Comments Alex 77 has made

I know that Grist has to pay it's bills...

...but it is pretty painful to see both a Chevy and a Caterpillar ad at the bottom of this page.

The environmental and energy crimes of these two corporations are difficult to overstate. On Considering recycled energy will politically facilitate a national clean energy plan posted 1 year, 5 months ago 12 Responses

I can't believe my lying eyes!

Has Grist now taken to publishing the sophistry of one of the industries most responsible for the environmental destruction it lives to fight? Can we now look forward to a column by a "guest author" extolling the common goals of the environmental movement and the coal-to-liquids industry? I'm disgusted that you've chosen to print this. Every word is a lie, and your entire staff knows it. Auto manufacturers have done everything in their considerable power to block responsible energy and environmental policy for a century, no matter how massive the cost to the planet, no matter how tiny the cost to their margins. And to let this shill float the idea that manufacturers are manufacturing their vehicle fleets "according to consumer demand" is the biggest letdown of all. These companies CREATE consumer demand in whichever direction maximizes their profits, via omnipresent marketing and PR throughout our culture, which has usually meant persuading people to desire the largest, least safe, least efficient vehicles available.

Please realize that your readership is more educated and discerning than to let this piece stand.
On It's shifting consumer demand that will drive increases in vehicle fuel efficiency posted 1 year, 6 months ago 25 Responses

Tell him...

...that Dick Cheney and James Inhofe just had a press conference, caving on climate issues, and will have Kyoto signed by 4pm eastern time today. On ECO:nomics: Quick observations posted 1 year, 8 months ago 5 Responses

Chambers of Commerce...

...both nationally and locally, are increasingly becoming impediments sustainable practices and climate crisis response. The US Chamber of Commerce in particularly is extremely belligerent, wielding massive influence to prevent meaningful GFG legislation or anything that challenges traditional growth structures.

Is there a movement within or against the US Chamber of Commerce to green its awful ways?On In North Carolina's Triangle, a severe drought has leaders stumped posted 1 year, 9 months ago 8 Responses

Very screwed!

David, I for one appreciate that you don't sugarcoat such developments, and call them as they are. Perhaps large scale Chinese development of CTL will hasten a climate catastrophe, and that maybe it will even be properly attributed to human-forced climate change. It would seem that only an awesomely destructive climate event will move the masses, and governments, to get serious about not killing ourselves.

And remember what Derrick Jensen said:

"We're f@#*%d, and life is really, really good."On China kicks off the coal-to-liquids rush posted 1 year, 9 months ago 8 Responses

I can't live without...

...Renewable Energy Access. Fantastic site for all things clean power, with an indispensible weekly podcast.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news;jsessionid=7 ...On Seeking ideas for good green listening posted 1 year, 9 months ago 7 Responses

Not hopeful

I am employed in the commercial solar industry, and we are presently facing a very real and dramatic downturn in our prospects due to ITC uncertainty. My heart sinks at seeing that once again, the democrats seek to fund this tax package through doing battle with the most rich, powerful, and entrenched corporate entities in the nation. There has to be a better way. The cliched "definition of insanity" comes to mind, as they keep trying this route, but nothing has changed to make for a more positive outcome than the last 3 times it was attempted.

What it leaves me thinking is that this is being done by the dems to placate our desire for effort, but knowing that this effort will not translate into success. On House Democrats make another push for renewable-energy credits posted 1 year, 9 months ago 5 Responses

Counter Attack

The arguments against coal, and further coal plant construction in the US, are numerous and bulletproof. I am outraged and enraged by these plans for further coal expansion. Any additional needed generation can be achieved by conservation, which the bulk of the country hasn't begun to attempt, and utility scale renewables.

$35 million buys a helluva lot of influence in one year, and there needs to be a countervailing program to publicize the lies and distortions this coal industry PR will bring. I'd like to see a "Inconvenient Truth" style documentary focused purely on coal, coal interests, coal PR, and the consequences of its proliferation. On The widening war between activists and coal posted 1 year, 10 months ago 10 Responses

"You Americans..."

"The presidential race is interesting from an environmental point of view because it will determine whether the US federal government continues to block progress, or finally gets on board with the program."

Your insinuation of Americans' ignorance aside, I do appreciate you bolstering my point for me, EB. And while the "partisan logjam" of American politics is an unfortunate thing to witness, and a poor framework through which to manage a response to climate change, this election offers the possibility of a democratic supermajority. Such a situation would mean the US "getting on board with the program" (internationally) as you put it, but more importantly would signal the start of domestic policies that begin to undo the damage. As the 2nd largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and the largest consumer of goods and resources on the planet, this is extremely significant. Cap and Auction, a national RPS, stopping new/scaling back existing coal electrical generation, no CTL, CAFÉ standards with teeth, intelligent urban planning, and the possibility of exerting influence over our trading partners (China, Latin America, etc.) to behave more responsibly as regards climate, all stand as strong possibilities. Our level of influence has certainly and rightly diminished, and will take time to recover, but a closer study of the climate positions of Edwards, Clinton, and Obama should give you some of the hope you clearly lack. On McCain and Clinton win posted 1 year, 10 months ago 10 Responses