Latest Articles
-
Summer Time, and the Givin’ Is Easy
Hot model speaks up for Grist, bug-eyed readers reach for their wallets We don’t mean to be shirty, but we want you to know: Grist’s end-of-year fundraising campaign wraps up tomorrow night, and we’re still panting for your support. If we’re not sexy enough in our own right, eco-model and fashion maven Summer Rayne Oakes […]
-
‘Hansen has been wrong before’–Maybe, but not about the climate!
(Part of the How to Talk to a Global Warming Skeptic guide)
Objection: In 1988, Hansen predicted dire warming over the next decade -- and he was off by 300%. Why in the world should we listen to the same doom and gloom from him today?
Answer: While in some instances it is ignorant repetition of misinformation, at its source this story is a plain lie.
-
![]()
![]()
It’s time for a real ‘food vs. fuel’ debate
Can U.S. farmers keep filling the nation’s bellies as they scramble to fuel its cars? Given its evident gravity, the question has drawn remarkably little debate. Like it or not, though, more and more food is being devoted to fueling the nation’s 211-million-strong auto fleet. High gasoline prices, a dizzying variety of government supports, and […]
-
Mos Def was on the water issue first
You know, Jay-Z is getting all kinds of press and hype for his work on water issues, but as I was listening to my music collection on shuffle (as always) last night, I was reminded that Mos Def was all over the water issue way back in 1999. From his album Black on Both Sides, here's "New World Water" (mp3):
-
Pope comes out in favor of, uh, the environment
In an annual message for peace, [Pope] Benedict [XVI] strongly emphasized a theme rarely taken up in his nearly two years as pope: what he called the "ecology of peace," the idea that protecting the environment and finding alternative energy sources could also reduce conflict.
-
A Krafty concoction of hydrogenated goo gets its day in court.
Do I live in an ethanol bubble? Yes I do, for another day or so.
But I'm coming up for air for long enough to give the finger to Kraft, the world's largest branded food conglomerate, for ripping off and desecrating one of the world's greatest food items.
Kraft's heinous Guacamole Dip contains about 2 percent avocado, which is a little like marketing a Martini with 2 percent gin and the rest, well, corn liquor (ethanol).
A woman in California is suing Kraft, arguing that the "guacamole" claim fraudulently promised an avocado-based concoction, and instead delivered, well, industrial goo designed to look avocado-y.
Does she have a case?
-
Climate change politics is in flux
Ha. I claimed just below that policymakers are unusually open to climate and energy issues right now -- and five seconds later I stumbled across a Reuters article: "Climate change catching voter attention around world." To wit:
-
Check out the latest entries in the celeb-biofuels biz
You’ve heard of BioWillie, Willie Nelson’s foray into the world of celebrity-branded biodiesel. But did you know that several other celebs, not to be outdone, have plans to unveil their own biofuel lines? During our series, Grist has been doused with requests from PR professionals to promote their clients’ fuelish products. We’re only too happy […]
-
It’s all about electricity
When I talked with Terry Tamminen a while back (I'll publish it some day, I promise!), he said something that got me thinking. As Schwarzenegger's top enviro advisor, he's been on the inside, making policy and being lobbied from all sides. He's also been a part of several environmental NGOs, doing the lobbying. So he's seen policy contests from both sides.I asked him why green groups haven't been more effective on climate and energy issues. He said it's simple: when the business lobby goes after an issue, it speaks with a single voice. The chamber of commerce, the think tanks, and all the constituent industry groups agree on what they want. Then they lay it out to lawmakers.
Green groups, on the other hand, come in willy nilly, with a dozen different proposals, all stressing different things, frequently criticizing each other. It's all about biofuels. No, it's all about hybrids. No, it's all about carbon taxes. Etc.
Politicians want to balance competing demands. They instinctively want to find the middle. But without a clear picture of what the environmental "side" is, they don't know where the middle is.
So how can green groups unify their message on climate/energy? What kind of agenda could they all get behind? How could they present a unified end-goal to policymakers?
That's a complicated question, of course. But I'd like to offer up at least one take on such an agenda, for your perusal and feedback. Here goes:
-
And support grinning green journalism in the new year.
Read what Summer Rayne Oakes -- model, hottie, and eco-advocate -- has to say on Grist's behalf, and the cool clothes she wants to give you. There's also a video. And a bike. And a Grand Canyon hike.Oh, the excitement!
