Wednesday, 24 Nov 2004

You're So McCain, I'll Bet You Think This Column's About You

McCain pushes for action on climate change, hardly noticing the cameras

Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) final hearing as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee last week was a corker, as he gleefully bashed Bush for doing nothing on global warming and debunked a right-wing foundation report questioning climate-change science. Some suspect McCain is positioning himself for a presidential run in 2008, but whether or not that's true, the pressure to move on climate change is growing on all fronts. Read about the turning of the tide in Muckraker -- today on the Grist Magazine website.

Pan of Green Gobbles

Sales of organic turkeys and Tofurky on the rise

The organic turkey is the new Prius. If you're planning to carve one up for tomorrow's Thanksgiving meal, you're riding the latest wave of eco-chic. Organic turkey sales at Whole Foods Market have doubled this year, the upscale natural-foods chain reports. And that's building on impressive gains across the market last year: "In 2003, organic poultry, which would include turkey, sales grew 112 percent," said Holly Given of the Organic Trade Association. "They are so tasty. There is definitely a difference," said Mary Ebright, who bought an all-natural turkey on Tuesday in South Lake Tahoe. And for those who prefer to chow lower on the food chain, there's always Tofurky. Manufacturer Turtle Island Foods this year expects to sell 160,000 Tofurky Feasts, which include a meatless "roast," gravy with tofu "giblets," and other trimmings. Bon appetit!

Much Ado About Nothing

Celebrate Buy Nothing Day by sitting on your derriere

Traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year, the Friday after Thanksgiving sends millions of Americans, drone-like, to the malls to kick-start the holiday consumption orgy. But before you foil-wrap the roast beast and stash the organic cranberry dressing in the fridge, consider celebrating another holiday: Buy Nothing Day. Officially observed Nov. 26 this year in the U.S. and Nov. 27 internationally, Buy Nothing Day calls on consumers -- formerly known as "people" -- to forego the siren song of day-after sales and protest overconsumption. Activists the world over will be staging events to highlight facts like this: 20 percent of the world's population consumes more than 80 percent of its natural resources. Americans alone throw away 5 million more tons of trash between Thanksgiving and Christmas than during any other month. Do your part to curb the waste by doing, well, nothing.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, We're Slacking, Tomorrow

Grist is taking two days off to celebrate, but we'll be back on Monday

Here at Grist we're thankful for many things: our itty-bitty but devoted staff, a large and growing audience of passionate, articulate readers, and the knowledge that we're fighting on the right side of history. Oh yeah, and holidays! We'll be taking advantage of Thanksgiving to gorge ourselves on nut loaves and turkey-shaped masses of tofu -- and the following day to sleep it off (and, of course, buy nothing). Meet you back here on Monday. And to entertain and edify yourselves until then, check out these holiday-related gems: