Articles by Grist staff

Explosion at Florida chemical plant causes deaths, evacuations

An explosion at a chemical plant that manufactures fuel additives and solvents has rocked the Jacksonville, Fla., area, forcing evacuations and causing an estimated three deaths. The blast at T2 Labs — described by those at the scene as a “hellish inferno” and “a great ball of fire in the air” — also knocked out […]

Fat-fueled speedboat will undertake second circumnavigation attempt

One of our favorite heroes is back in action. Pete Bethune, who attempted to set a global circumnavigation record in a biodiesel-powered speedboat in early 2007 — and donated his own ass fat to the fuel mix to garner publicity — has announced a second attempt, kicking off in March 2008. Baby got back onboard.

European automakers in a snit over proposed EU emissions cuts

A European Union proposal to reduce average new-car CO2 emissions 20 percent by 2012 — and to fine automakers that don’t meet the target — has revved up observers on all sides. German Chancellor Angela Merkel — a climate Cassandra whose country is home to industry giants including Porsche, BMW, and DaimlerChrysler — took a […]

Al Gore named first runner-up for Time magazine’s Person of the Year

In what’s expected to be his final award of a very busy year, Al Gore was named first runner-up for Time magazine’s Person of the Year, followed by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. This year’s winner is Russian President Vladimir Putin who, the magazine says, “is not a boy scout. He is not a democrat […]