Articles by Grist staff

Polyvinyl Wants a Crackdown

The European Union opened debate yesterday on more restrictions for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, a commonly used but controversial material. The EU has already banned some baby toys made with PVC because the chemicals used to soften the plastic may pose health problems for children. Now the EU is considering cracking down on PVC products […]

Ford Fiesta!

Ford Motor Co. hopes to green its image today by announcing plans to increase the fuel economy of its SUV fleet by 25 percent, or about 5 miles per gallon, over the next five years. Ford now sells about 800,000 SUVs a year, and its 3.5-ton Excursion, the world’s biggest SUV, averages just 12 mpg. […]

It's Not Easy Being Spotted

Marking the first time the agencies have come together to help preserve a declining amphibian species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife yesterday announced a 10-year agreement to study and protect the beleaguered Oregon spotted frog. Historic populations of the red-bellied frog have […]

Not Allot of Water

The long-running and bitter conflict over Southern California’s overuse of water from the Colorado River may be nearing an end as officials from seven states today present a compromise deal to Interior Department officials. Under the plan, California would agree to put conservation measures in place and reduce its consumption of river water over the […]