With all the bad news from the Gulf of Mexico, yours truly wants a break from disaster, and was relieved to come across this item, from researchers at Ohio State. Even tiny patches of woods in urban areas seem to provide adequate food and protection for some species of migrating birds as they fly betweenContinue reading “A bit of good news: urban forests enough for migrating birds”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
The BP oil spill, according to David Brower
It seems that every time mankind is given a lot of energy, we go out and wreck something with it. David Brower (Of course, he said that long ago…it's just that it's still true.) The video of the spill (from BP) is what I can't forget:
Spring! Once again, but still inspiring
Sorry, I just can't seem to concentrate on all the recriminations (oil spill) and fears (climate bill) this week.We've had too many interesting and unexpected visitors. Everyone's out enjoying the sun.
Oil spill disaster will help energy bill in Senate — right?
Although it has yet to fully emerge into the light of day, chances of passage of a Senate bill on energy and cimate, authored by Democrats John Kerry and Joe Lieberman, with the assistance of lone Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and the White House, should in theory be improved. But as Tom TolesContinue reading “Oil spill disaster will help energy bill in Senate — right?”
Love and extinction
An amazing true story, via poet Kimiko Hahn and Daily Poetry. Hahn's new book, Toxic Flora, was inspired by science stories in The New York Times. Xenicus Longipes The four known species of bush wren in New Zealand are, by now, endangered or extinct. Possessing trifling tails and wings, none fly far— instead they hopContinue reading “Love and extinction”
Gulf oil spill may be last straw for climate bill
In an ironic twist, the Obama administration's attempt to win moderate support for a climate/energy bill by allowing drilling for oil in Federal waters off the Gulf and East coasts may end up dooming its chances, now that the Gulf Coast is facing what may be the worst oil spill in American history. That's accordingContinue reading “Gulf oil spill may be last straw for climate bill”
I believe in the future: Charles Bowden
Orion magazine recently named Some of the Dead are Still Breathing, by Charles Bowden, its enviro book of the year. The commendation's mention of the risks Bowden ventured motivated me to pick it up. Haven't gotten far, but I'm impressed by its almost recklessly free style. Here's a memorable passage from early on: My beliefsContinue reading “I believe in the future: Charles Bowden”
Exciting trend in newspaper travel writing
The continuing devastation of newspapers (the Ventura County Star, for whom I write, is undergoing another reorganization) has had countless bad effects, but a few good ones. Travel writing, which so often used to be focused on expensive resorts, hotels, and must-see tourist attractions, has found a new style — based on literature and characters. Continue reading “Exciting trend in newspaper travel writing”
The heroism of the unemployed (well, almost)
According to the Federal Reserve, it's not true that benefits for the unemployed leads to more unemployment. In the words of the government economists: Our analyses suggest that extended UI benefits account for about 0.4 percentage point of the nearly 6 percentage point increase in the national unemployment rate over the past few years. ItContinue reading “The heroism of the unemployed (well, almost)”
Climate bill in trouble — should enviros care?
According to TPM, the lone Republican Senator actively supporting a climate change/energy bill, Lindsey Graham, pulled his support for the bill because the Democrats have decided to go ahead with immigration reform first. Graham, who has unquestionably put his status as a conservative at risk, sounds genuinely angry in a letter obtained by the website : MovingContinue reading “Climate bill in trouble — should enviros care?”
Kit Stolz 