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Obama’s new director of domestic policy on a progressive energy agenda

Obama’s new director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Melody Barnes, is likely to focus a lot of her work on health care and education. But she’s also written a bit about what a progressive president should do on energy. While she was the executive vice president for policy at the Center for American […]

Hansen wants the skeptics thrown in jail–Did James Hansen really want to try the climate skeptics?

(Part of the How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic guide)   Objection: In his June 23, 2008 testimony before the United States Congress, James Hansen called for the punishment of climate change skeptics for “crimes against humanity.” This is a mockery of free speech, the antithesis of scientific investigation, and a clear indication that […]

Carmakers hope to head off lithium shortages

According to this article from the BBC, production of hybrid and electric cars may be stifled by a shortage of lithium at some point in the next decade. Mitsubishi’s general manager in La Paz, Eichi Maeyama, said: The demand for lithium won’t double but increase by five times. There is plenty of lithium out there, […]

Vast majority of feds’ flex-fuel cars still run on straight gasoline

The federal government has poured billions of dollars into building up a fleet of 112,000 flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on an ethanol blend — but the attempt to move away from fossil fuels has so far largely failed, as 92 percent of the vehicles still run on straight gasoline.

Umbra on rainforest-protection gifts

Dear Umbra, This year for Christmas, I want to buy hectares of rainforest for some of my in-laws instead of the usual gift items that may end up in someone’s closet and forgotten, if not regifted. How do organizations that protect rainforests in this way operate, and how do I know a high percentage of […]

The real truth about stabilizing at 350 ppm

To James Hansen (and his fellow 350 ppm-ers): You make a compelling case we must ultimately return atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million to avoid catastrophic climate impacts. But you have made an uncompelling case about how President-elect Obama should go about achieving 350 ppm in your new draft essay "Tell […]

Notre Dame and Syracuse face off in football and climate change

The Fighting Irish and the Orangemen grapple over gridiron green. Photo: Ashley Braun As a loyal Notre Dame alumna, I feel it’s my duty not only to rally behind my team on the football field, but also to rally behind their efforts at fighting climate change. Thanks to NBC Universal and their “Green is Universal” […]

Don’t be a turkey — show them you care

Whether you’re getting ready to feast on a feathered friend, protest the cruelty of cutlets, or something in between, take a moment to show your loved ones you care by sending a Grist e-card. They’ll never think of Thanksgiving the same way again. Send | Enlarge Send | Enlarge Send | Enlarge Send | Enlarge […]

Who’s to blame for the crisis in the auto industry?

Detroit is in a free fall. Some say it’s their own doing by deciding to push big gas guzzlers rather fuel efficient cars. With that choice, the Big Three maximized their short-term profits but conceded the auto market of the future to foreign companies. There is plenty of blame to pass around. Executives made exceedingly […]

Obama announces economic advisers, stresses clean energy

President-elect Obama continued to stress the importance of clean energy during a Monday press conference in which he officially unveiled his economic team. Returning to themes outlined in his Saturday radio address to the nation, Obama said America “could lose millions of jobs” without “bold action” on the economy. Such action should include steps toward […]