Earth Wise
Bad news for butterflies
The familiar orange monarch butterfly is famous for its southward fall migration. It flies from the United States and southern Canada to its wintering grounds in Mexico and coastal California, only to return northward in the spring. This journey takes three to four butterfly generations to complete. At one time, a billion or more monarchs took part in the 2,500-mile journey. [Read more…] about Bad news for butterflies
The answer is blowing in the wind
For some time now, scientists and medical experts have been investigating whether air pollution compromises human health, particularly cardiovascular function and respiration. And recent studies are strengthening the evidence that polluted air is bad for our health. [Read more…] about The answer is blowing in the wind
Urban biodiversity
The portion of our planet described as urban is growing rapidly. In fact, it is predicted to triple between 2000 and 2030. People are trying to come to terms with this changing landscape, particularly with respect to the corresponding loss of wildlife. [Read more…] about Urban biodiversity
Our growing ranks
Land in the United States is increasingly dominated by people and their settlements. This is due to population growth and greater levels of wealth. Many citizens who can afford it prefer to live outside of dense urban areas. And suburbs require a large network of roads to support them. [Read more…] about Our growing ranks
There will be a landfill in your future
Modern society generates an enormous amount of trash, and the volume of trash increases as people become more affluent. The average person in the U.S. throws away their body weight in trash each month. Urban residents throw out more stuff than rural residents of the same income. [Read more…] about There will be a landfill in your future
The solar market is booming
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/EW-02-10-14-Booming-US-Solar-Market.mp3|titles=EW 02-10-14 Booming US Solar Market]
Renewable energy is growing by leaps and bounds in the US and the growth in solar energy is particularly explosive. In 2013, the US installed more solar capacity than world-leader Germany for the first time in more than a decade. [Read more…] about The solar market is booming
Trees and indoor pollution
Living on a tree-lined street is not just idyllic, but good for your health. New research from England has shown that the presence of street trees can mitigate indoor air pollution stemming from vehicle traffic. [Read more…] about Trees and indoor pollution
Heating with food waste
A new program in New York City is making use of food waste to produce bio-gas for residential and commercial heating. More than 100 restaurants are participating in the program, which is a voluntary effort to reduce the amount of food waste headed to landfills. [Read more…] about Heating with food waste
LED light bulbs
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/EW-02-05-14-LED-Lightbulbs.mp3|titles=EW 02-05-14 LED Lightbulbs]
Incandescent light bulbs are becoming rarer all the time. In some places around the world, they have been phased out completely. They are being replaced by newer lighting technologies, which use far less energy. [Read more…] about LED light bulbs
Horseshoe crabs & red knots
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/EW-02-04-14-Horseshoe-Crabs.mp3|titles=EW 02-04-14 Horseshoe Crabs]
For 475 million years, horseshoe crabs have inhabited the Earth. Currently, their largest numbers are on the Eastern Seaboard, particularly in the Delaware Bay off the coasts of Delaware and New Jersey, where horseshoe crabs lay their eggs each spring. [Read more…] about Horseshoe crabs & red knots
Early warning for climate disasters
Climate scientists talk about “tipping points” for the calamitous consequences of global climate change. These are triggers for abrupt changes in the climate that could bring about a variety of disasters. [Read more…] about Early warning for climate disasters
Coming from a barnyard near you
Atmospheric scientists recognize the long-distance transport of air pollutants. When we used leaded gasoline, we saw elevated levels of airborne lead in cities, but also in the Greenland ice pack, thousands of miles away. And past shutdowns of coal-fired power plants in the Midwest resulted in lower nitric oxide concentrations in the eastern U.S. [Read more…] about Coming from a barnyard near you
Drones provide a window into the deep ocean
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/EW-01-30-14-Ocean-Drones.mp3|titles=EW 01-30-14 Ocean Drones]
With the advance of science and technology, few corners of the Earth remain unexplored. But much of what goes on beneath the surface of our oceans remains a mystery. [Read more…] about Drones provide a window into the deep ocean
Exotic greenhouse gases
Most of the public believes that our climate is changing, and that we are at least partially responsible. Our activities release huge quantities of greenhouse gases, which trap heat radiation trying to leave Earth’s atmosphere. Our emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are causing the planet to warm. [Read more…] about Exotic greenhouse gases
Don't weep for this willow
Biomass – plant matter that can be burned or converted into liquid fuel – is an important source of renewable energy that augments more common sources such as wood and heating oil. Ideal biomass crops can be grown quickly and cheaply on marginal agricultural lands. [Read more…] about Don't weep for this willow
When your sofa makes you sick
The New Year has brought a new law in California that could lessen the use of flame retardants in furniture. [Read more…] about When your sofa makes you sick
Getting toxic chemicals out of consumer products
When grocery shopping, many of us check the labels of the foods we’re buying to evaluate ingredients and nutritional information. But what about the many products we buy that contain chemicals we’re unfamiliar with – or that don’t come with labels at all? [Read more…] about Getting toxic chemicals out of consumer products
Localities declaring energy independence
In the last election, voters in Boulder, Colorado passed a measure giving the city permission to break ties with the local corporate utility and create a municipal electric utility that would aggressively pursue the fight against climate change. The progressive community was not satisfied with the green initiatives of Xcel Energy, the existing utility. [Read more…] about Localities declaring energy independence
The environmental impacts of hair salons
