Articles by Grist staff

Soon We Can Just Call It the Styx

Yangtze River so polluted it’s on the verge of death The Yangtze River is “cancerous” with pollution — mainly industrial waste and agricultural runoff — according to reports in China’s state media. Experts estimate that within five years, up to 70 percent of its water may be unusable, particularly as drinking water for the 186 […]

It’s the End of the World as We Blow It

Ecosystems don’t like hurricanes any more than we do With hurricane season approaching, scientists are voicing worries about the ability of coastal ecosystems to recover from repeated storms. Some 118 square miles of coastal wetlands were lost to Hurricane Katrina, and the Gulf Coast is vulnerable to more loss, as many islands that had acted […]

Drew Weiner, reef-protection crusader, answers questions

Drew Weiner. With what environmental organization are you affiliated? I’m the director of Reef Protection International. What does your organization do? RPI contributes to coral-reef conservation by educating the public about the marine aquarium trade and helping consumers make responsible, “reef-safe” buying choices. Coral reefs are in crisis due to warming seas, pollution, and overfishing. […]

Them’s the Breaks

Grist takes Memorial Day off In a burst of spontaneity and goodwill, Grist‘s tall, smolderingly handsome, delightfully witty, dazzlingly intelligent Maximum Leader is giving all staffers the day off on Monday. What generosity! What thoughtfulness! What … did you say? It’s a federal holiday? Oh. In that case, he’s actually not that tall. Anyway, don’t […]