Latest Articles

Monsieur Heat Miser

Europe’s holiday spirit, shopping disrupted by global warming In the worst consequence of global warming yet, European retailers are fretting that consumers may be too warm to do their holiday shopping. “Christmas business lacks impetus as there is no Christmas spirit in warmer weather,” laments Hubertus Pellengahr, a German retail association spokesperson. “Retail sales are […]

Not Just for Stockings Anymore

Plans for coal plants in Texas, Kansas fueling opposition from all sides As U.S. utilities try to keep pace with the energy-sucking public, they’re planning 150 new coal-fired plants. But with coal plants already causing a third of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions, critics are emerging from all corners. A heated battle in Texas over […]

Once More Unto the REACH

E.U. parliament passes new chemical standard, businesses brace for impact Call it the vote heard ’round the world: yesterday, the E.U. parliament passed a landmark law that has global bizfolk quivering. REACH — Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals — requires about 30,000 chemicals to be registered with a new agency, with about 1,500 of […]

Millionaires Beg for Change

Business execs and military leaders smack down Bush energy policy Prominent business execs and retired military officers are down on their knees begging Congress and the Bush administration to cut U.S. dependence on oil. “It’s the height of folly for the U.S. to continue on this course, lest we have some major economic or national-security […]

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?