Latest Articles

California OKs measure requiring more humane treatment of farm animals

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 2, which will require that egg-laying hens, calves raised for veal, and pregnant pigs be given enough room to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs, and turn around freely. Get the background on this groundbreaking ballot initiative.

Mixed results for green-leaning Republicans in Northeast

Maine Republican Susan Collins, a longtime environmentalist who was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, successfully defended her Senate seat against a challenge from Democrat Tom Allen, who also has a strong green record. New Jersey Republican Rep. Chris Smith, another LCV endorsee, won his reelection race too. But another stalwart green Republican from […]

Colorado and New Mexico get new eco-friendly senators

Enviros are psyched to see two Udalls heading to the Senate: Mark Udall of Colorado and Tom Udall of New Mexico. The two cousins, both big boosters of clean energy and conservation, were heavily backed by green groups.

Obama triumphs, names environment and energy as priorities

  “Because of what we did on this day, at this defining moment, change is coming to America,” Barack Obama promised in his victory speech after a landslide victory in his quest for the presidency. Obama made brief reference in his speech to the dual challenges of environmental crisis and energy crisis, promising that these […]

Where to go for the results of this year’s green-tinged elections

Be sure to check out Grist’s Election Guide for updates on key House, Senate, and governor’s races as they come in this evening, as well as the results of ballot initiatives around the country.

The ‘historic’ 2008 election drinking game

Of all the drinking games I have ever proposed (Note to self: Do I have a drinking game problem? Nah, I can quit anytime), the one for election day coverage this year is certainly the most likely to leave you unconscious on the floor for the longest period of time: Take one shot every time […]

Smarter children more likely to vote green as adults, says study

Children with higher IQs are more likely to vote for Britain’s Green Party when they grow up, according to new research in the journal Intelligence. source: <a href="

Election ads featured three times more wind turbines this year than in 2006

Fun election fact, from the League of Conservation Voters: In 2006, federal candidates ran a total of 17 ads featuring images of windmills, representing the beginnings of clean energy as a campaign issue. In 2008, federal candidates ran at least 54 ads featuring windmills.

Kill it

The Guardian‘s excellent Fred Pearce: “Time to bury the ‘clean coal’ myth.” It is, of course, oxymoronic. Coal is about acid rain and peasouper smogs, asthma and mercury contamination, radioactive waste emissions and ripping apart mountains, killing trees, lung cancer and, of course, global warming. Yup.

USDA aims to tighten grazing standards for organic cows

Three moos for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is aiming to close a loophole in organic standards for livestock. Under the proposed rule, organic cows must be let out to graze in a pasture at least 120 days per year, and must get 30 percent of their feed from such grazing. The old rules […]