Latest Articles
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A prominent political reporter digs into the obesity epidemic
Some fries with that? Once you’ve been super-sized, it’s hard to go backPolitical reporter Marc Ambinder of the Atlantic has a new must-read piece on the obesity epidemic. Ambinder comes at the issue from the perspective of a former obese person, though he himself notes that his “cure” of bariatic surgery is risky, expensive, and […]
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Justice Stevens’ pro-environmental legacy embodies a simple approach: follow the law
Following last Friday’s announcement that Justice John Paul Stevens will retire from the Supreme Court at the end of this term, President Obama hailed the Court’s most senior Justice as “an impartial guardian of the law.” This description is certainly accurate, and is perhaps best illustrated by Justice Stevens’ numerous rulings in environmental cases. First, […]
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Graham doesn’t want climate bill associated with Earth Day
“We don’t want to mix messages here. I’m all for protecting the Earth, but this is about energy independence.” — Sen. Lindsey Graham, on why he, Kerry, and Lieberman won’t be releasing their long-awaited climate bill on Earth Day
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Fred Kirschenmann, winner of NRDC’s Growing Green “Thought Leader” award
An April 13, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) announced the four winners of its second annual “Growing Green” awards, which honor leaders in the sustainable-food world. The four categories are “thought leader,” “producer,” business leader,” and “water steward.” Over the next few days, I’ll be interviewing the winners in each category. First up: Fred […]
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Coal execs get slammed in House hearing
Several coal industry executives withstood some heat today during a hearing before the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. “The Role of Coal in a New Energy Age” hearing featured a slate of four speakers who attempted to defend their industries — with one denying anthropogenic global warming -as part of the […]
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Why aren’t more economists backing win-win climate solutions?
I’ve been reflecting a bit on this post I wrote yesterday on Paul Krugman’s primer on climate economics. Long story short, I wish I hadn’t written it. Not because I’m not interested in (and obviously somewhat exercised by) the role of rational choice theory in mainstream economics, but because it wasn’t the main point I […]
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Climatic Research Unit scientists cleared (again)
Another day, another exoneration for climate scientists. Here’s the Guardian’s headline on the findings of the inquiry panel, which was led by Lord Oxburgh, the former chair of the House of Lords science and technology select committee: Scientists cleared of malpractice in UEA’s hacked emails inquiry Researchers ‘dedicated if slightly disorganised’, but basic science was fair, finds inquiry commissioned by […]
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I'm testifying before House Ways and Means with Pickens, Sachs, GE, and US Chamber
The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday on energy tax incentives and the green job economy. It will be webcast here. I’m on the 1 pm panel, the one The Hill says “will likely be a media circus because of the attention [T. Boone] Pickens usually draws.” Here’s the full witness list for my panel: T. Boone Pickens, […]
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Reid affirms plans for floor debate on bipartisan climate and clean energy jobs bill
The Senate’s top Democrat said yesterday he is still dedicated to spending valuable floor time this year on comprehensive climate and energy legislation, but the three sponsors of the plan may have to go member-by-member in order to deliver a package capable of mustering 60 votes. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he wants to […]
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The Real Problems with Paul Krugman’s Climate Economics Primer
But let’s start by accenting the positive. Krugman’s explanation of mainstream environmental economics is clear and powerful. He recognizes that there really are a lot of free energy lunches lying around uneaten, in the form of potential efficiency improvements. He knows that predictions of economic disaster due to carbon policy are without foundation and […]
