Brandi Hope Johnson
University of North Alabama

Chip Giller founded the online magazine Grist.org in 1999 as a reliable source for environmental news from all over the world. Using mottos such as “Gloom and doom with a sense of humor,” and “A beacon in the smog,” Grist blends humor with critical information about ways in which people both succeed and fail to protect the environment. A non-profit organization funded by several foundations and individual donations, this online magazine is a great place to find the latest information on a variety of topics that are both educational and entertaining.

Grist.org is well organized and easy to navigate in order to quickly find articles, videos, and reviews on any topic of choice. The “Briefly” tab is incredibly useful, providing a list of all of the newest articles published on that day. This allows users to get caught up with all that is happening in the world of sustainability just by reading one page. The GRIST 50 tab can be used to view the top fifty up and coming environmental celebrities. Readers can learn more about each person’s “green cred.” For example, on the list are Jasmina Aganovic, president of the bacteria friendly bath company Mother Dirt, and David Bancroft, the head chef at Acre restaurant based in Auburn, Alabama. There is also a collection of website videos, easily searchable by section according to interests. Categories include Climate and Energy, Justice, Food, Cities, Living, Politics, Business and Technology, and Science. An electronic newsletter is available for readership who would like to be kept current on the latest news in sustainability.

There is a team of several writers for this website, each with their own unique personality and style. Every article is written with a clever title that grabs readers’ attention, such as, “How Climate Change is Screwing up your Favorite Season,” and “Kids, Go Nag your Parents about Saving Energy.” In the spirit of the site, each article takes on serious issues while leaving readers hopeful and optimistic about the opportunities everyone still has to make a difference on this planet. There is a lot of information to sort through when it comes to the truth about what is happening around the world; deciphering what is factual and useful is no easy task. The writers and editors do a terrific job at condensing, organizing, and explaining all of this information in a way that makes sense and inspires readers to take action.

The writers are on a mission to provide witty environmental news to anyone willing to confront the current issues and caring enough to search for solutions. They describe their jobs for this magazine thus: “You know how some people make lemonade out of lemons? At Grist, we’re making lemonade out of the looming climate apocalypse.” This one statement describes the overall satirical style of the writers and designers, which is refreshing when dealing with such large-scale issues. Giller has won numerous awards for his impact on environmental awareness including the National Conservation Achievement Award, the Jane Bagley Lehman Award for Excellence in Public Advocacy, and the Heinz Award, fitting validation for one of the top ranked environmental websites in the world.