This week in Grist Magazine:
Book review: How to Grow a School Garden
by Adam Browning. You know what I like about summer? Everything. But especially gardening. This year, I took a new tack on battling my yard's clay soil and spent a pleasant spring weekend slapping together raised beds. A few trips to Grizzly Peak Stables (another added benefit of gardening: an opportunity to shovel horse manure without having to go to the state capitol …) and now my tomatoes are head-high and fecund with grape-clusters of bottled sunshine. You can't buy tomatoes like this for … [more]
The arrival of the stork isn't always a happy occasion [VIDEO]
by Lisa Hymas. This is the latest in a series of Saturday GINK videos about population and reproduction (or a lack therof). Nina Paley has created a number of irreverent cartoons and animations in the spirit of the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement . Here, “The Stork”: Have a video on population or GINK thinking to recommend? Post a link in comments below. Related Links: Drill deep and don't spill a drop with Oil Spill Condoms The state of the climate [VIDEO] What would the world look li … [more]
Math whiz tackles the big carbon sink puzzle
by Seth Shulman. Inez Fung is on a mission to find and account for every gram of heat-trapping carbon dioxide on the planet. And she knows where most of it is hiding. Fung is the director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment at the University of California-Berkeley. Her work has led to a more complete understanding of the current and future role played by Earth's so-called "carbon sinks"—features such as oceans and forests that suck carbon dioxide out of the air. Fung's … [more]
House passes oil-spill response bills
by Agence France-Presse. WASHINGTON—The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday voted to overhaul offshore-drilling safety rules and protect whistleblowing workers in a sweeping response to the disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The White House-backed legislation would end a $75 million cap on energy firms' liability for economic damages from oil spills, a controversial provision that has run into stiff opposition in the Senate. The Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act … [more]
Photo contest winners: Waste on the water
by Grist. We're down in the dumps. But you get what you ask for, right? We asked you, our oh-so-sharp readers, to send us your photos of polluted or degraded waterways. The results are not pretty. Plastic trash, invasive weeds, garbage so plentiful it creates its own damn dam –- we feel like we're floating in the Pacific Garbage Patch . And the video you sent? There are no words. The winningest photo, above, was posted by Grist Facebook fan, Bob Stokes. Bob gets a virtual high five—a … [more]
Urbivore's Dilemma, Week 8: What seasonal food can teach you
by Jennifer Prediger. It’s Week Eight of a takeout eater's journey into the realm of Community Supported Agriculture. I'm learning how to cook actual food and writing about it in this Urbivore's Dilemma series . Eight weeks down. Twenty-one more to go. Last week , I asked for your ideas for how to share the kitchen with the ones you love. I tried to incorporate your suggestions when cooking this week’s CSA box, which was comprised of carrots, cucumber, currants, raspberries, It … [more]
Friday music blogging: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
by David Roberts. Ariel Pink got his start in the Los Angeles low-fi freak folk scene, which I know nothing about. Recently, though, he put a stable band together, the Haunted Graffiti, and earlier this year put out an album, Before Today . It's a confounding, addictive melange of '80s synth pop, goth, metal, new wave, and disco that surprises at every turn. Repeat listens are rewarded. This is their first single, "Round and Round"—hold on to the two-minute mark for the chorus … [more]
EPA strongly reaffirms scientific basis for regulating emissions that endanger public health
by Joseph Romm. EPA determined in December 2009 that climate change caused by emissions of greenhouse gases threatens the public's health and the environment. Since then, EPA received ten petitions challenging this determination. On July 29, 2010, EPA denied these petitions. The petitions to reconsider EPA's "Endangerment Finding" claimed that climate science can't be trusted, and asserted a conspiracy that calls into question the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Clim … [more]
Google searches for 'global warming' go down when unemployment rises
by Jonathan Hiskes. Do people care less about global warming during recessions? University of California economists Matthew Kahn and Matthew Kotchen have a new paper that uses three interesting measurements to suss out the relationship between " Environmental Concern and the Business Cycle ." Here's what they found: We find that an increase in a state's unemployment rate decreases Google searches for "global warming" and increases searches for "unemployment," … [more]
Moscow forest battle boils over
by Erik Hoffner. It's a punishing summer in Moscow with record highs and poor air quality. The last place you want to be is crammed into a jail cell, passing out repeatedly from the heat and lack of water, but that's exactly where the leader of the grassroots movement to prevent the destruction of the 2,600 acre Khimki Forest in Moscow found herself today. Evgenia Chirikova, 33, a mother of two and an engineer by trade, was rounded up with a number of her colleauges camped out on logging equipme … [more]
New BP boss says there will be 'pullback' in cleanup, but no abandonment
by Agence France-Presse. NEW ORLEANS—Incoming BP boss Bob Dudley vowed on Friday that the British energy giant would not abandon Gulf residents for years to come, as engineers fine-tuned plans to kill a ruptured well for good. Making his first trip to the region since he was named to take over the helm of BP, Dudley said that with no oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico for two weeks, the company's focus was shifting to long-term recovery. "We've had some good news on the oil … but … [more]
California pulls home-energy stimulus funding in PACE dispute
by Jonathan Hiskes. More fallout from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's opposition to Property Assessed Clean Energy : California pulled funding for its home solar and energy-retrofit loans yesterday in response to federal mortgage overseers' negative ruling on the program. The California Energy Commission's (CEC) decision removes $30 million in federal stimulus funds awarded by the state last February to five counties for county and municipal home energy loans. The state said the five were exp … [more]
Gigantic wind turbines, flush power, biodegradable coffins, and 7 more tales of green
by Randy Rieland. There's an oil spill in Michigan and the energy bill's now a little slip of a thing , but a lot of other stuff happened this week that didn't grab big headlines. Here are 10 stories from the greenosphere that you might have missed: A really, really mighty wind: If wind power is truly going to be reliable and realize economies of scale, it needs to go offshore and it needs to go big, the thinking goes. Beyond big, actually. Massive. How massive? A British firm working on t … [more]
Study links 'Western diet' with ADHD in kids
by Tom Laskawy. Talk of the health risks from "the Western diet" is nothing new. "Western diet" is shorthand for one that's heavy in processed sugars, fats, and starches; high in salt and meats; and low in fresh fruits and vegetables. The diseases long associated with it are diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. But a study out of Australia suggests that such a diet may not just put kids' bodies at risk, but their brains. Scientists from the Telethon Institut … [more]
Reports of BP disaster's death are greatly exaggerated
by Brad Johnson. Cross-posted from the Wonk Room . In a contrarian take, Time Magazine 's Michael Grunwald wrote a preemptive post-mortem impact of BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster, saying that it "does not seem to be inflicting severe environmental damage." Grunwald believes that Rush Limbaugh "has a point" because the right-wing radio host spent weeks dismissing the disaster . New York Times reporters Justin Gillis and Campbell Robertson wrote that the "oil slick i … [more]
The South has renewable energy too!
by David Roberts. Barring something unexpected, Democrats are expected to move to cloture on the Senate energy bill on Monday, for a vote on Wednesday. A last-minute campaign is upping the pressure to restore the renewable electricity standard (RES) to the bill. It's too late to get it in the main bill, so proponents have turned to pushing for an amendment. As I mentioned here , Reid doesn't want to open the bill to amendments at all—it will eat up the precious remaining time in the sessio … [more]
Clip a garden onto your apartment with the 'Plant Room'
by Ashley Braun. If the Earth's population is going to keep skyrocketing as fast as cities are popping up skyscrapers, I suppose we'll be needing mini-parks that attach to the sides of apartment buildings. If we ever want to see a little green space, that is. Good thing these New Zealand design students are already way ahead of us. Take a step inside "The Plant Room" and meet the urban gardener's dream. Via Huffington Post Green ——————— … [more]
Drill deep and don't spill a drop with Oil Spill Condoms
by Ashley Braun. "Great for containing your gusher and protecting your junk shot!" We can't say we're surprised to see such a clever combination of causes (oil clean-up and responsible reproduction). We're just surprised it took so long. The best thing about these Oil Spill Condoms by Practice Safe Policy —besides the brilliant wordplay and the benefits of limiting a population blowout—is that for every time you drill in one of these, 20% of the profits will be dona … [more]
Eight potentially poisonous personal care products [SLIDESHOW]
by Grist. When we think of toxic wastelands, we usually think of the oil-soaked Gulf of Mexico or perhaps plastic-surgery queen Heidi Montag's new body . But after taking a peak at the labels of everyday products we use to buff and shine ourselves, we've changed our minds. Here we've sniffed out some of the shocking potential toxins hiding in your bathroom cabinets and makeup collections. Proceed with caution. AXE Just Clean Shampoo You may think there's nothing sexier than a shiny m … [more]
Million-dollar contest launched to help clean up oil spill
by Agence France-Presse. WASHINGTON—A foundation that helped launch private spaceflight on Thursday turned its gaze and pocketbook toward Earth, unveiling a $1.4 million contest to find new ways to clean up oil spills. The year-long Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X Challenge kicks off Sunday. It's named for the wife of Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who put up the $1.4 million purse, and the X Prize Foundation , which is organizing the competition. Frustrated at watching "the messy, uncoordinatedR … [more]
New-potato nirvana, transformed into a meal
by Tom Philpott. Many people claim they don't have time to cook fresh meals "from scratch." In Tom's Kitchen, Grist's food editor discusses some of the quick and easy things he gets up to in … well, his kitchen. Forgive the lame iPhone photography. Vegetable farming is hard work—and hard work requires hearty food. Before I began earning my keep as a full-time writer a couple of years ago, I would start most mid-summer days harvesting at dawn. We would eat a light breakf … [more]
Delaware passes a state Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard while Congress passes the buck
by Adam Browning. While Congress was busy breaking our hearts and hopes for a clean energy future, guess what was happening in Delaware? Progress, that's what. Yesterday, Gov. Jack Markell (D) signed into law a suite of clean energy bills , including a state Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard requiring 25 percent renewable energy, and some excellent solar-specific policies. It would be very nice if Congress would take care of this on a national level, but in the off chance that they don't, it c … [more]
Can't afford an electric car? Rent a Nissan Leaf
by Todd Woody. Judging by the comments on my previous post comparing the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and Nissan Leaf electric car, more than a few readers are suffering sticker shock at the price of greening their rides. Now there's another option for those wanting to take the occasional trip down the electric highway without forking over $41,000 for a Volt or $32,780 for a Leaf (before a $7,500 federal tax incentive). This week, rental car giant Enterprise Holdings announced it had placed an order … [more]
Here's why renewable energy needs a boost from Congress
by Randy Rieland. On Tuesday, ground was broken for what will likely become the largest wind farm in the country —600-some turbines in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles that will eventually provide electricity to 600,000 homes in Southern California. Clearly, renewable energy is taking off in the U.S. Right? Ah, no. And unless Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) allows a renewable electricity standard to be added to the Senate spill bill and rounds up 60 votes for the package, the situation may o … [more]
Raising appliance efficiency: A big win for consumers and the climate
by Lester Brown. There are enormous opportunities to use energy more efficiently. Investing in energy efficiency is often far cheaper than expanding the energy supply to meet growing demand. Efficiency investments typically yield a high rate of return, saving consumers money, and can help fight climate change by avoiding carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from burning additional fossil fuels. Just as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) offer great electricity savings over incandescent light bulbs, a similar range … [more]
Online food co-ops like Nebraska's create innovative virtual farmers markets
by Steph Larsen. Right now, I'm facing a problem shared by scores of farmers—beginning and experienced—across the country. I have four lambs that have been raised entirely on grass, and I know there are customers eager to buy them. I just don't know who they are. The irony of selling directly to consumers is that while farmers gain the largest share of the food dollar this way, it also forces them to be marketers—something they may not have the skills, let alone the time, to be … [more]
Breaking the wall of climate opposition
by Daniel J. Weiss. This article was cross-posted from the Center for American Progress . The Senate has taken Americans on an energy and climate roller coaster over the past year as Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), and others attempted to craft legislation that would increase investment in clean energy while cutting global warming pollution. Yet Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) last week acknowledged that the Senate would not debate an energy and global warming bill because it … [more]
Why 'clean coal' will never, ever matter
by Sean Casten. Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)—the "clean" in "clean coal"—will never play a significant role in any future that puts a market price on carbon pollution. Yes, we have to reduce CO2 emissions, and yes, we'll have to pursue every plausible path to that goal. It's just that there are no plausible futures where CCS is economically viable . CCS proponents will argue that (a) it may be expensive now, but with R&D its price will come down … [more]
The filibuster undermines democratic accountability
by Matthew Yglesias. The filibuster stands today as the single most important impediment to the significant reforms needed in America's climate/energy policies, its immigration policies, its labor law policies, and its need for a functioning judiciary. But beyond that, the filibuster has become a critical force undermining the workings of democratic accountability. Democracy shouldn't be identified strictly with majority rule. Indeed, in a past era the filibuster arguably played a role in facili … [more]
The filibuster is giving enviros unwarranted self-esteem issues
by David Roberts. In the U.S. Senate, it requires 60 votes out of 100 to do anything—to proceed to debate, to pass a bill, to amend a bill, to confirm a political appointee or a judge— anything . This is not what the Founding Fathers envisioned and it's not in the Constitution; it's a result of unprincipled abuse of informal practices by an increasingly nihilistic Republican Party. The dysfunctional state of the Senate has damaging consequences that extend into virtually every corner … [more]