Latest Articles

Is EPA running scared from the incoming Republican Congress?

I've been worrying aloud on the blog that the Obama administration doesn't seem to be doing much to prepare for the relentless assault on EPA that's already underway, not only on its coming greenhouse gas regulations but on its entire agenda. Instead, the agency looks to be backing down.

Sex: the next ethical industry?

Few sectors rival the global economic importance of sex, but so far sustainability professionals have left it completely untouched.

Fossil energy knows it's a full contact game — does cleantech?

Cleantech investors, executives, and leaders have a lot at stake, and they should pay attention to dirty energy's increasingly aggressive attacks.

A talk with Charles Marohn, 'recovering engineer' and cofounder of Strong Towns

We discuss how smart planning can transcend politics and why we should let the Tea Party have what they want.

Time to move like the wind to save clean energy

Rep. Ed Markey argues that the framework tax deal announced this week by President Obama and GOP Senate leaders threatens to kill clean energy jobs.

EPA names the nation's top smart-growth cities

When it comes to smart growth, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the smartest cities are New York, Baltimore, Portland, and San Francisco.

Solar developers race clock as sun sets on lucrative incentives

Time is running out for solar developers seeking federal cash grants for major projects.

China plans to continue expanding renewable energy production

China has firmly established itself as a key player in the clean energy sector. The country is significantly ramping up its renewable energy capacity, increasing energy efficiency, investing in research and development, and shutting down some of its least efficient coal plants. These encouraging trends are likely to continue or accelerate in the years to come.

Meet James McWilliams, meat-industry defender — and aggrieved vegan?

James McWilliams has made a career of defending the food industry from what he sees as its hysterical, unreasonable critics (such as yours truly). At several points, this mission has led him to defend industrial meat. All of this makes his latest -- a moralistic vegan screed -- hard to swallow.

Bangladesh minister responds to GOP climate zombies

Bangladesh environment minister says negative climate impacts are obvious in his country.