Environment and Health
Natural Gas Becomes a Fracking Mess
Until late last year, Laura Gideon’s family lived in Porter Ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles. “We didn’t ever want to leave,” Gideon told the Associated Press. It’s “a nice gated community.” What uprooted them from one of LA’s wealthiest pockets? They became...
It’s Not All in Your Head
We often hear about public health crises related to poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking. But what about chronic stress? Canadian physician Gabor Maté studies the mind-body connection. He argues that chronic stress plays a big role in the development of disease....
A Cannonball in the Oil Market
Toxic Waste on Tap
You've probably heard that Flint, Michigan has lead in its water and it’s poisoning the locals. But did you know that this debacle is a symptom of our ailing democracy? Governor Rick Snyder has appointed “emergency managers” to govern many Michigan cities, including...
Obama Takes a Walk on the Greener Side
Until now, President Barack Obama has embraced gas and oil fracking, encouraged the construction of new nuclear reactors, and hailed government investment in wind and solar power. In keeping with this “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, he’d call for climate action...
Our Toxic Failure
Now that it's already been phased out, the world can agree that a chemical used in Teflon — the famous coating on nonstick pots and pans — was toxic. A recent New York Times Magazine article told the story of the heroic victims who paid with their health and the...
Martin Shkreli: My Person of the Year
It’s time — past time, really — to name the person of the year. (TIME Magazine does it. Why not me?) There were many worthy candidates in 2015: the Pope, the Donald, and Luke Skywalker, to name just a few. But only one symbolized the spirit of the year. I speak, of...
When Life Makes Resolutions for You
Last year, I didn’t make any New Year's resolutions. But it appears that life made them for me. Two changes occurred in my life, and I responded. In retrospect, 2015 produced more personal growth than perhaps any other year of my life. The first change occurred...
A Green and Dirty Gift
As lawmakers scurried to keep the government open and head home for the holidays, they wrapped spending and tax deals into a costly measure that highlighted our nation’s mismatched energy policies. Specifically, this monster bill extended and restored tax incentives...
Pink Ribbons and Corporate PR Won’t Cure Cancer
Must everything be commercialized — even cancer? That’s a question more and more women suffering from breast cancer are asking about the so-called “pinkification” of their disease. They're referring to the ubiquitous breast cancer awareness campaign that uses pink...
