Articles by Grist staff

Alien Nation

Some ecologists are saying that not all alien species are bad and that some fit into ecosystems just fine. They believe that efforts to rid ecosystems of all exotics are impractical. Michael Rosenzweig, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, says, “You can’t roll back the clock and remove all exotics or […]

Betty Patton, environmental consultant

Betty Patton is an environmental consultant with Environmental Practices, LLC, in Portland, Ore., specializing in solid waste, recycling, and waste prevention. She is also the special projects chair on the board of the Association of Oregon Recyclers. Tuesday, 4 Sep 2001 PORTLAND, Ore. A three-day weekend makes for a four-day workweek. It sounds nice, but […]

Salmon Take a Tern for the Worse

Northwest salmon in hatcheries and estuaries are testing positive for PCBs and DDT, and researchers at the National Marine Fisheries Service aren’t sure of the source of the pollutants. The chemicals are at levels high enough to harm fish immune systems, but the scientists don’t yet know if they could hurt humans who eat the […]

Oily to Rise

It seems likely that the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will approve a plan to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil and gas drilling. Reuters predicts the vote will be 12-11 in favor of drilling, with Democrat Sens. Mary Landrieu (La.) and Daniel Akaka (Hawaii) crossing party lines in […]