Economy and Policy
Dirty drinking water
A new government study is raising red flags about the safety of our drinking water. EPA and U.S. Geological Survey scientists analyzed treated water samples from 25 U.S. utilities. They found that more than 1/3 contained chemicals not regulated by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. [Read more…] about Dirty drinking water
The U.S. is emitting less carbon
In 2012, carbon dioxide emissions from energy use in the US reached the lowest level since 1994 and were 12% lower than their peak in 2007. This is certainly good news, but just how good? [Read more…] about The U.S. is emitting less carbon
Renewable energy sources in the Caribbean
A number of Caribbean islands are experimenting with the use of renewable energy and hope to provide a model for other nations. The effort is being led by the Carbon War Room, a nonprofit organization founded by billionaire Richard Branson to help fight climate change. [Read more…] about Renewable energy sources in the Caribbean
Phthalates: A toxic swap
A nationwide study of the controversial group of chemicals known as phthalates has shown human exposure is still high, despite bans. [Read more…] about Phthalates: A toxic swap
A boom in sun and wind
Recently, the media reported that installations of solar power will overtake those of wind power for the first time. This year, new wind farms are forecast to add some 35 gigawatts of new capacity, but new solar installations will add almost 37 gigawatts. [Read more…] about A boom in sun and wind
Plastic bag ban
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/EW-03-20-14-Plastic-Bag-Ban.mp3|titles=EW 03-20-14 Plastic Bag Ban]
California is poised to become the first state to enact an official ban on plastic shopping bags, with a measure currently before the state legislature. [Read more…] about Plastic bag ban
Allocating carbon emissions
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/EW-03-19-14-Allocating-Carbon-Emissions.mp3|titles=EW 03-19-14 Allocating Carbon Emissions]
The recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has adopted a different way of looking at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Since carbon dioxide largely stays in the atmosphere for centuries, the emphasis needs to be on our cumulative emissions over time rather than on tracking yearly totals. [Read more…] about Allocating carbon emissions
Crude oil: It’s not fish food
When British Petroleum’s Deep Water Horizon oil well blew out in April 2010, many of us saw pictures of crude oil pouring into the sea. Much of that oil never made it to the ocean’s surface, where it might have been skimmed or burned off. Instead, it was dispersed using chemicals that were poorly tested for their effect on marine life. It seems we must live and learn. [Read more…] about Crude oil: It’s not fish food
Trains and oil spills
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/EW-03-11-14-Trains-and-Oil-Spills.mp3|titles=EW 03-11-14 Trains and Oil Spills]
During the past five years, U.S. domestic oil production has risen 50 percent. This surge has outpaced the pipeline infrastructure needed to move oil to consumers. [Read more…] about Trains and oil spills
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
Solar gardens
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/EW-03-05-14-Solar-Gardens.mp3|titles=EW 03-05-14 Solar Gardens]
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
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
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
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
Our growing ranks
Land in the United States is increasingly dominated by people and their settlements. This is due to population growth and greater levels of wealth. Many citizens who can afford it prefer to live outside of dense urban areas. And suburbs require a large network of roads to support them. [Read more…] about Our growing ranks
There will be a landfill in your future
Modern society generates an enormous amount of trash, and the volume of trash increases as people become more affluent. The average person in the U.S. throws away their body weight in trash each month. Urban residents throw out more stuff than rural residents of the same income. [Read more…] about There will be a landfill in your future
The solar market is booming
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/EW-02-10-14-Booming-US-Solar-Market.mp3|titles=EW 02-10-14 Booming US Solar Market]