Comments mihan has made

April,

That's a great idea for beans! I live alone and love beans, but they're just so labor-intensive.

Also wanted to let you know that I tried your blueberry preserves (put some lemon balm in them) and they are (or, more precisely, were) amazing! I've eaten it in yoghurt, on pancakes, and on cheesecake. More next year...

April,

For you canning instructions, what size jar are you assuming? Processing time and amount of added acid will be dependent on this!

Delightful and informative. And my senior senator got the top score! Go Amy!

As a former professor, I should warn you to expect the grade-grubbing to begin. They'll be knocking on your office door in no time.

Sibby's Organic Vanilla.

Or make your own. This weekend, I'm gonna make vanilla custard and honey custard. Yay for ice cream season!

"Attendies"? Where's the editor? On the other hand, maybe we should rescue the plant.

Freaking awesome

On New Illinois governor recycles Blago's stationery posted 8 months, 3 weeks ago 2 Responses

Spring?

We're expecting up to 8 inches of snow today... but I'm looking forward to the foraging! Thanks for the beautiful recipe!On When the season's first edible weeds poke through, it's time for gumbo z'herbes posted 9 months, 1 week ago 8 Responses

David,

Why do you hate America?On Senate hones in on crucial need for country: more cars posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago 6 Responses

Another simple rule

Similar to the "shop around the edges" rule is this: don't buy anything that you can eat right away without preparing it in any way. Good: eggs, flour, dried beans, raw meats, pasta, potatoes. Bad: cookies, deli food, bottled juices, etc. There will be exceptions: milk. Probably cheese and bread. But it's a good start. If you process/prepare it, you're not paying someone else to do it, and it's better for you anyway.On How to maintain a green, healthy diet on a budget posted 10 months ago 17 Responses

Ditto on Dharma

Dharma Trading Co. is great, and close to WA. They have a great environmental "scorecard", which they update. They use recycled materials wherever possible (my last order, which hung out in my cubicle for a few days, was in a box labeled "SYRUP"---it got a number of interested glances) and make organic options available when they can: cotton, help, silk, bamboo.

Their "natural" dyes are nice, too, though (to their credit) they do point out that often the "natural" dye is worse for the environment than a synthetic fiber-reactive dye (metals in the mordants, etc).On Umbra on organic fabric posted 10 months, 1 week ago 17 Responses

Ah! AAAGH!

I guess that if the Senate doesn't want to have an actual scientist testify, Al Gore is certainly better than Michael Crichton.On Gore to bring climate message to Senate next Wednesday posted 10 months, 1 week ago 3 Responses

Yikes, indeed...

I'm jealous. But what I really want to know is: What was the menu?On Grist cooks lunch for America's leading food writer posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago 11 Responses

earthen damn?

On Who will be the next victims? posted 11 months ago 6 Responses

ditto to Bart's first paragraph

If only this were true...On Editing is really a good thing for the blogosphere posted 11 months, 1 week ago 14 Responses

Politics

Does this really come as a surprise to anyone? The first thing he had to do was piss off the ultra-leftists. Now his centrist cred is established and folks from all parts of the ol' spectrum will work with him. This is not genius, it's just politics.On Not-so-deep thought posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago 7 Responses

He's impressive

I heard Chu speak last year, and he's unbelievably articulate for a physicist (I say that as one myself), and still articulate for a public figure. He'll be great.On D.C. buzzes about Stephen Chu, Nobel laureate and head of Lawrence Berkeley, for DOE posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago 8 Responses

Brilliant

"If we can save the hummer, we can save America."On Colbert on the Hummer Club posted 12 months ago 3 Responses

Hey---I like my cave.

But I admit it would be better if Gisele shared it.On Rumors swirl that Brazilian bombshell's NFL heartthrob BF caught MRSA posted 12 months ago 2 Responses

Coleman v. Franken v. Barkley

The MN senate race, where the DFL and R candidates were separated by less than 0.5 percentage points, triggers an automatic recount by state law. The AP retracted its call in favor of Coleman.On Enviro-backed congressional candidates win a number of seats, but not as many as hoped posted 1 year ago 3 Responses

It's time!

April,

Thanks so much for this piece! It provided me with the inspiration I needed to make my own kraut, which I've been meaning to try for a while. One of my uncles (of German/Luxemburger descent) makes kraut that we all angle for. He uses an awesome DIY setup in the basement that involves wood scraps and 5-gallon buckets.On When farmers and activists get together, food culture ferments like delicious sauerkraut posted 1 year ago 5 Responses

dunno

I had to re-register with my passport and latest electric bill. The poll worker expressed admiration for my $13.91 electric bill.

Very exciting! And I got to vote for Keith Ellison!On So ... posted 1 year ago 4 Responses

Aretrea?

Do you maybe mean Eritrea?

Reminds me of the Caribou Coffee trivia question that asked about the height of sand dunes in "Nambia."On Will a new administration give us the 'safest food supply in the world'? posted 1 year ago 2 Responses

Great, basic post!

I love the way you've broken down your strategy. Another thing I'd add is to PLAN before shopping. I never throw things out because I don't buy things I don't have a plan for. Sometimes I change my plans at the market, but there's always at least a tentative destination for everything I buy at the market.

But I find Deborah Madison to be way too fussy. I haven't seen it yet, but Mark Bittman's How To Cook Everything Vegetarian is probably more approachable.

Also, I have tried spreading the gospel of preserving, but I don't think that a single one of the half dozen or so friends I've recruited as sculleries for canning projects have done so without me. I suspect a lot of Mormons feel this way.On How to make a meal from your market basket posted 1 year, 1 month ago 6 Responses

Holly,

Occasionally, physicists are female. Usually, these physicists do not have 'staches.On Author and physicist Richard A. Muller chats with Grist about getting science back in the White Hous posted 1 year, 1 month ago 15 Responses

Control

How many car accidents are caused by something that one single driver does? [Like a teenager wrapping the car around a tree, for example.]

The vast majority of car accidents are caused by factors that are not in control of the driver. It's weather, or an animal, or another driver... the illusion of control is just an illusion.On L.A. train collision dismays new riders posted 1 year, 2 months ago 12 Responses

Convenience, time?

I just don't get the "cars increase convenience and save time" argument.

Although an individual trip may (but doesn't have to) take more time on public transit, on the bus, I can read, nap, or just zone out---none of which you can do while driving. I don't have to look for or pay for parking when I get to my destination. I also don't spend any money or time maintaining a car. If I "had" to get a car (for work), my quality of life and the time I have for doing things I care about (which do not include driving) would plummet.

The more things you own, the more things that own you. A car is just one more thing to own that sucks up time and money.On Expanded transit can lead to energy independence posted 1 year, 2 months ago 32 Responses

Very interesting.

I'm still thinking about the piece. I somehow don't believe it; I don't want to believe it.

The larger question might involve changing the ecosystem rather than actual extinctions. Isn't it still bad if an introduced species (like worms used for bait in the upper midwest) causes the ecosystem to change drastically?On NYT critiques alien biology posted 1 year, 2 months ago 27 Responses

Question

I have a question that's been nagging at the back of my head for a while now. I mean, I know that the Republicans tell out and out lies---e.g., "our opponent is against producing [more energy]".

So it stands to reason that the Dems are also telling lies. But what are they? Do I just not notice them?On Republicans revert to base-rallying strategy posted 1 year, 2 months ago 19 Responses

Depressing...

This reminds me of the problem with early childhood education. My roommate, with an undergraduate degree in early childhood education, worked (full-time) for about 5 years before she broke the $20k/year barrier at a union school. Similar deal: they produce a necessary product but can't earn a living unless they have another job or have a spouse with a job.

In other news, I just tried your honey semifreddo, and find it a tad too sweet but delicious with toasted almonds.On Can sustainable farming provide a sustainable living? posted 1 year, 3 months ago 26 Responses

innumeracy, density

"I know it's pretty meaningless to all us liberal arts majors"

Um, not all... some people who are "liberal arts majors" major in physics, chemistry, and so on. Some of these (like me) also study theatre, art, and so on. Some people who are "liberal arts majors" major in things like theatre, art, and so on. Some (though few) of these also study physics, chemistry, and so on.

Why is it socially acceptable (or worse, "cute") to profess ignorance and incompetence in things scienc-ey, but not socially acceptable to profess ignorance or incompetence in the humanities-ey?

From my reading (I used to teach physics to reluctant college students), it seems that our friend not-James Inhofe is confusing density with weight... you know, the whole "ton of feathers [not dense] vs. ton of lead [dense, same weight]" thing: one cubic yard of air that we breathe weighs about the same as a quart of water.On Umbra on calculating CO2 weight posted 1 year, 3 months ago 19 Responses

I'm sad, none for me

I just started a new job, and I don't start accruing vacation days until December.

But I'm with wiscidea. There are always projects around my place I want to do. Maybe I'm just a homebody.

But if we don't travel anymore, how do we connect to the larger country, let alone the larger world? I feel like it's important to get out of our comfort zones; far too many Americans have never had the experience of being a racial/sexual/cultural/linguistic minority, and I think it's a good experience to have.On Staycation, all I ever wanted posted 1 year, 5 months ago 6 Responses

salmonella eradication

I believe one could use the same procedure recommended for cantaloupes (which are notorious breeding grounds for salmonella, we're led to believe): washing in a dilute bleach solution.On Tomato salmonella scare hits the big time posted 1 year, 5 months ago 13 Responses

Doctors, farmers

Perhaps you're missing the point: The average age of doctors is not 60, so we won't run out of doctors any time soon.On Much depends on finding a new generation to put dinner on the table posted 1 year, 6 months ago 10 Responses

My vote

The triple bottom line ad is very different---it is stylized (monochrome, tiled), in the background, not video, and is humorous rather than tittilating.

Right?

This is no more effective than PETA's habit of getting (nearly) naked women to tell people to go vegan.

"Dick Cheney does the lambada"---thanks for the image. And by that I mean "damn you."On How to get people to pay attention to peak oil posted 1 year, 6 months ago 45 Responses

tough competition

I might have to check it out, if it edged out the Union of Concerned Scientists book, which I love.On The Betty Crocker's Cookbook of low-carbon living posted 1 year, 7 months ago 9 Responses

Questions

So, how about the push to generate renewable energy where possible and transport it where needed, like generating solar (PV or thermal) in the SW and wind in the central states?

Would a local system really work for NYC as it exists today, even operating efficiently?On A Pollan-esque energy objective in six words ... and then some posted 1 year, 7 months ago 13 Responses

I'm with JMG

I read the article before I read this post. It seemed clear (to me) that Pollan's argument was that personal action alone cannot solve the problem, policy alone cannot solve the problem; both are needed.

Which is why it is so disappointing to hear politicians (like Barack) say that the best thing we can do is to make more efficient cars. We need to change what we do as well as how we do it. In Pollan's words, changing the cheap-energy way of doing things, not just making the cheap-energy way of doing things more efficient. As citizens, that means not just voting and pestering politicians but also changing how we do things.On Growing your own food is fine, but governmental action is needed, and soon posted 1 year, 7 months ago 11 Responses

Oh!

That was delightful. [Especially the skater.] Thanks for passing it along!On What people in malls really want posted 1 year, 7 months ago 4 Responses

that river... the big one...

Am I the only one who noticed that he doesn't know where the Mississippi river is?

But seriously, one of the things I didn't like about An Inconvenient Truth was the overemphasis on change-the-light-bulbs solutions, so this is definitely a step in the right direction.On Al Gore at TED posted 1 year, 7 months ago 18 Responses

funnies

The Gore rumors were funny, but I think this is the best eco-April-Fool's joke ever.On Coal and bottled water -- better together! posted 1 year, 8 months ago 5 Responses

Alternatives

Canis, I have to disagree with you on the power cords. Part of the strength of this entry (compared to the B&W one) is that a choice is clearly presented. I also like the asymmetry of the up/down cords. Maybe it's because I'm a Pisces.On Students create body paint images for anti-coal contest posted 1 year, 8 months ago 7 Responses

Two questions

Kevin,

I've been thinking about getting into environmental/climate organizing, but have two main problems. I want you to find out and tell me how to get around them:

(1) I don't have a life right now, but I want one. How can I find an organizing job that doesn't burn me out? I'm not a college kid anymore, I want an adult job.

(2) I have a lot of organizing experience, but it was (almost) all as a volunteer. How do I successfully convey that skilz acquired as a volunteer are just as transferable as skilz acquired as an employee?On Send your questions for the National Green Jobs Conference posted 1 year, 8 months ago 20 Responses

My pet peeve, too

Thank you for bringing this up. It does cause undue confusion, largely (I think) because people have difficulty thinking about net rates of change. I always tell my students to think about their checking account balance: rate of change of the balance is the rate of input minus the rate of output:

CO2 gain/year=CO2 input/year - CO2 output/year

If you want CO2 levels to be constant, the input and output must be the same; if you want CO2 levels to decrease, the output must be higher than the input. Currently, input is about half of the output. The output is by plants and chemical/weathering processes (google "carbon cycle"); Sam correctly says that this mostly occurs in the lower atmosphere but inexplicably says that it's "obvious" that CO2 cannot be well mixed into the stratosphere, which is neither obvious nor true.

The real problem is that it would be wrong to conclude that we simply need to cut CO2 input in half (to equal current output), because a lower CO2 concentration in the atmosphere will make for a reduced output.On Tackling the biggest source of climate confusion posted 1 year, 10 months ago 11 Responses

Carheads

Isn't this a little like those "eat whatever you want and still lose weight" diets?

Personally, I'd be happy if noone had a car for transporting their body and groceries around. I got hit by a Jeep on Saturday driven by a woman who wasn't looking for not-cars. Fortunately, she braked just before she hit me and there were plenty of witnesses, so I'm fine except for two gigantic bruises on my leg. The bike needs a tune-up, though.

Besides, cars allow for suburbia to exist (maybe good, maybe bad), but they also allow for segregation. What's to like?On The privileged attitude of the motorhead posted 1 year, 10 months ago 28 Responses

Converts, _The Revolution Will not be Microwaved_

I really loved Sandor Ellix Katz' book (I think it came out last year), The Revolution Will not be Microwaved.

In his section on eating roadkill and other "found" animal protein (bugs, etc) his friend who started a roadkill 'zine was a former vegan. I believe one of the VTOs (vegan-to-omnivores) even had "vegan" tattood on his body.On Why Omnivore's Dilemma should be avoided posted 1 year, 10 months ago 22 Responses

In defense of bulges

Yeah, sindark, you're no fun.

The backpack is also important for transporting delicate items, my ass being a very good shock absorber.On British supermarket expands bike-trailer program posted 1 year, 10 months ago 4 Responses

The Experts, James Watson

At first, I was uncomfortable about this post because it seems to make the same argument that many of us make about climate; i.e., that laypeople should trust the "experts."

But I think the point is more that most of the people on the list are no more believable on the issue of climate than the rest of y'all. I may know about climate, but would you trust a book review written by me? You might be wrong to.

James Watson recently said that people of African descent are, according to "tests," not as intelligent as others. Of course, he doesn't mention that we're all of African descent.

From cnn.com, who need a new editor, or simply a better spell-checking program:

The controvery began with an October 14 interview Watson gave to the Sunday Times, which quoted him saying he was "inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa" because "all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours, whereas all the testing says not really."

Watson also asserted there was no reason to believe different races separated by geography should have evolved identically, and he said that while he hoped everyone was equal, "people who have to deal with black employees find this is not true."

The biologist apologized "unreservedly" Thursday for his comments and said he was "mortified" by the words attributed to him.

"I cannot understand how I could have said what I am quoted as having said," Watson said during an appearance at the Royal Society in London. "I can certainly understand why people, reading those words, have reacted in the ways that they have."

"To all those who have drawn the inference from my words that Africa, as a continent, is somehow genetically inferior, I can only apologize unreservedly. That is not what I meant. More importantly from my point of view, there is no scientific basis for such a belief."

bourbon can do everything!

"whose"-->"who's"On Organic bourbon posted 1 year, 12 months ago 4 Responses

reuse before recycle

Definitely reuse before dumping it. I keep frying oil in a jar (labeled "sweet-safe" or "not sweet-safe") in the refrigerator. I then use it as cooking oil for other purposes, frying and otherwise, like banana bread (if it was donut-frying oil) or sauteeing. It takes a long time to use it up, but then again, that tends to limit how much fried food you make... not a bad thing, right? I've never had to actually throw any out because it was too old, and I've had used frying oil in the fridge for at least a year at a time.On Umbra on used cooking oil posted 2 years ago 12 Responses

when the wind blows

The wind speeds near the surface peak during midday (~1 pm local time); those aloft (higher than about 100 yards) have their minimum at this time and peak around midnight.

So, theoretically, if you made your turbine 100 yards tall, the power generated would be fairly steady during most of the day. Fortunately, this is not what we want to do.

That hamster is devastatingly cute.On Innovative idea may reduce renewable energy costs posted 2 years ago 8 Responses

TP and cats

If you have cats who are inclined to bat at things (as most are), the TP has to unroll from the back or the whole roll will be on your floor in no time, in a billowy pile.On A review of recycled toilet-paper brands posted 2 years ago 21 Responses

I hate Halloween

It was never part of my culture growing up, and I just don't get it. To me, it's consumerism at its worst: people expecting something for nothing: often, "trick or treaters" are teenagers who show up, sans costume, and wordlessly open up a pillowcase already full of refined sugar and excessive packaging. I just turn out my lights and read a book.On Does this Halloween skepticism make me a curmudgeon? posted 2 years, 1 month ago 7 Responses

soup vs. stew

I think the difference is in how it is eaten, which is influenced by the seasoning. A soup is something eaten as is (or with some bread to dunk at most), while a stew is ladled over noodles (like Cincinnati chili, stroganoff, etc) or rice (Brunswick stew) or some other starch before eating.

Or it could be the stuff:liquid ratio, as the USDA seems to think, but I don't think that's as useful a definition.

But this should not be a matter of legislation:

According to the US Department of Agriculture, in addition to beef, a beef stew must contain 20 to 30 percent potatoes, eight to 14 percent carrots, and at least three percent peas.

What if I like celery root instead of peas? Good god.On Soup bleg posted 2 years, 1 month ago 5 Responses

Global warming/climate change

This underlines why some people like to call what's happening "global climate change" rather than "global warming." I know it's not the enviro thing to do, but it's more accurate: what's happening is that some places will get more rain while others get less. That's the "change" part.

While RR may be quite right, that doesn't take away from the fact that some regions are getting drier: s/he doesn't actually address the point being made. I imagine that your average Australian farmer would take offense if you told him/her to not worry, somewhere else is getting wetter.On 2007: A record-setting U.S. drought year posted 2 years, 1 month ago 22 Responses

Kaela,

I'm with you on the unnecessary "pause" commas. A certain person (whose writing I am often unfortunate enough to edit) is fond of these, but then doesn't put commas in where they really should be. Drives me crazy.

He also mixes up his "line" punctuations: hyphens, minus signs, en-dashes, and em-dashes are all interchangeable to him. On OK, so it's Saturday now -- still time for a tune about punctuation posted 2 years, 1 month ago 29 Responses

Series comma, all the way!

Oh, god... you've struck a nerve. It drives me insane, to drink, and up the wall that the NYT doesn't use it... they edited it out of a letter of mine that they printed. The gall!

While "A, B and C" is strictly speaking correct, it is easier to read the series comma. For example, when reading a list, the comma signifies the end of an item in the list:

"pina coladas, walking in the rain, and sun."

"pina coladas, walking in the rain and sun."

The first is unambiguous, the second is not!

"literature, environmental justice and politics, and walking in the rain."

Here, the absence of a comma between "justice" and "and" signifies to a reader (who expects the series comma to be used, as it should be) that "justice and politics" both belong to "environmental," and that there is another item coming. If a person doesn't expect the series comma to be used, they have to read until the end of the sentence to parse it correctly.On OK, so it's Saturday now -- still time for a tune about punctuation posted 2 years, 1 month ago 29 Responses

interview

I heard the original interview on the radio, and it's quite fascinating. Worth a download.

This would be more insanely cute without the chain, but it is still almost unbelievably cute.On Large wild animals frolic, elicit ooh's, aah's posted 2 years, 1 month ago 3 Responses

Ah, Jake...

During the '04 election, I lived in a "swing" state, and the best auto-dial voicemail message I got was from Jake (swoon). He told me to vote democratic.

I also got a call from Bill Clinton, telling me the same.

And look how that turned out. Sigh.On A candidate I can really get behind posted 2 years, 1 month ago 3 Responses

Nomenclature, training

Fred Singer is in fact an atmospheric physicist, but he doesn't really have any credibility in the atmospheric physics community.

"atmospheric physicist" is quite correct, by the way. Atmospheric is an adjective. Like nuclear physicists, or experimental physicists, etc.On How climate skeptics like Fred Singer operate posted 2 years, 2 months ago 3 Responses

missing a point?

Does it matter if it's kids or adults doing the pumping? The bottom line is, we're paying poor people to do things the hard way because we want to do them the easy way.On A clean tech firm accuses a carbon credit nonprofit of forcing kids to do fieldwork posted 2 years, 2 months ago 4 Responses

Efficiency

This house should no more be certified than the should get credit for reducing "greenhouse gas intensity."

If you're polluting, you're polluting, no matter how efficiently you're doing it.On Should USGBC certify a 15,000-sq.-ft. home as green? posted 2 years, 2 months ago 40 Responses

agreement

If environmentalism means anything, it should mean that we don't make choices that are excessively resource intensive and polluting

We all agree. [Except noone agrees on what "excessively" means; to most people (myself included in with all the vegans), "excessively resource-intensive" means "more resource-intensive than my choices."]

eating animal products is hugely resource intensive and polluting.

We all agree. The same goes for driving, having big houses, owning lots of stuff in general, and flying in airplanes. Right? So we all try to do less of these things. That's why/because we're environmentalists. Pretty much everyone (certainly all of us, typing away on our computers) do some of them.

What if that was rewritten as:

airline travel is hugely resource intensive and polluting.

Now, following PETA's logic, we would conclude that you cannot fly in airplanes and call yourself an environmentalist. On Veganism: All or nothing? posted 2 years, 2 months ago 30 Responses

Waiting...

Likewise, most environmentalists drive cars from time to time, even though we know driving is bad for the environment. This doesn't mean we're not environmentalists -- it means we live in the real world.

I'm still waiting for someone to explain how "you just cannot be a car-driving environmentalist" is any different from "you just cannot be a meat-eating environmentalist." How many who say the latter deny the former? My guess: most.

Transportation accounts for the largest and fastest-growing chunk of US greenhouse gas emissions, sez the EPA. On Animal-rights group makes the stupid claim that enviros must be vegetarians posted 2 years, 2 months ago 208 Responses

Oh!

And I thought I was dying my hair for fun.

I agree with Canis about the color, though, especially if you are of some Asian heritage. Green just makes me look yellow (usually not what I'm going for).

I did get away with dying my hair a nice green-blue one time (a color called "fishbowl").On Danish model plans to go (quite literally) green posted 2 years, 2 months ago 5 Responses

"moving parts"?

Unless batteries in electric cars are very different from any other kind of battery, they share with capacitors the "added bonus" of having no moving parts.

Unless you were comparing them to the internal combustion engine, in which case that is definitely not made clear in the sentence.On Ultracapacitor company claims it will revolutionize electric cars posted 2 years, 2 months ago 9 Responses

Correction

I believe that, according to Grist, coal is the sole enemy of the human race, not merely one of several.On How does Edwards' union support mesh with his ambitious climate-change platform? posted 2 years, 2 months ago 12 Responses

"We"?

Who is the rest of this "we" who thinks the planet will start cooling soon? Or is he feeling particularly regal?On Alaskan senator invents new theory of global warming posted 2 years, 2 months ago 13 Responses

life, sans refrigeration

"life without refrigeration means lots more food spoilage and waste and disease"

Um, no... it just means that you spend more time foraging and cooking, and cook more efficiently.

Also, remember this?On Smeg me posted 2 years, 3 months ago 12 Responses

BioD and DR,

BioD:

Many countries rape their environments because of our rampant consumerism, not theirs. Trade deficit, anyone?

DR:
"all it does is divert some consumer dollars to a good cause."

That's not "all" it does. The point is that it probably encourages more consumption than would otherwise occur, having a zero-sum effect. For example, for most people, when they get a raise at work, they start spending more money. If you have a hybrid car, you might feel justified in driving more, so that your net fuel use remains about the same. Etc.On Apparently no one is immune to greenwashing posted 2 years, 3 months ago 32 Responses

shopping and the "stuff" diet

I disagree that people won't be encouraged to consume more if presented with "green" options. I know many people who have bought things that they wouldn't have otherwise because they were "green." I've done it myself... who hasn't? If I'm on the fence about buying something, its being organic sometimes puts me over the edge. It's marketing. More stuff is more energy and more space to store it and more energy.

I just moved to a new apartment, and though I have very little stuff (according to my delighted friends), I still feel like I have too much. So I'm going on a "stuff" diet.

For a couple of years, a friend got rid of one item every day. It couldn't be something that was new and he'd get rid of anyway (like a magazine from last month), it had to be something that he'd had for a while (like a three-year-old magazine). I think I'm going to do that every week, and see where that gets me. Anyone care to join me?On Apparently no one is immune to greenwashing posted 2 years, 3 months ago 32 Responses

Too easy

The self-righteous "enviro" clearly lives in a remote mountain abode and drives everywhere for everything in something that gets 12 mpg, and the "globetrotter" flies everywhere.On You know what they say about enviros with big feet ... posted 2 years, 3 months ago 3 Responses

summer cooking

Roz,

I probably won't try this one, but I made your mom's blitz torte (with fresh raspberries) last weekend and it was well received. My wrist is still sore from all the whisking, though.On On blueberries, zucchini, and dragon slime posted 2 years, 3 months ago 8 Responses

My bike!

That's her! I love her.

I don't have a car, so it seems weird to pledge when I am car-free seven days a week.

But if you do enter... I can vouch for the bike. She's kind of a tank (i.e., not built for speed), but very sturdy and good for girly outfits: she has a chainguard, so you can wear the flowiest pants and girliest skirts without fear. I have two baskets on her, and, with the help of a bungee cord, can haul a surprising number/size of items.On Go car-free, win stuff posted 2 years, 4 months ago 2 Responses

My sympathies to the poor girls:

"We'd love to have more," Michelle said, referring to baby girls. "We love the ruffles and lace."

Ummm... if my mother had dressed me in ruffles and lace as a child, I may have turned homicidal by nine.

I hope the girls turn into fire-breathing butches.On Yup, the Duggars do it again posted 2 years, 4 months ago 3 Responses

the onion

Senate Carpool 'Forgets' To Pick Up Feingold AgainOn A gender fender mind-bender posted 2 years, 4 months ago 12 Responses

carbon-neutral

Edwards' campaign is carbon-neutral, no?On Lots of good answers posted 2 years, 4 months ago 13 Responses

savory smoothies

Throw in the blender:

• a sprig or two of a green herb (parsley, cilantro, basil, etc)
  
• salt and pepper to taste
  
• optional: other seasonings (I like cilantro+salt+pepper+cumin)

You can also add a tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, etc. Tomato-basil is a nice combo. Very tasty, low-calorie, and replenishes salt after a summer ride.On Organic cherry tomatoes are amazingly good posted 2 years, 4 months ago 10 Responses

Sungolds! And smoothies! Yummer!

The only cherry tomatoes (sungolds) I buy are from a guy at the Dane County Farmers' Market. He supplies all the fancy restaurants. Friends who don't care about food readily acknowledge that they're the best they've ever eaten; one friend wonders if they actually contain crack cocaine.

The secret: he simulates drought conditions to stress them and concentrate the flavor. They cost $5/pint and are worth every penny. He says they're more delicate than other cherry tomatoes, but they do taste better.

I also loves me the smoothies, and have started making savory ones with a kefir base: tomato-basil, tomato-cilantro-cumin, etc. So good and refreshing! Enjoy your veggies.On Organic cherry tomatoes are amazingly good posted 2 years, 4 months ago 10 Responses

No-good drunks

Sweet Potato-Bourbon Buttermilk Donuts

Adapted from the new Joy of Cooking. Basically, I like to substitute bourbon for some of the liquid in recipes (in this case, buttermilk). I like to make these for my friend who hates sweet potato (she loves these).

1 c. mashed sweet potato (nothing else added)
3 3/4 c. flour (I use some whole wheat)
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
(about 1/2 c. finely chopped pecans if you like)
2 large eggs
2/3 c. sugar and/or firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 c. buttermilk
1/4 c. bourbon
1/4 c. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla

Whisk flour, salt, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nuts (if using) in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until foamy. Add sugar(s) gradually, beating well. Stir in buttermilk, bourbon, butter, and vanilla until blended. Stir in mashed potato. Add dry ingredients and stir just until incorporated.

Drop into hot oil (360 degrees F) that is at least 3/4" deep (1" is better). Brown on both sides, turning once if necessary (they tend to turn themselves over part way through). Drain on paper towels. Dust with powdered sugar if you like; I just serve them right away.

This makes a lot of donuts---but you can always put the rest of the batter in the fridge and fry them up for breakfast the next few days. There's nothing like freshly fried donuts for breakfast.On On the difficulties of going veggie posted 2 years, 4 months ago 65 Responses

Whole Foods shoppers

I don't shop at WF, but some of my best friends do. Some of them shop there (and not a local coop) because of convenience or (perceived?) lower cost (e.g., in the Boston area). But many people do because they really don't have a choice: if you want organic groceries in many urban areas (e.g., in Chicago)... WF it is.

Frankly, many of them just don't care about WF's appalling labor record. I just talked with a friend I met through the labor movement, and he gushed about WF. It was weird.On Why the FTC is right to block Whole Foods' buyout of Wild Oats posted 2 years, 4 months ago 28 Responses

Taxes, disturbing the peace

Why shouldn't our taxes support the transit system? It's socially and environmentally progressive, and our taxes pay for road/highway maintenance, too.

I am disturbed to hear that the LA buses broadcast TV programs. (1) What a freaking waste of money and energy, and (2) it's noisy. One of the pleasures in riding public transit is reading, or just zoning out (neither of which is advisable in a car). My condolences.On A perspective from Eric Mann posted 2 years, 4 months ago 29 Responses

pathogens

We used a ceramic filter (metal housing) when I lived in central Africa, but we were told that the filter didn't do a great job at filtering bugs, so we were told to boil the water first. Again... probably not necessary in IL. The only weird thing is that you have to be careful to not touch the filter with your oily fingers.On Umbra on water filters posted 2 years, 5 months ago 10 Responses

I don't like

The fewer buttons, the better, as far as I'm concerned. I'll just ignore them.On Topics posted 2 years, 6 months ago 9 Responses

Ninja N,

You are a better person than I! I usually satisfy myself with the jealous looks of other passengers as I chow down on my delcious food (peeling an orange is especially effective). Now I know where I went wrong---how much better to share! Next time...On When is pizza not a turkey sandwich? posted 2 years, 6 months ago 13 Responses

Airplane "food"

I always bring my own food. So does my usual travel companion, after she was confronted with a pita bread with moldy slices of cucumber and alfalfa sprouts (the "special" vegetarian meal).

On the other hand, the smell of all the fast-food joints (fake butter! fake cinnamon! cooked feedlot beef! starch fried in hydrogenated fats!) in the terminal makes me gag, too.On When is pizza not a turkey sandwich? posted 2 years, 6 months ago 13 Responses

Fat, appropriateness

I have to disagree with those who say that this is an inappropriate topic for Gristmill. If it is appropriate to urge people to eat (more) vegan and discuss how to do it, it is appropriate to discuss how how not to do it.

My understanding is that, for babies, fat is just as important as protein: protein builds your muscle, but fat builds your brain. Feeding your baby skim milk is no better in this regard than feeding your baby apple juice. Nutritionally, then, the veganness of the child's diet is irrelevant, and the headline (as others have pointed out) is completely off the mark.

[Similarly, why is it that after the VA Tech bombings there was more backlash against Korean-Americans than against brooding English majors? Because it is easier to make them Other.]

One wonders, if the couple is emaciated themselves, how they managed to conceive in the first place. But let's not think about that.On Educate yourself before going vegan posted 2 years, 6 months ago 39 Responses

Moderation in moderation, Public radio, editing

Wiscidea, I was thinking something similar while listening to NPR's new ongoing pieces on climate. They're all boring to me (there's mercury in CFLs? Really?) because I'm a nut, but I'm glad some of this basic stuff is reaching a wider audience.

It seems that there are at least two basic camps: those who would leave everything up and those who would like posters to be able to zap some comments.

But I have another question, and maybe suggestion: what becomes of these Gristmill rules?

1. Don't be a jerk. Nobody likes jerks.
   
2. Try to avoid profanity. The English language is vast and magnificent.
   
3. Do not direct personal attacks at a poster or fellow commenter. Substance, people. Substance.
   
4. Don't be a troll. (Troll: Commenter who makes outrageous or provocative statements purely in order to derail discussion.) You know who you are.
   
5. No spam, no solicitation, no links to porn, no internet detritus of similar ilk.

I don't think there are many of us who have not violated at least one of these. But maybe we could have a system like on Wikipedia, where readers could flag an individual post for violations of the above rules. Then perhaps when a poster gets around to it, they could review the flags. I don't like the idea of a poster zapping comments at their discretion; it's not very democratic and is frankly more work for the posters.

On editing: I love the idea of being able to edit our own comments. Who among us has not pressed that "post" button, only to have the typo assault our delicate eyes immediately?

Finally, I agree with numerous others that Gristmill is pretty light on the trolls. Not a huge problem.On Churchill, not Chamberlain posted 2 years, 6 months ago 58 Responses

Gender divide

All of the light bulbs in my apartment are CFLs, except for a string of LED lights, my 22-W halogen reading lamp, and the refrigerator light. I have also noticed that the people who complain most bitterly about CLFs are been (other) women, (amusingly) while bathed in CFL light in my kitchen.

What that says, I do not know. I loves me my CFLs, and use about 120 kWh of electricity a month (sadly, my stove is electric).On Not tonight ... your CFLs give me a headache posted 2 years, 7 months ago 27 Responses

Wow!

And I thought I was all done with my skater-boy phase!On Video ... on the interwebs! posted 2 years, 7 months ago 3 Responses

food vs. fuel, "policy elites"

The specific commodities that would be made into ethanol are not taking food off the market so much as the land and energy that went into growing those commodities. For example, nobody think that we're going to eat the feedlot corn in Iowa, but we would eat wheat grown on those fields, using those resources.

The people who read Foreign Affairs are generally not "policy elites," though some probably are. They could be, for example, employees of USAID who are trying to help farmers in developing countries develop their farming practices. Foreign-service types are usually more realistic than "policy elites," and they're probably the vast majority of people who read Foreign Affairs.On And cellulosic might too -- plus it's still a decade off posted 2 years, 7 months ago 26 Responses

Wherever would you find a poet on drugs?

On OMFG posted 2 years, 7 months ago 5 Responses

Fit

Mimi,

You are 100% correct! I had chronic wrist issues when I bought my bike, so I was very finicky about handlebars. Mine are a good foot or so higher than the seat, and curvy. Both features improve the comfort of a girly bike. Riding your bike should not produce tingling sensations in your groin or wrists.On Bike commuting fashion tips posted 2 years, 8 months ago 52 Responses

Thanks, and girls

I hadn't seen the backpack covers. Thanks! It would be better to have rain protection for me and the backpack instead of two separate impermeable membranes, and it's not clear if the cape would accomodate a backpack and me. But it's a start.

Girl-bike-commuting: Yeah, it does limit the skirt options, but you can ride in most skirts (that are safe-for-work). I have the girliest of all girly bikes (it's a "step-through" frame), and it's great with skirts and has a chain guard, so my flowy pants and skirts are fine and I don't need to velcro them up. I imagine you could get a chain guard for your regular bike and it would have the same effect.

I just ride in with whatever shoes and have a couple pairs of shoes at the office I change in to. It works fine, and you need to do that anyway in the winter.On Bike commuting fashion tips posted 2 years, 8 months ago 52 Responses

Dips in the road... tee hee

BioD,

I have a comment and a question:

For super-cold weather, only gloves-plus-mittens will do. I have lightweight gloves and fairly heavy-duty mittens, and I was fine even when the temperature was in the negative double digits (before wind chill). You do have to make sure to put them on before you leave the apartment, otherwise you'll be cold.

What I really need is a waterproof raincoat that will also fit my backpack. Like a pregnancy raincoat, but for a backpack. I don't mind biking in the rain, but I don't want my backpack to get soaked. Does such a thing exist? If so, I haven't found it yet.On Bike commuting fashion tips posted 2 years, 8 months ago 52 Responses

The Day After Tomorrow

Roz,

Northern Europe is temperate because of the gulf stream, which is part of the thermohaline circulation (THC, we like to call it). However, the probable mechanism for disrupting it is precisely the opposite of what you mentioned: in the north pacific, water from the gulf stream finds itself cold and salty (and therefore dense), having lost water due to evaporation along the way. This sinking is crucial to the whole circulation: if the water doesn't sink in the north, the gulf stream will be weaker (like someone holding up the line). If glaciers melt, it will cause a large infusion of fresh, cold water (less dense) in the north pacific, which will not sink as readily, causing a weakening of the gulf stream.

This happened in the period known as the Younger Dryas, about 12,000 years ago, a brief cold period accompanied by a weakening of the THC.On Did you hear about the Arctic ice? posted 2 years, 8 months ago 11 Responses

Amen, Robert!

I love the KMF olive oil soap, and get around the latherlessness by using a washcloth, which also has scrubby properties. Once you get your washcloth lathered up, you can shower in less than 5 minutes (as I discovered the last time I went camping).

I, dear Yolanda, am so old that I require both the olive oil soap and the moisturizer. On the other hand, my students think that I'm 30. So cute!On The lazy girl's (and guy's) secret to toxin-free moisturizing posted 2 years, 8 months ago 16 Responses

Definitions

Robert,

The recipe is from nowhere in particular; I took several versions of the dish and tweaked it to my own taste.

(Any given dish has many different recipes for it.)

For me the key is the hot and the sour. Most recipes I've seen for this dish don't have enough of either. Taste-testers have said that this version is "somehow tastier" than others, and I think it's the vinegar.On Seriously, isn't it just gross? posted 2 years, 8 months ago 44 Responses

Also in WI

On All the cool kids are using BerkShares posted 2 years, 9 months ago 12 Responses

Ca' tawk

One of the things I love about the car talk guys is their propensity for telling people they shouldn't be driving (the people who drive in Manhattan, Boston, etc.)

Also, they're funny.On Duh! posted 2 years, 9 months ago 13 Responses

white, nerdy

Hybrids are eerily quiet, and disconcerting/dangerous to pedestrians and bicyclists, whatever their seeing ability. If all cars were this quiet, it wouldn't be an issue.

I think the next generation of hybrids should have outward-pointing speakers that play Weird Al's "White and Nerdy" whenever the hybrid is in "battery-only" mode.On Hybrid cars dangerously quiet for pedestrians posted 2 years, 9 months ago 4 Responses

You say potato...

Sunflower,

"Grey" is perfectly acceptable. Good enough for the Queen...

I just discovered that standard American English (which I didn't encounter until college, so I can't spell worth a damn) is "judgment."

It still looks wrong to me.On Tiny houses growing in popularity posted 2 years, 9 months ago 30 Responses

point not taken

You'll note that I didn't (and few people do, including Umbra and the UCS) say that some things don't matter ("The idea is not that the small stuff doesn't matter") but that one should focus on the big things first.

If you're trying to cut your household energy use, do you get a more energy-efficient food processor first, or do you insulate your roof?On Salon dishes out Grist-like advice posted 2 years, 9 months ago 14 Responses

Also agreeing

The idea is not that the small stuff doesn't matter, but that ig stuff matters more. If you're gonna sweat something, better worry about (say) your eating habits in general than what kind of dish detergent you use.

It's also advice the Union of Concerned Scientists gives. Why worry what kind of detergent you use when 8 tons of carbon (in the form of two cars) is sitting in your driveway?On Salon dishes out Grist-like advice posted 2 years, 9 months ago 14 Responses

Facing death

A friend of mine almost died on the highway, she narrowly missed getting sucked under a semi after slipping on ice (and ended up in the ditch instead). She said, corny and stereotypical as it sounds, that her life indeed flashed before her eyes.On Wow posted 2 years, 9 months ago 3 Responses

Pet Peeve

This is a forward slash, the sort found in URLs and almost always misrepresented: /

This is a backslash:
On It's coming, and it can't be stopped posted 2 years, 9 months ago 7 Responses

cars

Tom hit on a key point. Things are far apart in the US because they can be: everyone just hops in their car.

If people didn't drive (as in most cities), things would be (are) closer together.
On Is it greener after all? posted 2 years, 9 months ago 76 Responses

Jeans!

I thought of that, too... I mean, what's the last thing you want to wear when it's hot and humid? Possibly a pair of skin-tight jeans.

But maybe I'm too practical.

On molecules: That's why they pay me the big bucks (read: a puny teacher's salary).On Jeans-maker Diesel is posted 2 years, 9 months ago 6 Responses

Congrats! And more on Tyson.

Yup, that's just about how I eat. However, as a fellow omnivore, I'd advise you to save the vegan meal for dinners. I've got plenty of recipes that feed a crowd on single "serving" of meat (meat as flavoring).

It would be great to have a place for folks to post recipes. Maybe a few blog threads? Omni, veg, and vegan?

I try for your rule #3, too; I'll admit, it is hard. But what I think is most important is your rule 5.

On cookbooks: Never been a huge Moosewood fan (maybe 'cause the evil ex was), but I love Laurel's Kitchen. You might also be surprised by how many good vegetarian and vegan recipes are in the new edition of the Joy of Cooking.

On teaching kids good habits: Some friends of mine (fellow veg-leaning omnivores) have a kid who ate vegetarian until she discovered that free-range, organic chicken actually tastes good. Now 6, she won't eat chicken unless it's free-range and organic. Snobbish or aware? Whatever, I think it's pretty cool.

On Tyson: Not that I ever ate Tyson products (I buy meat from small, local producers), but Tyson screws their workers and you should stop eating their products on those grounds, too. I spent a good deal of time a few years ago walking a picket line for UFCW local 538; in the end the union caved. It was awful, and Tyson got away with all kinds of illegal and unethical things.On That's it for me and industrial meat posted 2 years, 9 months ago 46 Responses

A question for clever bikies

It's been cold in Minnesota lately. We had high temperatures of about -5 degrees for 3 days. Fahrenheit. Minus. Highs. Today's high is 4 (above).

Why, why, does everyone have to ask, "So, you still biking in this weather?" or, "How can you still bike in this weather?"

So far, my snappy comebacks have been variations on:

"What should I do, walk?" (For people who know I have no car.)
"If you were doing more than just driving or walking, you wouldn't be so cold." (For the random strangers. It's a myth that Minnesotans don't talk to strangers.)

But I need more snappy (but not insulting) combacks. It's not supposed to get above 10 degrees until Saturday. Help!On Electric bikes enhance performance posted 2 years, 9 months ago 8 Responses

Ditto...

I no more trust a bunch of dietitians (that makes me think of Titian; curious and dissonant) at a conference funded by GlaxoSmithKline and Chick-fil-A (Is that for real? I've never heard of it. Oh, the bubble I live in.) than I trust a bunch of climatologists at a conference funded by ExxonMobil.On There's nothing healthy about the American Dietary Association's addiction to corporate cash. posted 2 years, 10 months ago 60 Responses

Vegan hotdogs are not Food

Tom, I guess you beat me to the punch, but... vegan hotdogs, gardenburgers, and EarthBalance are not Food! Have you people read the labels? Do you know what all of that stuff is and where it came from? Unless you disagree with Michael Pollan, of course; then go ahead and call it Food.

Olive oil is Food.
Walnuts are Food.
Beans are Food (and I've made black bean burgers; they were delicious! but delicate).
Carrots are Food.
Chicken is Food.

If you make the vegan "hotdogs" yourself from Food, then you can call them Food. If you extracted them from a cocoon of cardboard and plastic, they are not Food.

Elizabeth David said, "Cooking well is trouble." I might paraphrase her, "Cooking Food is trouble." But, just like choosing whether to drive or not or choosing whether to eat meat or not, you choose whether to eat Food or not. And I (and Dr. Pollan) maintain, a chicken that lived and died dozens of miles from my house is more Food than a vegan "hotdog" purchased at Whole Foods.On Why the vegetarian critique of meat-eating should make meat-eaters squirm posted 2 years, 10 months ago 103 Responses

Planning, David, planning

I know parents of multiple kids who eat well (and almost-vegetarian) without pre-made meals. They have a large freezer and plan on Sunday for the week. It sounds like a pain, but it's quite effective and saves a lot of stress during the workweek. They cook a few times a week and eat lots of leftovers and salad-and-bread type meals. I basically do the same thing, except I'm even lazier and only cook two or three times a week (I also have a big freezer). Be very careful about trying to feed the kids vegan, though, since their brains need lots of fat to develop properly, especially if your kids' heads are as big as yours. As an added benefit, the planning would also help you play a larger role in your family's eating.

On meat and dairy: Personally, I prefer to make it a very rare treat (once a month or so). Dairy and eggs are so close to vegetables in terms of ecologic impact that I don't worry about eating them (vegans---pile on, right here), or the milk in my coffee. There's a reason the UCS focuses on meat first.

Finally, it's important to cut yourself some slack. If sometimes you just want that lasagne from Trader Joe's, then so be it.On Why the vegetarian critique of meat-eating should make meat-eaters squirm posted 2 years, 10 months ago 103 Responses

Sorting democracy

Would it be possible to have different ways of sorting, like shopping sites (price, % off, etc) and job search sites (date posted, location, etc)?

For example, there could be buttons to sort posts by date posted, date of last comment, or number of comments, according to the reader's preference.

On the "recent comments" line, would it be possible to have one line per thread instead of one line per comment? Thus, instead of having five lines of comments on "Gristmill overload", it might have one line that proclaims, for example, "Five comments in the last 48 hours on Gristmill overload." I think this would make the "recent comments" column much easier to read.On Too much blog to handle? posted 2 years, 10 months ago 39 Responses

BAU is A-OK

The only thing I think would be an improvement would be to have a way of tagging threads that we want to revisit. This different from the (currently available) tracking of our own comments; sometimes you want to read without commenting, sometimes you want to comment once and be done with the thread.

I would favor a word or line limit on comments. Edit, people!On Too much blog to handle? posted 2 years, 10 months ago 39 Responses

I (heart) ramen

When I was in high school, I ate Ramen noodles for breakfast a lot (when I wasn't eating leftovers---mom's Filipina, so eating rice and noodles for breakfast was the norm). I still eat them occasionally, mostly as a comfort (or post-hangover) food. I crack an egg into it for some protein, and add liberal grindings of pepper.On Soup-er news for greens posted 2 years, 10 months ago 8 Responses

Dude, you must chill.

Take Kaela's advice. Hell, I'll take Kaela's advice. I only had one beer during SOTU, and clearly it warn't enough.

Am I the only person who actually revels in the nerdiness of the Prius?On Everything is lame posted 2 years, 10 months ago 68 Responses

My personal hell

Dave, you might be sick of SOTU, but consider my current predicament. I am teaching "Intro to Climate Science," and one of the groups is writing about federal policies concerning GHG emissions. They claim that the Bush admin. is pursuing a "passive yet responsible" policy, then proceed to applaud all of Bush's policies. They neglect to expand on the "passive" part, and when mentioning Kyoto, fail to mention our shameful role.

I pointed out that the amount Bush wants to spend in one year on solar energy research is less than the amount that Exxon-Mobil spends in one day on "energy exploration," and less than the amount that we are spending on the Iraq war in three hours.

I can't take it any more.

On the fuzzy language: I wouldn't bother trying to read too much into it. First, these are people who use "coal" and "nucular" in the same sentence as "renewable." Second, I agree, it sounds like a shift in what kind of renewable energy is used. Which might benefit new technologies a bit, but would not actually increase the amount of renewable energy consumed.On A sham posted 2 years, 10 months ago 4 Responses

My phone number

I just have to share this because it's so, so good. Are you ready? My phone number spells...

W DID EVIL.

The last "L" is superfluous, but it doesn't matter if you punch an extra number once you've dialed the seven.On Kind of a let down posted 2 years, 10 months ago 7 Responses

I am haunted

I remember my favorite thing to do was bury the spork in the mashed potatoes (or whatever) to get it to melt.

Thanks for this piece. Also note the stunning successes of the Appleton (WI) schools, where they have documented the benefits (behavior, performance) of real food for students.On Maverick chef Ann Cooper aims to spark a nationwide school-lunch revolution posted 2 years, 10 months ago 20 Responses

Global Warming, "warming"

Global warming and the greenhouse effect are not the same thing. The "greenhouse effect" ensures that the earth is warmer than it would be without any atmosphere (about 23 degrees C currently). "Global warming" refers to an "extra" greenhouse effect, if you will; an enhancement of the greenhouse effect.

I don't know exactly who started using the term, but "warming" and "cooling" are just general terms used by climate scientists; e.g. "clouds have an overall cooling effect."On Overreacts to global warming posted 2 years, 10 months ago 15 Responses

ionizing radiation

High-energy radiation might be okay for plants that are destined for the plate right away, but I can see two major causes for caution here:

(1) Radiation causes genetic mutations (ask a farmer in Southern Chile), so if a fertile seed happens to be irradiated and then germinate, who knows what kind of frankentomato might emerge.

(2) If any of the organic matter becomes chemically active, it might (at best) kill vitamins or (at worst) be actively harmful to ingest.On Thoughts from a small farm during the midwinter lull posted 2 years, 10 months ago 9 Responses

Intriguing...

I confess to have had thoughts of how I could transport my cats on the bike. Previously, I had thought of the cat carrier, a strong bungee cord, and my baskets (I have baskets on either side of the bike that make a fine horizontal surface). I haven't had the need or guts to try it yet.

But that would mean that kitties would be riding behind me, which would be distracting (for me) and even more frightening (for kitties). Plus, I love the image of my sweet kittens with little helmets on. Cute!On Young bucks make cool bikes posted 2 years, 10 months ago 16 Responses

Changing growing season

The USDA has updated the hardiness zones to reflect a warmer climate.

At least one of the regional flower societies (think "Best in Show", but with daffodils) is considering moving shows to earlier in the year because of the earlier spring.On Thoughts from a small farm during the midwinter lull posted 2 years, 10 months ago 9 Responses

Thanks

Thanks for the tips. I've more or less decided to just walk to work for a few days after a snowstorm; I biked today and it was fine. We don't get that much snow, anyway.

Biking with snow and ice and mixtures thereof is a whole 'nother beast, though, that's for sure.On A pedal-tastic roundup posted 2 years, 11 months ago 8 Responses

Wow!

Thanks for the ICEBIKE link! My first commute after snowfall was kind of scary, and I've been wondering how to deal with it.On A pedal-tastic roundup posted 2 years, 11 months ago 8 Responses

chicory

Chickory is the plant we get the color "cornflower" from. It likes to grow near train tracks. It also likes to grow near corn, apparently.On Make your leftover Xmas sweets into something yummy posted 2 years, 11 months ago 5 Responses

Hear hear! and a comment

I agree, Jason---I pretty much never read your posts.

What I enjoyed most about the coverage of this issue on the radio (BBC, at least) was the "person on the street" quotes, where people were saying they didn't like the thought of eating "unnatural" foods. I wonder how many of them eat processed food. Any kind. I mean, really: how "natural" is your average boxed cookie? Let alone a Twinkie.

I also enjoyed how the BBC reporter stuck it to the industry spokesflack who kept insisting that not labeling cloned foods was "for the consumers." It was enjoyable.On Ew posted 2 years, 11 months ago 21 Responses

Healthcare, woah

David: There are lots of jobs that provide health care to people who work at least 50% or 60% time (or less). I held a few (sequentially) for about a decade. There is no "magic" 40-hour mark. Maybe you folks at Grist need a union...

Willa: Sadly, "woah" is becoming, if not respectable, at least accepted. I also wish people would stop spelling "yay!" Y-E-A-H-!. Two valid words, two entirely different feelings.On Working less saves the earth posted 2 years, 11 months ago 10 Responses

Surprise?

This should not surprise anyone. If I recall correctly (from In Praise of Slowness), when some Canadian companies tracked the household income of employees who opted to work just a few hours less each week, they ended up with more takehome pay. The savings in car costs, childcare, and convenience products outweighed the pay "cut."

Besides, we'd all have more time for things we should have more time for: exercise, being outside, creating things.On Working less saves the earth posted 2 years, 11 months ago 10 Responses

I wish Bitch were online.

No bookstores (independent or otherwise) where I live.On Bitch's green issue is definately worth killing trees for posted 2 years, 11 months ago 7 Responses

Reality TV, British English

BioD: "Reducing" is British for "dieting." Thus, I assume that "meat-reducing" means folks who watch their meat intake.

I like the reality show! Except I prefer to have all three be irritating, so that when they die their inevitable and differently-gruesome deaths, we can all cheer. The omnivore can be an obnoxious poacher who dies of scurvy or some other vitamin deficiency, the vegetarian can be a picky eater who dies of starvation, and the vegan can just die from lack of protein. On Turns out vegetarians are smart posted 2 years, 11 months ago 25 Responses

Oh! I love calves.

Their rough tongues, their snotty noses.

When I was little, I was on the farm when a bull calf was born, and my uncle called him Herman. I thought it was sweet that he named the calves, but later I learned that he calls all bull calves "Herman" and all cow calves "Schnitzy" (why yes, he's of German descent).On Cough up a little dough for a cute cause posted 2 years, 11 months ago 2 Responses

I miss Wisconsin.

On Freaky deeky deer posted 2 years, 11 months ago 3 Responses

Success!

Roz,

I tried these out, using garam masala (home-toasted and -ground) instead of the curry powder. But my p.b. and butter are unsalted, so I added 1 tsp. of salt after consulting with Cooks Illustrated. I think that was a good idea.

I thought the consistency was fabulous, and not terribly crumbly (though I did line my pans).

Just one question: You got 20-24 cookies? Seriously? I got 41. Either your cookies were giant or you ate a lot more of the (admittedly delicious) batter than I did.

In the end, though, they were incredibly delicious, and I ate a large number of them [ooof.] right out of the oven. Thanks for the recipe!On Secret-spice cookies posted 2 years, 11 months ago 4 Responses

Wait... I thought that was every day.

My bad.On Letting your electronics contribute to climate change is so offensive posted 2 years, 11 months ago 2 Responses

Possible variation?

I don't really like curry powder that much, but I bet these would be delicious with Garam Masala (I make my own, so it's toasty-tasty). And I have lots of p.b. and a naked (zested) orange in the fridge... thanks! I'll let you know how they turn out!On Secret-spice cookies posted 2 years, 11 months ago 4 Responses

concentration of $$$

Let us not forget that part of the utility of diamonds is that they are concentrated money. So, for example, if you have to flee a country, you can easily take money with you. Or, for example (as happened to a good friend), if your spouse has a habit of pawning everything he can get his hands on, a diamond is easy to keep close, even when asleep.

I realize that most westerners don't think of it this way, but you can bet that people in unstable countries where diamonds are found do.On Movie, music bring awareness to conflict gems posted 2 years, 11 months ago 25 Responses

Definitions, perspective

I think Dave's latest comparison between the self-righteous and the righteous makes sense.

I think, though, that a key component of "self-righteousness" that irks is the tendency to say, "How could you not think the same as I?"

As in, "I don't drive an SUV because they're evil, so if you do, you must be evil." Or the ever popular, "How can you eat meat and call yourself an environmentalist? It doesn't even taste good!"

The self-righteous are concerned with others' (lack of) righteousness, whereas the righteous are concerned with their own (lack of) righteousness.On What is it good for? posted 3 years ago 24 Responses

HA!

Willa,

That made me laugh out loud: funny because true! I volunteer at a food coop, and Thansgiving week is always insane, so we always wonder that.On Two non-turkey recipes for the Thanksgiving feast posted 3 years ago 19 Responses

wine in a box

The Splendid Table had a delightful guy on a few weeks ago talking about wines in boxes, "Cans, Boxes and Sippy Straws: A New Way to Drink Wine." He recommended a number of them rather highly. Check it out.On How to pick wines that don't taste computer-programmed posted 3 years ago 5 Responses

B-O-U-R-B-O-N!!!

Roz,

Many thanks. Those peaches sound like a good thing to make next summer and put in the freezer for the winter. Oh... ! ripe peaches and bourbon. !

For t-day this year, I and some friends are doing a vegetarian middle-eastern feast. That's right, no pretense of bird anywhere. It will be delightful. We're calling it "T-day" (short for "tahini-day," of course).

My favorite way of doing sweet potatoes is as follows: Cut 'em up. Put 'em in a pan, sprinkling with hot red pepper flakes. Pour a can of coconut milk on top. Cover with foil and bake. It's delicious, easy, unusual, and vegan, though delicious with roast bird (think squash curry).On Two non-turkey recipes for the Thanksgiving feast posted 3 years ago 19 Responses

Mississippi valley runoff

A lot of farmers whose runoff ends up in the Mississippi do plant too close to running water.

It's marginal land and likely to be flooded, so why do they plant there? Answer: Insurance. They put corn in the fields and collect insurance when it gets flooded. It's a huge waste. My uncle, a retired farmer, can rant for a long time about this.On Low-oxygen event troubling in Hood Canal posted 3 years ago 6 Responses

lovely spouses

I just refer to everyone's spouse as "lovely." As in, "Michelle, your lovely spouse is on the phone; dinner is ready." Saves time, is complimentary to everyone, and is gender-neutral.On It kicked ass posted 3 years ago 15 Responses

words, words

I would accept it as a "word" if they hyphenated it, thus rendering it an adjective. As is, though, it is unsatisfying.On You'll never guess posted 3 years ago 5 Responses

Empathy

Here was my first thought (after "tee hee!", of course): Poor girl! Can you imagine all crap she's going to get in college? Especially if she comes out?

Remember how we all felt sorry for Chelsea? She ran as far from DC as possible. To the (numerous) Santorum offspring: godspeed.On Leave your caption ideas in comments posted 3 years ago 18 Responses

Dick Cheney's other jobs

Did anyone else hear "Wait, Wait... Don't tell me" last week? One of their made-up news stories was about how Dick used to do butter sculpture.

So now I'm picturing him waddling down the aisle in buttery gumboots.

Friends, it is not a pretty image.On In Montana posted 3 years ago 7 Responses

But WHERE is it warming?

Coby,

It might be worth pointing out that, given what we expect for global warming, the troposphere is expected (and, indeed, observed) to warm, but the stratosphere is expected to cool. Thus the sluggish recovery of the ozone layer (colder stratosphere-->less ozone).

So we expect part of the atmosphere to warm and part to cool.On 'The satellites show cooling'--No, they don't posted 3 years ago 15 Responses

Irregardless!

Oh! I forgot that one! I had a friend who said that all the time. It drove me nuts, which only caused him to use it more frequently. I wonder if he's stopped using it since he became a lawyer.

Other (spoken) pet peeves include needless repetition:

"four a.m. in the morning"
"ATM machine"

And the irritating habit of calling a "/" a "backslash." "" is a "backslash."On Apropos of absolutely nothing posted 3 years, 1 month ago 24 Responses

O! Happy Day!

Thanksgiving is my favoritest holiday ever. All you're required to do is cook and eat. A lot. I love doing both of those things!

I also love bourbon (what can't it do?) so I look forward to the recipe.On Order your heritage turkeys now (if you eat turkey) posted 3 years, 1 month ago 7 Responses

hybrids vs. GMOs

The difference between a hybridized strawberry and a GMO soybean is that the strawberry was hybridized to balance things humans want (the sweetness and fragrance of the delicate european strawberry) with those necessary for us to enjoy them (the hardiness of the relatively flavorless S. American strawberry). It is a purely human-made plant species.

The GMO soybean is created with only one goal: maximize profits for ADM/Cargill. It doesn't take into account what consumers want from their soybeans or what the growing environment demands.

If GMO crops can actually take into account the consumer, then I'll be for them. I don't really think that's possile under our current political/economic structure, though. On Weigh in on the question posted 3 years, 1 month ago 44 Responses

J. Clim. link

http://ams.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-archive

I couldn't find the article. Unless it's in Climate Dynamics? Dunno.

As someone who's published in J. Clim., let me just say that I'm sure that it's not a "leap of logic" in the article, but rather a painstaking series of logical steps that went through three cranky reviewers, possibly several times.On Melting of Larsen B ice shelf connected to climate change posted 3 years, 1 month ago 12 Responses

Flattery, WWDTM

David:

This is pure flattery on your part:

"But to thousands of people, I'm now and forever the guy who wants to execute global warming skeptics."

Please. Make that "one of the guys."

Willa:

OMG, I love that show! I just discovered it and now it's a highlight of my Sunday (Saturday's highlight is A Prairie Home Companion). How dorky am I? On the other hand, how can you not love a comedy show in which one of the hosts/stars utters the phrase, "not since the halcyon days of Boutros Boutros-Ghali"?On Incentives in modern-day punditry posted 3 years, 1 month ago 10 Responses

Pranks involving stinky cheese

When I was young (living far, far from Western civilization) my dad scored some European cheeses, including some Limberger. It stank up the fridge for a while, irritating everyone, until finally I stole it and placed it on the ground in a walkway. Our poor gardener stepped in it (in sandals: it squished... oh, it was terrible), and I got into a lot of trouble.

Like your grandmother, I like to think that I turned out okay anyway (definitely strict: ask my poor students), though neither dignified nor elegant.On Mmm ... cheese posted 3 years, 1 month ago 7 Responses

priorities

[Now, this is crazy talk: "Now if we can just get capitalism out of the church altogether."]

I think the reason a lot of Christians don't put environmental concerns at the top of their list is because politicians and some Christian leaders tell them not to.

I had an interesting moment when I heard Sister Helen Prejean speak. Someone asked what she thought about abortion. The questioner was obviously baiting her (I mean, she's a nun), but her response was so wise and unforced. She said that, with all the other suffering in the world, abortion is the least of our worries: when we've solved world malnutrition/hunger and gotten everyone out of poverty and established fair governments all over the world, then we can worry about abortion.

The climate crisis is like that: who cares about abortion if we're all dead or infertile?On An interview with J. Matthew Sleeth, evangelical environmentalist and author posted 3 years, 1 month ago 22 Responses

priorities

[Now, this is crazy talk: "Now if we can just get capitalism out of the church altogether."]

I think the reason a lot of Christians don't put environmental concerns at the top of their list is because politicians and some Christian leaders tell them not to.

I had an interesting moment when I heard Sister Helen Prejean speak. Someone asked what she thought about abortion. The questioner was obviously baiting her (I mean, she's a nun), but her response was so wise and unforced. She said that, with all the other suffering in the world, abortion is the least of our worries: when we've solved world malnutrition/hunger and gotten everyone out of poverty and established fair governments all over the world, then we can worry about abortion.

The climate crisis is like that: who cares about abortion if we're all dead or infertile?On Will evangelicals help save the earth? posted 3 years, 1 month ago 22 Responses

Food ideas

Tom,

I really appreciate your and Roz's posts on food and food politics. I have an idea, though: would it be possible to make up a index of food experiences discussed in Grist? Just name of business, city and state, and a one-sentence description. Traveling Gristas could go to this page, search for "Wisconsin", and see what other Gristas have recommended doing there. Or, you could search for "coffee" and find all that has been written in these "pages" about coffee.

Ditto recipes!

Is this possible? I would love it, since whenever I travel I obsessively seek out good local food experiences. On New food column opens with a look at a superlative coffeehouse posted 3 years, 1 month ago 7 Responses

biblical writings, Truth

Canis et al.:

By wrestling with difficult and contradictory passages, one can arrive at one's own truth. This is the point of "wrestling" with a text as rich as the Bible. You read things you might not quite agree with, which makes you define more carefully exactly what you believe, thus transforming and strengthening your belief. [Just like a classic liberal education.] This should be an ongoing exercise, because things and people change. Bill Moyers is doing what a responsible thinker should do: constantly re-examine his beliefs. Many of us surround ourselves with people who think the same way we do, so we get lazy about this. The same goes for things like sexual orientation, in my book: it should always be re-examined.

Even if you're not religious, "struggling" with other texts is fruitful. For me, this happens with certain novels. I re-read them and sometimes find new truths the second, third, or fourth time around.

Sarah:

Scholars do, indeed, believe that the bible was literally written by multiple authors at different times. At any rate, I remember having to remember dates and authors in my religion class in college. "Straight from the mouth of God" doesn't mean that God literally wrote the Bible (unlike the Commandments). The divergence comes when one considers how much influence (all to none) God had in what was actually put to parchment.

The "obscure" and "musings" parts are sneaky and gratuitous, I'll give you that.On An interview with J. Matthew Sleeth, evangelical environmentalist and author posted 3 years, 1 month ago 22 Responses

biblical writings, Truth

Canis et al.:

By wrestling with difficult and contradictory passages, one can arrive at one's own truth. This is the point of "wrestling" with a text as rich as the Bible. You read things you might not quite agree with, which makes you define more carefully exactly what you believe, thus transforming and strengthening your belief. [Just like a classic liberal education.] This should be an ongoing exercise, because things and people change. Bill Moyers is doing what a responsible thinker should do: constantly re-examine his beliefs. Many of us surround ourselves with people who think the same way we do, so we get lazy about this. The same goes for things like sexual orientation, in my book: it should always be re-examined.

Even if you're not religious, "struggling" with other texts is fruitful. For me, this happens with certain novels. I re-read them and sometimes find new truths the second, third, or fourth time around.

Sarah:

Scholars do, indeed, believe that the bible was literally written by multiple authors at different times. At any rate, I remember having to remember dates and authors in my religion class in college. "Straight from the mouth of God" doesn't mean that God literally wrote the Bible (unlike the Commandments). The divergence comes when one considers how much influence (all to none) God had in what was actually put to parchment.

The "obscure" and "musings" parts are sneaky and gratuitous, I'll give you that.On Will evangelicals help save the earth? posted 3 years, 1 month ago 22 Responses

stolen words, wicked felines

Canis,

I share your horror at the degradation of the language (I'm a teacher, so that horror is an everyday affair). However, in this case, one might argue (indeed, I shall) that "El Nin~os" is similar to "bureaus": we've taken the word into English, so we pluralize it as an English word.

Also, as a scientist, I am just happpy any time a scientist writes a complete sentence. At least we tend to refer to "data" in the plural (my other pet peeve).

Speaking of pets, this Friday I will have my cats (both the adorable-but-wicked and the well-behaved-but-surly) blessed by Lutherans. I will note any changes in disposition or behavior.On Plain speaking from an expert posted 3 years, 2 months ago 15 Responses

Hottest. Genius. Ever.

On An interview with Majora Carter, founder of Sustainable South Bronx posted 3 years, 2 months ago 10 Responses

duh

Front.

Although either way, my cat pulls it all down, so the TP in my house has to sit on the counter.On Umbra on recycled toilet paper posted 3 years, 2 months ago 9 Responses

defending the Wiki

Wikipedia is often very useful and accurate. I've used it to find material (to prepare for lecture) that I know I have in a textbook somewhere but am too lazy to find. So I can vouch that at least the (Geo-)Physics entries are quite succinct and accurate.

I will be keeping an eye out for butt proximity sensors. They've gotta hit the US market soon, right?On China, up close and personal posted 3 years, 2 months ago 20 Responses

me three

Ditto.

The person who lent it to me had a similar reaction, but was given it by a friend who had a life-changing experience and insisted it be passed on. I was the lucky victim.

But I have little tolerance for talk, whether actual or in writing.On A short review posted 3 years, 2 months ago 114 Responses

Boston coffee, Adria

I guess I should have gone North for coffee. I was in Boston for a week and a half, and had mediocre coffee at all kinds of cute, independent coffeeshops. It caused me to (literally) weep when I got back home and walked into my coffeeshop in Madison. The barista was sympathetic to my tears once I explained their origin.

As for NYC, I try to avoid it, but if I am unable I will bear gimme in mind.

I had read about these chefs before, and frankly the food sounded unappetizing to me. But I'm a traditional girl.On Lessons on how to live from the NYT food section posted 3 years, 2 months ago 9 Responses

Virgos and philosophers

David,

You may be the only philosopher I can stand. And that's high praise.

I have a friend who dated a string of Virgos. But she's a Capricorn, and tended to, um, trample all over them. She has since broken the cycle and is happily partnered.

I have no idea what that means. On A public service announcement posted 3 years, 2 months ago 16 Responses

sequestration, technology

We haven't gotten to 550 ppm yet, but for it to stabilize there, we need uptake of CO2 by the biosphere to equal how much we're putting in.

Given that there have been massive losses of grasslands, rainforests, et al., I'd be willing to bet that the rate of uptake of CO2 is lower than it was in the pre-industrial era, which means that to stabilize the CO2 level, we'd need to get our CO2 emissions below pre-industrial levels.

That's why we need to work on getting more CO2 out of the atmosphere. With however-many billion of us, there's no way we're going to get our CO2 emissions below pre-industrial levels.

Yes, technology got us into this mess, but I would argue that some of it is good: medical technology, for example, which means people have longer life expectancies. It might be reasonable to expect other good technologies (alt. energy, novel sequestration techniques, etc.) to get us out of it.On Can we stabilize atmospheric CO2 at safe levels? posted 3 years, 2 months ago 5 Responses

forgot to make my point...

which is that we're asking the wrong question. If our question is, "Are we causing the earth to warm up?" we get bogged down because some people think not (though most think so).

Instead we should ask, "Is it right to be spending our grandchildren's inheritance (so to speak)?"

As Patrick points out, acting now to change our economy and lifestyles to be sustainable is a good thing (and answers question #2), and does not depend at all on the answer to the first question.

I suppose you could still point out that there are some who think that the rapture will soon be upon us so the answer to #2 doesn't matter, either. I have no idea what to do with those people.On How a phony petition attacking global warming science gained a life of its own posted 3 years, 2 months ago 7 Responses

wow.

It's at least clever. Do we have to give him credit for that?On A proposed bill would double fines on certain businesses in the state posted 3 years, 2 months ago 6 Responses

Consensus

NedRoscoe raises a very good point: what if the consensus is not right? Historically, we know it's not always right (just ask Galileo G.).

However, usually, society goes with the majority: it's as good as we've got. There's no issue on which everyone agrees (thank god). But the way science works is, we go on what most of us agree is true, everyone continues their research, and eventually the random walk of most/all scientists converge somewhere: it may be where the original consesus was, it may be in a totally different place.

It is indisputable that the vast majority of scientists do agree that the climate is changing AND that we're causing a large part of it. The reason that the small number of so-called skeptics doesn't "prove the rule" is political/rhetorical. The basic argument is, "this one person disagrees, so it can't be true." This article does a good (though maybe dry) job of pointing out logical fallacies in the arguments of people who claim that hurricane strength is not linked to global warming; many of the same fallacies are used by the global-warming "skeptics" in general.On How a phony petition attacking global warming science gained a life of its own posted 3 years, 2 months ago 7 Responses

Input and output

The rate of change (increase or decrease) in CO2 in the atmosphere depends on the difference between the rate at which CO2 is entering and the rate at which it is leaving (input and output).

If input is higher than output, which it has been for over a century, CO2 will increase.

For CO2 to stabilize---for it to remain at the same level---the input and output have to be the same.

For CO2 levels to decrease, input must be smaller than output. Our choices are (1) lower emissions to pre-industrial levels (fat chance) without changing how much CO2 is sequestered, (2) don't worry about our CO2 emissions, just increase sequestration to surpass emissions, or (2) increase sequestration and decrease emissions. Both affect the CO2 levels; if both are possible, why not do both?On Thawing permafrost, oh my. posted 3 years, 2 months ago 24 Responses

Lakefront rocks!

I took the brewery tour at Lakefront last summer, and believe you me, they take beer seriously, and in vast quantities. For about five bucks, you got the tour, a pint glass, and several tokens for beer before, after, and during the tour (god, I love and miss Wisconsin). Supposedly, each token was good for an 8-oz. draft, but most of the barkeeps filled them pretty much full.

How many tokens? There were so many, I don't remember. Four?

If in Milwaukee, don't miss the Lakefront tour, and leave plenty of time afterward to sober up.

They also brew a maple-sweetened root beer.On Grist staffers sample organic beer variety pack posted 3 years, 3 months ago 2 Responses

fearing change

Canis,

I tried to reason with him by explaining that everything in our modern infrastructure kills wildlife: factory farms, the highway system, the simple fact of cities and the habitat-theft they entail.

I also tried to reason with him that, well, does he prefer coal, which means we're changing the geography of Appalachia? Does he prefer oil, and all the obvious problems there?

But there's no reasoning with an amateur ornithologist. At least not when you're his offspring.On Komanoff on wind posted 3 years, 3 months ago 4 Responses

eating well

The problem is that, even if you lead the horse to water (for example, feeding lazy eaters a perfect late-summer corn chowder, only possible for a couple weeks of the year), you cannot make him/her drink.

I have friends who do not cook at all: they eat pre-packaged things out of boxes in the freezer. When I feed them real food, they acknowledge that it is delightful and incomparable, and yet they aren't interested in duplicating it for themself. Why? Americans do not want to spend time or money to eat well. It is not that they don't see the benefits of eating more pleasurably, it is that they are not willing to shell out (time, money) for it.

I remember seeing all the wonderful (and unfamiliar) fruits for sale at street markets in Italy. I asked my dad why we couldn't buy cool fruits in the US, and he said, "Americans would never pay the money for those."

So we have to do more than lead them to the water. We have to get people to where they see the value of shelling out for good, real food.On Food and pleasure posted 3 years, 3 months ago 23 Responses

wow

i wish i'd seen this piece before i had that fight with my dad about wind power.

komanoff discusses a very complex issue very nimbly.On Komanoff on wind posted 3 years, 3 months ago 4 Responses

carbon loading

That's nice that they think we can flatten our emissions (i.e. not have our emissions increase), but the fact is that as long as the carbon input into the atmosphere exceeds the output, as it has since the industrial revolution, CO2 levels will continue to rise.

To decrease CO2 levels, input must be lower than output.On Wedging our carbon bets posted 3 years, 3 months ago 2 Responses

The talking point at last

I guess this is what we really need to have at hand if someone brings this up:

"The walker is 6.3 times (or 626 percent) more efficient than a car with a solo driver."

I would just round it to "six times more efficient." A bike would be even more efficient, of course.On Walking tall tale posted 3 years, 3 months ago 22 Responses

Walking vs. biking vs. driving

It's true, we have gotten a bit off track here. We agree: biking uses fewer calories (though I still wonder about pedaling my hefty bike up The Hill), but this thread started talking about walking vs. driving.

I, too, find it hard to believe that driving is more efficient than bussing, especially given the source: witness.

Also, as redjenny points out, there's the energy to produce the car in the first place. Wear and tear on shoes means new shoes (which have their own ecological production costs), but this can't possibly be anywhere near production costs of a car.On Walking tall tale posted 3 years, 3 months ago 22 Responses

okay, here's some doc

Both Cecil Adams and this random exercise site agree: biking burns fewest calories per mile, running the most, walking in between. I assume this is on flat ground.

You burn the least amount of energy walking 3 mph or biking 10-12 mph.On Walking tall tale posted 3 years, 3 months ago 22 Responses

the elusive buns of steel

I agree---the two main obstacles are (1) it's too far and (2) it's too dangerous.

(1) is a systemic problem. (This came up in the discussion of the woman in IL who was trying to go without a car for a while.) If you arrange your life in such a way that it relies on a car, you will need a car. Period. How many times have you heard "we had no choice but to move to the suburbs"? Of course there's a choice: a short commute vs. a large house. Sometimes people do need to commute a long way to work so they can live with their partners (are there any academics in the house?), but this is not the usual reason. Since I don't have a car, I automatically arrange my life so I don't need a car. Easy! Anyone could do the same, whether they have a car or not; I know many car owners who do.

(2) My favorite (G-rated) urban fantasy goes like this: All car traffic is relegated to a separate road (one or two lanes), like a bike path. Then, where the "road" was, there's a "big" lane for buses and trucks, a "fast" lane for fast bikers, and a "slow" lane for slow bikers, rollerbladers, and cute skate punks. The sidewalk is for pedestrians. slap slap [okay, okay, I'm awake now]

On enjoyment: I just moved to a transport-less town (not even a taxi), so I got a bike. I don't enjoy riding, as such; it's enjoyable enough but I wouldn't get on the bike just to ride. But I hate driving, so it works for me, despite the monster hill I scale to get to work (a mile uphill in the snow may be a teeny challenge). Buns of steel may yet be in my future...On Bicycling highs posted 3 years, 3 months ago 22 Responses

liquid smoke

Oh yeah---if you do use liquid smoke, be real careful. Especially if you have wood floors. A cousin spilled some on the floor and it stank forever.On 'Tis the Season (to BLT or not to BLT) posted 3 years, 4 months ago 16 Responses

Jesus is not the only way

Though I'm about as atheist as they come (thanks, Catholic upbringing), I don't think that morality as such is useless. The Golden Rule can be observed by all. Many Bad Things are a result of disregarding TGR: point-source pollution in poor neighborhoods, 4k sq" homes for two, global warming, the Iraq war, you name it.

By dismissing all religious forms of morality (which , of course, have their problems---hello, Catholics), we render ourselves unable to reach a significant population, regardless of what we say.On Fossil fuel morality II posted 3 years, 4 months ago 12 Responses

oops...

I posted accidentally...

I wanted to ask Patrick if he's read Ruth Reichl's latest book, Garlic and Sapphires, which has an incredibly sensual chapter on Japanese noodles. Oh! It made me so hungry. And now I'm hungry thinking about it.On Vegetarians are ruining our bad headline posted 3 years, 4 months ago 33 Responses

The ol' input/output

Yes, of course---cows shit without having to slaughter them. It is silly to think that anyone would suggest otherwise, or that animals are only kept for meat. There's also yummy milk and eggs! And angora wool! Soooooft.

I was just trying (and failing, apparently) to point out that there are many ways of reducing our impact on the planet, and that we all make choices. I assume that with all you animal friends you must have at least one vehicle with an internal combustion engine. That is your choice. Some people choose to have many kids which "necessitates" a minivan. Some just can't forgo well-travelled foods like bananas and coffee. Please respectfully allow me (and other thoughtful omnivores who occasionally eat meat) my choice.On Vegetarians are ruining our bad headline posted 3 years, 4 months ago 33 Responses

Those pesky homophones

Huh, I though Pandu was referring to "would of." It seemed obvious that "maker funners" was made up; I therefore found it funny. Though maybe "makers fun" would be more fun.

In general, Grist has excellent editors. The occasional typo stands out. I especially liked Dave's use of "yolk" when he really wanted "yoke."On Vegetarians are ruining our bad headline posted 3 years, 4 months ago 33 Responses

As an industrious person,

I was offended at the headline that followed, Lazy People Can Save the Planet.On Vegetarians are ruining our bad headline posted 3 years, 4 months ago 33 Responses

vision

platypus,

What a vision. I'm so sorry.On Drop that apocalyptic vision and start imagining a positive future posted 3 years, 4 months ago 56 Responses

mass-to-energy, guest selection

on mass-to-energy: I've pointed out before that the whole "Let's use Einstein's brilliant E=m.c^2 to make energy from mass!" really means, "Let's use nuclear energy for everything!" Not so popular or feasible.

on guest selection: I've never heard of Dobbs, but he must be trying to muddle the debate and reinforce doubt and confusion. If you wanted to ask about the science, you wouldn't (I hope) invite Inhofe (or even Gore) as a guest. Similarly, if he wanted to talk about policy, why did he invite scientists? I don't get it.On A muddled message on solutions posted 3 years, 4 months ago 10 Responses

um, humanity?

how's about the rest of the biosphere?On Talking point: Climate nonlinearity posted 3 years, 4 months ago 1 Response

Ethanol

I recently bought a litre of everclear to make a luscious raspberry-currant liqueur (the final result was a modest 60-proof). Hadn't bought the stuff since college in Iowa (indeed, there is little to do but drink and play cards), so I had to ask where it was. I only wanted a pint, but the litre was the smallest bottle they had.

The helpful clerk said "you can put the rest in your car." I didn't tell him I don't have a car; I appreciated his helpfulness.

I hope we don't start to see fatalities because people think they can drink methanol, which causes (at best) blindness.On Now that's a flex-fuel posted 3 years, 4 months ago 3 Responses

On Pollution

I think calling atmospheric CO2 a pollutant is fine. Noise, heat, and animal waste can be pollution. They exist "naturally" but become "pollution" when they are somewhere where we don't want it or in a higher concentration than we want it.

This will be controversial because it will force the SCOTUS to make a call: is the CO2 we're dumping in the atmosphere having an adverse effect or not?On The Supreme Court's carbon-dioxide case posted 3 years, 4 months ago 6 Responses

Vanilla, editing

Why put vanilla in the wash (which is missing from the instructions)? Won't most of its flavor get baked away? I put a little vanilla in my cream.On 'Tis the Season (for strawberry shortcake) posted 3 years, 4 months ago 5 Responses

Again with the "natural"!

His reasons for using "natural" and "political" are identical: the former is good, the latter is bad---and there's no need to discuss any further.On Bush's new line on global warming posted 3 years, 4 months ago 6 Responses

Scientists

You won't hear any climate scientist saying there's a 100% chance of anything. That's how climate science works, and that's why politicians are able to amplify doubt into disbelief. The fact that every one of the scientist naysayers are familiar faces bespeaks their scarcity. He may be a professor at MIT, but Lindzen disputes the link between cigarettes and lung cancer. Spencer---evolution. I'm just saying.

Kerry Emmanuel, also an MIT Professor, should also be listened to---he recently said that warmer waters are likely breeding stronger storms. He's a true "skeptic:" until very recently, he was not ready to say that climate change is happening, or that it is human-caused. Now, after weighing the evidence, he is. These other people are "denyers:" they aren't weighing the evidence, they're just denying (1) that the climate is changing and/or (2) that we're causing it.On Inhofe responds to AP with flurry of BS posted 3 years, 5 months ago 15 Responses

Been there, done that

When I first read Inhofe's statement, I began fuming. Then, I read the first question, and thought about picking each point apart. I'd start with the second word of the first quote ("Gore's"---okay), "circumstantial" (I doubt that by "circumstantial" he means "statistically rigorous"). I had better things to do (like work), and figured someone would post something along the lines of what Dave did, in fact, post.

Speaking of work, I'm a climate scientist. We do, in fact, agree that (1) the earth is warming, (2) there are more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than ever before, and (3) we're causing both. I saw Gore's movie, and only had one very minor science-related quibble with it.

There are a few scientists who doubt that humans are causing (1) (one of them works on my floor), but they are few and far between. Some of them are honest, most are paid by oil companies. Here's a bit more perspective: Spencer doesn't believe in evolution, but even he agrees that greenhouse gas levels are skyrocketing. All other points are pretty much indisputed. Unfortunately, the way science works is not as straightforward as you might hope, and there will always be doubters.On Inhofe responds to AP with flurry of BS posted 3 years, 5 months ago 15 Responses

On the other hand...

since the affluent have larger ecological "footprints" than the rest of us, maybe their footprints should be a prime target. Better insulated eco-hi-rises than sprawling ranches.On Green bubbles rising posted 3 years, 5 months ago 4 Responses

The Real Question...

is different. What we really want to know is not, "when will the fact of global warming be accepted?" As other have pointed out, I think we're already there.

The real question is, rather, "When will Americans do something about it, on a personal and political level?" The hipsters with SUVs don't deny that global warming is happening. My friend who regularly drives several blocks to a party doesn't deny it. Even most people who voted for people like Pombo probably don't deny it. They just don't see their actions as connected to it.On Climate change is still news to some posted 3 years, 5 months ago 14 Responses

power-use meters

Here in hippie Madison, you can borrow an electricity-use meter from the public library. Check with your power company to see if this is a possibility.On Umbra on personal fans posted 3 years, 5 months ago 1 Response

an analogy and a shameless plug

Here's my basic point, restated: why are Holocaust deniers so much easier for the average citizen to dismiss than climate-change deniers? The evidence is there in each case: history, photos, personal accounts; scientific evidence, global consensus, cannibalistic polar bears. I claim that it's our culture that lets people off the hook for not understanding science because science is (perceived and presented as) hard. Every adult does not have or need a PhD in history, and every adult does not need a PhD in climate science.

Here's my shameless plug. Below is a draft course description for a short (four-week), intensive course for non-science majors. It will be very discussion and student-research oriented. What do you think? Too ambitious? Too preachy? What should I add? What should I take out? [Yes, Grist will be on the required-reading list.]

"The goal for this course is two-fold: first, for students to be able to understand current climate-related discussions in popular media and books (the scientific process, the distinction between weather and climate, the general circulation of the planet, climate forcings, the ozone hole, El Niño/La Niña, radiative transfer and the greenhouse effect, etc.); second, for students to be comfortable seeking out reliable information for themselves."On Getting accurate information: Public or private responsibility? posted 3 years, 5 months ago 6 Responses

fast food

This is a basic fast-food-is-healthy argument: you can order a naked salad, just ignore the double bacon cheeseburgers.

What would be more revealing (and relevant) would be to look at the weighted average mileage of the GM fleet. I'm guessing that since he doesn't bring this up, it ain't impressive.On The Mustache and GM posted 3 years, 5 months ago 3 Responses

english majors

Hmmm... I didn't say that english majors are the problem, I said that our society is the problem. I merely cite (as an e.g.) english majors because I fell in with that crowd in grad school. I could have picked on sociology majors, and I can't wait to hear from some after typing this.

My point is simply that it's "cool" to not know a thing about science, but if someone said, "yeah, I just don't read anything" it would seem odd.

kmp: I totally hear you! I don't have a teevee, and have had many experiences like the ones you describe. The only solution is to hang out with insulated academics, which has its own problems (see my previous comments). Maybe we should hang out?On Kyle Smith's review of An Inconvenient Truth posted 3 years, 6 months ago 28 Responses

science illiteracy

One of the reasons that Kyles exist (and that people listen to them) is the sorry state of science education and culture in this country.

Education: Kids are seldom taught science in a way that connects it to their daily lives, leading them to believe that science is both boring and irrelevant.

Culture: This is a pet peeve of mine. To be called "culturally educated," you must be aware of global politics, have read a recent book, and/or have seen a film-festival film. Maybe be familiar with a Shakespeare play. At a cocktail party, these are all fair game for stimulating, adult conversation. But bring up any current scientific topic? "I don't know anything about that" is an acceptable response. When I was a grad student, English majors would expound upon (and expect me to follow) their theses; when I brought up my research, the response was, "Oh, that could be interesting." Science literacy is not seen as a necessity in this culture, and, even worse, science illiteracy is seen as acceptable.

The result is that there are people (like Kyle) who believe that scientists are saying that pollution/lead/the ozone hole are causing global warming, and people who don't know that this is BS.On Kyle Smith's review of An Inconvenient Truth posted 3 years, 6 months ago 28 Responses

joining the peanut gallery

i like the layered approach you use by citing low-hanging fruit before more ambitious plans.

it would also be helpful to adopt a layered approach to your main points, i.e. have a few cradle to cradle-style summaries ("waste=food") to elaborate. [i'm a scientist. we like bullets.]

how about something like:

• allow economic costs to reflect ecological and societal costs
  
• build infrastructure to offer lower-energy-use alternatives
  
• enact legislation to encourage both of the above

• the top priority in business is the bottom line
  
• politicians need money, businesses have money

oh, the humanity!

you guys are just going to use that awful photo of chip as many times as you possibly can, right?

it makes me want to burn my mom's photo albums.On We're in it! posted 3 years, 7 months ago 6 Responses

the nightmare has arrived

right on! we have reached the crisis point: ask the polar bears, inuits, harlequin frogs, etc.

i had a nightmare a few nights ago, where we really had reached the point of no return, and everyone knew it. it warn't purty. i woke up with a sense of relief and a sense of doom.

we need to do everything we can to slow climate change, and do it now. sell your car. take the train instead of flying.On Climate change is pushing this easygoing enviro over the edge posted 3 years, 10 months ago 57 Responses

home heating, economics, buying

on buying a prius: sorry, not gonna do it. don't have a car, have no need for one. don't assume everyone does.

on home heating oil: actually, it is a very good example of the same argument dave is making. if a bunch of us turn our heat down, hoping to save energy, the market would probably respond by reducing cost. lower cost may have at least the following effects:

(1) in the short term, people will be less frugal about thermostat settings, so some of the heating energy that we "saved" will be used anyway. [most people turn the thermostat down because it's expensive to heat their home.]

(2) in the longer term, it will lower incentives for good insulation and thus require more energy to heat a home to a given temperature. again: most people are interested in good insulation because heating is expensive.

the problem here is that up-front monetary cost is not tied to the total cost (production, marketing, delivery, environmental, social, etc) of the product. if that were the case, gas prices would be high and steadily increasing.On More! posted 3 years, 11 months ago 35 Responses

class, class; pay attention!

Sorry, Sarah, this conversation ain't worth it. Here's why: Mr. Hutchison doesn't know anything about climate, is not making an effort to learn, and is making arguments based on untested assumptions. The kind of reasoning that brought us the ether,
phlogiston,  and other fun theories (the Greeks thought that we saw objects by shooting rays of light from our eyes---cool!).

For example: Arguing with a global, international compilation of cloud cover data, Mr. Hutchison says, "... in Cleveland, Ohio, it seemed overcast most of the time.  However, Barbados ... has sunny days 300 days of the year." Whaaaaa? Forget satellites, NASA! Let's go to Barbados! [You go to Cleveland.]

For more example: I answered questions and tried to correct misconceptions off the top of my (admittedly over-educated) head. For actual numbers (like reflectivities), I looked at a standard text, Global Physical Climatology, by Dennis Hartmann. They're not controversial concepts, just physical processes: things you'd learn about in a weather/climate class. Yet many of my explanations, were brushed off by an "I don't understand that." Then, he tries to explain how the greenhouse effect works, without understanding the process (radiative transfer) involved.

Forget about the "greenhouse." A "greenhouse" is a bad analogy 'cause it doesn't work the same way as the earth.

Now. Forget about it. Instead, check out this simple explanation.

Finally, two questions, which (you'll notice) have nothing to do with "global warming": (1) Does the atmosphere make the earth's surface warmer than it would be without it? (2) Are water vapor and CO2 primarily responsible for this?

Most people, having been convinced that the answers are (1) yes and (2) yes, will not find it hard to believe that the more water vapor and CO2 there is in the atmosphere, the warmer the earth will be. Indeed, the atmospheric/earth science community (of which Mr. Hutchison is not a part) believes this, almost to a person. And it's not for lack of study, I can tell you.

Back to work for me. For Fred, I suggest enrolling in a basic climate class, like ATM S 301 and ATM S 321 (the latter is even taught by Dr. Hartmann himself). The University of Washington has a top-shelf Atmospheric Science program, I'm surprised that he hasn't taken advantage of it since he's so interested in climate.

And for you, Sarah, I must say that Fred is a nutter and doesn't know what he's talking about. Literally---he doesn't understand the energy balance of the earth, which (I feel) makes him rather unqualified to make claims about it.On RenewAmerica columnist claims posted 4 years ago 11 Responses

nothing new

i grew up catholic, and i remember being told as a kid that when they say in the bible that god created the world in six days, it meant "really long" and that "god's days" were not the same as our days. i have friends who grew up catholic who likewise do not understand the strict literalism that is rampant today. it does not mean that catholics don't believe in creationism---just that a literal interpretation (if there could be such a thing for such an internally inconsistent document) is not necessary for their faith. i think that their faith is stronger for it.On Roman Catholic church in the UK teaches that Bible can be factually inaccurate posted 4 years ago 2 Responses

slow down!

And here in Wisconsin, there's a bill in the legislature that seeks to increase the speed limit to 75 mph. Naturally, it was argued that if everyone is going the same speed, everyone is safer. So wrong, on so many levels...On The built environment discriminates against those who choose not to drive posted 4 years, 1 month ago 7 Responses

drippy drip drip

air drying is totally the way to go! the only things i put in the drier ever are my sheets and bath towels, and the occasional item covered with cat hair. two plusses that haven't been mentioned are: drying your clothes inside helps humidify your environment in the winter and cool your environment in the summer (yay, latent heat!); also it's generally better for your clothes (less wear and tear). of course, if you haul your clothes to the laundromat, you dry them there because, well, water is heavy.

also, it should be mentioned that natural gas is much better than electric for driers as with most other appliances.On Umbra on clotheslines posted 4 years, 5 months ago 9 Responses

whoa, there, bucky!

first: please, for the love of all that is good, refrain from offering your fellow bloggers suggestions for ceasing their eco-sins. let's keep this space for confessions only. environmentalists? holier-than-thou? never.

second: my eco-sins... here are my top three: (1) i like meat (yum, bessie, bambi, and thumper), (2) i like to go places but don't like travelling, which means i fly a lot, and (3) i am addicted to fabric---i sew (using new fabric, sometimes evil fibers like rayon and non-recycled polartec) and dye (which uses huge quantities of water and not-so-friendly chemicals).On What's your secret eco-sin? posted 4 years, 7 months ago 84 Responses