Articles by Grist staff

Sorry, Grandchildren

Climate tipping points could happen sooner than expected, says research You thought the predictions of climate chaos by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were scary? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. The IPCC predicted that the massive Greenland ice sheet could completely melt in 1,000 years, raising sea levels by almost 23 feet. But in […]

This Gives Us Paws

Flame retardants linked to thyroid disease in house cats Thyroid disease in house cats may be linked to common flame retardants called PBDEs, according to U.S. EPA researchers. In a small study of 23 cats, all the felines had blood concentrations of the chemical 20 to 100 times higher than average U.S. adults — who, […]

So That’s What Those Trains Are For

Beijing enacts four-day ban on vehicles, pushes public transportation Today marks the start of an experimental four-day vehicle ban in Beijing, China. While the motivation for the scheme is finding ways to clear the air for next year’s Olympics, its execution is a lovely reminder that change is possible. Home to 16 million people, Beijing […]

Scaling Down

Another judge rules that hatchery fish don’t count when determining ESA status The federal government does not have to count hatchery fish along with wild fish when deciding whether to protect dwindling Northwest populations under the Endangered Species Act, U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan ruled yesterday. In 2001, Hogan had ruled in favor of builders […]