Articles by Grist staff

Fording Ahead

Ford took a big step forward yesterday in the race to build more environmentally friendly vehicles, announcing that it will reduce smog-causing tailpipe emissions from its light trucks an average of 33% beginning in the 2000 model year. It will cost Ford about $100 per truck to use improved catalytic converters and engine controls, but […]

This Park Is a Hot Issue

Some 800 acres of tallgrass prairie and wetlands at the former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant outside Denver will be set aside as a wildlife preserve, Energy Secretary Bill Richardson announced yesterday. The new Rock Creek Reserve, home to a number of endangered species, was praised by local residents. Richardson also announced that the first […]

Higher Occurrence of Currents

Rather than producing new atmospheric circulation patterns, climate change may alter the frequency of existing patterns, with huge implications for weather around the world, a number of researchers say. One recent study suggests that climate change may cause more frequent occurrences of El Nino. Another study recently reported in the journal Nature found a warmer […]

Emitting Less NOx-ious Gas

The owner of two of New England’s most polluting power plants yesterday announced a three-year, $17 million plan to reduce emissions that cause smog and acid rain. U.S. Generating Co., which acquired the plants last year, said it would cut nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 23 percent and work toward reductions in sulfur-dioxide (SO2) emissions. […]