Articles by Grist staff

Ya Sure, You Hetcha

New report feeds controversy over California’s Hetch Hetchy dam Activists have pushed for over 20 years to restore Yosemite National Park’s Hetch Hetchy Valley to its natural state by knocking down a now 82-year-old dam and draining a 117-billion-gallon reservoir. This week, a California state report indicated that the project is technically feasible — although […]

So maybe it’s just my sweet tooth …

But when I read this story (albeit a week late), I totally thought to myself "Clothes made from sugar? Sweet!"

See, I saw this:

The one-of-a-kind outfits created by big name designers Oscar de la Renta, Stephen Burrows, Elisa Jimenez, and others included a strapless beige ball gown, a cream baby-doll dress with ribbon and sheer overlay, and a pink and yellow taffeta skirt with a silver recycled polyester bustier.

And then I sort of skipped down here:

Other items on display at the fashion show included a men's transparent dress shirt, a hooded pink floral fleece sweater, a blue blazer, and a strapless black dress.

And then I read the part about fermented corn sugar ... blah, blah ... polymer ... blah, blah ... "versatile fiber that can be made to have the appearance of silk, polyester, leather, or elastic" ... blah, blah ... So, what you're telling me is these models are not covered in sugar like designer Peep action-figures? Blah.

But seriously, I guess it's a good sign that an alternative to silk and leather and other destructive fashion materials is being given some attention. Though I would rethink those transparent men's dress shirts.

Plugs and Kisses

Toyota considering plug-in hybrids and flex-fuel vehicles for U.S. Toyota plans to develop a plug-in hybrid vehicle, the company announced this week. Rechargeable via any typical electrical outlet, a plug-in would be able to “travel greater distances without using its gas engine, … conserve more oil, and slice smog and greenhouse gases to nearly imperceptible […]

Making the Trade

Britain looks into carbon trading system for individuals British Environment Secretary David Miliband has endorsed the idea of a carbon trading system for individuals, requiring people to limit personal emissions and allowing energy-savers to sell back unused carbon allowances for a profit. “Imagine a country where carbon becomes a new currency,” Miliband said. Each citizen […]