Latest Articles

Why a clean energy standard is smart policy and smart politics in 2011

Last year, the Senate stiff-armed every important clean energy idea that crossed its path. Cap and trade. Oil drilling reform. Even a clean energy bank. This was more than a one-year or one Congress set back. It has created a growing perception that energy reform is legislative poison. With fewer clean energy advocates in the […]

'Superstreets' work smarter, not wider

Is there a way to accommodate a growing population and its continued need to drive without ending up in a scenario where we all live in the median of a 120-lane highway? Researchers at North Carolina State University found that the U-turn-based intersections of "superstreets" allow better traffic flow, fewer accidents, and potentially more pedestrian safety, without expanding the size of the road.

The danger of a two-year delay in EPA climate rules

A proposal to delay EPA climate rules for two years is being pushed by Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. Obama must veto such a bill if it reaches his desk.

Renewable energy standards: less effective, more costly, but politically preferred to cap-and-trade?

It is ironic that while cap-and-trade is dead in the Senate, support has emerged for an approach that would be both less effective and more costly.

I talk population and 7 billion on Green Patriot Radio

This week I got the chance to talk about my recent post "2011: The year we’ll hit 7 billion" on Green Patriot Radio with host David Steinman.

Join a sewing club to save clothes from the landfill

Hit up a sewing club to stitch, socialize, and mend your tattered duds. It's for the earth!

Boycotting bluefin isn’t enough — time to turn on the siren

The Center for Biological Diversity has announced a "bluefin boycott." While that sounds (and is) good, the Center's campaign is about far more than simply giving up buying and eating bluefin tuna.

Detroit, community resilience, and the American dream

Within our lifetimes, many of us will have to pioneer a new meaning of what "the good life" really is. People in Detroit are leading the way.

Birds are dying because of Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal, says prophet

There's nothing mysterious about thousands of dead birds -- at least not for Cindy Jacobs, earthly representative of the Almighty.

Making bread with Rustica Bakery — then bread pudding [VIDEO]

When it comes to choosing subject matter for my show, my reasoning varies: Sometimes I think about what the audience might want to see; oftentimes it has to do with what's in season. This week it was purely selfish: I wanted to get inside my favorite bakery.