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Monbiot: We can provide all or most of our electricity from renewable sources

In his July 3 column, George Monbiot reminds us of how much worse the threat of global warming may be than the consensus IPCC position. But he also reminds us that there are reasons for optimism too. He cites three studies that point to the fact that there is every reason to believe Europe and the UK can supply between 80 percent and 100 percent of electricity needs completely sun, wind, water, wave, tide, and minor amounts of biomass and geothermal energy, V2G Vanadium flow batteries, and pumped storage.

Given that electricity can drive just about all energetic processes of our civilization -- domestic, commercial, industrial, and transport, that means that we have economically reasonable substitutes for just about all carbon use now.

The Day the Music Lied?

Live Earth reaches an estimated 2 billion, critics harp on hypocrisy By all accounts, Live Earth (perhaps you’ve heard of it?) was a smashing success. Organizers say the shows reached about 2 billion people in 130 countries. More than 150 musical acts crooned, and supporters held more than 10,000 registered “fringe events” in addition to […]

And the Peanuts Are Free-Range

With fans and fanfare, Boeing unveils new fuel-efficient aircraft Yesterday, Boeing unveiled a new fuel-efficient airplane to a crowd of more than 15,000 workers and onlookers, as tens of thousands more watched by satellite. The 787 Dreamliner — nicknamed the “greenliner” — boasts a body that’s half carbon-fiber composite; because the material is lighter than […]

Hope There’s a High Ceiling for the Kangaroos

Australia to build 1,740-mile corridor for wildlife affected by climate change State and federal leaders in Australia have agreed to create a 1,740-mile wildlife corridor spanning the east coast of the continent — in part to allow plants and animals to flee the effects of global warming. “The effects of climate change will likely be […]

Umbra on replacing toilets

Dear Umbra, I’m selling my house in Los Angeles and my toilet is not low-flow. One of the inspectors is trying to tell me I need to replace my toilet with a new low-flow. Well, I know the old ziplock baggie filled with water trick. But I saw that you made mention of some kits […]

Michael Kieschnick, president of Working Assets, answers questions

Michael Kieschnick. What work do you do? I am the president of Working Assets, a social-change company that uses the business of wireless and credit cards to achieve environmental and social progress. Over the years, we have also generated over $50 million in donations to progressive groups, many of them working for wonderful environmental causes. […]

Your intrepid Grist correspondent sweats through an arena concert, so you don’t have to

Don't ever say we never did anything for you. On Saturday, while you were cavorting in the surf, grilling organic free-range meat on the barbecue (or is that barbecuing meat on the grill?), or kicking back with a good book in the sweet, sweet air conditioning, Grist was sweating at Live Earth New York. Er, New Jersey. Whatever.

We suffered through sets by Ludacris, Melissa Etheridge, Roger Waters, and the Police to report back -- to YOU, dear Grist reader -- from the front lines of global eco-activism.

Or something like that.

Check back soon for my report from the scene of Live Earth at Giants Stadium on 7/7/07.

Check it out

If not, here it is.

Man that's cool. I wish we had one of Chip standing on his head.

The song still has relevance today

I’m watching the Live Earth coverage on NBC, and I’ve got to say, I’m impressed. It’s really well done — concert highlights intermixed with artist and celeb interviews, and plenty of easy tips on how to take action at home. For those on the East Coast, it’s too late — but West Coasters, tune in! […]

A documentary about a crazed man and his love of soap and humankind

Usually when I roll out of bed and into the shower in the morning, I’m too lethargic to remember to wash between my toes, let alone analyze the prose on my bottle of soap. Which is probably why I never paid attention to the thousand-some-odd words printed all over the Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap bottle. […]