Earth Wise
Eating natural food
More and more of us are interested in eating healthier foods and “natural” food is especially popular. Food companies have eagerly embraced this concept in their labeling. All sorts of food products are labeled “natural” or even “all-natural.” [Read more…] about Eating natural food
A tree deformity that’s in demand
To most people, a tree burl wouldn’t look like anything special – in fact, these rounded growths found on tree trunks and branches are actually minor deformities. [Read more…] about A tree deformity that’s in demand
Let’s talk about ammonia
Most of us are familiar with ammonia as an irritating gas that is emitted from window-cleaning fluids. It is a great way to cut through grease that has condensed on glass. [Read more…] about Let’s talk about ammonia
Giving women equal footing in science
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A recent pair of articles in The New York Times and Scientific American looked at the under-representation of women in science, technology, engineering, and math. Why, at a time when women are alleged to have equal opportunities, are their numbers so limited? [Read more…] about Giving women equal footing in science
Methane: It’s a gas
Methane, also known as natural gas, is found at a concentration of nearly 2 parts per million in Earth’s atmosphere. It comes from a wide range of natural sources, including decay in swamps and seepage from the Earth’s crust. [Read more…] about Methane: It’s a gas
Climate change, oysters, and super-sized crabs
Super-sized crabs may be the next side effect of climate change, according to scientists at the University of North Carolina’s Aquarium Research Center. Researchers analyzed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs kept in both high-carbon and low-carbon tanks. Crabs in the high-carbon tanks grew at almost four times the rate of the other crabs. [Read more…] about Climate change, oysters, and super-sized crabs
The latest word on climate change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, also known as the IPCC, recently released its latest assessment of the current state of scientific understanding regarding climate change. This is the fifth in the series, which began in 1990. At more than 2000 pages and with more than 250 authors, the report is a monumental attempt to bring the world’s best scientists together to see where we stand in regard to human impacts on Earth’s climate. [Read more…] about The latest word on climate change
The killing fields
To control weeds, American farmers apply vast amounts of herbicides to their fields each year. Glyphosphate is one of the most widely used herbicides; it’s effective at killing grasses, broadleaf, and woody plants. Crops tolerate it because they are genetically modified to be glyphosphate-resistant. [Read more…] about The killing fields
Fuel from landfills
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Landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States. About 18% of the human sources of this potent greenhouse gas comes from the decomposition of solid waste. [Read more…] about Fuel from landfills
Land use leaves a lasting impact on forests
How do Northeastern forests compare with those a settler might have encountered 400 years ago? According to a new study by researchers at Harvard Forest and the Smithsonian, there are stark contrasts between pre-colonial forests and those of today. [Read more…] about Land use leaves a lasting impact on forests
A bad year for the Arctic
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012 was one of the warmest years since global temperatures have been recorded. This was especially evident in the Arctic, where the effects of warmer temperatures led to several records being broken. [Read more…] about A bad year for the Arctic
Fracking waters contaminate river sediments
Wastewater is produced during oil and gas production, from both conventional and non-conventional wells, including fracking. In the exploitation of the Marcellus shale formation for natural gas, some of the flowback water is derived from the fracking fluids used to release the gas at depth. Some is derived from the shale itself. [Read more…] about Fracking waters contaminate river sediments
If you can’t beat 'em, eat 'em!
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When it comes to seafood, sustainability is a hot topic – around the world, fisheries are over-exploited and popular commercial fish populations are struggling to survive. At the same time, invasive species such as Asian carp are wreaking havoc on ecosystems and further threatening indigenous marine life. [Read more…] about If you can’t beat 'em, eat 'em!
Crowdfunding energy
Crowdfunding has become very popular for musicians, artists, and even inventors. Recently, 1,700 Dutch households set a crowdfunding record by raising $1.8 million in just 13 hours. What did they get for their money? A 2-megawatt wind turbine. [Read more…] about Crowdfunding energy
Is fresh cafeteria food possible?
Like the ironic concept of “jumbo” shrimp, the idea of fresh school meals seems contradictory. After all, tater tots and chicken nuggets are staples in the country’s 30 million daily school lunches. [Read more…] about Is fresh cafeteria food possible?
Methane on the rise
In coastal ocean sediments, methane produced by decaying organic matter can collect in solid form. Known as a hydrate, this form of methane is stable at cold temperatures and high pressures. But when it’s brought to the surface, it converts from solid to gas, and the escaping methane can be ignited with a match. [Read more…] about Methane on the rise
Composting: Recycling's final frontier
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the US produced 250 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2011 and more than half of it was compostable materials such as yard trimmings, paper and cardboard, and food waste. [Read more…] about Composting: Recycling's final frontier
Making Halloween a little greener
From disposable plastic costumes and decorations to toxic face paint, Halloween can be an ecological nightmare. But with some simple tricks, families can make their festivities a little greener. [Read more…] about Making Halloween a little greener
Tracking disease in a warming world
