In Washington, DC—and some state capitals as well—special interest politics have a way of grinding down good ideas. This almost happened to the Affordable Care Act, and it could happen to a less well known but highly important law—the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Read More
October 30, 2014
Ever think that your rural backyard could face air pollution levels in excess of 100 times EPA health standards? Jeff and Rhonda Locker of Wyoming didn’t think so either. But a new peer-reviewed study out in Environmental Health today suggests that such spikes in air pollution in your backyard are possible if you live next to an oil and gas facility. Read More
October 30, 2014
In Washington, DC—and some state capitals as well—special interest politics have a way of grinding down good ideas. This almost happened to the Affordable Care Act, and it could happen to a less well known but highly important law—the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Read More
October 29, 2014
On Monday Bunge, an agribusiness and food ingredient company based out of White Plains, New York, indicated its intention to ensure the palm oil that it sources will be deforestation- and peat-free. Coming from one of the largest traders of palm oil in the world, Bunge’s announcement is significant for what it means for both the world climate and for ecosystems at risk due to palm oil production. But to me it also signifies that the status quo—palm oil that is linked with deforestation and peatland destruction—is a sinking ship that is increasingly risky to stay aboard. Read More
October 28, 2014
Most people I know—young and old alike—love Halloween. Roaming darkened streets in disguise is fun and exciting, and candy (let’s face it) is delicious. Still, you probably don’t don a zombie get-up or send your kid to school as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle every day of the year. And your kids don’t pig out on the equivalent of a respectable Halloween haul on an average day. Or do they? Read More
October 27, 2014
In recent comments to the EPA, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) took an extremely pessimistic and inaccurate view of the state’s ability to join a 21st century clean energy economy, claiming it could only do so at a high cost to electricity consumers. In fact, the Commonwealth is well on track to meet its goals under the Clean Power Plan (CPP), affordably and reliably. A majority of its electricity already comes from lower-carbon energy sources like nuclear, natural gas, and renewable energy. Read More
