Articles by David Roberts

Fox, hen house, etc.

Over at (the newly redesigned) dKos, Plutonium Page brings word of a questionable appointment to the U.S. EPA:

President Bush has nominated Granta Nakayama, a partner in a law firm whose clients include W.R. Grace, BP, Dow Chemical and DuPont, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency's far-flung enforcement division.

Selecting a lawyer and an engineer with one of the nation's largest corporate law firms, whose clients have deep and occasionally controversial relations with the EPA, triggered concerns that Nakayama would not be able to aggressively enforce environmental laws.

Not able to aggressively enforce environmental laws? Why, there must be some mistake!

Getting through peak oil without disruption seems unlikely.

As I said last week, I'm not sanguine about our prospects in the face of peak oil.

It would be nice if the decline of oil supplies was slow and steady, markets adapted smoothly with the introduction of alternative fuels, and we came in for the much-touted "smooth landing." But those who envision such a scenario drastically underestimate just how delicate a situation we're in. We're trying to get from one side of a chasm (an oil-based economy) to the other (a healthy economy wherein oil is marginal) on a tightrope. While patting our head and rubbing our stomach. And reciting the alphabet backwards. Drunk. On one foot. Etc.

To get a sense of what I mean, consider "Oil Shockwave," a recent wargaming exercise cosponsored by the National Commission on Energy Policy and Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE).

Publishing break

As attentive readers of Daily Grist already know, Grist kicks off its two-week summer publishing break next week, during which most of us decamp for some much-needed R&R. Normal -- and by that I mean extraordinary -- publishing resumes on July 11.

However, the blogosphere never sleeps! Or shuts up! So Gristmill will be puttering along, delivering the daily content so dearly valued by our thousands hundreds dozens of readers. Our valiant blogtern Andy will do what he does so well, and he'll be joined by some exciting guests.

So stay tuned. And a very happy summer to all of you.

The precautionary project

Speaking of the precautionary principle ... witness the Precautionary Project.

(Via Uneasy Chair)