Comments Sarah K. Burkhalter has made

This has been blown out of proportion

I find the "environmentalists do this and environmentalists don't do that" blanket statement ridiculous. "Environmentalist" is a self-identification.

I happen to be a vegetarian. If somebody who was a vegan told me that she perceived my egg-eating as inconsistent with her view of environmentalism: fine. Then we could have a discussion about why I live and eat the way I do, and why she lives and eats the way she does.

But if she came in and said "you obviously aren't an environmentalist, you egg-eater you" that would piss me off. Who are you to tell me that my self-identification is wrong? The very idea of someone else mandating how you see yourself is ludicrous.

No wonder everybody's so pissed off. Imposing your agenda on someone is no way to sway them to your side, or even to get them to respectfully disagree with your point of view. This issue wouldn't be nearly so divisive if we were all a tad more open-minded: willing to let go of the idea that our own way of doing things is the Only Right Way.
On Animal-rights group makes the stupid claim that enviros must be vegetarians posted 2 years, 2 months ago 208 Responses

I also disagree

No one is "homeless by choice." And as much as our culture lauds pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps, our bureaucratic infrastructure often makes such a thing incredibly difficult, if not impossible.

No doubt some people make better decisions than others. But oft-mentally-ill, oft-struggling-with-addiction, oft-having-made-bad-decisions, oft-looked-down-on-by-the-more-fortunate people are still people.On So That's What Those Trains Are For posted 2 years, 3 months ago 8 Responses

Vegansexuals

When turning vegan turns into a fast track to plentiful, kinky sex, there will be a rush to vegitate by men. It's going to be a lo_o_o_ong wait before anything like that happens.

Hark, Pangolin! Your lo_o_o_ong wait is over.On NYT dating advice: Eat more flesh posted 2 years, 3 months ago 24 Responses

FWIW

This year, the NFL is buying certificates that will offset the amount of carbon generated through electricity use at the game. This effort, combined with the planting of hundreds of native tree seedlings, aim to make the event carbon neutral, meaning it will have a minimal effect on the environment.

Enough is enough

Jason - you've made your point. At least 25 times by my count.

Your repetition is irritating, your condescension even more so. I realize that you believe in the importance of debate, but we already had one about environmentalism and animal rights.

What is environmentalism? If you ask five people you may get five distinct answers. Some think this is a big problem; you disagree, and add, "Environmentalism's strength lies in its diverse and wide group of supporters." So, please cease with the statements dictating what environmentalists are or aren't "supposed" to care about.
On Ew posted 2 years, 11 months ago 21 Responses

Make that a win-win-win-win-win for English majors

Here's an uplifting article by Rhett Butler over at Mongabay.

Frankly, my dear ...On Carbon offsets that go to developing world forests rule posted 3 years ago 6 Responses

Starbucked

I had Starbucks yesterday (forgive me, for I was in an airport with limited options and a desperate need for caffeine) and was amused by their hot-drink sleeves, which boast X percent post-consumer recycled content (I can't remember how much now) and then quickly admonish, "This sleeve is only meant to be used once." Or something along those lines.

Basically, "This is recycled, so throw it away." Does the sleeve lose its effectiveness after being used once? C'mon.On Sure wish they'd go green posted 3 years, 1 month ago 4 Responses

Nothing is more irritating (to me) ...

... than those who claim to know the Truth.

The Bible is a collection of musings written by multiple obscure authors

Although I am not in this camp, there are folks (lots of them) who believe that the words in the Bible are straight from the mouth of God. Might I suggest, especially in the context of the God & the Environment series, that we are careful to temper what we believe with "I believe" statements? It's a fragile bond between evangelicals and environmentalists, and needs no extra straining.

Unless, of course, scientific proof exists that the authors mused of their own accord. Then by all means, state it as fact. On An interview with J. Matthew Sleeth, evangelical environmentalist and author posted 3 years, 1 month ago 22 Responses

Nothing is more irritating (to me) ...

... than those who claim to know the Truth.

The Bible is a collection of musings written by multiple obscure authors

Although I am not in this camp, there are folks (lots of them) who believe that the words in the Bible are straight from the mouth of God. Might I suggest, especially in the context of the God & the Environment series, that we are careful to temper what we believe with "I believe" statements? It's a fragile bond between evangelicals and environmentalists, and needs no extra straining.

Unless, of course, scientific proof exists that the authors mused of their own accord. Then by all means, state it as fact. On Will evangelicals help save the earth? posted 3 years, 1 month ago 22 Responses

Right on

"Largest-ever" is an attention-grabber. The implicit competition to be the most green is encouraging.On Big renewable energy purchase posted 3 years, 1 month ago 2 Responses

Anything else I can do for you, sir?

David, my life was so empty until I met you and/or encountered Gristmill.On A public service announcement posted 3 years, 2 months ago 16 Responses

Apple and Dell

Hi lionhead

Apple and Dell take computers back and recycle them -- not sure exactly how the process works, but it's better than consumers dumping their computer with all its toxins in the landfill!On Umbra on CDs and MP3s posted 3 years, 4 months ago 3 Responses

Hooray!

Thank you all! We now have a plethora of great ideas. Keep 'em coming if you think of more!

P.S. Andrew's not always making that face -- sometimes he looks downright sociable.On What's to do in New England? posted 3 years, 6 months ago 7 Responses

I'm all about eco- ...

... but could the acting be any worse? I'm going to go with no.

Dig this.

Dr. M gets in touch

The Einstein-defending scientist that Fred was arguing with just got in touch with me. He let me know that he had sent on Fred's column to PZ Meyers at Pharyngula, and good times were had by all.

Dig this.

Ah, Tom ...

So close, but no cigar -- or virtual high five, as it were.On A guessing game! posted 3 years, 9 months ago 2 Responses

Steps forward

From USA Today, the news that the Westin hotel chain will become indoor-smoke-free in January. Take your cute babies to the Westin!On What is your position on smoking? posted 3 years, 11 months ago 9 Responses

Fred is a quick responder

I'm inclined to just offer to show Fred how to visit Gristmill and respond on his own, but my first post was so snarky, and he's been so civil in his responses, I would feel bad. Anyway, here's what he has to say to mihan's post:

I do not understand why high clouds have more reflectivity than low couds, but it is an interesting tidbit. Your blogger friend seems to be saying that high reflectivity clouds offsets the greenhouse effect of clouds more than low reflectivity clouds.  True?  It is interesting the complexity and subtlety of how clouds effect earth temperature - a water cycle phenomenon.

I, of course agree that the heat on earth is a grand equilibrium and not a perpetual rising of temperature.  However, I still feel that there is something not quite right about emphasizing the radiation of heat from CO2 back to earth more than how CO2 influences the rate of heat escape.  This seems like the confusion of a minor factor for a major factor.  In a greenhouse, the heating of solid objects from the sun is a major factor in heating the green house.   The radiation of heat from warm objects is a major factor. The rate of heat escape through the windows is a major factor. The heating of solid objects by warm air in the greenhouse is a minor factor. Therefore, to explain the greenhouse effect as the warming of inside objects from the warm air is a muddle.  Now, if you were to add a gas to the greenhouse which slowed the rate of escape of heat through the windows and said the green house is 5 degrees warmer as a result, I would believe you.  If you told me the gas does not effect heat escape but increases the rate by which heat can be transferred from the air to solid objects, and then said it would cause temperature to rise 5 degrees, I would be skeptical.  We must work out the major forces before we factor in the little things.

When I was living in Cleveland, Ohio, it seemed overcast most of the time.  However, Barbados, a tropical island near the equator has sunny days 300 days of the year. Yes, deserts are sunny and dry.  The south pacific, which is far larger than deserts is sunny and tropical.  The rising warm air from oceans in the tropics does not produce overcast as effectively as northern climes, because warm, moist, rising  air from tropical oceans so quickly precipitates.

Fred

Keep it coming, Gristy smart people, I'm enjoying this conversation a lot.On RenewAmerica columnist claims posted 4 years ago 11 Responses

forgive my naivete

A reference for those of us who aren't sci-fi nerds ...

And I must say I never thought I would get the chance to see Chip standing in a sultry pose after a fully clothed swim. Many thanks, BAM.On Brown alumni magazine profiles Grist leader Chip Giller posted 4 years ago 2 Responses

Even the Marlboro Man's anti-smoking

As of July, smoking has been disallowed in the building of the Chicago-based Leo Burnett ad agency, which represents Philip Morris and created the Marlboro Man. Some smokers think it's "kind of two-faced" that they can't smoke a cigarette while at their job of advertising cigarettes.

Sure it's ironic, but I'm more surprised that there are still offices that allow indoor smoking! I'm sheltered in crazy green Seattle, I guess. Or are there smoky offices here, too? Anybody?

You can read the article here if you register for the site, or in only slightly condensed form here.On What is your position on smoking? posted 4 years, 1 month ago 9 Responses