Earth Wise
Urban Forests
In earlier segments, we’ve discussed how trees improve our mental and social well-being. Trees increase property values in neighborhoods where they are planted. Through the evaporation of soil water, trees cool the urban environment, reducing the need for air conditioning. In fact, a number of cities have embarked on large campaigns to plant trees within the city limits. [Read more…] about Urban Forests
Gauging the health of the world’s ecosystems
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources – also known as the IUCN – has been undertaking an ambitious inventory of the world’s plants and animals. [Read more…] about Gauging the health of the world’s ecosystems
The poison in your toothpaste
Chances are good that you’ve never heard of triclosan, despite the fact that the chemical is in everything from toothpaste to children’s toys. Triclosan is added to products to slow or stop the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mildew. A survey found that some three-quarters of Americans between 6 and 65 have residues of triclosan in their bodies. [Read more…] about The poison in your toothpaste
Effective carbon pricing
Many arguments consider the best way to reduce greenhouse gas or carbon dioxide emissions and to limit the effects of global warming. Some promote a cap-and-trade system, in which limits are set for those that emit CO2. If they do better than their allocation, they can trade excess credits; if they do poorly, they must buy credits on the open market. [Read more…] about Effective carbon pricing
Swimming to cooler waters
There’s been a lot of anecdotal evidence that fish are migrating as a result of global warming. Over the past few decades, folks in the fishing industry have been noticing shifts in the quantity and type of their catch. [Read more…] about Swimming to cooler waters
Habitats from offshore wind
One of the criticisms of offshore wind farms is the potential for disruption of natural habits for wildlife, namely sea creatures and birds. As a result, environmental impact studies are a big part of the wind permitting process. [Read more…] about Habitats from offshore wind
Green power leaders
More and more businesses and households in the US are embracing renewable energy. In fact, some of the biggest companies in the nation have adopted green power in a major way. [Read more…] about Green power leaders
What makes the water rise in trees?
Did you ever wonder how water gets to the top of trees? Defying physics, water rises even to the top of 300-foot redwoods by the draw of the atmosphere. Almost like sucking on a straw, the atmosphere pulls water upward from the soil, through the plants, where it is lost from leaves in the process known as transpiration. [Read more…] about What makes the water rise in trees?
Celebrate an anniversary for the environment
The seeds of America’s modern environmental movement were sown 50 years ago on Storm King Mountain, along the Hudson River. [Read more…] about Celebrate an anniversary for the environment
Offshore Wind Moves Ahead
[audio:http://wamcradio.org/EarthWise/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/EW-06-25-13-Offshore-Wind-Moves-Ahead.mp3|titles=EW 06-25-13 Offshore Wind Moves Ahead]
Despite a decade of controversy and dispute, offshore wind technology is moving ahead in the United States. [Read more…] about Offshore Wind Moves Ahead
Living big by living small
Cohousing is a type of living arrangement that is strongly focused on community. Families live in their own privately owned homes. But typically, a common house and shared outside spaces ensure that neighbors get to know each other, through community meals and outdoor activities like gardening and recreation. [Read more…] about Living big by living small
Marine invaders in the global marketplace
Next time you go shopping, keep an eye out for the origins of the things you purchase. From kiwis grown in Chile to shirts made in Bangladesh – we are living in the age of the global marketplace. [Read more…] about Marine invaders in the global marketplace
A weight loss program for the planet
A gallon of gas weighs 6.1 pounds. When that gas is burned, in your car, your leaf blower, or your lawnmower, it creates 18.2 pounds of carbon dioxide, or almost three times the weight of that original gallon of gas. [Read more…] about A weight loss program for the planet
Plug-in Hybrids
These days, there’s a lot of interest in electric cars. There are many reasons to want to drive cars using electricity instead of gas, but doing so is still not easy. [Read more…] about Plug-in Hybrids
Wild bees are unsung heroes
For more than a decade, pollinator populations have been declining. Causes are varied, from loss of habitat and pesticide exposure to the spread of parasitic mites. We have a lot of insight into the plight of managed honeybees. But wild bees and other insect pollinators are also struggling, and a new publication highlights why this should be of concern. [Read more…] about Wild bees are unsung heroes
Renewables in the South Pacific
Small Pacific island nations and territories generally have small populations and rather tiny energy demands. Despite this fact, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that these places are expected to account for 17% of the world’s new renewable energy installed over the next 5 years. [Read more…] about Renewables in the South Pacific
New ideas from old barns
Driving around the Hudson Valley, I see a lot of old barns that were built into hillsides. This isn’t the result of poor planning but of really smart planning. [Read more…] about New ideas from old barns
A little black box with a voracious appetite
When you’re ready to buy a new computer, cell phone, TV, or tablet, you have many choices. You probably do a lot of research and choose a model with the features that you need the most. [Read more…] about A little black box with a voracious appetite
Nitrous oxide: It’s more than laughing gas
