Articles by Grist staff

A Penny Saved Is a Penny Spurned

Bush admin looks to cut funding for energy efficiency To fund long-term research into speculative future energy sources, the Bush administration wants to cut guaranteed present-day energy savings: The proposed 2007 Energy Department budget would eliminate $152 million (roughly 16 percent) from its energy-efficiency programs. A program to improve the efficiency of heavy-duty trucks would […]

A Bid for a Whale, and It’s About to Set Sail

Japan may have enough votes to set stage for repeal of whaling ban The end of the 20-year-old global commercial-whaling ban is a looming possibility, as pro-whaling Japan may have garnered enough allies to win control of the 66-member International Whaling Commission. The IWC’s pro-whaling contingent now numbers about 35 countries, including some which have […]

The Vandals Took the Handles

Water privatization brings a flood of problems in U.S. cities As of 2003, some 1,100 U.S. municipalities had privatized their drinking-water systems, hoping that mismanaged public systems could be made higher-quality at relatively low cost. So much for that idea. Private firms in cities across the country have been investigated for illegally discharging sewage into […]

The Freak-Out Before the Storm

Officials try to scare Americans into preparing for hurricane season As hurricane season approaches, officials in storm-prone states are determined to scare residents into being ready to take care of themselves — because as we all saw last year, government sure ain’t up to the job. Florida officials are broadcasting public service announcements with recordings […]