Alternative News and Information. en-us http://www.alternet.org/rss/button.gif http://www.alternet.org/ AlterNet http://www.alternet.org/ Copyright 2012 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved. http://www.alternet.org/story/143029/our_love_affair_with_our_lawns_is_hurling_the_u.s._toward_water_crisis/ We spend $40 billion annually on our lawns and spend $10 billion more on pesticides and fertilizers keeping them green. But worse, they're draining diminishing water resources. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -5ee076b9f46aec21de12c310fb39c41a http://www.alternet.org/story/140884/creating_a_%27pollution_casino%27%3A_why_the_energy_bill_may_end_up_a_boon_for_our_dirtiest_industries/ Let's take a look at why Waxman-Markey has the support of big polluters such as Shell Oil and Duke Energy, and not many environmental groups. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -fbf1684f5d32a9ffbaa76079eace914e http://www.alternet.org/story/140739/help_save_the_earth%2C_time_to_subsitute_hemp_for_oil/ Every man-made fiber we wear, sit on, cook with, drive in, are by-products of the petroleum industry -- all of which could be replaced by hemp. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -bf666a5e68f0fbaeb4dc6b27bd7afffb http://www.alternet.org/story/133055/hemp_is_not_pot%3A_it%27s_the_economic_stimulus_and_green_jobs_solution_we_need/ We can make over 25,000 things with it. Farmers love it. Environmentalists love it. You can't get high from it. So why is it still illegal? Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -3e029744bbcc7dfceffa348485e61b0f http://www.alternet.org/story/105204/a_solar_gold_rush_is_spreading_from_california_to_new_jersey/ With new solar-powered movie theaters and factories, the solar industry is exploding. But how far can it take us toward a clean energy future? Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -0d19d8eb54cb918bd88faa73f1627c2f http://www.alternet.org/story/58477/frankenforests%3A_ge_trees_threaten_ecosystem_collapse/ Across the U.S. and the world, the timber industry is driving research behind genetically engineered forests. But environmentalists worry that it will open an ecological Pandora's Box. Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -be7e2fc2aa9d8bc78de2627767df064f http://www.alternet.org/story/52077/why_working_less_is_better_for_the_globe/ Americans are working harder than ever before and at a greater cost to the environment. Research suggests that practicing a more simple lifestyle made people happier while using fewer resources. Mon, 21 May 2007 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -284c2099f0edd7786c443222e5b67a18 http://www.alternet.org/story/50732/why_are_americans_afraid_of_being_naked/ In the Netherlands people can be naked in their gardens, the beach and recently the gym. But in America, even chocolate sculptures can't be without clothes. What gives? Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -63936fda2cee1e464c4df3c6487055e2 http://www.alternet.org/story/50077/carbon_offsets%3A_buying_your_way_out_of_responsibility/ More and more people are using carbon offsets to rationalize consumption. But will paying extra money to have trees planted in India really negate the pollution from your flight to Europe? Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -ea407c6c8898c300a60b1f84d8f15d80 http://www.alternet.org/story/48530/green_roofs%3A_building_for_the_future/ Green roofs have been around for millennia. But as the planet heats up and green space dwindles, they are gaining in popularity in the U.S. and abroad. Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:01 PST Dara Colwell, AlterNet -d7e2dee2a1f95e5379593c4d2dbc3213 http://www.alternet.org/story/42891/dutch_conservatives_crack_down_on_coffee_shops/ Is the Dutch government wrecking Amsterdam's reputation as Europe's most liberal, "anything goes" destination? Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -060c36e1c116cc67408a8f5a5935d5c1 http://www.alternet.org/story/20329/tasting_the_vine_of_souls/ Used traditionally for visionary experiences, ayahuasca has become the chosen cocktail of contemporary urban seekers. Wed, 27 Oct 2004 20:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -d72b69c8e37aec662e13e39d929d6e3d http://www.alternet.org/story/20153/expat_patriots/ Voter registration has reached a fever pitch overseas, where expatriate Americans are signing up for absentee ballots in record numbers. Wed, 13 Oct 2004 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -950c4761e0ce26395c319950de90f0d1 http://www.alternet.org/story/19218/gay_with_god/ Given past rejection and open persecution by mainstream religion many gay men are seeking spiritual guidance outside the church. Wed, 14 Jul 2004 00:00:01 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -61bd5a9f9bb389ac9cbcc5d3f0eeefcc http://www.alternet.org/story/18653/it%27s_cool_to_get_high/ Is Americans' attitude toward casual use relaxing? It appears that the nation is now ripe for catching the buzz. Mon, 10 May 2004 00:00:00 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -c9c0d8a434fdbcee4cd69ea2ce1fe371 http://www.alternet.org/story/18599/growing_jobs/ Hemp, a valuable crop that can be used in everything from paper to frozen waffles, remains outlawed and stigmatized due to its psychoactive cousin, marijuana. Do recent court decisions signify a rise in acceptance? Tue, 04 May 2004 00:00:00 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -7f841c9b91fcd2891b7ffbc612b80934 http://www.alternet.org/story/18156/brand-name_price_gouging/ While the Bush administration has pledged to make AIDS drugs available to developing countries, current US trade policies are undermining efforts to gain access to affordable medicines. Thu, 18 Mar 2004 00:00:00 PST Dara Colwell, AlterNet -2509e9380eb3623ef61046dcd190275d http://www.alternet.org/story/15631/the_schmios_go_to_war/ The latest installment of New York's annual spoof of the ad industry's Clio Awards highlights the convergence of corporate and military propaganda. Mon, 14 Apr 2003 00:00:00 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -dff224f2f1f589649628af6869b44c82 http://www.alternet.org/story/13095/levis%3A_made_in_china/ The classic American clothing company, Levi Strauss, is shutting its domestic factories and moving all production to China, leaving behind an increasingly anxious U.S. garment industry. Thu, 09 May 2002 00:00:00 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -912578cebd95b3483921959730de49f3 http://www.alternet.org/story/12331/ground_zero_at_the_world_economic_forum/ Pitted against the wildly popular NYPD, this weekend's anti-WEF protesters were more subdued than their predecessors in Seattle or Davos. Was their message still heard? Mon, 04 Feb 2002 00:00:00 PST Dara Colwell, AlterNet -e4c4e24edd254bb81fc6e3fe7a1a5dd4 http://www.alternet.org/story/12262/baring_the_cyber_soul/ Whether admitting to cross dressing, nosehair burning, a used panty addiction or even murder, guilt-ridden Americans are turning away from the Church and to online confession sites. Mon, 21 Jan 2002 00:00:00 PST Dara Colwell, AlterNet -424f7ef1be195c6efc2a19439b152a81 http://www.alternet.org/story/11928/sex_industry_sent_topsy-turvy_by_terror/ The prostitution industry has been thrown for a loop by Sept. 11, with some sex workers suffering economic woes and others capitalizing on America's need for kinky distraction. Fri, 16 Nov 2001 00:00:00 PST Dara Colwell, AlterNet -9843a745d90a5a55cb0039aadeea32c0 http://www.alternet.org/story/11836/confessions_of_a_call_girl%27s_friend/ "Toni" made no secret of her occupation when I interviewed to become her roommate. And, sure, she never brings her tricks home, but there are some parts of a job that can't be left behind. Wed, 31 Oct 2001 00:00:00 PST Dara Colwell, Metro Silicon Valley -2a2f98d3597419498e4d734d8c2dd106 http://www.alternet.org/story/11715/the_suv-terrorism_connection/ As the Middle East becomes more unstable, it makes sense to increase our "energy security" by reducing dependence of foreign oil. But how to do it? Simple -- crack down on SUVs. Mon, 15 Oct 2001 00:00:00 PDT Dara Colwell, AlterNet -fbf6e9ffad68f73e466198206987dedc http://www.alternet.org/story/10554/frankenkosher/ Ethical concerns are prompting some kosher Jews to team up with environmentalists in a battle against genetically engineered foods. Tue, 06 Mar 2001 00:00:00 PST Dara Colwell, Metro Silicon Valley -d1419302db9c022ab1d48681b13d5f8b