Articles by Grist staff

Exxon shareholders reject resolution to shake up management

Exxon shareholders have rejected a high-profile resolution to strip one management role from current Chair-‘n’-CEO Rex Tillerson and hire an independent chairperson. The influential Rockefeller family, along with various other investors, had pushed for the split. “Despite top-notch individual directors, [Exxon’s] record over the last decade, particularly regarding climate change, demonstrates that debate has been […]

Childhood lead exposure linked to criminal behavior, violence

Childhood exposure to high lead levels leads to smaller brain mass and is linked to criminal behavior and violence, according to two new comprehensive studies. Researchers tracked kids from Cincinnati, Ohio, from before birth through adulthood and found that early exposure to lead resulted in a loss of brain matter of over 1 percent on […]

Snippets from the news

• Mosquito repellents without DEET show promise. • China gets ready to ban plastic bags. • Rising seas could swamp Eastern Shore. • OfficeMax and TerraCycle team up. • Americans drastically reduce driving.

McDonald’s Australia will sell certified-sustainable coffee

Starting next year, all coffee sold at McDonald’s in Australia will be certified sustainable by the Rainforest Alliance. The country’s 484 so-called McCafés make 5,000 cups of joe per hour; Mickey D’s pockets 20 percent of the more than $1 billion that Aussies spend on away-from-home coffee. The Rainforest Alliance certifies coffee farms that reduce […]