Articles by David Roberts

She will rap the critics’ knuckles

You know a company is eager to improve its public image when it starts hiring nuns.

SoyChlor plant

A reader wrote to ask me to draw attention to it -- it needs a national audience -- so here you go:

A SoyChlor plant in Jefferson, Iowa is alleged to damage property, kill plant and animal life, and make people and even children sick with hydrochloric acid.

You'll be shocked to hear that the plant has not yet faced any fines or repercussions.

The problem of Superman

Yesterday, EcoGeek addressed one of the pressing issues of our times: inconsistent application of Superman's powers. More needs to be said.

The 'Geek points out that Superman himself is solar powered (as those who have seen Superman Returns know), but has failed to help humanity figure out how he converts sunlight to power -- which might be a handy trick for us.

This is but one instance of a broader point: With Superman's abilities -- and his Fortress of Solitude, which contains all the knowledge of the 28 known galaxies -- it's simply unconscionable that he wastes so much time.

Concentrated solar

I really need to learn more about concentrated solar:

A study commissioned by the German Government shows in detail how Europe (including the UK and Ireland) can meet all its needs for electricity, cut emissions of CO2 from electricity generation by 70% by the year 2050, and phase out nuclear power at the same time, using concentrating solar power (CSP), according to a release from Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC).