Latest Articles

China will close thousands of small coal mines

China plans to close more than 5,000 small coal mines, accounting for about 8 percent of the country’s coal output, for safety reasons. Some 4,750 people died in China’s mines in 2006.

Erosion is as big a problem as climate change, say experts

Planet Earth loses some 1 percent of its topsoil to erosion every year — and that’s an environmental threat on par with global warming, say experts. “Globally, it’s pretty clear we’re running out of dirt,” says geologist David Montgomery, who identifies agriculture as the main culprit for “soil mining.” In the U.S., cropland is estimated […]

All the sudden, Pete Domenici supports renewable energy

Wow. You don’t see gall this unmitigated every day. Here’s Pete Domenici, with a “Statement on Renewable Energy Tax Credits in Economic Stimulus Package”: Over the last several years, it is apparent that America’s renewable energy industry has shown great promise. Much of the growth of these industries, such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal, […]

The real story behind the world’s favorite scolding of the U.S.

Last month, Kevin Conrad became somewhat famous representing Papua New Guinea at the Bali climate talks. Confronted yet again with U.S. intransigence, Conrad said: I would ask the United States, we ask for your leadership. But if for some reason you’re not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please get out […]

History Channel explores a world without humans

What would the earth be like if we finally manage to bring about our own extinction? Find out Wednesday night.

Cap-and-trade 101

The Center for American Progress has put out a clear and concise description of "What Is Cap and Trade, and How Can We Implement It Successfully?"

Prince Charles appears as hologram to speak in Abu Dhabi

Prince Charles recently spoke to political leaders at the World Future energy summit in Abu Dhabi. But swallow your cries of jet-setting hypocrisy: Chas appeared as a hologram. “Scientists are now saying that the problem of climate change is now so grave and so urgent that we have less than 10 years to slow, stop, […]

Shorter work week bleg

I’m writing a short piece on the environmental benefits of a shorter work week. There’s lots of stuff out there on the social benefits (more time for family, better health, etc.) and the economic benefits (higher productivity, higher employment), but very little on the environmental benefits. If anybody out there has thoughts on the matter, […]

Deep thought of the day

It would be awesome if all government tax breaks and subsidies were removed from the energy sector, a carbon tax were imposed, and all low-carbon competitors could battle it out on a level market playing field. However, that’s never going to happen. So we should figure out what to do in the meantime.

There’s coal money and then there’s war money

In an electoral year when climate policy will play an unusually high-profile role, the $35 million raised by coal front group ABEC seems like a daunting obstacle. Then again, all-purpose-right-wing-warmongering front group Freedom’s Watch is raising $250 million to spend on elections this year. So I guess it’s important to keep these things in perspective.