Articles by Grist staff

Not OK Computer

U.N. Study Highlights Computers’ Environmental Hazards A U.N. study released today highlights the environmental hazards posed by the worldwide popularity of personal computers. Manufacturing the average PC requires 10 times the product’s weight in fossil fuels, says the study — compared to twice the product’s weight for cars and refrigerators. Computer manufacturing also entails heavy […]

To the Victor Goes the Right to Spoil

How the Energy Industry Won the Battle for Influence in the Bush Admin. It’s a fable for our times: When the Bush administration took office in 2001, a battle over energy policy began. On one side was the U.S. EPA, with its team of long-time career employees and its moderate new head Christie Whitman. On […]

Sea Whirled

Gene Study of Sargasso Sea Sample Yields Surprising Results Gene sequencing conducted on a small sample of water from the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda has revealed some 1,800 new species and led to questions about our basic knowledge of ocean biology. A group of scientists led by Craig Venter — the famed gene researcher and […]

Southwest Passage

New Mexico Passes Renewable-Energy Bills New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) yesterday celebrated the passage of a remarkable package of progressive energy bills, with the vocal support of a broad coalition including utilities, environmentalists, ranchers, and consumers. The centerpiece is a new law stating that all investor-owned electrical utilities in the state must generate 10 […]