Articles by Grist staff

The Rio World

Some 250,000 gallons of oil were spilled Tuesday into the waters off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the worst ecological disaster to hit the region in 25 years. The oil, which poured out of a ruptured pipeline running from a nearby refinery operated by the state-owned oil company Petrobras, had spread across a 24-square-mile area by […]

Buffer the Ozone Slayer

California Gov. Gray Davis’s (D) administration yesterday announced controversial new rules restricting use of the pesticide methyl bromide, which is highly toxic to humans and contributes to depletion of the ozone layer. The measures would expand required buffer zones around sprayed areas and require better public notification when the fumigant is used. The state was […]

Chinese Government Poo Poos Exotic Platters

Four southern Chinese provinces have begun a 10-day crackdown on the rampant illegal trade in endangered species, many of which are sought as delicacies by restaurants. The operation — which began on Saturday and involves forestry, customs, airline, and police officials — led to the arrest of 396 suspects in its first three days and […]

Reckless O'Bannon?

Industrial contamination of the White River in Indiana has lead to the death of hundreds of thousands of fish and may put a damper on the reelection campaign of Indiana Gov. Frank O’Bannon (D). More than 85 tons of dead fish have piled up along a 50-mile stretch of the river since it was poisoned […]