Back in 2005, self-described “rogue economist” Steven D. Levitt teamed up with journalist Stephen J. Dubner to write Freakonomics, a book that rose to #2 on the NY Times Nonfiction Bestseller List based largely on the controversial topics within its covers. Some of those topics included analyses of cheating by teachers, the economics of being […]
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Gay marriage loses in Maine: the campaign finance scorecard
On Nov. 3, 299,483 citizens of the state of Maine were persuaded to tell women who love women and men who love men that they cannot marry. Those Downeasters who voted “Yes” on Question 1 — to repeal a same-sex marriage law — bashed gays, but with a referendum rather than a fist. Those 267,574 […]
The failure of the UN Millennium Development Villages
After a similar attempt resulted in civil war in Madagascar, the South Korean government bought 1,000 sq km of land in Tanzania for use in agriculture. Mindful of the politics involved, the South Koreans are setting aside half of that land for local development. To quote from a recent BBC article: Lee Ki-Churl, a corporation […]
Duke energy withdraws from ACCCE
On Wednesday, September 2, Duke Energy announced that they were withdrawing from membership in the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), an industry group composed of utilities, mining companies, and other companies involved in the mining, transportation, and combustion of coal. In response, the ACCCE issued a bland statement that didn’t even mention Duke […]
Planes, trains, or automobiles? Green transportation choices are not clear cut
When studies look at the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by transportation, the focus is nearly always on the emissions created in fuel combustion – gasoline and diesel for cars and trucks, bunker fuels for maritime vessels, jet fuel for aircraft, and so on. One excellent example of this kind of study is the Getting […]
The end of the world as we know it—Review: One Second After by William Forstchen
A bomb goes off high above the earth, and one second after, the world ends—not in a bang but a whimper. William Forstchen’s brilliantly disturbing book, One Second After, takes place in a post-apocalyptic America. The country has been brought to its knees by three nuclear missiles launched by unknown foes. The power of the […]
What happens when all the lights go out?
An S&R exclusive interview William Forstchen has a bad dream—a really bad dream—that goes something like this: A cataclysmic attack throws the United States back to the dark ages, with no electricity, no communication or transportation networks, and no medicines. The most vulnerable members of society—the very young and the very old—begin to die off […]
The Weekly Carboholic: study says offsets make ACES carbon cap almost meaningless
Study says offsets make ACES carbon cap almost meaningless China rejects binding GHG cuts USGS study suggests peak coal may be closer than previously thought FutureGen coal CCS pilot project revived EU needs to upgrade its electricity transmission Deep water wind turbine undergoing testing More wind power means fewer hydroelectric dams? Michael Shellenberger is one […]
China, Day Eleven: More capitalistic than any capitalist country
Part eleven in a series “China is more capitalistic than any capitalist country.” Amy, an employee at a jewelry booth in Beijing’s pearl market, strings together a strand of pearls after striking a bargain with a shopper. Roger Perkins of Cooper Industries told us that early on our trip. You’d have to see it to […]
The Weekly Carboholic: California report recommends changes to adapt to rising sea level
California report recommends changes to adapt to rising sea level “Virtual” water exports a problem for Australia and the world An update on high voltage direct current transmission lines MIT develops new Li-ion battery that charges really, really fast New biodiesel stays liquid at colder temperatures Limit development in low-lying coastal areas. Consider abandoning existing […]
Enough with the "historic election"
It’s official – I’m already sick of hearing about this “historic election.” It’s better than hearing about “historical” elections as Ken Jennings has complained, I suppose – at least “historic” refers to something “famous or important in history” or “having great and lasting importance” instead of something that has the character of history. Reagan’s election […]
The Weekly Carboholic: carbon offsets hurt tropical forests
Carbon offset markets hurt tropical forests Salt water marsh restoration may efficiently sequester carbon Shallow ground water modeling shows effects on climate Electronics manufacturing compound a strong greenhouse gas Deutsche Asset Management: climate and financial crises may work together When you put a price on the “services” that forests provide, deforestation costs the world economy […]
Letters from Afghanistan: installment #10 (wrap-up)
Final thoughts on three months in Afghanistan by Connor O’Steen I’m sitting on the roof of a hotel in Istanbul, looking at the Hagia Sophia and thinking about my flight tomorrow (and the following day): Istanbul-Heathrow-Seattle-Chicago, at which point I drag myself to the University of Chicago on the Blue Line at 5:30 on the […]
S&R Honors
Click here to learn more about past honorees...- IRS/Tea Party controversy: progressive groups “targeted,” too, and corporate media once again refuses to tell Americans the whole truth
- “Useful Enemies”: U.S. admitted not just Nazis after WWII, but their sadistic collaborators
- The time a source has to respond to request for comment? Virtually none.
- Profiling the Tea Party: In defense of the IRS. Sorta. Or not.
- Saturday Video Roundup: “Imagine the Band,” by John Lennon and Wings
- Mystery Unraveled: How a white, moderate, married, churchgoing, middle-class, middle-aged woman could vote for Obama
- An open letter to Burt Rutan, regarding his WSJ commentary on human-caused climate disruption
- Meet the men of Match.com: Really, guys, are you serious?
- Climate scientists still besieged
- Pelosi on Bush: “He’s not worth impeaching”
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Otherwise: interesting and yet another example of faux news m…
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Autumn: You said several organizations have purposed alter…
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Samuel Smith: It's not JUST three groups. These are the three th…
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Bret Higgins: Slightly confused - You say one third of the 471 g…
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SeattleAuthor: Actually, I had heard that reported on about Day T…
