Climate Change
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy
In late October, a tropical cyclone devastated parts of the Caribbean and America’s East Coast. Named Hurricane Sandy, this “super storm” was the largest Atlantic hurricane on record. Many impacted areas are still recovering, with damages in excess of $50 billion dollars. [Read more…] about In the wake of Hurricane Sandy
It’s fall – that means raking leaves, apple pies, and the reappearance of the ozone hole
Ozone is found in two places in Earth’s atmosphere. At ground-level, ozone is a dangerous air pollutant with a wide variety of human-health effects. About 25 miles above us, the ozone layer shields us from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Without ozone in the stratosphere, the Earth would be uninhabitable by higher forms of life….like us. [Read more…] about It’s fall – that means raking leaves, apple pies, and the reappearance of the ozone hole
Will warmer winters mute fall foliage?
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Leaves change color in the fall when deciduous trees and shrubs stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigment that lets plants obtain energy from sunlight. Shortly before leaves are shed, they put on a colorful show. [Read more…] about Will warmer winters mute fall foliage?
The environment used to be a bipartisan issue
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“Shall we surrender to our surroundings, or shall we make our peace with nature and begin to make reparations for the damage we have done to our air, to our land, and to our water?”
That’s from the State of the Union Address of 1970, during wartime, by a Republican president.
Restoring nature to its natural state is a cause beyond party and beyond factions. Clean air, clean water, open spaces-these should once again be the birthright of every American. If we act now, they can be.”
Richard Nixon, an unlikely environmental trail blazer, went on to call for the most comprehensive environmental program in America’s history. Under his leadership, the Environmental Protection Agency was formed.
Finally, the U.S. had a central authority overseeing environmental protection. And that was just the beginning. Nixon empowered the EPA to let us all breath a little easier by signing the Clean Air Act Extension of 1970. Under it, we saw reductions in harmful emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead.
Water got cleaner too. Nixon proposed the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, which allowed the EPA to set and enforce federal drinking water standards.
It wasn’t all rosy. Nixon subjected environmental regulations to rigorous cost-benefit analyses and vetoed the Clean Water Act. But his legacy stands as a reminder that environmental progress doesn’t have to follow party lines.
Photo courtesy of Iberia Airlines via Flickr.
Rising seas threaten coastal regions around the world
Recent scientific research from Climate Central suggests that global sea levels will rise by an average of three feet by the year 2100, and anywhere from 18 to 29 feet over the next several centuries. Low-lying countries and coastal communities face an unprecedented challenge, and we have climate change to thank. [Read more…] about Rising seas threaten coastal regions around the world
Let’s have a carbon tax
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As the fall’s elections plays out, we are unlikely to hear much about raising taxes. But, for the moment, let me use the bad word—taxes—to catch your attention. [Read more…] about Let’s have a carbon tax
From military weapons to environmental monitoring tools
For most of us, unmanned aerial vehicles … commonly called “drones” … are associated with the military. These pilot-less aircraft, which can be controlled remotely, are used for stealth reconnaissance and attacks when manned flight is too dangerous. [Read more…] about From military weapons to environmental monitoring tools
Does Glacier National Park need a new name?
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Located in Montana, Glacier National Park owes its rugged topography to the carving action of massive sheets of ice. Its mountain ranges bear evidence of glaciers from the last ice age – with U-shaped valleys, knife-like ridges, and lake-impounding moraines. [Read more…] about Does Glacier National Park need a new name?
Australia’s climate change report card
Recently, a team of more than 80 marine scientists issued a climate change report card on the status of the marine ecosystems surrounding Australia. The effort, which details pressures faced by marine life, was funded by the Australian government and undertaken to inform decision making. The insights are sobering. [Read more…] about Australia’s climate change report card
Greening the Olympic games
Every two years, the world tunes into the Olympics. Athletes at the peak of their fitness show their prowess at a range of skills, from gymnastics and swimming to beach volleyball. And for centuries—despite the obvious connection with physical health—environmental concerns took a back seat at the games. [Read more…] about Greening the Olympic games
Breast milk and the environment
Rich in illness-fighting antibodies, brain nourishing fatty acids, and easy-to-digest proteins – breast milk has been called ‘white gold.’ [Read more…] about Breast milk and the environment
Outsourcing our CO2 emissions
Last month, the administration’s Energy Information Agency reported that carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels in the United States have fallen by almost 9 percent since 2005. [Read more…] about Outsourcing our CO2 emissions
Is geo-engineering the solution to global warming?
When a major volcano erupts, it can inject sulfurous gases into the upper atmosphere—the stratosphere—about 5 miles above the Earth’s surface. These gases form tiny particles, known as aerosols, that reflect sunlight. For the couple of years that they spend in the stratosphere, before they mix down and are deposited on Earth’s surface, these sulfate aerosols cool our planet. [Read more…] about Is geo-engineering the solution to global warming?
Drought and tornados
According to the United States Drought Monitor, two-thirds of the nation is covered by a drought that stretches from coast to coast. Federal officials recently designated 23 Wisconsin counties as natural disaster areas. The drought is so bad that some people are even painting their lawns green, which raises a whole separate set of environmental questions. [Read more…] about Drought and tornados
Cooling the air; speeding up global warming
Since their popularization in the 1950s, air conditioners have revolutionized American life. A tool that lets us control the climate – they make oppressive, humid conditions more tolerable. In their absence, it is unlikely places like Arizona and Florida would support such large populations. [Read more…] about Cooling the air; speeding up global warming
We are all a little bit of stardust
