Articles by Grist staff

Over 500,000 more toys recalled due to lead

Another round of recalls was issued yesterday for over 500,000 children’s toys or accessories that were found to exceed allowable lead levels, including more Thomas the Tank Engine paraphernalia and the now conspicuously gloomy Happy Giddy Gardening Tools from Target. Federal regulators were quick to point out that this recall won’t be the last. “After […]

Brad Pitt pledges $5 million for green homes in New Orleans

At the third annual Clinton Global Initiative philanthropic soiree yesterday, actor Brad Pitt pledged $5 million in matching funds to build about 150 green homes in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood, one of the most troubled areas in the city. “We’re going to help make it right with 150 sustainable, affordable houses — houses […]

New electric bike spiffy but spendy

The Pi electric bicycle from Electrobike is engineered with cradle-to-cradle design, assembled in California almost entirely from local components, can go 25 miles in motor-only mode before being plugged in, has a recyclable battery, and produces zero emissions, natch. Intrigued? It can soon be yours for a mere $7,500!

Attack of the sulky teen

Got this letter today about greening teens. Anyone have ideas?

Dear Editor,

What about teens? How do you foster a connection to nature when you're working with teenagers? How do you inspire curiosity, respect and connection to the natural world when their hormones are raging and they just want to be alone?

Little kids may be harder to care for on a day by day basis, but head-strong teens need to be inspired and empowered. How do we guide our adults-in-training to love mama earth, spend time outdoors and make future-generation oriented choices without scaring them into submission?