UC Santa Barbara
Peter Alagona is an associate professor of history, geography, and environmental studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is an environmental historian and historian of science with additional interests and training in cultural geography, conservation biology, and science and technology studies.
Reminder of a 1969 Catastrophe In This Week’s Oil Spill Back in 1969 a pipeline along the Santa Barbara seafloor exploded, releasing millions of gallons of oil into the ocean. Thousands of birds, fish, and marine animals were killed. At the time it was the worst disaster of the kind and was the catalyst for the modern environmental movement, including the first Earth Day a year later. While subsequent spills were even more disastrous, the 1969 spill still reverberates with environmentalists.
Shaking up the USDA, 'The Beef Cookbook' and 'Tartine All Day' Peggy Lowe explains why Trump’s pick for USDA Secretary is rattling rural America. Dario Cecchini talks future plans for Chianti ramen, and Richard Turner shares cuts from “PRIME: The Beef Cookbook.” Writer Matthew Sedacca looks at the controversy behind liquid smoke. Jonathan Gold tries Chengdu-style dishes, and Elisabeth Prueitt of Tartine fills us in on the latest. Plus, chef Michael Beckman shares a recipe for cactus confit.
Why is Trump so behind on filling staff jobs, establishing concrete policies? Yesterday Donald Trump signed a “decision memo” to revamp the air traffic control system. But there was little legislative detail in the plan. There’s not much to other splashy announcements from the White House, including tax cuts and the arms deal with Saudi Arabia. And hundreds of positions are unfilled in federal agencies.
Claudio Magris: Blameless In Claudio Magris' Blameless, a museum of the implements of war and destruction is created to inspire peace. But this conversation is not just about war and peace.
How do Trump supporters feel about the Paris Accord? Globally and around the U.S., there are strong opinions whether or not the Paris Climate Accord is a good idea. The American exit is either a horrifying abdication of American leadership or a forceful and long overdue statement about U.S. sovereignty.