Climate Culture

From Garner to Gizmos

Give ’em the boot, Syd Ben Affleck and his adorable much-better half (alias Bennifer 2.0) will garner attention this weekend campaigning together for Defenders of Wildlife as the group seeks to unseat eco-hata Dick Pombo. Wake us when it’s over. Photo: Avik Gilboa / WireImage.com Insane in the Maine-brain Exhibiting wicked cunnin’ judgment, the manager […]

Tom Gray on green touring, Wal-Mart, and why he won’t proselytize

Gomez: (l to r) Ben Ottewell, Ian Ball, Olly Peacock, Paul Blackburn, Tom Gray. Photo: Kevin Westenberg Tom Gray isn’t sure where the stuffed monkeys came from. He just knows that at the moment, they’re in the way. Moving them to one side, he offers me a seat on the cushioned bench at the front […]

Commercial Enterprise

Candidates tout green credentials in midterm campaign ads Seeing green on your TV? Do not adjust your dial: Eco-themed campaign ads are popping up across the country. From races already deemed environmental showdowns (California gubernatorial) to those that haven’t been in the green spotlight (er, Nevada senate?), candidates are eager to tout their crunchy credentials. […]

Umbra on dripless candles

Dear Umbra, My family is a big fan of dripless candles. They’re beautiful and don’t provide piles of wax that tempt fingers into creating little messes. Can you tell us how these candles work and if they are environmentally “safe”? Anna Ruth New York, N.Y. Dearest Anna, For me, playing with melted wax was a […]

A review (and a preview) of the documentary The Great Warming

The Great Warming aims to do what other climate-change books, TV shows, and films haven’t. In lieu of purely scientific or data-based persuasion, it appeals to viewers’ sense of spiritual and moral responsibility. On that level, it succeeds. Debuting in American theaters on Nov. 3 but already making the rounds in the country’s churches, the […]

From Wild Men to Wild Nights

The end is derriere When counting down the days ’til certain apocalypse, it’s best to stay distracted. Thankfully, the Nevada Wilderness Project and University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse Progressives are both unveiling eco-themed nudie calendars for 2007. Naked rugged wild men or naked earnest coeds? We pick both. (Email for .) Photo: Nevada Wilderness Project Reborn identity […]

From the show Weeds

Showtime's semi-hit show Weeds is about Nancy Botwin, a suburban stay-at-home mother of two boys who, after the death of her husband, turns to selling marijuana to make ends meet. Soon she starts growing too.

I'm in the midst of watching the second season. With some partners, Nancy's just developed a new strain (dubbed "MILF weed" by Snoop Dogg himself) and started selling it. Cash is pouring in, so Nancy goes on a shopping spree. Here's a short clip of what it looks like:

Eco-friendly Fire

British arms manufacturer producing green weapons One of the world’s biggest arms manufacturers, British Aerospace, is investing heavily in eco-friendly weapons. Soldiers and civilians may now be blown up by a recyclable explosive, hit by a reduced-toxin rocket, or bombed by a fuel-efficient fighter jet. Biodegradable land mines and their victims both turn into compost […]

Umbra on PVC substitutes

Dear Umbra, I know to avoid PVC, but it’s difficult to know all the places it lurks. Is all vinyl PVC, or are there PVC-free vinyls? What options are there for waterproof but PVC-free materials (I have children who wet the bed and spill, and I would like to protect my mattresses and wood table)? […]

Junk in the Trunk

American food-guzzling leads to more gas-guzzling Here’s more motivation to go on that diet: You’ll use less gasoline. Non-commercial U.S. vehicles are using at least 938 million more gallons of gasoline annually than they did in 1960 because drivers and passengers are considerably heavier and are dragging down fuel economy, says a University of Illinois […]