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Earth Wise
All about hibernation
We know that certain mammals hibernate in the winter. But it turns out, there are a couple of different approaches to hibernation. [Read more…] about All about hibernation
Fuel from the sun
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We’ve learned to harvest some of the sun’s energy with solar hot water heaters and photovoltaic panels. These green technologies serve us well when the sun is shining. But neither compares to the ability that plants have to convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates – the process known as photosynthesis. [Read more…] about Fuel from the sun
Carbon sequestration in soils and forests
Like other chemical elements, carbon is frequently on the move in nature. Natural processes transport it from the atmosphere, where it appears as carbon dioxide, to the oceans and on to land. On land, carbon can reside for hundreds of years in soil and in trees and other woody plants. [Read more…] about Carbon sequestration in soils and forests
Who shares the planet with us?
Today conservation biologists, much like the early explorers of North America, strive to describe the variety of life living on Earth, from plants and animals to microbes. [Read more…] about Who shares the planet with us?
How mammals survive the winter
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I go birdwatching at least once a week, even in the winter. When I’m walking on unplowed roads or trails, I see lots of animal tracks. It seems that our northeastern forests are lively places even in the winter. [Read more…] about How mammals survive the winter
Curbing carbon pollution
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Congress seems unable to tackle the problem of global climate change, driven by rising concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth’s atmosphere. Some feel that a carbon tax would stifle the weak economy. Others don’t like regulations or taxes at all. [Read more…] about Curbing carbon pollution
Digging for geothermal energy
Since prehistoric times, people have used hot springs, which are warmed by Earth’s mantle, for bathing and heating. Nowadays, geothermal energy is used to make electricity, producing over 10 gigawatts globally. [Read more…] about Digging for geothermal energy
Chronic lead exposure packs a toxic punch
Lead is a potent neurotoxin; exposure to lead can lead to reduced IQ and cognitive problems, among other ills. In the 1970s, lead was removed from household paint. And in the 1990s, we phased out leaded gasoline. In recent years it seemed like we had almost won the public health battle against lead exposure. [Read more…] about Chronic lead exposure packs a toxic punch
Drowning in fossil fuels
The need to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels has been driven by at least three distinct considerations: the impact of fossil fuels on the environment, the geopolitics of oil, and the increasing scarcity of fossil fuel resources. [Read more…] about Drowning in fossil fuels
Reconciling the needs of humans and animals
We’ve talked a lot on this program about the importance of biodiversity. Diverse populations of birds, animals, and insects provide important services to people, including pollination, pest control, and nutrient cycling. [Read more…] about Reconciling the needs of humans and animals
The history and future of mass extinctions
Speciation and extinction are ordinary processes in the natural world. In speciation, new species evolve that are adapted to a particular ecological niche. In extinction, species are lost for good, often because changes in the environment deprive them of the food or habitat to which they are adapted. [Read more…] about The history and future of mass extinctions
Will more people really improve the environment?
Recently the Wall Street Journal and USA Today carried articles reporting on the work of Jonathan Last, a journalist who fears that the declining U.S. birth rate will lead to our country’s economic decline. Today, we have 4 workers to support every retired person. By 2030, Last calculates that this will drop to 2.5—an economic burden that will sap the nation of its economic vitality. [Read more…] about Will more people really improve the environment?
Saving energy with a new car
Fuel economy in cars is going up. The 2025 CAFÉ standard for cars is over 54 miles per gallon. Hybrids and plug-in vehicles reduce the amount of energy we use to drive, and we all should want to lower our energy consumption and our carbon footprint. But does buying a high-mileage car really help? [Read more…] about Saving energy with a new car
Frankenbugs?
There are few creatures more deadly than the tiny Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits malaria, dengue fever and other infectious diseases. Malaria is one of the world’s great killers, claiming about 800,000 lives each year. [Read more…] about Frankenbugs?
Food waste: A global problem
Some 30-50% of food produced globally is never eaten. So reports a recent study by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, an independent UK-based engineering society with a focus on energy and environment. [Read more…] about Food waste: A global problem
Pharmaceutical pollution leads to fearless fish
Researchers in Sweden have found that when wild perch are exposed to Oxazepam, a common anti-anxiety medication, they undergo surprising changes in their behavior and feeding rate. [Read more…] about Pharmaceutical pollution leads to fearless fish
How many dollars does it take to change a light bulb?
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There have been heated debates about light bulbs ever since Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This law imposed efficiency standards that spelled the end of the incandescent bulb. Since its passage, the law’s requirements have been under attack from many quarters. [Read more…] about How many dollars does it take to change a light bulb?
Solar panel payback
Solar panels are becoming a common sight on rooftops. A combination of dropping prices, new incentives, and the growing availability of solar leases is making solar power more and more popular. People are reducing or even entirely eliminating their electric bills with these systems. [Read more…] about Solar panel payback
How green is a green car?
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