Latest Articles

Brand cites Grist

Stewart Brand just stood up and used Grist (and Treehugger, and Worldchanging) as an example of how young environmentalists are coming around to support nuclear power. Huh?

Gigantic hydropower dam planned for Congo River

Some of the world’s largest banks and construction firms gathered with seven African governments Monday to chat about plans for an $80 billion hydroelectric dam on the Congo River. The proposed Grand Inga dam could generate twice the electricity of China’s controversial Three Gorges Dam and greatly increase the amount of cheap and clean power […]

Energy execs and GOP reps grow apart on climate action

Things may be getting a little weird in what's traditionally been a cozy long-term relationship. A Republican state representative in North Dakota last week ripped electric company executives for being too liberal on climate action:

State Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, said the companies have a responsibility to "tell the truth" about global warming.

"What I hear you saying is that, 'It's going to be a reality and we're just going to play the game as best we can,'" Kasper told company officials Wednesday, at a conference sponsored by the Utility Shareholders of North Dakota. "For you to throw in the towel now, is really disheartening to hear."

The issue was raised by Bill Brier, a vice president at the Edison Electric Institute in Washington, D.C. He said all three presidential candidates favor some sort of requirements dealing with climate change.

"We can argue the science, which we did for years," Brier said. "Now we are saying, 'It's going to happen. We want to be at the table.'"

What's going on here? Aren't Republicans and energy executives like peas and carrots? Is this just a lovers' quarrel or a sign of a more serious problem?

Calculate how much water your lifestyle requires

Remember when calculating your carbon footprint was all the rage? Ah, those were the days … but the carbon crisis is so yesterday’s news. The Next Big Thing is the water crisis, and as such, I present a little website called Waterfootprint.org. Use it to calculate your individual water footprint — or see how much […]

Pelosi and Gingrich unite for climate protection

… T-A-L-K-I-N-G about climate change in a new TV spot for the me We Can Solve It campaign. Check it out:

Umbra on energy-hog roommates

Dear Umbra, My roommate takes 45-minute showers, does 10 loads of laundry a day, and spends her days watching show after show on TV. What is a nice or subtle way to get her to “cool down” (she didn’t like us secretly turning down the water heater)? Thanks, Tested Tom Belmont, Calif. Dearest Tom, Obviously […]

Da yoots!

Cute! We’re now hearing from Avery Hairston, founder of an NGO called RelightNY — oh, and a 16 year old high school sophomore. He’s all rumpled and nervous and brainy. I want to go muss his hair. RelightNY raises money to buy and distribute CFLs — 20,000 so far, 50,000 more planned for this year. […]

Lots of amphibians ending up as roadkill, says research

Need a new reason to hate cars? You’re in luck! Death by vehicle could be a major contributing factor in declining numbers of amphibians, according to new research published in the journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology. (Hee hee, they said “herpetological.”) Intrepid road-kill researchers from Purdue University spent 17 months schlepping up 10,500 animals flattened […]

A conversation with McCain policy adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin

Opinions differ on the quality of John McCain’s domestic policy agenda, but you’d have trouble finding anyone in Washington who would disparage the man he’s chosen as one of his top advisers. Douglas Holtz-Eakin has a dauntingly long resume and a reputation among policy wonks on both sides of the aisle for fair-minded number crunching. […]

A discussion of climate policy downplays cap-and-trade

Now we’re getting into the nuts and bolts climate policy, with the following folks: The Hon. Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr. Attorney General State of California John E. Bryson Chairman and CEO Edison International Alexander "Andy" Karsner Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy U.S. Department of Energy Jonathan Lash President World Resources […]