Sam Kornell
Will Climate Change Wipe Out Surfing?
There is already evidence that storms driven by climate change are causing bigger swells—which makes surfers happy. What makes surfers worry is sea level rise.
New York’s White Roofs Prove They’re Cool
A new study quantifies the true beauty of white roofs — dramatically cooler surfaces that reduce discomfort, cooling costs, and a tad of global warming.
Researchers Re-Open Their Minds to Psychedelic Drugs
A raft of potentially therapeutic pharmaceuticals got left on the shelf in the backlash against the 1960s recreational drug explosion. Researchers are raising their own consciousness about which psychedelics might have real value.
WikiLeaks: Saudi Arabia Overstates Oil Reserves
That the world has a finite amount of oil is undeniable. The latest WikiLeaks tidbit suggests the amount is a bit smaller than expected.
Marijuana and California Ag Industry
While a legalized marijuana crop wouldn’t solve all of California’s agricultural woes, it might still keep the state in the green.
White House Signs Up For White Roofs
The U.S. government opts takes an easy step toward reducing — in a small way — global warming and energy use.
Big Voice in Climate Debate Silenced
The late Stephen Schneider was one of the most influential and eloquent advocates for human-caused climate change.
Peak Oil and the Return of the Jet Set
The difficulty and increasing cost of providing aviation fuel as we near peak oil production may ground many flights while winging us away from aerial democracy.
Perhaps We'll See Peak Bunker Oil, Too
Even low-grade oil used to fuel cargo ships is likely to become precious in the age of peak oil.
Wikileaks Illustrates Growing New Source of Unofficial Oversight
The emergence of a video showing pedestrians mowed down in Baghdad by U.S. gunships illustrates how traditional media's watchdog role is being usurped.
Defense Review Includes Fears on Climate
National security blueprint finds climate change "inextricably" linked to energy and economic concerns.
There's No Negotiating With Nature
Two new studies show that the effects of changing climate are with us regardless of where governments or public opinion stand.
A Rock That Helps Out In a Hard Place
If only some incredibly common rock would just sit around and suck up carbon dioxide all day. Oh, there is one. Why aren't we excited about it?
Pentagon, Others Start Ramping Up For Climate Change
U.S. military and intelligence officials are factoring the symptoms of climate change into their estimates of where and what kind of conflicts are in store.
Big Step Forward Lost in Shuffle
The U.S. government's regulatory focus on automobile fuel efficiency and emission reduction is very big news.
The Kindle Revolution May Take a Later Train
The Kindle and its kin, like the newly announced Sony e-readers, will undoubtedly change the face of publishing in time, but the Delphic pronouncements of its partisans may be a tad overblown.
Media Cool to Linking Wildfires, Climate Change
In the wake of some devastating blazes, Sam Kornell asks why few major media properties have explored the connection between the changing complexion of wildfires and climate change.
Coffee Won't Keep Your Conscience Up At Night
Is fancy-schmancy, fair-trade, shade-grown, bird-friendly, etc., etc., specialty coffee better for the planet's climate, too?
Expect Insurance Rates to Get Hot, Hot, Hot
Climate change is likely to raise more than just the world's temperature — changing conditions in the Western U.S. leading to more and more severe wildfires will raise insurance rates, too.
Is White the New Green?
Three California energy experts make a convincing -- and sincere -- case that painting roofs white in the hot parts of the planet could offset the greenhouse gas woes caused by the world's cars