About the SpinachHeads

So, now you know a bit more about our blogging intents.  But, who are we?

As mentioned in our intro, we here at Spinach In Our Teeth are not your typical granola-eating, tree-hugging environmentalists – although there are photos of Pam hugging a few giant redwoods in California, and whether or not we always shower is somewhat questionable (hey, life gets busy).  All three of us have (or are close to having) degrees in environmental science and policy, and share a keen interest in all issues of the color green.  That, to us, doesn’t just mean idly calling for an environmental revolution, but getting into the nitty-gritty intersection of science and politics.  We like to think about, discuss, and rant – over either GoogleChat or a few bottles of wine – about the many ways in which decisions regarding the environment, energy, and natural resources affects our quality of life.  And vice versa.  That said, we are also (for the most part) real, live people, who do normal things like drive cars, shop at regular grocery stores, eat regular vegetables, and read mainstream newspapers.

A bit more, in case you’re curious:

Dan is the only one of us who earns his daily bread by writing, which makes him the most legit.  It also makes him possibly the only person in the history of the world to show up to a graduate-level hydrology course wearing a suit.  As a professional reporter, he has plenty of opportunity to write, but little to pontificate on the wonkiest subjects that he likes best, or to deal with the fascinating world of science.  He’s lived in DC for about half a decade now, and his favorite food is spinach flavored ice cream.

Kara, our resident lobbyist, grew up in nearby Maryland and returned to the D.C. area after a brief foray into the culture of the Deep South for her undergraduate education.  Although her background is in politics, Kara transitioned to environmental sciences because of her love of the Earth and a firm belief that environmental and energy reform is the way of the future.  When dismayed by events in the United States Congress, she consoles herself with wine, sushi, or by standing on the sink and affirming, “I can do anything good. BETTER THAN ANYONE.” She is also very well dressed.

Pam is a geologist-turned-consultant who grew up (and now lives – but only after quite a few moves out of the state and country) on the other side of the Potomac River in northern Virginia.  In a previous life, she worked offshore as an exploration geophysicist in the oil and gas industry, but ultimately decided solving environmental problems was significantly more fun than creating them.  (Side note: she maintains that seismic research is merely the gateway drug of the oil industry, that industry experience has provided her with valuable insight for her consulting career, and actually, the only reason she worked there was she really, really wanted to live on a boat.)  When not at work, Pam is most often busy getting lost on a run or bike-commuting around the DC area.  She also believes that kale is just as good as spinach.

And, LAST, but NOT LEAST (I had to say it), is Ryan, better known to the universe as The Green Light.  Much like a magical ring chose the Green Lantern to protect Earth from forces of evil and fear using the green essence of willpower (see? everything awesome is green), Ryan was chosen by himself, and us, to be the Green Light, and protect Earth from naysayers who don’t like green infrastructure, and from people who don’t recycle.  Ryan’s goal is provide information on great things happening in the world in order to show people that by leading sustainable lives one can save money, protect one’s health, and be empowered in their community.

Ryan graduated from Tulane University Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, where he studied beignets.  Like the rest of us (except Dan, who is a reporter) environmental policy led him to Washington, D.C., where he currently works as a consultant on environmental projects for a range of federal agencies.  Ryan is passionate about sustainable development, green infrastructure, community-based environmental initiatives, seersucker suits, and reusable grocery bags.