Antibiotics in meat
Concerns have long been raised over the presence of antibiotics in the meat we eat. Now, a federal analysis has shown that many of those antibiotics are likely to blame for the increasing number of bacterial infections resistant to treatment in humans. [Read more…] about Antibiotics in meat
Not all drones are airborne
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When most of us hear about drones, we look to the sky for aircraft. But, another type of drone is patrolling the ocean around Antarctica, improving our understanding of ocean conditions in that remote corner of the world. Several years ago, scientists began to mount instrument packs on the elephant seals that inhabit Antarctica. The instruments record conditions while the seals dive, and report them back via satellite when they come to the surface. [Read more…] about Not all drones are airborne
Cold weather – Warm climate
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For pretty much everyone living east of the Mississippi River, this winter has been cold, snowy, and icy. We’ve all heard about the Polar Vortex and many of us have spent untold hours with our shovels and snow blowers. All in all, it seems like global warming has gone on vacation. [Read more…] about Cold weather – Warm climate
Solar gardens
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Solar power is growing by leaps and bounds, but there are still many people who can’t access it for their own homes. Renters, people who live in communities with obstructive building codes, and people whose roofs are shaded by trees or other tall structures don’t have the option of installing their own solar panels. [Read more…] about Solar gardens
Power from sewage
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Located on the banks of the Potomac River, the Blue Plains wastewater treatment plant serves over two million people in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. It is also the largest consumer of electricity in the District of Columbia. [Read more…] about Power from sewage
A mosquito fever expands its range
A mosquito-borne virus that causes fever, headaches, and severe joint pain has spread to the Caribbean. Experts fear it’s only a matter of time before it makes its way to the U.S. Chikungunya gets its name from an East African word meaning ‘that which bends,’ due to the posture of its sufferers. [Read more…] about A mosquito fever expands its range
Packaging with mushrooms
The wide use of Styrofoam presents a number of problems for the environment. It is a petroleum-based material that is not biodegradable. Although it can be recycled, it seldom is. Most Styrofoam winds up in landfills, or even worse, floating in waterways. [Read more…] about Packaging with mushrooms
Outsourced pollution
China has the unfortunate reputation of having some of the dirtiest air in the world. Much of the pollution results from the enormous amount of manufacturing that goes on there, often earmarked for countries around the world that have essentially outsourced their own pollution to China. [Read more…] about Outsourced pollution
Batteries from rhubarb and sugar
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Storing energy produced by wind turbines and solar panels is a necessity if these on-again-off-again energy sources are to supply a majority of our electricity needs. But storage technology must be affordable and efficient. [Read more…] about Batteries from rhubarb and sugar
Let’s capture the carbon
Carbon dioxide emissions – largely due to fossil fuel combustion – are at the crux of the global warming problem. Because some carbon dioxide emissions are fairly localized, they are potentially easy to control. [Read more…] about Let’s capture the carbon
Growing insects on the farm
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/EW-02-24-14-Growing-Insects-on-the-Farm.mp3|titles=EW 02-24-14 Growing Insects on the Farm]
The precipitous decline in pollinating insects – particularly bees – has become an issue of great concern around the world. Insects pollinate 75% of the crops that we rely on for food worldwide, and bee populations have declined by as much as 96% over the past century. [Read more…] about Growing insects on the farm
Rare earth metals and green technologies
A growing number of important green technologies depend on rare earth metals and other scarce elements. Everything from the batteries in electric cars to solar panels to advanced wind turbines rely on exotic metals that come from only a few places around the world. Some valuable technologies are not being exploited to their fullest extent due to the scarcity of raw materials. [Read more…] about Rare earth metals and green technologies
Toxic insecticides
The European Food Safety Authority has recommended lowering acceptable human exposure levels to two insecticides — acetamiprid and imidacloprid – due to concerns over their effect on developing human nervous systems. Both are part of a class of insecticides called neonicotinoids, which have come under scrutiny before for their effect on bees. [Read more…] about Toxic insecticides
Geothermal energy on the rise
Geothermal energy is experiencing a period of global expansion, with more new power plants ready to go on line over the next three to four years than in any previous decade. U.S. companies are doing much of that work. [Read more…] about Geothermal energy on the rise
Salty streams and rivers
By the looks of it, we’re in for quite a winter this year. Here in the Northeast, we’ve seen several heavy snowfalls, freezing temperatures, and icy roads. [Read more…] about Salty streams and rivers
Bad news for butterflies
The familiar orange monarch butterfly is famous for its southward fall migration. It flies from the United States and southern Canada to its wintering grounds in Mexico and coastal California, only to return northward in the spring. This journey takes three to four butterfly generations to complete. At one time, a billion or more monarchs took part in the 2,500-mile journey. [Read more…] about Bad news for butterflies
The answer is blowing in the wind
For some time now, scientists and medical experts have been investigating whether air pollution compromises human health, particularly cardiovascular function and respiration. And recent studies are strengthening the evidence that polluted air is bad for our health. [Read more…] about The answer is blowing in the wind
Urban biodiversity
The portion of our planet described as urban is growing rapidly. In fact, it is predicted to triple between 2000 and 2030. People are trying to come to terms with this changing landscape, particularly with respect to the corresponding loss of wildlife. [Read more…] about Urban biodiversity
Our growing ranks
