Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
What the Shuck? Maintaining healthy wild-oyster beds isn't quite as easy as oyster pie |
April McGreger |
15 Jan 2009 |
Farmer's Daughter |
Pearl, interrupted. I have long been partial to oysters. But it wasn't until a few years ago that I came to understand the environmental challenges they face. Many folks assume that water pollution poses the main threat to oysters. Turns out the real damage comes from water scarcity -- specifically, a lack of freshwater draining into coastal areas, often due to overdevelopment ... |
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Topics: Farmer's Daughter, food, green living, recipes (all these topics) |
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Magnetically levitated wind turbines
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David Roberts |
15 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
Some surprisingly cool green tech, brought to you by ... Jay Leno? (via Jetson Green) |
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Topics: green living, tech, TV, video (all these topics) |
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The story of the century New York Times creates dedicated environmental reporting team |
David Roberts |
14 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
This is extremely kick-ass news: The New York Times is creating a dedicated unit of eight reporters, with their own full-time editor, to cover environmental stories. Columbia Journalism Review has all the details: That editor is Erica Goode, a former behavior and psychology reporter turned Health editor who has been at the Times since 1998 and spent her last year in Baghdad covering the Iraq War. Her impressive team comprises Andrew Revkin and Cornelia Dean from ... |
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Topics: green living, mainstream media (all these topics) |
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Keep on Googling The energy impact of web searches is very low |
Joseph Romm |
13 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
Some myths are hard to kill. The Times Online 'reports': Performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, according to new research ...While millions of people tap into Google without considering the environment, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2 Boiling a kettle generates about 15g. 'Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great dea ... |
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Topics: blogosphere, energy, green living, greenhouse-gas emissions, websites (all these topics) |
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From Detroit with love A photo tour of the green concepts and cars from North American Int'l Auto Show |
Sara Barz |
13 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
The North American International Auto Show opened in Detroit with a bang. Literally. Apparently, the Chrysler Pentastar fell from the ceiling and startled a cluster of journalists as well as billionaire investor Wilbur Ross and his entourage. No one was hurt, but the portentous crash may be more than symbolic for the American auto industry if their bets on electric and hybrid vehicles fail to deliver, or if China's BYD motors beats them to the punch with their plug-in F3DM ... |
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Topics: Big Auto, business, cars, electric vehicles, green living, hybrids, multimedia (all these topics) |
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Seeking sustainability in Seattle? Join the local movement with Grist |
Sarah van Schagen |
13 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
If you call Seattle home, we've got news for you ... First things first: Howdy, neighbor! Grist is based in Seattle, too. Sure, we've got our political reporter in D.C. and an organic farmer in N.C., but most of us live and work -- and try to be as green as we can be -- within spitting distance of the Space Needle (relatively speaking, that is). That's why we've launched Grist Local: Seattle, a weekly email featuring event listings, sustainable business profiles, ... |
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Topics: green living, Seattle, shameless self-promotion (all these topics) |
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Grams be damned Do the emissions from a single Google search matter? |
David Roberts |
13 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
Apparently the question of how much greenhouse gas emissions can be traced to a single Google search is the hottest topic on the internets. Research from U.S. physicist Alex Wissner-Gross says a single search produces 7g of CO2. Google says, nuh uh, it only produces 0.2g CO2 -- less than your personal computer generates while running it. Lots more here. There may be some value in drawing attention to the substantial carbon footprint of the IT industry, but by the ti ... |
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Topics: ecological footprint, green living, greenhouse-gas emissions, websites (all these topics) |
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All Charged Up China's BYD to bring plug-in hybrid, electric cars to U.S. in 2011 |
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12 Jan 2009 |
News |
Posted at 4:56 PM on 12 Jan 2009 DETROIT, Michigan, Jan. 12, 2009 (AFP) -- China's BYD Auto announced plans Monday to enter the U.S. market in 2011 with a range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It would likely be the first Chinese automaker to enter the highly-competitive U.S. market and beat many established automakers in offering an extended-range electric vehicle to U.S. consumers. Gener ... |
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Topics: Big Auto, busines, cars, China, electric vehicles, green living, hybrids (all these topics) |
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Mapping success Green Map's inspiring 'green eye' view of the world |
Erik Hoffner |
12 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
What kind of power tool did you wish for this holiday season? Grist readers are likely to be seeking something that transforms the view of their own community, highlighting all the ecological richness and green living innovations in a tapestry that weaves in local culture and justice resources to boot.So if you didn't get that cordless DeWalt screwgun you wanted, consider the powerful tool of the Green Map network, which has been busy creating unique community self-po ... |
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Topics: green living, websites (all these topics) |
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Lil Peppi
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David Roberts |
12 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
'What's the solution? We're the solution. So stop with the excuses and make a contribution.' Word, Lil Peppi. |
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Topics: climate, green living, music, video (all these topics) |
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All's Well That Ends Oil On biodiesel vs. hybrids |
Umbra Fisk |
12 Jan 2009 |
Ask Umbra |
Dear Umbra, I live in Massachusetts and am trying to decide whether to buy a hybrid or a biodiesel. Since it is cold here, I would need to use 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel in the winter. How does this compare with a hybrid's emissions? Which would be better for the environment? Tom Conway, Mass. Dearest Tom, Either choice is a good one as long as you continue to find alternatives to driving, and your car-n ... |
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Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, climate, climate change impacts, ecological footprint, green living, hybrids (all these topics) |
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Green as in money
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JMG |
11 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
Wow -- somebody spent a lot of time taking notes at Grist, then found some deep, deep pockets and spent a lot of money putting up a slick corporate environmentalism-lite site called 'Mother Nature Network.'It's a gagger.The only blessing is that, given the cost structure required to keep all those beautiful people going, it's either going to be a vanity enterprise (like the Washington Times) or short-lived. |
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Topics: green living (all these topics) |
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ReadyMade: Depression posters for today
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David Roberts |
11 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
ReadyMade asked a group of graphic designers to "reimagine the populist poster art of the first Great Depression." The results are cool, and a couple of them are greenish, like this one from Nick Dewar: |
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Topics: art, economy, green living (all these topics) |
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Analog-jam Digital TV delay could be win for environment |
Sarah van Schagen |
10 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
Anyone with a working TV set has likely seen the ubiquitous ads educating the public about the Feb. 17 switch to all-digital broadcasting. But millions of Americans still aren't prepared and could miss out on important news and emergency broadcasts -- a fact that has led President-elect Barack Obama to urge a delay in the transition.Such a delay could be a perfect opportunity for manufacturers to improve their recycling programs, say activists from the Electronics ... |
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Topics: e-waste, green living, recycling, toxics, TV, video, waste (all these topics) |
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I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts ...
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Sara Barz |
09 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
... for my car! |
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Topics: green living, cars (all these topics) |
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From Smoke to Sass What's on our radar this week |
Sarah van Schagen, Sarah K. Burkhalter |
09 Jan 2009 |
The Grist List |
By Sarah van Schagen and Sarah K. Burkhalter 09 Jan 2009 Smokin' hot Does this dress make my butt look recycled? Here's the scoop Can we rename an old Ben & Jerry's flavor to honor a new president? Yes Pecan! The full Vermonty At the Miss America Pageant later this month, Miss Vermont will walk the stage in an eco-friendly hemp gown. And perhaps Miss Texas will carry a beef jerky purse. Photo: Steve Legge/Image North Photography Stick a cork in it Make a miniature ... |
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Topics: green living, Grist List, lists (all these topics) |
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If they have it their way, they'll supersize the world Burger King launches film Whopper Virgins, simplifies U.S. to land of fast food |
Meredith Niles |
08 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
In the past year or so, I have had the opportunity to meet and experience a vast variety of inspiring food, environmental, and agricultural people and places. I met small-farmers in Ethiopia experimenting with pit composting instead of synthetic fertilizers. I shared meals with activists and writers in the sustainable food movement like Tom Philpott and Anna Lappé. Perhaps most exciting has been the increasing interest in sustainable food and agriculture throughout th ... |
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Topics: food, green living, movies, industrial ag (all these topics) |
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Preaching to the yet converted Consumer Reports knocks plug-in hybrid Hymotion L5 conversion kit on efficiency, value |
Sara Barz |
08 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
Is a product doomed if the highest praise its evaluators can offer is "viable"? In the February issue of Consumer Reports, CR editors tested a 2008 Toyota Prius equipped with a Hymotion L5 conversion kit sold by A123 systems of Watertown, Mass. The conversion kit failed to deliver its promised 100 mpg, but did spike the prius' average efficiency of 42-mpg up to 67 mpg for the first 35 miles of driving. But at a $11,000 a pop, CR concluded that the kit &qu ... |
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Topics: cars, fuel efficiency, green living, tech (all these topics) |
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Recycles of Life When you get fed up with separating trash, make a quick-and-easy Spanish-style tortilla |
Kurt Michael Friese |
08 Jan 2009 |
Chef's Diary |
Recycling is a hassle. Let's face it, separating our garbage into distinct categories is a drag at the least and can sometimes feel downright foolish. You stand at your sink peeling the label of the can of tomatoes, rinsing it thoroughly, and making sure it goes in the right bin, all the while looking out the window at the smokestack on the horizon from the ... |
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Topics: advice, Chef's Diary, food, green living, recipes, recycling (all these topics) |
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Vote or die! Last chance to pick your top hero/villain of 2008 |
David Roberts |
08 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
Just before the holidays, we put up a list of green heroes and green villains for 2008 and asked readers to vote for their favorite (or, um, unfavorite). Readership is low around the holidays, so I just want to bring those lists to your attention one last time, because voting closes in 24 hours! At that point we will declare winners and start handing out prizes, as soon as we come up with some prizes. Currently the top hero is Sierra Club's anti-coal activist Bruce ... |
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Topics: green living, heroes, politics (all these topics) |
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Dial L for lame Greenish phone from Motorola underwhelms |
Holly Richmond |
07 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
It's not as cool as talking into a tin can, but thanks to Motorola, soon you can talk into recycled water bottles. Or at least a phone partially made of them. The Moto W233 Renew, which was unveiled in Vegas last week at the Consumer Electronics Show, features a faint lime hue and the delicate, lingering scent of greenwashing. In case you'd like a side of token eco gestures with your heavy metals, Motorola invested in carbon offsets and printed the important advert ... |
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Topics: consumerism, green living, green products, shopping (all these topics) |
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Two If By Sea On commuting choices |
Umbra Fisk |
07 Jan 2009 |
Ask Umbra |
Dear Umbra, I have three choices in how I travel the 15 or so miles between my house and my job: car, light rail, and ferry. Each one, depending on the time and the day, has its advantage in terms of time, convenience, practicality, and enjoyability. If we assume that all the logistical factors are essentially equal, which is the most environmentally virtuous? As a follow-up, what would you consider the tipping point of cost or conveni ... |
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Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, ecological footprint, green living, public transportation, trains (all these topics) |
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Building green 'Plan B' efficiency and conservation measures drop energy demand by 2020 |
Lester Brown |
07 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
Projections from the International Energy Agency show global energy demand growing by close to 30 percent by 2020, setting the stage for massive growth in the carbon dioxide emissions that are warming our planet. But dramatically ramping up energy efficiency would allow the world to not only avoid growth in energy demand but also actually reduce global demand to below 2006 levels by 2020. We can reduce the amount of energy we use by preventing the waste of heat ... |
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Topics: electric vehicles, energy at home, green building, green living, greenhouse-gas emissions, placemaking (all these topics) |
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New Jetta performs exactly as expected Diesel technology has peaked |
biodiversivist |
06 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
I just encountered a typical lay media puff piece about the 2009 diesel Jetta, which won the Green Car award this year. Did you know that the next generation of diesel-powered cars and SUVs is 98 percent cleaner than diesels sold just two years ago? No, but I also didn't know that the older models were that dirty! Did you know these new clean diesels offer 23 to 43 percent better fuel economy than the same vehicle with a gasoline engine? Sounds impressive! Unti ... |
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Topics: cars, fuel efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Amtrak arrests its own contest participant
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JMG |
06 Jan 2009 |
Gristmill |
Getting a grip on climate chaos is going to require a functioning rail system -- one that people will willingly use.Would such a system arrest photographers participating in its own annual photo contest? Every time Amtrak falls apart -- which typically occurs on days ending in "y" -- it hurts us all. If Obama wants to make concrete change fast, he could do no better than to make rail revitalization a high priority. He should aim to create a system that he would be ha ... |
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Topics: green living, placemaking, public transportation, trains (all these topics) |
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