Climate Culture

All Stories

  • Marc Ross, rocker and activist, answers questions

    With what environmental organization are you affiliated? I am president and executive director of Rock the Earth. What does your organization do? What, in a perfect world, would constitute “mission accomplished”? Rock the Earth is a relatively new environmental advocacy nonprofit organization based in Denver, Colo. It was created to work with the music community […]

    Grist staff Culture

  • Umbra on the mysteries of produce code numbers

    Dear Umbra, I recently learned that the UPC numbers on produce indicate whether the item is conventionally grown (beginning with a 4), organically grown (beginning with a 9), or genetically modified (beginning with an 8). I like to buy organic, locally grown produce at my local health food store whenever possible, but recently at a […]

    Ask Umbra® Culture

  • Sex! Violence! Sitting in a Tree!

    Story of tree-sitting activist Julia Butterfly Hill headed to big screen Celebrated activist Julia Butterfly Hill, author of the memoir “The Legacy of Luna,” is heading for the bright lights (and sudden fame, subsequent substance abuse, rehab, appearance on “The Surreal Life,” and rehabilitation by hot indie filmmaker) of Hollywood. Hill, you may recall, protested […]

    Grist staff Culture

  • Porn activists go all the way to save the rainforest

    Warning: The following article contains naughty words — but we can’t help it, as they’re the whole subject of the story. It also contains links to websites that are, as they say, “not safe for work.” So all you kids, go play Pokemon or whatever it is you do these days. The rest of you, […]

    Lissa Harris Culture

  • Umbra on hemp fabric

    Dear Umbra, You didn’t mention hemp as a fabric alternative. JordanMarquette, Mich. Dearest Jordan, No, I didn’t. Thank you for writing such a concise letter; it stood out among the 4 million other hemp letters and cut straight to the point. I apologize for the omission. Hemp is currently a narrowly available fabric with a […]

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  • Umbra on our “throw it away” culture

    Dear Umbra, I hope I am not the only person who is disgusted with and frustrated by the current “throw it away” philosophy that so many large companies are pushing. Everything from window cleaner to facial wipes is being sold in single-use packages. Why? Don’t these companies and consumers realize that, for one thing, landfill […]

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  • Judy Logback, enterprising Amazonian activist, answers questions

    Judy Logback. With what environmental organization are you affiliated? I arrived in Ecuador in 1997 and throughout the past seven years have visited and worked with more than 600 rural families to encourage them to establish the Kallari Association, a small farmers’ and artisans’ organization dedicated to sustainable organic production of a diverse array of […]

    Grist staff Culture

  • How to Make the Environment a Hot Election Issue

    Suzy Becker Culture

  • Umbra on recycling pencil stubs

    Dear Umbra, I’m looking for a place that accepts pencil stubs (one to two inches long) to recycle into new pencils. I’ve found recycled pencils online — made from denim, plastic, recovered wood, and paper currency. But what can I do with my stubs? PhoenixCovington, Ky. Dearest Phoenix, All the waste-reduction tips tell you to […]

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  • An interview with green-style guru Danny Seo

    If Martha Stewart really is having a new-age awakening as she prepares to enter the clink (she just bought Body & Soul Magazine and rumor has it she intends to give her lifestyle empire a hint, at least, of green), she might want to take notes from one competitor who, at the tender age of […]

    Grist staff Culture