Earth Wise
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
There are many consequences of climate change, but here’s one you probably haven’t considered: swamp rats. As winters warm, large, semi-aquatic rodents called nutria have been expanding their range. [Read more…] about Swamp rats: Coming to a neighborhood near you
Solar philanthropy
About 20% of the Earth’s population – roughly 1.5 billion people – live without electricity. Mostly, these people are in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, along with some in Latin America and the Middle East. [Read more…] about Solar philanthropy
Reducing paper waste
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This fall, New York State residents will have the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment that would save countless trees. [Read more…] about Reducing paper waste
Streams and rivers on rolaids
Our activities are changing the water chemistry of many streams and rivers in the Eastern U.S., with consequences for water supplies and aquatic life. [Read more…] about Streams and rivers on rolaids
Mapping renewable energy
Developing and emerging nations face serious energy challenges and renewable energy sources represent key resources that they need to exploit. Many of these countries have abundant renewable resources but at the same time have substantial portions of their population without any access to electricity. [Read more…] about Mapping renewable energy
Lots of fuel from pond scum
Algae contain lots of oil – or lipids – and these can be used to produce biodiesel. There are other biofuels that can be derived from algae as well. There is enough promise in this technology that researchers in academia and industry are investigating ways to improve it by growing algae that contain more oil, that live longer, and that live in a wider range of environments. [Read more…] about Lots of fuel from pond scum
Global dimming
Scientists refer to the reflectivity of a surface as its albedo. Snow and ice have high albedo relative to soil and water. The average albedo can be measured for any area that contains a diversity of surfaces. [Read more…] about Global dimming
Keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are currently facing a significant threat from invasive carp. [Read more…] about Keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes
A greener way to heat and cool your home
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Heat pumps are a special type of air conditioner that can not only cool your home by expelling heat to the outside, but can also heat your home by bringing heat back in. There are two types: air source and ground source. [Read more…] about A greener way to heat and cool your home
To invest, or divest: that is the question
This fall, as college and university students return to campus, we’ll hear more about divestiture—a demand by student activists that universities cease to invest in companies that produce energy from sources that add climate-warming carbon dioxide to our atmosphere. [Read more…] about To invest, or divest: that is the question
There’s a whole lot of shaking going on
One of the side-effects of the extraction of natural gas by hydraulic fracture, widely known as fracking, is the possibility that the injection of water into gas-bearing rocks will cause earthquakes. There is no doubt that this can happen, but as summarized in a recent paper by William Ellsworth of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earthquake Science Center, the earthquakes from these oil and gas wells are too small to pose a significant hazard. Most are below magnitude 2.0, which can barely be sensed by humans. [Read more…] about There’s a whole lot of shaking going on
Recycling in the forest
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As the long days of summer wane, and we feel a chill in the air, we know that autumn is on the way. In the past, we’ve discussed why the leaves of forest trees turn brilliant colors in the fall. Some pigments degrade, allowing us to see others that have been hidden behind the scenes. [Read more…] about Recycling in the forest
Daylighting buried rivers
For more than a hundred years, cities around the world have buried their streams and small rivers, routing the water into pipes and paving over the top. But now, environmental research and the desire to revitalize our urban spaces have led to the reemergence of many of these urban waterways. The process is called “daylighting.” [Read more…] about Daylighting buried rivers
Sharing is caring
One of the best and least expensive ways to reduce the amount of energy we use is by using it more efficiently. Efficiency measures can have as big an overall impact as the use of newer energy technologies such as wind and solar power. [Read more…] about Sharing is caring
The unfortunate state of the world’s conifers
