Title: Grist: Environmental News & Commentary
Author: Grist Magazine, Inc.
URL: www.grist.org
Date: 1999-2007

At a Glance: Grist, an environmentally focused website, was founded as an Earth Day project in 1999 and is still maintained by the original creator along with a staff of 25. It publishes news digests; investigates environmental violations/concerns; details ways individuals can make a difference; and is written in an approachable yet in-the-know style. In addition to browsing the website, readers can sign up for an account in order to post comments, and can register for up to seven email newsletters/digests sent throughout the week (it's all free).

Best for: The hip (but not hippie) environmentally conscious citizen. There's also a page specifically for educators demonstrating how to use the site in the classroom (e.g. students can post to the blog for class credit, use the resources posted to conduct their own research, etc.).

Standout Features: All of the "In the News" features contain a Grist-written abstract of the issue plus links to relevant articles from trusted journalism sources such as Reuters, the New York Times, the Associated Press and the Washington Post. The site acts as a gateway to environmental news from mainstream news sources which readers may or may not already seek out themselves.

Series include How Green is your Candidate?, How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic, the food industry-focused Victual Reality column and Ask Umbra, a question-and-answer column.

According to a reader survey posted on the site, "86% of Grist readers have changed an action or behavior based on something they read in Grist, and 72% have changed their purchasing habits."

Keep in Mind: Grist is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity. There is minimal advertising on the site, and while there are no content restrictions on ads, it is noted that "advertising typography and layout must not simulate Grist's editorial format or otherwise mislead readers," and most of the ads do seem to be targeted to the environmentally and socially aware consumer (free trade coffee, etc.). All site content and email lists are free to browse, join and maintain.

Suggested by: Annemcd