Articles by Grist staff

The Lights Are Off, but Everybody's Home

The word has spread on the Internet that those who oppose the energy plan developed by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney should turn off all their lights and electrical devices for the summer solstice tomorrow from 7 to 10 p.m., regardless of the time zone. Fans of the “Roll Your Own Blackout” campaign say they […]

The Magnificently Clean Mile?

Chicago officials say that within five years, at least 20 percent of electricity used by the city to power everything from public buildings to elevated trains will come from renewable sources like wind and solar power. City Environment Commissioner Bill Abolt said, “The competition Chicago is involved in is an international one to establish itself […]

The Ancient Mariner Started It

Seven countries signed a plan yesterday meant to save the albatross, those big seabirds with wingspans of up to 11-and-a-half feet. Australian Environment Minister Robert Hill said all 20 albatross species in the Southern Hemisphere would become extinct if steps weren’t taken to protect them. Australia, Brazil, Britain, Chile, France, New Zealand, and Peru have […]

Wet 'n' Wild

The Ocean Conservancy, a group with a (not-insignificant) budget of $15 million a year, announced a campaign yesterday to get wilderness protection for 5 percent of the U.S.’s marine territory. Fishing would be prohibited in the wilderness areas, and access would be limited to kayaking, scuba diving, and other “low-impact” activities. Its wish list of […]