Articles by Grist staff

Shell Game

Some 50 multinational corporations and 12 labor and watchdog groups signed a U.N.-sponsored “Global Compact” yesterday intended to promote labor, human rights, and environmental standards. The companies — which include Royal Dutch/Shell, Nike, and DaimlerChrysler — agreed to incorporate nine loosely worded principles into their missions and each year note progress toward meeting the principles […]

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 […]