Sustainable Living
For a few weeks in 2008, the city of Beijing reduced its notorious air pollution
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Like most developing countries, China has prioritized economic development over environmental protection. But after winning the right to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, the country made a commitment to address its pollution problem. Olympic organizers promised blue skies over Beijing. [Read more…] about For a few weeks in 2008, the city of Beijing reduced its notorious air pollution
We all live in a watershed
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Our bodies are more than 60% water and we require about 8 cups a day to stave off dehydration. Keeping water clean is as good for humans as it is for the environment. [Read more…] about We all live in a watershed
Why should we care about freshwater mussels?
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There were once three hundred species of mussels in the United States. They supplied food to Native Americans and people harvested them for pearls and for mother-of-pearl to make buttons. Now, hardly anyone eats freshwater mussels and buttons are mostly made of plastic. [Read more…] about Why should we care about freshwater mussels?
Honeybees are critical to U.S. agriculture, and they’re in trouble
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At least a third of U.S. crops are pollinated by commercial beekeeping operations, including apples, blueberries, cucumbers, almonds, pumpkins. In the year 2000, the value of these bee-assisted crops was about fifteen billion dollars. [Read more…] about Honeybees are critical to U.S. agriculture, and they’re in trouble
Raising livestock outdoors is humane, but pasture-raised animals can cause environmental problems
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Let’s focus on pigs. Most of the pork we consume comes from massive indoor facilities where a large number of animals are raised in a relatively small space. These operations are notorious for pervasive odors and for causing air and water pollution. For ethical reasons, many people prefer to buy pasture-raised pork. [Read more…] about Raising livestock outdoors is humane, but pasture-raised animals can cause environmental problems
Every Day is Earth Day
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Sunday is the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day, which first took place on April 22, 1970 and helped to prompt an awakening of American citizens to the importance of the environment. [Read more…] about Every Day is Earth Day
The Olympic games, traffic congestion, and childhood asthma
In 1996, organizers of the Atlanta Olympics were expecting a million visitors to their congested city. To ensure spectators could reach Olympic venues on time, they developed strategies for reducing traffic congestion. They beefed up public transportation, closed parts of downtown to private vehicle traffic, and encouraged local businesses to allow telecommuting. [Read more…] about The Olympic games, traffic congestion, and childhood asthma
Plastic has transformed the world
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In the iconic 1968 movie The Graduate, the lead character’s future father-in-law gives him one word of advice: “plastics.” He was on to something. Plastics have come to dominate our lives. [Read more…] about Plastic has transformed the world
Holy mackerel!
Over the past two decades, stocks of Jack mackerel in the South Pacific have declined by 90%, from 30 million tons to 3 million tons. Many of the fish being netted are juveniles. This is a sad turn of events for one of the world’s richest fishing grounds. [Read more…] about Holy mackerel!
Exotic snakes are putting the squeeze on the Everglades
Located at the tip of Florida, the Everglades are the largest subtropical wilderness in the US. It’s taken Americans a while to appreciate what the “River of Grass” has to offer. Early settlers had a drain and conquer approach to this wetland. [Read more…] about Exotic snakes are putting the squeeze on the Everglades
Cities as ecosystems?
Ecologists define an ecosystem as a unit of the landscape—a forest, a lake, or a river. Often, they are interested in the movement of materials through that area. For instance, rain may deposit nitrogen in a forest, while a stream may carry nitrogen away from the forest and into a river. [Read more…] about Cities as ecosystems?
Herring – little fish of the sea
The springtime herring run in New England is legendary. Two species of small fish, known collectively as river herring, return to the rivers, streams, and creeks of their birthplace, to breed again. After a few months in freshwater, their young return to the sea. [Read more…] about Herring – little fish of the sea
Have you thanked a green plant today?
In a few weeks, spring will arrive with a profusion of plant growth—buds will burst and seemingly overnight, leaves will expand to their summer fullness. Containing chlorophyll, leaves conduct photosynthesis, the combination of carbon dioxide and water to produce carbohydrates, known as sugars, which are the basis of life on Earth. [Read more…] about Have you thanked a green plant today?
Succession – it isn’t just a change in government
