Stories by Jason Mark

Jason Mark is a co-manager at San Francisco's Alemany Farm and the editor of the quarterly environmental magazine, Earth Island Journal. He is also a co-author of Building the Green Economy: Success Stories from the Grassroots. subscribe to Jason Mark's feed

Van Jones: Why Did We Abandoned a Great Progressive Victory?

Posted on: Jun 6, 2013, Source: Earth Island Journal

The green jobs movements was wildly successful in its first year, but we let industry pressure scare us off.

It's Not Easy Being Green: Are Some of the Biggest Enviro Groups Giant Sell-Outs?

Posted on: May 15, 2013, Source: The American Prospect

As climate change worsens, the internal strains in the environmentalist movement are starting to show.

Whoa, Is Organic Food No Healthier Than Non-Organic? Controversy Erupts Over Study

Posted on: Sep 7, 2012, Source: Earth Island Journal

Here's an important thing to remember: Our food choices don't just affect us, but entire communities.

Methane’s Contribution to Global Warming Is Worse than You Thought

Posted on: Aug 21, 2012, Source: Earth Island Journal

To tackle climate change, we need more honest accounting of this potent greenhouse gas.

Can We Save the Environment and Our Communities By Giving Nature Legal Rights?

Posted on: Mar 26, 2012, Source: Earth Island Journal

From rural Pennsylvania to South America, a global alliance is promoting the idea that ecosystems have intrinsic rights.

Americans Work Too Much and Have Too Little Time for Play: Here's How to Slow Down 'The Great Speed-Up'

Posted on: Jul 29, 2011, Source: AlterNet

We're being asked to do more in less time, and with less help. Here's a simple plan to begin to take back our lives.

Is There Such a Thing as 'Ethical Oil'? Canada Claims it Has Lots and the US Is Buying It

Posted on: Apr 8, 2011, Source: Earth Island Journal

Underlying the tar sands debate is a more profound question: Is it OK for some people to suffer as long as many others benefit?

Are You Willing to Go to Jail for What You Believe In?

Posted on: Mar 11, 2011, Source: AlterNet

Tim DeChristopher faces up to 10 years in prison for an environmental action, and he believes others will have to risk the same to protect the planet.

Following the Pleasure Principle: How to Create a Sustainable Economy That Makes Daily Life Better

Posted on: Mar 2, 2011, Source: AlterNet

For too long, environmentalists have been viewed as self-righteous killjoys demanding that everyone overhaul their wasteful habits. It's time to change that.

How to Keep Track of Our Crumbling Empire? Let's Put Occupied Countries on Our Coins

Posted on: Dec 20, 2010, Source: AlterNet

There's likely some international law against issuing currency for another country. But we shouldn't let something like national sovereignty get in the way.

Is There A Rift Between Progressives And Environmentalists?

Posted on: Sep 23, 2010, Source: Earth Island Journal

Why aren't more environmental organizations participating in the up-coming One Nation March?

Gulf Residents Scared Oil Industry Will Leave: Will We Ever Break Our Abusive Relationship With Oil?

Posted on: Jun 24, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Leaving our abusive relationship with oil and gas will cause creative destruction on a scale we have never experienced.

We Need an 'Emergency Mobilization' to Fight Climate Change: So Where's the Support for the Kerry-Lieberman Bill?

Posted on: May 27, 2010, Source: Earth Island Journal

Perhaps the reason that the environmental lobby is putting up a lackadaisical fight for Kerry-Lieberman is simply that the bill isn't really worth fighting for.

The Dark Side of Our Bright Digital Spaces: 21st Century Wizardry Relies on Dirty Energy of the Past

Posted on: Apr 5, 2010, Source: Earth Island Journal

New technology like iPhones, laptops, and iPads wouldn't be possible without the coal-fired power plants whose design has changed little since the 19th century.

Star of Oscar Winning 'The Cove' Recaps His On-Stage Political Action and the Academy's Censorship

Posted on: Mar 8, 2010, Source: Earth Island Journal

Ric O'Barry make the best of his few moments on stage at the Oscars to make a brave gesture in defense of dolphins.

Shake Up at the Sierra Club? Group Names New Executive Director

Posted on: Jan 20, 2010, Source: Earth Island Journal

Sierra Club has picked Mike Brune, the former ED of Rainforest Action Network, to replace Carl Pope as the organization's executive director.

Ric O'Barry: The Man Behind the Crusade to Save Dolphins From Japan's Slaughter

Posted on: Dec 29, 2009, Source: Earth Island Journal

Ric O'Barry would love to be at home watering his bamboo and playing with his five-year-old daughter. Instead, he spends most of his time with people who hate him.

Geo-Engineering Could Save the Planet … and in the Process Sacrifice the World

Posted on: Sep 24, 2009, Source: Earth Island Journal

Having unintentionally warmed the planet, we may have little choice but to intentionally cool it back down. But at what cost?

Why the Economic Downturn Has Been Good News for Amtrak and the Future of Rail Travel

Posted on: Jun 22, 2009, Source: AlterNet

A slowing economy has resulted in speedier service for Amtrak trains, which is helping to make the case for more rail funding.

Thousands Storm Capitol Hill in Largest Protest Against Global Warming

Posted on: Mar 2, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Climate change -- for many years the concern of scientists and policy wonks -- has finally birthed a broad-based citizens movement.

Climate Change Threatens to Dry up the Southwest's Future

Posted on: Oct 16, 2008, Source: Earth Island Journal

The abundant water and cheap energy that have fueled the Southwest's transformation are starting to dry up.

New Food Safety Rules May Do More Harm Than Good

Posted on: May 6, 2008, Source: Earth Island Journal

The food safety regulations established in response to the spinach E. coli outbreak are threatening environmentally friendly farming practices.

Is Rocky Anderson the Country's Greenest Mayor?

Posted on: Dec 11, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

A conversation with Salt Lake City's super green mayor and advocate for Bush's impeachment.

Lois Gibbs: How to Be a Citizen-Activist

Posted on: Nov 29, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

Lois Gibbs, who put Love Canal on the map and ignited the movement against toxics, shares the secrets of organizing work learned on the fly.

How a Community Is Saving Itself and the Environment

Posted on: Nov 20, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

Our current economic model has created nothing but poverty and pollution for the South Bronx. But the visionary folks there have a different model that will change all that.

How the Environmental Movement Can Redefine Globalization

Posted on: Nov 13, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

We need to promote the globalization of mass movements and the globalization of sharing ideas so that communities can help each other achieve self-reliance.

How to Hold Corporations Accountable

Posted on: Nov 6, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

When the system doesn't allow people to protect themselves from corporate harm to their communities, it is time to change the system.

How to Build a Local Energy Economy

Posted on: Oct 30, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

Is it possible to get our power from local sources? Yes, and an interview with one expert explains how.

The Future of Cities: How Sprawl and Racism are Intertwined

Posted on: Oct 22, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

Civil rights leader and environmentalist Van Jones talks about suburban sprawl, race and the future of cities.

Environmental Justice in Action

Posted on: Oct 10, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

What do race and the environmental movement have to do with each other? Quite a lot, explains one environmental justice activist.

The United States' Failing Food System

Posted on: Oct 1, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

An interview with a leading food expert on the crisis of the America food system, the fallacy of labels and the organic vs. local conundrum.

World's Water Supply at Risk

Posted on: Sep 25, 2007, Source: PoliPoint Press

One of the world's leading water experts explains how our local water supplies are threatened across North America and across the globe.

Urban Farming: Coming to a City Near You

Posted on: Mar 26, 2007, Source: E Magazine

Propelled by the obesity epidemic and the drive for more sustainable economies, an urban agriculture movement is flowering across the U.S.

Is It Good that Big Businesses Are Going Green?

Posted on: Feb 19, 2007, Source: Grist.org

Can Americans retain their bad habits of overconsumption but simply switch to earth-friendly products? In truth, we are not going to spend our way out of a social and ecological crisis 500 years in the making.

Unhealthy Flowers: Why Buying Organic Should Not End With Your Food

Posted on: Feb 12, 2007, Source: AlterNet

Conventionally grown cut flowers are often raised in environments that are unhealthy and abusive to workers. Responsible alternatives have been difficult, if not impossible, to find -- until now.

Government Food Safety System a Sham

Posted on: Jan 24, 2007, Source: AlterNet

A new federal program for livestock tracking will benefit big corporations, threaten small producers and do nothing to protect consumer health.

Is the U.S. Cotton Industry in Danger of Collapse?

Posted on: Nov 28, 2006, Source: Grist.org

Facing growing competition from cotton growers overseas, the American cotton industry is shrinking but still using inefficient and ecologically unsustainable techniques for harvest and distribution.

Will the End of Oil Be the End Of Food?

Posted on: Aug 30, 2006, Source: AlterNet

American agriculture is fatally dependent on oil. A few forward-thinking farmers are trying to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Big Food's Bad Idea

Posted on: Mar 7, 2006, Source: AlterNet

The food lobby is quietly pushing a bill that would set a single national set of food labeling rules -- and eliminate local control over food safety disclosures.

The Outsourcing of Food

Posted on: Oct 5, 2005, Source: AlterNet

American farmers are battling a new kind of pest -- imports from international rivals who can produce essential foodstuffs cheaper than they can be grown here.

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