Latest Articles

Urban design lessons from the world's poorest neighborhoods

Pavlina Ilieva and Kuo Pao Lian aren't out to sugarcoat slums. But they suggest that those who live in the most privileged enclaves could learn a lot.

Carly Fiorina was for climate and energy legislation before she was against it

Last week, Carly Fiorina waffled on whether she supported the landmark climate and clean energy legislation that Prop 23 would kill, since, she supported cap-and-trade during the presidential campaign. Now the GOP Senate candidate has completed her flip-flop to full support for the dirty energy proposition funded by Big Oil.

Big league sports join the green team, score with solar

An alliance between sports and the green community has American pro leagues urging teams to solarize their stadiums. Some teams are ahead of the game

Six things you should know before defying the real food police

Growing numbers of folks involved in raw milk and other alternative foods are refusing to abide by government edicts and shutdown orders. Here's what to expect if you join the ranks of the resistance.

WTF should you make for dinner?

The adventures of daily life are many and varied and often don't amount to much. Sometimes it's just a matter of wanting to know what the f**k I should make for dinner that day. So thank goodness for this dirty-mouthed kitchen helper.

How Chicago became the city of green shoulders

What started as a simple beautification project -- flower planters, parkways, and whatnot -- eventually led Chicago to take on the larger challenge of green building. A leading architect describes how leadership from the mayor's office, key changes in the city's building permit program, and cooperation from developers made it happen.

Chicago takes the LEED in eco building

Skyscrapers and other enormous buildings are environmental horror shows. So you might think that Chicago -- birthplace of the skyscraper and home to nine of the world's 100 tallest buildings -- is like a City of the Eco-Damned. Not so. The Windy City has plenty of proof that it's building a foundation on building green.

The omnivore's delight: One day, four meals, and 53 species

If variety is the spice of life, we Homo sapiens are the spiciest of species. I calculated that in just 24 hours, I consumed 53 species spanning four biological kingdoms and five continents. Here's why our diet biodiversity matters.

Does the RES stand a chance?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid may still try to pass a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). Does it have a shot, or will Republicans pull the football?

Scientists believe BPA is risky — it's just a matter of agreeing on how much

The New York Times' recent recap of the current science behind bisphenol-A's dangers suggests that scientists are waiting for results from a two-year, government funded study on the chemical to confirm what they already believe.