TOP STORY
| I Fought the Thaw and the Thaw Won Extent of sea ice in Arctic sets record low, keeps on melting The extent of sea ice in the Arctic has already hit a record low this season, the gloomiest, if not doomiest, since satellite records began in the 1970s. The world will likely have to wait a month or so for the final numbers to be released since sea ice typically stops melting by the end of September, but researchers are already worried by the extra 380,000 square miles or so of sea ice that's melted this year beyond the record set in 2005. "I'm shocked daily, looking at the maps," said Marika Holland, sea-ice researcher at the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research, earlier this month. "Where it's going to bottom out, I wouldn't hazard a guess." And much of the ice that's left is roughly half as thick as it was in 2001, according to a recent German study. If that's not enough, the European Space Agency has said that Arctic melting this year has also entirely opened up the fabled Northwest Passage, a shipping shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that has until now been "historically impassable." So, um, kayaking anyone? [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] |
Quote of the day
"If we don't do something, by 2050, all the polar bears will be gone. That's where Santa Claus lives, man. That's a bummer."
"If we don't do something, by 2050, all the polar bears will be gone. That's where Santa Claus lives, man. That's a bummer."
-- Nate Tyler, campaigner for Lights Out San Francisco
TODAY'S NEWS
| Mike Takes a Hike Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns resigns Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns is resigning, President Bush announced today. He is expected to run as a Republican for an open U.S. Senate seat in Nebraska, which is being vacated by retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel (R). [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] source: Associated Press see also, in Grist: An interview with Chuck Hagel |
| Come to the Dark Side San Francisco plans hour of darkness for October If you'll be in San Francisco between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, be sure to have a candle handy. Green group Lights Out San Francisco is encouraging residents to turn off all unnecessary lights during that hour to raise awareness of energy use. Nate Tyler, a former Google spokesperson who is spearheading the campaign, was inspired by a trip to Sydney during its annual light-extinguishing Earth Hour in March; he has printed up "Good Things Happen in the Dark" T-shirts and plans to give away 110,000 energy-efficient bulbs on the day of darkness. Just imagine: Without light pollution from homes, car-lot floodlights, movie marquees, and high-rises, San Franciscans will be able to take out their telescopes and have a nice clear view of the fog. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] sources: Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle see also, in Grist: S.F. and Sydney on a list of 15 green cities |
| Lead-ers of Tomorrow Lead levels in toxic toys were off the charts In reaction to the recent lead-painted-toy recalls, no doubt some laissez-faire non-parents shrugged it off -- when pretty much everything is tainted with toxics, what's a little lead in paint? Except that, well, it was more than just a little lead. Some of the toys recalled by Mattel this summer contained 180 times the legally allowable level of the heavy metal, while some kids' jewelry sold by the Oriental Trading Co. was, stunningly, 96 percent lead. Playing with such things for one to six months could give a child "substantial, severe lead poisoning," says pediatrician John Rosen, who has treated 30,000 lead-sickened children. So keep your kids away from heavy metal -- Metallica not included. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] source: USA Today see also, in Grist: A special series on parenting and health |
| Water You Thinking? Schwarzenegger unveils $9 billion water bond package California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has unveiled a $9 billion water plan, including an unprecedented level of taxpayer payout for water projects and funding to build or expand three dams. Lawmakers hope to place some form of water bond on a Feb. 5 ballot, and Democratic legislators will likely spend the next few weeks lobbying for more of an emphasis on cleaning up polluted groundwater, H2O recycling, and good ol' conservation, which they contend would be much cheaper options. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] |
GRIST COLUMNS AND FEATURES
 Plastic, Not So Fantastic Grist parenting series looks at miracle of modern science If there's one thing that is both the salvation and the scourge of modern parenting, it's plastic. How we love the convenience of waterproof toys and books, the soothing texture of the teething ring, the durability of baby bottles. But the more that comes to light about plastic, the creepier things get. Phthalates? Bisphenol A? PVC? Today we take a look at whether you need to freak out about the latest headlines -- and offer some resources for where to buy alternative goods. [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] new in Grist: How four green parents deal with the plastics scare new in Grist: A guide to non-plastic baby products, and where to buy 'em see also, in Grist: An introduction to the series discuss the series: The parenting chat room |
 Junk Food Junkies On kids, zucchini, and an experiment with pizza soup Is it possible to make a veggie-hating child eat zucchini -- and like it? Roz Cummins runs an experiment to see if she can win her friend's three sons over, and shares a recipe for zucchini raisin salad that'll make you glad you're a grown-up. Meanwhile, in Gristmill, Tom Philpott wonders how parents find time to make good food for themselves and their kids -- got an answer? [ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ] new in Grist: On kids, zucchini, and an experiment with pizza soup new in Gristmill: Feeding the brood |
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
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