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Can you catch swine flu on the subway?
Sick transit?arvindgrover via flickrThis morning, Vice President Biden went slightly off-message about swine flu — just enough to freak out the White House, and potentially enough to freak out hypochondriacal Americans. Appearing on NBC’s Today Show, he responded to a question from Matt Lauer by saying he would advise his own family not to “go […]
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Can it be? Even more tidbits from the Energy Efficiency Global Forum?
Here is the third and final collection of tidbits, factoids, and insights from the Energy Efficiency Global Forum. These are drawn from the final plenary session, which was two hours long and absolutely packed with interesting speakers and info. • Nobuo Tanaka, executive director of the International Energy Agency, pointed out that efficiency improvements have […]
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More tidbits from the Energy Efficiency Global Forum
I have a couple of overview-type posts in mind re: the Energy Efficiency Global Forum, but first a couple more Tidbit Posts, sharing factoids and insights that otherwise won’t find a home. Here’s the second of three, drawn from the “executive dialogs” that took place alongside the main plenary sessions. • Lena Ek, member of […]
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Bolivia’s leader pushes rich nations for climate adaptation funds
President Evo Morales of Bolivia never shies away from a scuffle. He was elected as Bolivia’s first indigenous president after toppling the previous government with massive street protests, and he has since legalized the coca leaf, nationalized the mines, and tossed out the U.S. ambassador. Bolivian President Evo Morales makes an offering to the “Pachamama” […]
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Energy crops up at Obama’s 100-day press conference
President Barack Obama told reporters at the press conference marking his 100th day in office that he is “pleased, but not satisfied” with the progress his administration has made thus far, noting energy among the issues they need to keep working on. While the majority of the event was consumed by other pressing issues of […]
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Don’t jump to conclusions on swine flu and pork production
Editor’s Note: Tom Philpott’s April 28 piece on the swine flu pandemic, which raised the question of whether there is a link between the virus’ emergence in Mexico and the presence nearby of factory-scale pork farms, sparked a vigorous debate on the Society for Environmental Journalists listserv. Merritt Clifton was one of several writers to […]
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What we eat when we eat alone
My dear friend Deborah Madison has created a delightful book called What We Eat When We Eat Alone, an investigation into some of our most intimate moments. When no one is looking, no one is judging, and your most secret cravings can come out, what do you eat? And how? As a companion/intro, Deb has […]
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Failing grades issued for air quality in Seattle, other major cities
Photo: Peter Davis via FlickrIf Seattle were an 8th grader, she’d probably be grounded right now. And considering the poor scores the city received on its air quality report card (an F for ozone pollution and a C for particulates), it might not be a bad idea if we all stay inside for a while. […]
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Green jobs for America’s youth
One hundred days ago, President Barack Obama took the oath of office with an overwhelming mandate from America’s youth. Two out of every three citizens under the age of 30 voted for Obama in the 2008 election. We demanded change and Obama promised it. We demanded green jobs, strong climate policy, a safer and more […]
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The great wealthy nation land-grab
Land is where the food isGlobally, farmland — and just as critically, water on that land — is disappearing at an alarming rate. Approximately 50 million acres vanish each year to urbanization, population growth, and economic and industrial development. So what are countries doing in response? Looking to buy or lease fertile land in parts […]
