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He would have us accept disaster

Robert Samuelson is fixated on pushing a simple point about global warming: we can't do anything about it.

Like so many pundits pushing right-wing talking points around economics, he pitches this stance as a kind of brave, hard-headed realism, in contrast to all those other deluded fools who think we can solve problems. Why anyone would want to spend his time on this planet explicitly and openly fighting progress on the biggest challenge humanity faces is beyond me, I'll confess. But to each his own.

I wrote about his defeatism in an earlier column, and now he's at it again. After some unsubstantiated bashing of the Stern report, he lists three reasons why the problem is hopeless.

With today's technologies, we don't know how to cut greenhouse gases in politically and economically acceptable ways.

This is ... what's the word? ... bullshit.

Shark finning divisive issue

A few days ago I came across this post by Doctor Mark Hyman touting the medicinal properties of food. During his recent trip to China, the doctor was "treated" to the "delicacy" of shark fin soup, which he claims can help ease arthritis and possibly fight cancer.

Umbra on travel mugs

Dear Umbra, I am putting together a fundraiser for the Environmental Law Association at the George Washington University Law School, whereby I intend to sell coffee mugs. If you saw all the paper cups that get thrown away at my school you would be in tears (at least two trips to Starbucks a day: double […]

Final count in Ohio may take a while

Also on the "to be determined" front, Ohio's 15th district race between Republican incumbent Deborah Pryce (an LCV Dirty Dozener) and Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy. From AP:

It kicked ass

The Grist reader party in San Francisco on Friday was a smashing success. Over 300 eco-glitterati packed into the art gallery, and they were resplendent: young, urbane, and utterly destructive to every caricature that's ever attached to the word "environmentalist." A reporter who was there researching a story on Grist, speaking afterwards, was moved to exclaim: "I can't believe how hot everybody was!"

Indeed.

Race bitter to the very end

For anyone still paying attention, the race in New Mexico's 1st Congressional district continues. As of this morning, Republican incumbent Heather Wilson is about 1,487 votes ahead of Democratic challenger and state Attorney General Patrica Madrid.

Julian Dautremont-Smith, higher-education sustainability advocate, answers questions

Julian Dautremont-Smith. What work do you do? I’m the associate director of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. AASHE has a staff of two, so I have a hand in almost everything the organization does. How does it relate to the environment? AASHE is a membership-based association of colleges and universities […]

What’s in Your Wal-let?

Wal-Mart issues a progress report on its experimental eco-store The company greens hate to love is releasing a report today on progress at its year-old, experimental eco-store in Aurora, Colo. Wal-Mart is trumpeting its successes, from waterless urinals to LED lights in its freezers, and acknowledging its, uh, challenges, such as wind turbines that have […]

Too Hot to Handle

Toxic exposure gives firefighters higher risk of some cancers, study says Rushing into infernos seems risky enough, but new findings suggest flames may be the least of a firefighter’s worries. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati say blaze-battlers face a higher risk of developing some cancers than the general population, likely due to their exposure […]

Fund, Fund, Fund ’til Daddy Took the T-Note Away

U.N. climate talks continue, but dissension rules the day As week two of the U.N. climate talks kicks off in Nairobi, Kenya, debate is raging over how to manage a fund that will help poorer countries adapt to climate change. Western countries want the $3 million fund — which is expected to grow to $750 […]