Whiskey-powered vehicles
A Scottish biofuel company called Celtic Renewables has successfully demonstrated the concept of producing biobutanol – a hydrocarbon fuel that can be a direct replacement for gasoline and diesel – from whiskey-making byproducts. They are now moving ahead to establish an industrial-scale pilot facility. [Read more…] about Whiskey-powered vehicles
Insect defense report card
During last spring’s report card season, a little known government program received its grades. The program is aimed at defending our nation against the imported insects and diseases that harm trees, forests, and local economies. [Read more…] about Insect defense report card
Solar grid parity
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One of the most common complaints about solar power is that it is too expensive and that the only reason it gets deployed at all is by virtue of government subsidies and tax credits. Historically, there was some amount of truth to this criticism but the times they are a-changing. [Read more…] about Solar grid parity
Versatile duckweed
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Duckweed is a tiny and extremely simple flowering aquatic plant that floats on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water. It is an important high-protein food source for waterfowl and is even eaten by people in some places. Duckweed is extremely fast growing and is capable of doubling its population in as little as 48 hours. In warm climates, it can grow pretty much anywhere. [Read more…] about Versatile duckweed
Weed crops for a warming world
Rising temperatures, droughts and higher CO2 levels pose threats to the world’s food supply. Grains like wheat and rice have been bred for centuries for productivity but are not well suited to a changing climate. [Read more…] about Weed crops for a warming world
Renewables changing of the guard
For well over a century, the primary source of renewable energy in the United States has been hydroelectric power. Hydro plants produce over 6% of the country’s electricity. In places like New York State, home of Niagara Falls, the percentage is much higher. [Read more…] about Renewables changing of the guard
Commercial buildings and energy
Buildings account for about 36% of America’s total energy use and 65% of our electricity consumption. Commercial buildings use about 20% of the country’s energy and most of that is in the form of space heating, space cooling and lighting. [Read more…] about Commercial buildings and energy
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Pacific Ocean hosts the largest trash dump on Earth. It is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and it’s at least as big as Texas but might be much larger. Estimates are that it holds more than 3.5 million tons of garbage and at least 80% of it is plastic. [Read more…] about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Growing numbers of electric cars
As of early this year, the number of electric cars in the world has passed the 400,000 mark. This represents a doubling of the number from just 12 months ago, which in turn was a doubling of the previous year’s total. There is no doubt that there is sharp and steady growth in electric vehicles. [Read more…] about Growing numbers of electric cars
Saving the bees
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In recent years, bee populations have been shrinking at an alarming rate. According to the Department of Agriculture, managed honeybee colonies lost almost a quarter of their numbers over the past winter alone. These rapid declines in bees and other pollinators in the United States threaten billions of dollars in crops. [Read more…] about Saving the bees
The warm Pacific caused our weird winter
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Last winter was one of the coldest on record in the American Midwest. Northeastern cities were buried in snow. Meteorologists kept talking about the “polar vortex”. And meanwhile, western states were unseasonably warm and were stricken by drought. By all accounts, it was a weird winter. [Read more…] about The warm Pacific caused our weird winter
Cleaning up with fungus
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/EW-07-11-14-Cleaning-Up-with-Fungus.mp3|titles=EW 07-11-14 Cleaning Up with Fungus]
Dealing with contaminated soils in industrial and former industrial sites is a continuing problem for society. People employ a variety of methods for removing or remediating persistent organic chemicals in these places. Techniques such as capping, excavation, and even incineration have all been used at one point or another. All the methods have their problems and most are quite expensive. [Read more…] about Cleaning up with fungus
Ecosystems need predators
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Salt marshes are extremely important ecosystems. They shield coasts from flooding, they remove pollutants from water, and they are the baby nurseries for many kinds of fish. In recent years, salt marshes in places like the coastlines of New England have been dying off. [Read more…] about Ecosystems need predators
Solar jet fuel
Transportation accounts for more than a quarter of the world’s energy consumption and most of that is in the form of ordinary gasoline. Jet fuel, which is primarily composed of kerosene, accounts for about 6% of refinery production worldwide but contributes about 12% of CO2 emissions. Jet fuel is also a big part of airlines’ operating costs. As a result, there are good reasons to seek sustainable and economical alternatives. [Read more…] about Solar jet fuel
Seashells
Whether you’re a collector or just a casual beachgoer, you’ve probably bent to pick up a seashell that caught your eye. Children scour the beach for unique shells, and vacationers pocket them as mementos of their travels. Few things seem more innocent, but what is the impact of all those disappearing shells? [Read more…] about Seashells
Conditioning the air
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Air conditioners essentially work by taking warm air from inside our homes and offices and moving it outdoors. Can this affect the temperature outside? According to a recent study at Arizona State University, it turns out that it can. [Read more…] about Conditioning the air
Cars sharing the grid
Last year, Americans bought almost 100,000 cars that plug into the wall. That is a drop in the bucket in the overall auto market, but the number of electric cars is growing rapidly year-by-year. People are starting to wonder what might happen when a huge number of cars need to share the power grid. [Read more…] about Cars sharing the grid
Keeping a pulse on the Hudson River
Technology has transformed our ability to understand rivers. Take the Cary Institute’s longstanding scientific program on the Hudson River. In the past, to get measurements on environmental conditions, we relied on researchers sampling in boats. Not only is this expensive and time consuming– it isn’t feasible in bad weather. [Read more…] about Keeping a pulse on the Hudson River
Honeybees and environmental health
