sustainable living news stories on Newser

Sorry, Critics, Sustainable Farming Is Not a Myth

John Johnson — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 11:46:40 CDT

In a recent New York Times op-ed , James McWilliams dismissed the movement toward smaller-scale, sustainable farming as ultimately unworkable in terms of logistics, and nowhere near as good for the environment as proponents suggest. In doing so, he called out one of the movement's leaders, Joel Salatin of Virginia's Polyface...

Sorry Locavores, Sustainable Meat Is a Myth

John Johnson — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:32:05 CDT

Lots of people these days are turning away from large-scale meat farms and toward smaller, organic farms. It's better for the animals and for the environment, right? Not nearly as much as most locavores think, writes James McWilliams in the New York Times . He's not defending factory farms—he hates...

Why We Stopped Being Vegetarians

Kevin Spak — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:25:05 CST

For long stretches of their lives, Nicolette Niman, Tovar Cerulli and Joshua Applestone were all vegetarians or vegans. Now, they’re a rancher, a hunter, and a butcher, respectively, who “firmly believe food from animals can be healthful, environmentally appropriate, and ethical,” they write in the Atlantic . Their stories: Nicolette: She...

Willie Nelson Covers Coldplay in Chipotle Video

John Johnson — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:22:05 CDT

An animated video featuring Willie Nelson covering a Coldplay song is getting some buzz for its message against industrial farming, notes AdWeek . Nelson sings "The Scientist" as the video—commissioned by the Chipotle restaurant chain—shows a farmer inflicting the evils of large-scale agriculture on his pigs before returning to...

Prince Charles Pushes Woolen Coffins

Rob Quinn — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 05:43:14 CDT

Prince Charles—who recently stressed the value of woolen clothes for sustainable living —believes the material is perfect for sustainable dying as well. The prince asked for a selection of woolen coffins, which are reinforced with recycled cardboard and can feature a personalized embroidered nameplate, to be displayed prominently at...

Eco-Kosher Jews Aim for Sustainable Sabbath

Wesley Oliver — Sat, 09 May 2009 09:52:43 CDT

A new wave of “eco-kosher” Jews treats environmentalism as law, the Los Angeles Times reports. To strengthen their ties to their faith, culinarily conscious believers are hosting sustainable Sabbath dinners using homemade, locally grown foods. “Jewish tradition should heighten our awareness of the choices we’re making,” said one devotee. Another...

Old Days—Good and Bad—Are Back: Noonan

Katherine Thompson — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:36:13 CDT

Reading about a Michigan family that shed modern excess in favor of a self-sufficient farm life didn't strike Peggy Noonan as shocking in these economic times. Her fellow New Yorkers have already begun responding to the same forces, causing Noonan to predict the rise of "a certain authenticity chic," she...

How Green Is Too Green?

Drew Nelles — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:19:01 CDT

How far would you go to reduce your ecological footprint? Would you run your car on waste vegetable oil? Use your lawn as a bathroom to save water? Huddle for body heat? Unplug the fridge? Some 7% of the population is “dark green,” the New York Times reports, though the...

Contest Offers $25K for Best 'Crazy Green' Scheme

Peter Fearon — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:44:19 CDT

The X Prize Foundation is at it again, this time with a new eco-challenge offering $25,000 for the best “crazy green idea” to stop global warming, reports CNET. The organization, famous for its high-stakes engineering contests, is looking for breakthrough ideas in energy and housing. Proposals must be presented...