Articles by Grist staff

Organic Farmers Cross over Pollination

Pollen from genetically engineered plants can travel significant distances and contaminate other crops, according to a report commissioned by the British government and leaked to the public this week. The report asserts that 1 percent of organic plants in any field could become genetically modified hybrids through cross-pollination, and it argues that “acceptable” levels of […]

Step on the Gas, Ford

Ford Motor Co. Chair Bill Ford Jr. talked up the company’s commitment to the environment yesterday at its annual shareholders meeting. Several stockholders at the meeting charged that the company is not doing enough to curb emissions of greenhouse gases, but their proposal to require the company to disclose its emissions and its lobbying efforts […]

Ja, Ja, Let's Get This Finnished

European Union governments reached agreement yesterday on a common approach for international talks next month on the Kyoto climate change treaty. Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands had sought to water down the European stance, but they relented and agreed that at least 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions reductions would come from domestic action. The […]

L.A.D.P. Green

The Los Angeles Department of Power and Water, the nation’s largest municipal utility, is leaning green. Today the department is launching a “Green Power” program that will let customers get their energy from solar, wind, and biomass power for a 6 percent rate increase. In return, customers will get price breaks and rebates on energy-efficient […]