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Tax: It’s a dirty word
Most economists agree that the best way to reduce the use of fossil fuels and lower the emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere would be to put a tax on carbon emissions. That would open a competitive market for alternative sources of energy, raise sorely needed government revenues, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. A carbon tax would even preserve the freedom to buy a big, low-mileage car, if you want one. [Read more…] about Tax: It’s a dirty word
Gold’s tarnished side
The price of gold has more than doubled in the past decade, as a flood of new buyers has entered the world’s commodity market. Gold is in demand for jewelry and as a hedge against erosion in the value of traditional currency. Lots of new effort is devoted to finding new deposits of gold and to mining old veins that were not economical just a few years ago. Big new mines are proposed in Alaska and Canada. [Read more…] about Gold’s tarnished side
Forest fragmentation
Scientists have long known that habitat fragmentation poses a threat to native species. It can lead to stress on the surviving animals, and weakened genetic fitness due to their smaller breeding populations. [Read more…] about Forest fragmentation
Schools and the environment
A group of public school systems across the country has formed an alliance to make schools more environmentally responsible and to help change nutrition and sustainability policies. Known as the Urban School Food Alliance, the group includes the public schools in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Orlando. [Read more…] about Schools and the environment
Seawater: It’s just not the same anymore
We know that carbon dioxide concentrations are increasing in Earth’s atmosphere, and that this will increase temperatures on our planet. But, rising CO2 will have another effect—making the oceans more acid. [Read more…] about Seawater: It’s just not the same anymore
Nature and allergies
As a society, we place a high value on cleanliness. We like to have control over dirt, germs, and nature. Most of us now live in urban or suburban settings with minimal intrusion from the natural world. We clean and sterilize our hands, homes, and children, and our outdoor surroundings are dominated by concrete, pavement, and lawn. [Read more…] about Nature and allergies
Carolina wrens, daffodils, and other climate canaries
When I moved to the Hudson Valley from North Carolina, I didn’t expect to see red-bellied woodpeckers or Carolina wrens, two of my favorite backyard birds. But I was surprised. The woodpeckers are common, and the wrens come and go. They are sparse after a cold winter but usually rebound in a year or two. [Read more…] about Carolina wrens, daffodils, and other climate canaries
Native protection for the coast
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When coastal areas are subject to storm surges, for example, during hurricanes, areas with coastal vegetation tend to fare better. Salt marshes, mangroves, and sea weeds provide an important buffer. This natural vegetation breaks up the direct energy that the sea can exert on coasts and their beaches. [Read more…] about Native protection for the coast
Let's reflect on our success stories
Sometimes people find me depressing to be around. I endlessly point out the impacts of rising human population and resource use, extinction of Earth’s biodiversity, air and water pollution, and climate change. When I really get going, I point out that these human impacts on our planet may threaten the continued persistence of our own species. [Read more…] about Let's reflect on our success stories
Cattle, prairie chickens, and compromise
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The protection of a bird called the lesser prairie chicken has inspired intense debate in Texas – between the government, environmentalists, oil and gas companies, and private landowners. [Read more…] about Cattle, prairie chickens, and compromise
Invaders underfoot in our forests
Despite their familiarity, earthworms are an invasive species in America’s northern temperate forests. They arrived in the mid-1800s, with the arrival of European settlers. And today, humans continue to spread earthworms through activities such as road building, mountain biking, and bait fishing. [Read more…] about Invaders underfoot in our forests
Declining moose populations
As a part-time resident of Maine, I can attest that seeing moose in the wild is a memorable experience. I’m fortunate that Maine boasts a healthy moose population. But in other parts of the U.S., sightings are becoming rare. [Read more…] about Declining moose populations
Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening
I suspect that many of us have visited a natural area from our childhood only to find it paved over by a shopping center or converted to suburban development. Elected officials call this economic progress and applaud the added tax revenue. Ecologists call it sprawl. [Read more…] about Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening
We're making it tough for Santa Claus
It used to be that young children wondered about the reality of Santa Claus. Would Santa show up on Christmas Eve? Parents turned the controversy to good ends by threatening us that Santa would not show up unless we were good. [Read more…] about We're making it tough for Santa Claus
An invasive species named Fluffy
An invasive species is a plant or animal that is not native to a particular ecosystem. An invasive can throw an ecosystem out of whack by competing with native species for resources or eliminating native species. Examples include zebra mussels, Japanese knotweed, and the domestic house cat. [Read more…] about An invasive species named Fluffy
Increasingly sustainable buildings
There is a growing trend in green buildings – construction that is eco-friendly, energy efficient, and sustainable. The most widely recognized designation is LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Its three levels are certified, silver, and gold, and these have been awarded to over 13,000 buildings in the United States. [Read more…] about Increasingly sustainable buildings
Dogs and urban parks
A new study out of Israel suggests that the presence of dogs in urban parks decreases the diversity of bird species. [Read more…] about Dogs and urban parks
New records for greenhouse gases
According to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization, the three most significant greenhouse gases in the atmosphere all hit record levels in 2012. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide levels all reached new highs last year. [Read more…] about New records for greenhouse gases
A new relationship with energy
