Climate Culture

Comedian Dave Attell wants your number

Comedian Dave Attell wants your number. No, really! The star of Comedy Central’s Insomniac was at Bonnaroo this year working the air-conditioned comic tent. At a press conference Sunday afternoon, Attell said he’s really here for the hippie girls, and that he likes a vegan girl who can keep him up all night talking about […]

Did someone call for a smog machine?

No, that’s not smog. It’s all the dry, dusty dirt drifting everywhere I go here at Bonnaroo. It’s in my hair, covering my shoes, and stuck to every drop of sweat on my body. That I can deal with … The problem is that it’s also in my eyes, my nose, my lungs. I came […]

Umbra on passive solar

Dear Umbra, Not to belabor the home heating series, I’m considering installing a masonry stove. I’ve read that they’re quite efficient, though costly to build. What’s your take in relation to the other options you’ve discussed? What about other alternative heating methods like passive solar heating and radiant floor heating? John Logan, Utah P.S. I’m […]

At a press-only Bonnaroo show

Caught a press-only acoustic performance yesterday with the Cold War Kids, Elvis Perkins, and Alec Ounsworth (dreamy!) from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The show was amazing; the guys played several songs from each band, ending with "Doomsday" by Elvis Perkins, which has amazing (and somewhat relevant) lyrics that I can’t seem to find online. […]

And comments on the green efforts

There’s a lot of press here at Bonnaroo, so I don’t know why I was so surprised to find out that Jon Pareles of The New York Times is here blogging the festival. I guess I just can’t imagine the Gray Lady all sweaty and covered in dirt, hanging out with the hippies. Anyway, Friday […]

At a Bonnaroo press conference

I just left the first press conference of Bonnaroo where hiphop-funk-reggae guru Michael Franti of Spearhead set the stage by explaining his routine when coming to Bonnaroo: "The first thing I always do is go over to the port-a-potty, because you can tell what stage the festival is in …" The man speaks the truth. […]

From Wild Life to Wildlife

Diff’rent spokes While Owen got over his heartbreak by biking to a strip club, bicyclists around the world stripped to show their eco-love. Which gives a whole new meaning to banana seat. Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage.com We failed kindergarten This artist installed a phone in a melting glacier, so callers can hear every agonizing drip […]

Look out!

The masses started arriving yesterday. Gates opened at noon, and ‘Roo-goers were ready. At left is the “before” shot — the open grassy field (once home to cows and cow pies) that will soon be just a field of dirt covered in dirt-covered people and dirt-covered trash. Unless Clean Vibes has something to do with […]

On green dating for the low-budget environmentalist

I know, I know. Long time, no Brokeass. Weeks. Months even. See, I got a second job, which has somewhat lessened my brokassity, but also cut back on the amount of time I have to sit around and ponder the subject. But don’t fear. I’m still pretty broke, and cheap by nature, so as often […]

Antarctica gig lined up for Live Earth concerts

Antarctica gig lined up for Live Earth concerts:

OK, so they're not rock stars. But scientists with the British Antarctic Survey will guarantee Al Gore's promise that the Live Earth concerts on July 7 will be performed on all 7 continents.

They'll be performing during the dead of winter at the Rothera Research Station. In fact, it'll be the first time anyone outside the station has heard the indie rock-folk band, Nunatak, play at all. (Nunatak, by the way, is a Greenlandic word that means an exposed summit of a ridge mountain or peak within an ice field or glacier.)