TODAY'S NEWS
Pick and Lose
A look at the lives of the people who pick your tomatoes
Processes that devastate the earth also tend to abuse human beings. Tom Philpott got a jolt of food-system reality during a trip to Immokalee, Fla., epicenter of U.S. fresh-tomato production from December to March. The process of harvesting tomatoes destined to be consumed fresh resists mechanization. The fruit is too fragile; only human hands can do the job. The food industry's solution: treat human beings like machines -- or worse. Read all about it in a two-part series.
COP: A Plea
Scientists at the Copenhagen climate meeting last week issued a desperate plea for world leaders to get cracking in the fight against global warming. For his part, Al Gore believes a "political tipping point" has been reached that will enable leaders to agree on a new climate treaty in Copenhagen in December, and ultimately avert environmental catastrophe.
Nice Package
Congressional leaders want to combine energy and climate provisions into one big bill this year, rather than moving a few smaller bills on the issues. But while some on Capitol Hill are cheering this as a way to expedite the process, others are skeptical about the chances of passing one giant bill in 2009, and worry that the strategy might slow progress on clean-energy measures that would be an easier sell without a controversial climate program. Kate Sheppard reports.
Hungry, Hungry Penguins
Changing wind patterns linked to global warming are messing with the food chain in Antarctica and may lead to further increases in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, according to new research published in the journal Science. Read more.
Fingers and Thumbs
Grist is giving a finger to Democrats for their inability to effectively explain and sell President Obama's climate plan to the American public. Get the full dish, and find out who gets a climate thumbs up this week.
TODAY IN GRIST
Raise a Glass
Umbra's video advice on how to be a green drunk -- just in time for St. Patrick's Day
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Hard, Ain't It Hard
On water softeners
Q. Dear Umbra,
I live in an area that has fairly hard water. The calcium build-up on the sink faucets, shower enclosures, and even the dog water bowls is really bad, and hard to remove. So I have considered a full house water softener. However, I know nothing about them -- but I do know you need to add salt to most (some eco-versions are 'saltless'). Do you have any advice on this subject? I am off to crunch down a glass of water now.
Waiting for your reply,
Greg J.
Sugar Land, Texas
A. Dearest Greg,
Wait no longer. I wanted to learn about water softeners in any case, as I am living with hard water and it's messing with my hair management techniques (as if the problems you mention above aren't bad enough) ...
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Read the rest of Umbra's answer.
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary
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