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Jonathan Franzen on activism, compromises, overpopulation, and birds

In an exclusive interview with Grist, Jonathan Franzen talks about the environmental themes in his novel "Freedom," plus activism, population, & more.

Friday music blogging: Girl Talk

Girl Talk is DJ Greg Gillis, who has made a name mashing up beats, melody lines, and vocals from different songs into epic, album-length party sets. All told, the albums contain hundreds of samples, far more than any mere mortal could afford to license, so the results are ... less than legal. But great! The latest is called All Day.

The path to the U.N. climate summit in Cancun and the chances of success

Representatives from 194 countries gather this week in Cancun, for the 16th meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The real nitty-gritty on small farms and the food-safety bill

The Food Safety Modernization Act is back in play due to a procedural error, and facing renewed opposition from an unlikely quarter: small farms and food processors and the people who support them. Here, we drag our experts back for a detailed debate on who's exempt, under what circumstances, and what the FDA's agenda might be.

‘Drowning in Oil’ contest rules

  ‘Drowning in Oil’ Reader Contest Official Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations   NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.    Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules.  The McGraw-Hill book “Drowning in Oil” contest commences at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 6, 2010 and ends at 11:59 […]

Ethanol is dead; all hail plant-based synthetic gasoline! [PODCAST]

In my latest podcast, I talk to Jim Thomas of ETC Group, my go-to source for cutting-edge information on the machinations of global agribusiness. He blew my mind on the topic of ethanol and the "new biomass economy."

India proposes a system to monitor carbon pollution reductions

India recently proposed a new monitoring system for major emitters that aims to bridge some major differences between developing and developed countries. But a recent letter from the Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh clarifies that India’s proposal would be contingent on two things.

Our Orwellian Nightmare: Coal's Low Carbon Pitch

This week, I’m happy to introduce Justin Guay of the Sierra Club’s International Climate Program, who is in Cancun at the international climate negotiations, and who draws our attention in this post to a little-known problem that could spur coal development around the world: In Cancun all eyes are on climate finance and the role […]

Response to the electricity industry's timeline of environmental regulations

After years of delay, the EPA is working to reduce dangerous and toxic pollutants released to the air and water by electric power plants.

Driving the speed limit, for fun and profit! [VIDEO]

What if you had a chance to win the lottery -- just by driving responsibly?