Latest Articles

Public investment and regulation can be main means to green

In the face of economic catastrophe, yesterday’s controversial assertion has become today’s conventional economic wisdom. That lack of regulation is one root of the current depression is not only the view of liberals and moderates, but also of sensible conservatives. And the need for public investment to fight the depression is no longer in doubt […]

Is an economic downturn the perfect time for cap-and-trade?

The NYT has a piece about how the economic downturn may "limit moves on clean energy." This piece, like most of its ilk (they’re catnip to the media), is about 80 percent vaporware, built on quotes from people or countries that were resisting "moves on clean energy" before the downturn anyway. But it’s an excuse […]

Maddow eviscerates Bush

A closer look at Bush’s last-minute anti-environmental regs: [vodpod id=ExternalVideo.1011976&w=425&h=350&fv=launch%3D27934397%26width%3D400%26height%3D320]

Small tank + on-demand

Check out these “electric-hybrid” water heaters — on-demand heat, plus a small tank, cuts average yearly energy in half. (via ScientificBlogging)

Another climate impact comes faster than predicted

Energy companies remove the tops of entire mountains. Now it turns out humanity’s use of that coal is removing the tops of entire glaciers. Climate models have repeatedly underestimated the speed and scale of major climate change impacts (see list below). That is why climate scientists — and indeed everyone but the blinkered deniers — […]

Some final thoughts on Politico, skeptics, and the next con

Earlier this week, Politico, the influential Beltway newspaper, ran an awful story on climate change skeptics (two, actually). I kind of, um, flipped out, and Politico got bashed by Joe Romm, Brad Johnson, Ezra Klein, Matt Yglesias, Steve Benen, Curtis Brainard, and Adam Siegel. Now Politico has run a long letter by Russ and me […]

For stronger cities, build better connections

Infrastructure is a dull business. The guy talking about pipes and wires is not generally the life of the party (to my chagrin). But infrastructure is all the rage these days, with economists calling for broad stimulus, and Barack Obama’s transition team planning big investments in the American economy. The excitement seems to be catching. […]

A reason to give thanks

This is not a Grist spoof: President-elect Barack Obama says he wants to make the White House “green.” In an interview with Barbara Walters, Obama said he plans to sit down with the chief usher for the presidential mansion and do an evaluation of its energy efficiency. He says part of what he wants to […]

Government says it’s ‘diffiult’ to reduce the emissions from Canada’s oil sands

I’m about to reveal Canadian state secrets: William Shatner is an overacting jerk. The tar sands are an unfixable climate disaster. Lock me up in Gitmo! Or wherever the Canadian version of that hellhole is. I’m guessing Athabasca. The Onion CBC News reports: CBC News has obtained a government document that says reducing greenhouse gases […]

Take it back!

Electronics TakeBack Coalition runs a Times Square ad entreating Panasonic to take back TVs for recycling — on Panasonic jumbotron: