Earth Wise
CO2 cold storage
Around the world, scientists are looking for ways to capture and store the CO2 generated from large power stations and industrial plants. Carbon capture and storage, or CCS, is the enabling principle behind “Clean Coal”, a technology that is currently more theoretical than practical. [Read more…] about CO2 cold storage
Renewables growth continues
For the first five months of 2014, renewable energy sources accounted for 54% of the new electrical generating capabilities installed in the United States. Just about all the other new installations were natural gas plants. Although coal-fired plants are still the largest source of electricity in the country, no new coal plants have come on line this year. [Read more…] about Renewables growth continues
Lost in migration
For decades, scientists and researchers have wondered whether electromagnetic noise – emitted by our use of electronic devices such as cell phones, radios, and televisions – affects birds’ ability to migrate. [Read more…] about Lost in migration
Solar-powered Germany
At the start of June this year, Germany set a new record by producing 50% of its electricity needs with solar panels. Solar panels in that country of over 80 million people produced over 23 gigawatts of electricity on the afternoon of June 9th, which corresponded to 50.6% of the nation’s demand for electricity. [Read more…] about Solar-powered Germany
Illinois microbead ban
Last month, Illinois became the first state to ban the sale of cosmetics containing plastic microbeads. [Read more…] about Illinois microbead ban
Whiskey-powered vehicles
A Scottish biofuel company called Celtic Renewables has successfully demonstrated the concept of producing biobutanol – a hydrocarbon fuel that can be a direct replacement for gasoline and diesel – from whiskey-making byproducts. They are now moving ahead to establish an industrial-scale pilot facility. [Read more…] about Whiskey-powered vehicles
Insect defense report card
During last spring’s report card season, a little known government program received its grades. The program is aimed at defending our nation against the imported insects and diseases that harm trees, forests, and local economies. [Read more…] about Insect defense report card
Solar grid parity
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/EW-07-24-14-Solar-Grid-Parity.mp3|titles=EW 07-24-14 Solar Grid Parity]
One of the most common complaints about solar power is that it is too expensive and that the only reason it gets deployed at all is by virtue of government subsidies and tax credits. Historically, there was some amount of truth to this criticism but the times they are a-changing. [Read more…] about Solar grid parity
Versatile duckweed
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Duckweed is a tiny and extremely simple flowering aquatic plant that floats on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water. It is an important high-protein food source for waterfowl and is even eaten by people in some places. Duckweed is extremely fast growing and is capable of doubling its population in as little as 48 hours. In warm climates, it can grow pretty much anywhere. [Read more…] about Versatile duckweed
Weed crops for a warming world
Rising temperatures, droughts and higher CO2 levels pose threats to the world’s food supply. Grains like wheat and rice have been bred for centuries for productivity but are not well suited to a changing climate. [Read more…] about Weed crops for a warming world
Renewables changing of the guard
For well over a century, the primary source of renewable energy in the United States has been hydroelectric power. Hydro plants produce over 6% of the country’s electricity. In places like New York State, home of Niagara Falls, the percentage is much higher. [Read more…] about Renewables changing of the guard
Commercial buildings and energy
Buildings account for about 36% of America’s total energy use and 65% of our electricity consumption. Commercial buildings use about 20% of the country’s energy and most of that is in the form of space heating, space cooling and lighting. [Read more…] about Commercial buildings and energy
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Pacific Ocean hosts the largest trash dump on Earth. It is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and it’s at least as big as Texas but might be much larger. Estimates are that it holds more than 3.5 million tons of garbage and at least 80% of it is plastic. [Read more…] about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Growing numbers of electric cars
As of early this year, the number of electric cars in the world has passed the 400,000 mark. This represents a doubling of the number from just 12 months ago, which in turn was a doubling of the previous year’s total. There is no doubt that there is sharp and steady growth in electric vehicles. [Read more…] about Growing numbers of electric cars
Saving the bees
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In recent years, bee populations have been shrinking at an alarming rate. According to the Department of Agriculture, managed honeybee colonies lost almost a quarter of their numbers over the past winter alone. These rapid declines in bees and other pollinators in the United States threaten billions of dollars in crops. [Read more…] about Saving the bees
The warm Pacific caused our weird winter
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Last winter was one of the coldest on record in the American Midwest. Northeastern cities were buried in snow. Meteorologists kept talking about the “polar vortex”. And meanwhile, western states were unseasonably warm and were stricken by drought. By all accounts, it was a weird winter. [Read more…] about The warm Pacific caused our weird winter
Cleaning up with fungus
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/EW-07-11-14-Cleaning-Up-with-Fungus.mp3|titles=EW 07-11-14 Cleaning Up with Fungus]
Dealing with contaminated soils in industrial and former industrial sites is a continuing problem for society. People employ a variety of methods for removing or remediating persistent organic chemicals in these places. Techniques such as capping, excavation, and even incineration have all been used at one point or another. All the methods have their problems and most are quite expensive. [Read more…] about Cleaning up with fungus
Ecosystems need predators
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/EW-07-10-14-Ecosystems-Need-Predators.mp3|titles=EW 07-10-14 Ecosystems Need Predators]
Salt marshes are extremely important ecosystems. They shield coasts from flooding, they remove pollutants from water, and they are the baby nurseries for many kinds of fish. In recent years, salt marshes in places like the coastlines of New England have been dying off. [Read more…] about Ecosystems need predators
Solar jet fuel
