Latest Articles

Eating more fish will save the rainforests, suggests scientist Ray Hilborn

What would happen if we never ate another fish? Fisheries researcher Ray Hilborn thinks that shift could only lead to more rainforests succumbing to the plow to fill the world's growling bellies, and that there really are plenty of fish in the sea to do that instead.

What are the limits on the EPA? The Clean Air Act holds answers

Given the built-in limitations on Environmental Protection Agency authority contained in the Clean Air Act, fears of agency "overreach" are misplaced.

PBS on Senate dysfunction and filibuster abuse [VIDEO]

Over the weekend, the PBS show Need to Know ran a fantastic piece on Senate dysfunction, focused in particular on filibuster abuse. It features Sen. Tom Udall, a big supporter of Senate rules reform, and George Packer, who wrote a stellar piece on Senate dysfunction for The New Yorker earlier this year. It's a lot of good info packed in 15 minutes.

Why we won't have a green energy revolution without the smart grid

The rise of renewable energy and electric cars will vastly complicate how the power grid operates. That means it's going to have to get a lot smarter.

Another salmonella egg recall from a DeCoster-related company

He's ba-ack! In fact, he never went away. Most of Jack DeCoster's Iowa egg operations still can't sell fresh eggs to the public, but that hasn't prevented his Ohio operation from getting embroiled in another salmonella recall.

Remaking school meals in Boulder

In my ongoing quest to find the cutting edge in the nation's chronically under-funded and frequently maligned school meals program, I recently spent a week in Boulder with Renegade Lunch Lady Ann Cooper.

We need real bike paths for real bike transportation

A recent fatal crash between a cyclist and a pedestrian on the popular Katy Trail in Dallas brings home the message: If we are going to fill the rapidly growing demand for bicycle infrastructure, we need the real thing. Cramming bikes onto serene paths is like putting a superhighway through a schoolyard.

Climate scientists say enough is enough and mobilize an army

Scientists now realize the facts don't speak for themselves and plan to take on climate change deniers.

Ask Umbra on how to repair a broken electric toothbrush and other gadgets

Ask Umbra brushes off her handy tools for fixing gadgets -- like a reader's broken Sonicare toothbrush.

Urbivore’s Dilemma, Weeks 20-22: Cooking strike

I’ve spent very little quality time with the fruits and vegetables from the CSA of late except in their most simple form -- raw. But should I really be trying to eat turnip greens and sweet potatoes uncooked?