Articles by Grist staff

Methane in Their Madness

Far from being eco-friendly, hydroelectric power can actually cause more greenhouse gases to be released into the atmosphere than coal-fired power plants, according to a report by the World Commission on Dams, a group of scientists, engineers, and enviros supported by the World Conservation Union and the World Bank. The reservoirs created by dams trap […]

Hell-bent for Leatherbacks

Leatherback turtles in the Pacific Ocean are in a serious decline that may lead to their extinction within a decade unless commercial fishing practices are changed, according to a new study in today’s issue of the journal Nature. The giant turtles, which weigh an average of 1,000 pounds and travel thousands of miles through the […]

Set This Insecticide Aside

The EPA plans to effectively remove from the market all over-the-counter products containing chlorpyrifos, one of the most commonly used pesticides in the U.S., often sold under the brand name Dursban. The pesticide, made by Dow Chemical, is contained in some 800 consumer products, everything from lawn spray to flea collars. The EPA is expected […]

Please Don't Squeeze the Chairman

Sen. Bob Smith (R-N.H.), who became chair of the Senate Environment Committee six months ago following the death of pro-conservation Sen. John Chafee (R-R.I.), has been a not-entirely-unpleasant surprise for enviros. Many had feared that the conservative Smith would use his new position to lead a no-holds-barred assault on environmental protection. Instead, Smith has shown […]