Comments thinkdharma has made

  • come on ya'll

    We've got to stop making the argument that people eat less meat because it reduces their CO2 footprint, even though it is true. How many people would actually do that? We have to encourage them to  do something positive, something that is enjoyable.  A Veg/Vegan/Raw food lifestyle is about abundant health, not about giving up something. Just like how, having switched to Tom's Toothpaste, now Colgate and Crest taste disgustingly chemmy, when you eat a diet lower on the food chain, heavy animals based foods lose their appeal when you experience the differience in your body.

    Grist has got to get integral! We are humans - we have exteriors AND interiors. Speak to people's interiors (how these choices make you feel in body and mind). That is how you move people.On Some ideas for green resolutions that are achievable, meaningful, and maybe even novel posted 11 months ago 9 Responses

  • thank you biodiversivist

    Why doesn't anybody understand logic anymore? We all need to slow down and actually read what we read, so that simply by reading "Saddam" and "Obama" in the same piece, we don't think that the author was necessarily conflating the two. Subtlety people, subtlety.On Vilsack's appointment is representative of the narrow range of viewpoints in Obama's Cabinet posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago 5 Responses

  • midleading numbers

    Although I agree with the general conclusions of this post, the numbers at the beginning of the article lead to an inaccurate conclusion.  Montague cites that the US spent $168 million on solar research in 2007, while spending $169 billion subsidizing fossil fuels since 1991, and then claiming that this represents 1000x more spending than solar.  But, if you note that there is a fifteen year time differential, you'll see that we actually only spent 62.9x more on fossil fuel subsidies (assuming a constant level of solar funding since 1991 at 2007 levels). Again, I agree with the conclusions, but I feel the need for honesty in data presentation.On The many ways big money seeks to avoid reducing fossil fuel use posted 2 years, 1 month ago 11 Responses

  • the deabte has been won

    so lets spend our time focusing on solutions and innovations, rather than pointing out the sad grasping of a dying breed of cliamte change skeptics.On Why must global-warming science produce certainty? posted 2 years, 6 months ago 17 Responses

  • what really happened?

    First, could anyone comment on what adaptive management is, or might mean in the context of this issue?

    Secondly, this exchange seems to me to be political hackery on both sides. I got the sense that the Rep. was trying to score some political points without really delving into the issue. I guess I'm just confused and didn't really learn anything from the exchange. Can anyone shed some light on this?On A smackdown in Congress posted 2 years, 6 months ago 7 Responses

  • Ignore em'

    Methinks the vast majority of people can tell that Glen Beck is so outrageous that they shouldn't take his climate skepticism or other provacative views seriously. Ignore the man.On Vote! posted 2 years, 7 months ago 96 Responses

  • troubling discourse

    David - I've been reading Grist for years and have become increasingly uncomfortable with the divisive, dismissive, and sometimes just plain mean language in discussions about those who disagree with the Gristy consensus on climate change and other enviro issues.  Is it really necessary?  I think the strength of our arguments and data should stand on their own without resorting to dismissive O'Reilly-isms.  Lets keep the standards high on Grist, lest we leave those less convinced of green virtues with a bad taste in their mouths.

    Keep up the good work though!On Sigh posted 2 years, 7 months ago 11 Responses

  • train issues

    Let me preface by saying how much I love trains. For quality of travelling experience, they really are unmatched in short to mid-length trips. Also, of course for carbon minimization purposes, they are wonderful.

    I was recently in Oregon, trying to get between Eugene and Portland, and had a few moments to talk to the friendly ladies at the Amtrak ticket counter. They told me that because the federal government doesn't really regulate the rail system anymore like it does the aviation industry, some companies run roughshod over others. So, in Oregon, this meant that Union Pacific routinely blocked the tracks, causing the Amtrak trains in Oregon to run often hours late (she mentioned that the train to Portland had been 8 hours late the day earlier).  This was supposedly because UP is trying to get Amtrak out of the rail buisiness (perhaps their political might has something to do with lackluster federal dollars for public rail transit).  She contrasted this to the train system in Montana in which Amtrak shared the rails with Burlington Northern which was much more amiable to passenger trains and resulted in no delays.

    So, there are definitely political and inter-corporate obstacles to enabling public rail transit to reclaim its greatness.On Trains are the forgotten mode of transport, at least in the U.S. posted 2 years, 8 months ago 52 Responses