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Nothing Could Prius Away

Toyota Prius tops EPA’s list of most fuel-efficient cars for 2007 Yesterday, the U.S. EPA released its 2007 ranking of the most fuel-efficient vehicles, with gas-electric hybrids sweeping the top four spots. The Toyota Prius, ranked No. 1, gets 60 miles per gallon in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, according to the […]

Umbra on dryer sheets

Dear Umbra, You mentioned toxic dryer sheets in your recent column on clothing, but without a reference to how they are toxic, etc. Lisa Milligan Fayetteville, Ark. Dearest Lisa, I appreciate the brevity and directness of your query. I’ll strive to meet the same standards herein. Fresh air beats faux fragrance any day. Photo: iStockphoto […]

Doesn’t exist.

It is practically a cliche among mainstream financial journalists that slowing (or zero) population growth is a threat to a country's economic health. Economist Dean Baker -- whose site is must-reading -- debunks the notion.

In other news, I'm going to be out all day, painting my new house while the kids are in daycare. See you tomorrow.

Do you care?

I presume all of you who reject my notion that animal welfare should be considered part of environmentalism see no problem with this development.

When’s Obama gonna do something?

I must confess that my initial infatuation with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Mount Olympus) is wearing off.

Yes, he's got the charisma, the personal history, the zeitgeist on his side ... but he hasn't done anything, and shows no signs of planning to do anything, of any daring or significance. Someone in his position, with that much media attention, that much popular support, has a responsibility to use that power to make something happen -- something other than political advancement. The jury's still out, but the clock is ticking, to mix metaphors.

Obama's on the cover of two national magazines this week: Time (along with an excerpt from his new book and a photo spread) and Harpers (not online). Though the pieces are written from decidedly different perspectives, they both tell the same basic story: look how amazing this guy is ... just imagine when he does something!

Want to see something that captures my mixed feelings? Watch this video:

Melting of Larsen B ice shelf connected to climate change

Introducing a new regular feature here on Gristmill: the Inhofe Alert.

Inhofe Alerts are not about Sen. James Inhofe (R-Mongo) himself. They're about the ever-accumulating evidence for global warming. Remember: based on the logic of the position he has taken, Inhofe must dismiss every one of these studies. He must claim each one is false, or that it is fabricated by brainwashed scientists seeking the approval of their peers. Or scrabbling for funding. Or acting on behalf of the New World Order. Or something.

Without further ado, today's Inhofe Alert:

Canadian conservatives suffer for environmental policy

The Conservative government in Canada -- once a proud Tory tradition, now effectively GOP-lite -- is slipping in the polls, after showing some gains during the summer.

The main reason for their difficulties? The laughable attempt to gussy up their hostility to living things and call it an environmental policy.

E.O. Wilson chats about his new book on the intersection of science and religion

E.O. Wilson. Photo: Jim Harrison In 1967, E.O. Wilson coauthored the book that founded island biogeography, a new field of scientific study. He could have retired then with a distinguished record. Instead, in the ensuing four decades, he’s gone on to discover hundreds of new species, generate major advances in entomology, win the National Medal […]

Did You Mean: Solar Power?

Google to install more than 9,000 photovoltaic panels at its HQ Google Inc. is converting six buildings at its headquarters in the San Francisco Bay area to run on up to 30 percent solar power. The project, one of the largest solar endeavors undertaken by a U.S. company, will require installation of 9,212 solar panels, […]

Hormones and Groans

Endocrine disruptors in everyday products may trigger early puberty Some doctors worry that children as young as preschool age are facing a higher risk of early-onset puberty — including breast growth and pubic-hair development — due to the increasing prevalence of certain cosmetics, prescription drugs, and environmental contaminants containing endocrine disruptors or hormones. In rare […]