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USDA has crazy idea that organic cows should get time in pasture

Only cows that have gobbled grass in pasture for at least 120 days per year can produce milk labeled “organic,” according to draft rules issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Activists have long criticized a loophole that allowed organic-milk producers to keep their cows in giant feedlots, as long as they were fed organic […]

The X-Prize and the dream of a losing presidential candidate

John McCain might have lost the presidency, but he still has a shot at achieving his battery dream. The X-Prize Crazy-Green-Idea contest has three finalists, and one of them stars a magic battery. Check them out and vote here.

Umbra on holiday shopping

Hi Umbra, When it comes to holiday presents, does it really save energy and gas to order stuff online? Rick G. Manchester, N.H. Dearest Rick, Holiday gift time, everyone! Many of you have already begun shopping, I know, and I also know that my birthday, coming in early December as it does, adds to the […]

Obama OMB Cabinet pick is champion of cap-and-auction

National Journal reports that Obama is preparing to appoint Peter Orszag, current director of the Congressional Budget Office, as head of his Office of Management and Budget (the White House equivalent of the CBO). OMB chief is an important Cabinet-level position that will oversee some 500 employees that monitor and assess the performance and spending […]

Obama hits green home run in remarks to govs on clean energy and climate

Much like Al Gore’s surprise appearance at Netroots Nation this summer (which seems like eons ago at this point), I am told that President-elect Barack Obama’s taped message to the Bi-Partisan Governor’s Global Climate Summit was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. President-elect Obama’s remarks should quiet any remaining suspicions that his campaign […]

North-South deal has states cooperating on rainforest protection

The major announcement at the first day of the Governors’ Global Climate Summit was that the states of California, Illinois and Wisconsin, along with six states in Brazil and Indonesia, have agreed create a joint program for protecting and restoring tropical forests in the interest of curbing climate change. The “memorandum of understanding” (MOU) commits […]

The whopper of a conference starts today

This year’s Greenbuild Expo kicks off today, and I’m … not there. But I will be later this week! It looks to be both inspiring and overwhelming — check out the official program for an eye-blurring good time. In advance of the event, the U.S. Green Building Council put out the word that it expects […]

Union of Concerned Scientists offers tip to buy most energy-efficient TV

If you watch TV, then you know that the country will switch to High-Definition TV sometime in February. Those with old-school cathode ray tubes may be tempted to use this milestone to “upgrade” to a flat-screen. If that describes you or someone you know, then this Greentip from the Union of Concerned Scientists may be […]

Monsanto’s man in the Clinton admin joins the transition team, and more

Update [2008-11-20 5:47:7 by Tom Philpott]: Correction: Jill Richardson of La Vida Locavore pointed me to an error in the original post. About former Monsanto vice-president and FDA official Michael R. Taylor, I had written that “He was particularly useful in the effort to prevent abstaining dairies from advertising their milk as rBGH-free.” Not so, […]

EPA pushes ahead with weaker clean-air rules near national parks

The U.S. EPA is continuing its push to weaken clean-air rules near national parks before President Bush leaves office, despite the objection of national-park advocates and many of the agency’s own administrators, according to The Washington Post. The rule revision would change the way air pollution is measured near national parks, allowing large pollution spikes […]