Articles by Katharine Wroth

Kicking Toyota out of the country

Let's say you're threatened by hybrids. Let's say you're particularly threatened by hybrids coming into the U.S. from another country, and proving mighty popular. What might be a creative way to fix the problem?

Oh, how about suing for patent infringement? "If the International Trade Commission agrees with Solomon, [Toyota] could be banned from importing the systems and the Prius and Highlander hybrid models that they power." Stay tuned.

The winter of our discontent

Well, feckless Phil saw his shadow this morning, so we've got six more weeks of rain winter to look forward to.

If you're wondering whether anyone used the country's most notorious PR stunt as a platform to talk about other things, the answer is yes. Besides the mass of Pittsburgh Steeler fans, the National Environmental Trust was there, making a point of tying the whole thing to global warming. Fun-stoppers.

Contest winner leans green

This just in: A conservationist (and a local one at that!) has won the Since Sliced Bread contest I mentioned in October. His idea: taxing polluters to fund environmental efforts. The runners-up suggested connecting the minimum wage with the cost of living and reforming public education. Hey, why didn't we think of that?

Scientists find a new place for humans to destroy

Apparently there's a planet similar to Earth out there. Which is comforting, considering we might need a new one soon.