TOP STORY
The Needle and the Damage Done
Images of oil addiction in Canada's tar sands
Pop quiz: After Saudi Arabia, which country has the most proven oil reserves? Wrong. Not only wrong, but wrong part of the world. Unless you guessed Canada -- in which case, congratulations! Big old Canada is screwing up the planet big time with a big drilling operation. Forest Ethics head Todd Paglia describes a recent visit, and explains how to fight back.
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new in Grist: The Needle and the Damage Done
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QUESTION: Are all CARBON OFFSETS created equal? Answer this and other hard questions by clicking here.
TODAY'S NEWS
Labor of Love
Greens cheer Obama's choices for Labor and NOAA
The environmental community is delighted by two of Barack Obama's latest administration picks. California Rep. Hilda Solis (D), tapped to be labor secretary, has been a vocal proponent of creating green jobs for low-income people and other Americans. Marine biologist Jane Lubchenco, his choice to head up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a longtime conservationist and advocate for action against climate change.
Put That in Your Stocking and Stoke It
EPA says ignore CO2 when issuing permits for coal plants
Coal-fired power plants' greenhouse-gas emissions shouldn't be taken into consideration when determining whether to approve their construction, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson ruled this week. The ruling could clear the way for at least a handful of new coal plants to be approved in the final days of the Bush administration. "The current concerns over global climate change should not drive EPA into adopting an unworkable policy of requiring emission controls," Johnson wrote.
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sources: The New York Times, The Washington Post
Give Me Your Knobby Tired
Rule change would allow more mountain biking in national parks
A proposed rule change at the U.S. Interior Department would make it easier for individual national parks to open existing trails to mountain biking, a move opposed by some conservationists and hikers who argue mountain biking can speed erosion and disturb the national-park experience for other visitors. For their part, mountain-biking advocates say that greater access to trails in national parks could, among other things, spur more young people to visit the parks.
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sources: The Washington Post, The New York Times
comment on the proposal: Vehicles and Traffic Safety
For Whom the Swell Tolls
Feds reject toll road that would have cut through state park, ruined surfing
The U.S. Commerce Department ruled against construction of a toll road this week that would have cut through California's San Onofre State Park, potentially disturbed endangered species, and destroyed the bitchin' waves at a popular surfing spot. In a last-ditch attempt to resuscitate the road after a slapdown by the state's coastal commission, proponents had appealed to the Commerce Department arguing that the $1.3 billion road was crucial to national security.
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source: Associated Press
Power From the People
Power from stationary bikes to light up Times Square New Year's sign
As part of the effort to green New Year's festivities in Times Square, battery maker Duracell has set up a "power lodge" nearby where volunteers can take a turn on stationary bikes that will power the "2009" sign marking arrival of the new year after the infamous illuminated ball drops. So far, only about 95 pedal hours of power have been collected and stored in batteries for the occasion -- just 35 percent of the power needed to light the sign for 15 minutes.
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source: Reuters
Testing 1, 2, 3 ...
In the past year, Grist has reviewed green products ranging from recycled toilet paper to bottles of bubbly. Now, we're looking for a whole new batch of everyday eco-items -- household products, cosmetics, and food -- to put to the Grist consumer test. Which green products are you most curious about? Send your (reasonably priced) suggestions to the Grist Lab.
GRIST COLUMNS AND FEATURES
Say (Artisanal) Cheese!
Not all fermented dairy products are created equal
Local, artisan-made food is all the rage. But some such items -- cheese , for example -- tend to be way more expensive than their supermarket counterparts. Is handmade cheese any better for you than the industrial stuff? A cheese-eating reader put the question to our food sleuth, Lou Bendrick. Her answer has fewer holes than a chunk of Swiss.
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new in Grist: Say (Artisanal) Cheese!
Hail to the Chiefs
A look at EPA administrators, past to present
As Lisa Jackson, Barack Obama's pick to head the U.S. EPA, gears up for a new job, Grist takes a look back at the folks whose footsteps she'll be following in. Check out our review of EPA administrators past to find out what the nation's top environmental officials have managed to do (and undo).
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new in Grist: Hail to the Chiefs
Coming Monday: Ask Umbra on earth-friendly dish detergents
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
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