Articles by David Roberts

Americans want more and bigger stuff, and they’re getting it

Check out Mother Jones' two-page spread on the upsizing of the American Dream (text here or in two PDFs). Here's how it starts:

• Since 1950, the average new house has increased by 1,247 sq. ft. Meanwhile, the average household has shrunk by 1 person.
• The National Association of Home Builders' "showcase home" for 2005 is 5,950 sq. ft. That's 15% bigger than last year's model.
• The Unabomber's legal defense team cited the size of his shack -- 10' x 12' -- to buttress his insanity plea.

Read the whole thing.

(Via Alan)

The company Phil built releases groundbreaking corporate responsibility report

After three years of silence following a 2002 lawsuit over its claims on labor practices, Nike has returned to social reporting in a big way, releasing a corporate responsibility report that is, from all indications, a genuine leap forward in corporate transparency.

As well as providing detail on its supply chain practices, the report covers areas such as workforce diversity, the environment, community programs and socially responsible investment. An independent review committee of individuals from trade unions, non-governmental organizations, academia and the business community was brought together to strengthen the credibility of the information in the report.

Among the more surprising details is the fact that Nike is now publishing a full list of its suppliers on its website. The list shows that problems remain, but the move toward transparency by such a massive industry player is sure to have positive ripple effects.

"We felt the risks of any future lawsuit were far outweighed by benefits of transparency," says Hannah Jones, Nike's vice-president of corporate responsibility. "Because if we've learned anything as a company, it's that closing down and not talking about the challenges and opportunities doesn't get you far."

Coming on the heels of Nike's welcomed-but-mocked (by, ahem, us) Considered line of eco-friendly shoes, it certainly looks like the company has made a commitment to getting things right. Big props.

(Via TriplePundit)

Powerful House committee chair shoots down fuel economy standards

The House Energy and Commerce Committee shot down an effort to raise CAFE standards yesterday. Mike Millikin has the grimy details.

Speaking of that committee, do read today's WA Post profile of its new chair, Joe Barton, a man deeply and unapologetically in the pocket of big industry lobbyists.

Don’t throw me in that tar pit!

Says John McCain:

For argument's sake, let's say ... that the science that we are relying on is wrong -- yet we enact legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. What harm will that action cause? Clean air and a more competitive industrial base.

Says it all.

(Via Daily Scoop)