Let’s not put the last log on the fire
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-03-07-12-Woody-Biomass.mp3|titles=EW 03-07-12 Woody Biomass]
In an attempt to wean the nation from coal—an unhealthy source of energy that drives global warming, several policy groups have suggested switching to wood. Existing coal-fired power plants could be converted to burn wood with relatively little cost and expense. And trees have the benefit of being a renewable resource. [Read more…] about Let’s not put the last log on the fire
It’s time to forsake your lawn
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-03-05-12-Lawns.mp3|titles=EW 03-05-12 Lawns]
Unless you are an avid fan of croquet, lawn tennis, or summer garden parties, it’s time to let your lawn go natural. A wild yard is not un-American – it’s what the pilgrims had when they first arrived in New England. For nearly all of us, today’s obsession with the perfect, park-like lawn is a waste of time and money and bad for the environment. Let it go natural. [Read more…] about It’s time to forsake your lawn
Do we need to retard the rush to flame retardants?
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-03-02-12-Flame-Retardants-.mp3|titles=EW 03-02-12 Flame Retardants]
Few of us are familiar with polybrominated diphenyl ethers. They’re not in your spice or medicine cabinet, and you’re not likely to find them among the garden chemicals in your garage. But, if you have a sofa, a laptop, or a TV, they are in your house. [Read more…] about Do we need to retard the rush to flame retardants?
Is the weather getting weirder?
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-03-01-12-Weird-Weather.mp3|titles=EW 03-01-12 Weird Weather]
This past year held some weather extremes—drought in Texas, floods in the Midwest, and an early snowstorm in New England. Neighbors who do not believe in climate change love to point and laugh at me whenever there is a deep snow in our small northeastern town. [Read more…] about Is the weather getting weirder?
Ammonia—a toxic gas that feeds the world
More than a century ago, two German chemists discovered how to convert the nitrogen in Earth’s atmosphere to ammonia, which could be used in a variety of products, including fertilizers to increase crop yield. Their work was of little consequence until the 1960s, when mounting global famine sparked the Green Revolution. [Read more…] about Ammonia—a toxic gas that feeds the world
The sap is rising
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-28-12-Maple-Sugar.mp3|titles=EW 02-28-12 Maple Sugar]
It will soon be spring—warmer days and cold nights. Along the back roads of New England states, you can see that the maple sugaring season has begun. [Read more…] about The sap is rising
What do the generals know that we don’t?
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-27-12-Military.mp3|titles=EW 02-27-12 Military]
Some political candidates vehemently deny global climate change. And several conservative think-tanks have an agenda focused on discrediting the scientific evidence for human effects on climate. But deep inside the U.S. Pentagon, officials take climate change very seriously. [Read more…] about What do the generals know that we don’t?
Nitrous Oxide—it’s not just a laughing matter anymore
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-24-12-Nitrous-Oxide.mp3|titles=EW 02-24-12 Nitrous Oxide]
Most of us that have encountered nitrous oxide—better known as laughing gas—have been sitting in the dentist’s chair awaiting a painful procedure. [Read more…] about Nitrous Oxide—it’s not just a laughing matter anymore
The devil in the deep blue sea
The ocean looks like it did when we were kids, with waters that seem endless, as they must have appeared to the first explorers of North America. But with an average depth of two miles, the ocean hides its secrets. [Read more…] about The devil in the deep blue sea
Good morning sunshine
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-22-12-Photovoltaics.mp3|titles=EW 02-22-12 Photovoltaics]
Amongst the flurry of depressing news about the environment, there is a bright spot—solar power. Solar comes in two forms: thermal—where sunlight heats water, and photovoltaic—where sunlight is converted to electricity. [Read more…] about Good morning sunshine
Frogs are dying – And it looks the culprit is a fungus caused by illegal wildlife trade
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-21-12-Frogs.mp3|titles=EW 02-21-12 Frogs]
Forests normally humming with the chorus of calling frogs are falling silent and the forest floor is covered in dead or dying frogs. The animals seem to be losing their skin. This sounds like the makings of a science fiction movie – but it’s the stuff of real life. And it’s occurring in forests around the world. [Read more…] about Frogs are dying – And it looks the culprit is a fungus caused by illegal wildlife trade
Carbon Dioxide: Is this the path to the valley of the Jolly Green Giant?
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-20-12-Carbon-Dioxide.mp3|titles=EW 02-20-12 Carbon Dioxide]
Plants need carbon dioxide to grow. It’s nature’s plant food. Look around you – every plant that you see is taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and using it to make the carbohydrates and cellulose needed for growth. So, beyond all the talk about carbon dioxide leading to global warming, is it possible that more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere might be good for plants? [Read more…] about Carbon Dioxide: Is this the path to the valley of the Jolly Green Giant?
From garbage baiting to climate change, humans continue to shape grizzly bear survival
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-17-12-Grizzly-Garbage-.mp3|titles=EW 02-17-12 Grizzly Garbage]
While the grizzly’s impressive stature renders them top predators, in the wild bears dine mostly on berries, plants, and insects. Outside of breeding and cub rearing, they are solitary animals. But they congregate around rich food resources and, if challenged, can pursue at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour. [Read more…] about From garbage baiting to climate change, humans continue to shape grizzly bear survival
Warming your home with wood—an old idea becomes new again
In our quest for renewable energy, attention has shifted to our nation’s forests. Forest-based energy has the potential to be “carbon-neutral.” The carbon released into the atmosphere when trees are burned is taken back out of the atmosphere when new trees grow. [Read more…] about Warming your home with wood—an old idea becomes new again
Mercury: It’s not just in thermometers anymore
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-15-12-Mercury.mp3|titles=EW 02-15-12 Mercury]
In the Northeast, many ponds — and the fish that live in them — have high concentrations of mercury. Mercury has a long-history as an element toxic to humans, extending at least to the days of Shakespeare. It’s found naturally in the environment, so where do excessive concentrations of mercury come from? [Read more…] about Mercury: It’s not just in thermometers anymore
Here’s the fish, and here are the fish on drugs
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-14-12-Fish-Pills.mp3|titles=EW 02-14-12 Fish Pills]
We are a nation of pill poppers. From statins to lower cholesterol to antidepressants to lift our mood, more than half of Americans are currently taking a prescription drug. Some twenty percent of us are take three different prescriptions daily. [Read more…] about Here’s the fish, and here are the fish on drugs
Hard or soft? When engineering shorelines, it makes a big difference
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-13-12-Shoreline-Erosion.mp3|titles=EW 02-13-12 Shoreline Erosion]
Most of us have experienced a river shoreline— from a park, a train, or a boat. When we see where the water meets the land, how many of us have considered how modified shorelines influence river health? [Read more…] about Hard or soft? When engineering shorelines, it makes a big difference
More efficient boilers and new windows have a positive impact on the environment and wallets
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-10-12-Retrofitting.mp3|titles=EW 02-10-12 Retrofitting]
When it comes to making buildings more energy efficient, there are the elaborate steps, like solar panels and green roofs. And there are simpler measures, like updating water boilers and installing controllable thermostats. [Read more…] about More efficient boilers and new windows have a positive impact on the environment and wallets
Our addiction to gas, coal, and other fossil energy is acidifying the ocean
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EW-02-09-12-Ocean-Acidification.mp3|titles=EW 02-09-12 Ocean Acidification]
Earth is called “the blue planet” because oceans cover more than 70% of its surface. Oceans affect weather and temperature and are home to a diversity of marine life.
[Read more…] about Our addiction to gas, coal, and other fossil energy is acidifying the ocean