Latest Articles

The Death of Something Other Than Environmentalism

Monarch butterfly populations see sharp decline this season Cold, wet weather in the U.S., illegal deforestation in Mexico, and strong herbicides used on genetically altered crops in the U.S. and Canada are, warn scientists, threatening the survival of the monarch butterfly. Researchers say the number of monarchs that made it to their forested, hilly wintering […]

You Published Kenny!

Activist Ken Ward opines on what the green movement really needs Gristmill — Grist‘s leafy green blog — this week is publishing a five-part response by longtime green activist Ken Ward to the essay “The Death of Environmentalism.” He starts out by agreeing with aspects of its diagnosis, but later this week he’ll be diverging […]

Ichi, Ni, Son!

Japanese town to pay cash to women who bear third child Even as world population balloons (6,424,599,962 and counting), some countries that have been experiencing declining birthrates, such as Italy and Japan, are worried — and not just about loneliness. The elderly worry new generations will be too small to support them, and the business […]

Cap and Betrayed

Bush administration releases weak mercury rules The U.S. EPA is releasing its plan to reduce mercury emissions today, and even jaded environmentalists are appalled. “This is … the most dangerous, dishonest, and illegal air-pollution rule I have ever seen come out of the agency,” said ex-EPA official and Natural Resources Defense Council attorney John Walke. […]

Dramatizing the “death” of environmentalism doesn’t help urban people of color, or anyone else

“Death” is such a harsh term — can’t we say “transition to a happier place”? Adrienne Maree Brown. Photo: Sophia Wallace. Or, how else can I put this … You don’t have to fall out of the tree. Just climb down and join us on the ground. Let’s talk. If you work on environmental issues, […]

Elevator Pitch Contest finalists — vote!

Our Elevator Pitch Contest brought in over 150 entries -- a number I'll happily refer to as "whopping." I know I said I'd pick the winner but ... it's just too dang hard. So I'm going to let you, dear readers, vote for your favorite. Voting will stay open until, well, people stop voting -- say a week?

Have at it!

Gum control …

... has become a sticky issue for many big cities, Time magazine reports in its latest issue. And no, that's not a typo -- we're talking gum pollution, as in those blobs of gooey stickiness attached to city sidewalks and the shoes of unfortunate city dwellers -- and it's a bigger issue than you might think. Reps from several British cities met in London last month for a summit on the stuff, and they say cleanup costs are costing the U.K. some $290 million a year. If they have their way, a new bill may fine bubble-gum litterBrits $145.

Toronto officials counted gobs of the stuff for a 2004 litter audit and found that for every piece of other litter, there were 10 pieces of gum littering one stretch of sidewalk. Contrary to popular belief, the gooey bits won't biodegrade, but U.S. researchers say they may be able to change that with a new biodegradable variety of chewy goodness made with a corn derivative. The stuff is expensive to produce, but won't stick to surfaces. Chew on that!

Response to “Death”: Part II

Today we present Part II of Ken Ward's response to "The Death of Environmentalism," in which he argues that greens should reject the political position embedded in Lakoff's framing analysis -- namely, that environmentalism is just one more single-issue liberal group. Rather, the green movement should preserve its ability to speak across the left/right divide and focus on mobilizing and energizing its core supporters.

Don't forget to read Part I, and Part III, Part IV, and Part V.

Low-energy indoor composter

Thanks to frequent Gristmill commentor Mike Capone, I came across this very cool product on Treehugger: Naturemill Low-energy Indoor Composter. While I'll stick with my green cone, since I have a yard, this would have been awesome while living in an apartment building in New York City.

Unfortunately, there is a waiting list.

Nothing but flowers

Behold, I bring you sunny tidings: Thanks to all the freakish weather in California this winter, Death Valley is now a riot of color. Giddy botanists and park rangers -- relishing the sight of the 156-mile long stretch of desert bursting with wildflower blooms -- say it's a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Of course, the overdose of rain has had nastier effects on the state's other crops, including almonds and strawberries. Then there's the sad fate of mudslide victims, and the millions of dollars in damages to houses and roads.

But flowers. Are pretty. And we'll take what we can get.