it allows them to choose their own roast and flavor. But all those little plastic K-Cups add up to lots of waste fast! Is there a more […]

Apocalypse now? Lessons for the climate movement from the ‘Rapture’ that didn’t happen

So, the world did not end on Saturday. Harold Camping’s predicted Judgment Day and “Rapture” failed. I wonder how disappointed his followers are. I also wonder if this might be a good time for the environmental community to reconsider its use of apocalyptic terms when describing our fears for the future. There’s no doubt that […]

The Rapture didn’t come, but don’t worry, the world is still boiling

Cross-posted from Beyond the Choir Church this morning must have been quite awkward for some people. The sermon might have gone something like, “I know we’re all disappointed that the rapture didn’t come, but don’t worry — its not like it’s the end of the world or anything.” Ha ha. I was among many progressives […]

Rapture Playlist

Because Pandora won’t work on my iPhone as I ascend…or am left behind. Either way. Track 01: All Over the World – ELO Track 02:In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins Track 03: Heaven- Psychedelic Furs Track 04: Rapture Mashup- Blondie and The Doors Track 05: Heaven-Warrant Track 06: Up Up and Away -5th Dimension […]

Flashback: In 2003, Romney attacked coal jobs that ‘kill people’

Cross-posted from Climate Progress. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, like his fellow GOP contenders, supports unlimited coal and oil production and opposes cap-and-trade markets to limit greenhouse pollution. Romney calls cap-and-trade a “radical feel-good” policy that would have “devastating results for people across the planet.” Last month, he told Fox News that the nation needed […]

Betty White is greener than you (and a GINK role model too)

Betty White, honorary forest ranger and ardent environmentalist.Photo: USDAWhite is the new green! Did you know that the octogenarian actress is a longtime environmentalist? She’s starring in a new campaign for The Wilderness Society: “Keep it wild with Betty White!” “Wilderness is harder and harder to find these days on this beautiful planet, and we’re […]