Latest Articles

Another Silicon Valley solar startup to build a factory in Oregon

A SolarWorld worker making panels. Photo: SolarWorldAnother Silicon Valley startup is planting a tree in Portlandia’s solar forest, thanks to a United States Department of Energy loan guarantee. SoloPower, a San Jose, Calif., company that makes thin-film photovoltaic models, on Thursday snagged a $197 million federal loan guarantee to build a factory in Wilson, Ore., […]

The energy [r]evolution has begun

Access to energy is vital for our economies, but energy is one of the main sources of the greenhouse gas emissions putting our climate at risk. It follows that we need to transition to a low-carbon, renewable energy mix. That aspiration is frequently debated — at times encouraged, often mocked — but it bears emphasizing: […]

Futurist Ray Kurzweil isn’t worried about climate change

Ray Kurzweil.Photo: JD LasicaBy Lauren Feeney Author, inventor, and futurist Ray Kurzweil famously and accurately predicted that a computer would beat a man at chess by 1998, that technologies that help spread information would accelerate the collapse of the Soviet Union, and that a worldwide communications network would emerge in the mid 1990s (i.e. the […]

Hey, enviros, greens, climate hawks — we all need to stand up for Planned Parenthood

A society is not sustainable if women don’t have basic control over their fertility. That’s just fundamental, a no-brainer. So the ongoing Republican assault war blitzkrieg on women’s reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood specifically should enrage anyone who cares about a sustainable future — and propel us off our asses. This isn’t just an attack […]

Featured Friend: Maia Patrick Donohue

Each month, we showcase one of our beloved Friends with Benefits — folks who have donated to support our work. Want to take your relationship with Grist to the next level? Just donate any amount to join the fun.  Maia Patrick Donohue “In the family that raised me, neglecting our care of the earth was unthinkable. I’m […]

Friday music blogging: Radiohead

The new Radiohead album, announced just last week, was abruptly released today, a day earlier than promised. The King of Limbs is available for download in either lossy (MP3) or lossless (WAV) format — which are, interestingly, priced differently. There’s also a lush meatspace package with vinyl, CDs, and art. I’ll be honest, I’ve enjoyed […]

6 things you should never put in your mouth [SLIDESHOW]

We enjoy our food, even odd food like kale chips. And we are neither snobby nor necessarily squeamish, but when we find “food” that, on the surface or under the ingredient list, makes us cringe, it is our duty to share. You are welcome. Duck, duck, gross Photo: Dindin Lagdameo Balut is a fertilized duck (or chicken) […]

The American people really, really support clean energy

This is from a USA Today/Gallup poll from last month: The same month, House Speaker John Boehner said to the new Congress, “The people voted to end business as usual and today we begin to carry out their instructions.” I’ll be looking for those solar incentives then.

Jeff Bingaman retiring; Senate to get even dumber on clean energy

New Mexico Sen. Jeff BingamanBig news today: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is retiring. He won’t run for reelection in 2012. All political pundits are required by law to write something about What This Means, so here goes. First, it means Senate Dems are not very optimistic about […]

GOP would rather shut down the government than protect your air and water

Photo: Nathan ColquhounHouse Republicans, who have been spending much of the term so far creating jobs via strict regulation of women’s uteruses, are now doing their damnedest to create jobs via destroying the EPA. The plan is basically “1) thwart progressive ideals; 2) step 2; 3) jobs for everyone!” What if you don’t want a […]