Latest Articles

Ask Umbra on turning threadbare clothing into recycled textiles

Ask Umbra answers a practically naked reader's question about how to recycle clothes once they are past the point of no reuse.

A locavore in China, Pt. 1: Black-market melons, un-free birds, and masquerading mangosteens

Living in the capital of China's rich and fertile Zhejiang Province, I thought I was eating local. Wrong. With reusable water bottle in hand and organic cotton socks strapped tight, I set off to see where my food really comes from.

Video of the year: Right Wing Radio Duck

I've watched with some trepidation as folks in the energy policy world have laughed off the "energy efficiency is fascism" business bubbling up on the right. The fact that it's outlandish on the merits doesn't mean it can't take off and substantially alter public perception. The country's feeling insecure and anxious, and that means easy prey for demagogues. This mash-up from Jonathan McIntosh makes the point with brilliant, hilarious clarity

Obama rallies to the defense of what little remains of clean energy policy

Obama says it's "essential" to get moving on clean energy. Because it's so essential, we ... extended some tax breaks. Now even those are in danger.

PBR: ‘That softer, kindlier taste’ urban farmers love

In the 1940s, Pabst Blue Ribbon appealed directly to the grow-your-own brigade -- just as the beer now does to their irony-loving grandchildren.

Self-reliance, population, and bringing children into a troubled world [VIDEO]

Chris Martenson, an evangelizer for self-reliance and resilience, addresses global population growth and other troubling trends in this video.

Hamburgers are the new heroin [VIDEO]

An intense new video shows kids being turned into junk-food junkies. Plus, parents learn a valuable lesson about serving XXX's and OOO's while trying to Feed the Children.

Will Pete Rouse, Obama’s new chief of staff, push for climate action?

Rahm Emanuel's replacement has political savvy, energy-policy chops, and experience warding off environmental attacks from Republicans in Congress.

Heritage hypocritically misrepresents scientists' words

The folks at the Heritage Foundation have just turned in quite an editing whopper.

Obama taps food-industry exec for top ag-research post

Obama has nominated Catherine Woteki, an exec from the Mars candy corporation, to direct the U.S. government's entire agricultural research budget.