Latest Articles

For once, developments in Washington could make things better on the farm

The outlook for small farms could be getting a bit sunnier.Photo: andyrobeI write on Grist about my small farm, but my day job is different. I’m an organizer for the Nebraska-based Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA). One of the things we do at CFRA is try to tweak federal farm policies in ways that help […]

China to blow the doors off Obama’s namby-pamby electric car program

China’s BYD e6 all-electric sedan.Photo: BYD HAHAHAHAHA! — China China just announced plans to build 1 million electric cars per year. Let’s put that in perspective: In Obama’s State of the Union Address, he said the U.S. should shoot for 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015, total. Here’s the really crazy part […]

The case for labeling GMOs, food for environmentalist thought, and more

When my info-larder gets too packed, it’s time to serve up some choice nuggets from around the web. Bittman: Time to label GMOs With the USDA’s recent flurry of green lights for genetically modified crops — evidently at the urging of the White House  — the Obama administration should brace itself for a big push […]

Republican governors just love saying no to rail

Photo: Tim GilliamTurning down federal money for rail projects looks like it’s turning into a badge of honor for Republican governors. Chris Christie has done it in New Jersey. Scott Walker has done it in Wisconsin. John Kasich has done it in Ohio. Now Florida’s Rick Scott, a Tea Party favorite, has jumped on the […]

House Republicans Pretend Global Warming Doesn't Exist

Today the US House of Representatives is expected to vote on an amendment which would deny any US funding to international efforts to determine whether global warming is happening and how much damage it will have on humanity.  The amendment from Rep. Luetkemeyer (R-MO) would block funds to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change […]

House Republicans Pretend Global Warming Doesn’t Exist

Today the US House of Representatives is expected to vote on an amendment which would deny any US funding to international efforts to determine whether global warming is happening and how much damage it will have on humanity.  The amendment from Rep. Luetkemeyer (R-MO) would block funds to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change […]

Dear media: Quit the ‘manly vegan’ trend pieces

A “hegan” in his natural habitat?Photo: ekornblutEvery year or so, a media outlet has the shocking realization that — ready? — not all men eat meat. Gasp! First, there was the New York Times piece about vegan firefighters, which boils down to “Wait, how can burly dudes who put out fires eat anything other than […]

Alternative energy plants aren’t just smart, they’re good-looking

Why is our country so enamored of coal and oil? Well, it sure ain’t for their looks. Unless you’re a near-pathological industrial-porn enthusiast, there’s nothing attractive about an oil refinery or a coal-fired power plant. But alternative energy plants are being designed to be not only better for the environment, but less of an eyesore […]

Are Girl Scout cookies killing orangutans?

Yet another reason to feel bad about waking up in a pile of crumbs.Photo: Josh KenzerIt’s Girl Scout cookie season, but Michigan scouts Rhiannon Tomtishen and Madison Vorva are finding other ways to support the organization’s mission of “building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place” than selling those […]

Another bogus report tries to discredit energy efficiency

If you think efficiency doesn’t save money, you haven’t been looking at the data.Cross-posted from the Natural Resources Defense Council. This piece was coauthored by Ralph Cavanagh, senior attorney and co-director of NRDC’s energy program. Throughout almost four decades of societal progress in getting more work out of less energy, those who deny the promise […]