Seafood mislabeling
Next time you think about ordering a spicy tuna roll, you may want to consider this. A study by Oceana found that 59 percent of fish labeled “tuna” at restaurants and grocery stores in the U.S. were not, in fact, tuna. Sushi restaurants were the worst offenders, accounting for three-quarters of mislabeled tuna. [Read more…] about Seafood mislabeling
Science in Massachusetts
We’ve heard time and again that American students lag behind in the sciences, especially compared to students in many Asian countries. [Read more…] about Science in Massachusetts
New York's electric truck incentive program
The transportation sector is responsible for three-fourths of U.S. petroleum consumption, and 40 percent of New York State’s greenhouse gas emissions. In 2010, the Obama administration announced the first fuel economy standards for heavy vehicles. New York State’s Governor Cuomo is taking fuel savings for trucks even further. [Read more…] about New York's electric truck incentive program
Giving some of your lawn back to nature
A manicured lawn is as synonymous with suburban America as the white picket fence. But if maintaining that perfectly green yard seems like a chore, that’s because lawns are – essentially – unnatural. [Read more…] about Giving some of your lawn back to nature
The hidden cost of antibacterial products
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A new study is the first to reveal that triclosan – a synthetic antibacterial widely used in personal care products – is fueling the growth of resistant bacteria in streams and rivers. [Read more…] about The hidden cost of antibacterial products
A debate over trash
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There is no shortage of trash in the world. Figuring out what to do with it is a challenge that grows larger all the time. [Read more…] about A debate over trash
Old car or new car?
So, you want to do something good for the environment. Should you replace your old car with a fuel efficient model or keep it because you know it takes a lot of energy to produce a new car? A clear answer to this question has been elusive. [Read more…] about Old car or new car?
Green power for the U.S. military
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Due to a combination of economics and national security, the U.S. military has become one of the biggest investors in green energy over the past five years. [Read more…] about Green power for the U.S. military
Gray seals thriving off Cape Cod
If you visited Cape Cod this summer, you probably heard tourists and locals all over town talking about the seals. [Read more…] about Gray seals thriving off Cape Cod
Hydrogen fueled cars
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We are starting see some real momentum in the adoption of electric cars. There are more models to choose from, and public charging stations are starting to show up in our neighborhoods. [Read more…] about Hydrogen fueled cars
An alarming connection between pesticides and Parkinson’s
Many pesticides interfere with the nervous transmission in insects, whereas herbicides often mimic the hormones that control growth and development in plants. I suppose, in hindsight, we should have expected these chemicals to have some effects on humans as well. [Read more…] about An alarming connection between pesticides and Parkinson’s
Fuel cells for refrigerated trucks
Refrigerated trucks are a crucial part of our food delivery system. Approximately 300,000 of them are on the road in the United States. Most of them use an auxiliary power unit, which is a small diesel engine that burns about 10 gallons of fuel a day keeping food cold. [Read more…] about Fuel cells for refrigerated trucks
Dams complicate river management
Managing fish in human-altered rivers is a challenge because their food webs are sensitive to environmental disturbances. So reports an exhaustive three-year analysis of a 240-mile stretch of the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. [Read more…] about Dams complicate river management
Easing private investment in renewable energy
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Energy is essential to a robust economy. At least until the 1980s, fossil fuels were the only game in town. Over the years, the US government has designed a number of marketplace incentives to encourage investment in the energy sector. [Read more…] about Easing private investment in renewable energy
Virtual net metering for apartment dwellers
Homeowners across the country are increasingly taking advantage of the benefits of solar power, either by leasing or purchasing photovoltaic systems for their rooftops. Unfortunately, apartment dwellers have not had much opportunity to use on-site solar electricity because it would require installation of separate PV systems for each tenant, which is complicated and expensive, even if building owners were agreeable. [Read more…] about Virtual net metering for apartment dwellers
Next Generation Science Standards
Students around the country will soon be exposed to the concepts of evolution and climate change at an earlier age, thanks to the Next Generation Science Standards. The new standards are the result of collaboration among 26 states, and non-profit science and education groups. [Read more…] about Next Generation Science Standards
Restoring the darkness
Recently, France instituted one of the world’s most comprehensive lighting ordinances, and all over that country – even in Paris, the City of Light – late nights have gotten darker. [Read more…] about Restoring the darkness
Trapping carbon in rock
Fossil fuels like coal are relatively cheap and abundant, which is a huge motivation for finding a way to burn those fuels without releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The most obvious approach is sequestration – capturing the CO2 during combustion and storing it away. While simple in concept, carbon sequestration is a huge challenge to accomplish on a large scale, and at an acceptable cost. [Read more…] about Trapping carbon in rock
Swamp rats: Coming to a neighborhood near you
