EarthTalk
EarthTalk: Could bamboo be the future of sustainable construction?
Dear EarthTalk: Why are some people in the green building industry so bullish on bamboo? —Tim Carey, Puyallup, WA Jan. 17. Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, is well-known as a rudimentary building material used for many centuries. Today, although the resource is often limited to scaffolding or remote housing projects, advocates […]
EarthTalk: What is Jimmy Carter’s environmental legacy?
Dear EarthTalk: What is Jimmy Carter’s environmental legacy? —B.N., Athens, GA Jan. 10. Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President, made a lasting impact on environmental policy. His robust initiatives to protect natural resources and advance clean energy established the foundation for environmental policy in subsequent decades. Despite obstacles, his efforts in land preservation, energy efficiency […]
EarthTalk: Attention cranberry sauce lovers
Dear EarthTalk: Is climate change decimating the cranberry industry? —D.K., Chico, CA Dec. 20. Cranberries are a vital crop in the U.S., deeply intertwined with the nation’s agricultural economy and cultural identity. Grown predominantly in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Wisconsin, cranberries significantly contribute to regional economies. However, the industry now faces growing challenges due to […]
Chloride-based de-icers have a chilling effect on vegetation
Dear EarthTalk: Are road salts and other de-icing chemicals bad for the environment? And if, so are greener alternatives available? —Jane Willis, Fairfield, IA Nov. 15. Traditional de-icers, particularly chloride-based compounds such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, can have various detrimental effects on the environment. According to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual, chloride-based […]
Video games can educate young people about environmental issues
Dear EarthTalk: What are some video games that educate young people about environmental issues? —Concerned parent, Skokie, IL As the climate crisis gets more pressing, video games are emerging as powerful tools to educate young people about environmental issues. Games offer an interactive, engaging platform where players can explore complex challenges like climate change, conservation […]
EarthTalk: What do bees know?
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that bee populations are healthier in and around organic farms than elsewhere and if so, why? —Martin Mason, St. Louis, MO Oct.4. According to experts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, bees are responsible for a third of the world’s food production. Flowering plants, which make up about […]
Keep pets safe from the heat
Dear EarthTalk: How can I keep my pets safe during the increasingly frequent heat waves we are experiencing lately? —Mary B., Bern, NC Sept. 28. Summer may be over but the heat still lingers in much of the US and elsewhere. As such, the need to keep pets safe becomes an increasing concern. Heat poses […]
Dam: What’s up with these water-stopping relics?
Dear EarthTalk: What’s the story with so-called “deadbeat dams” causing ecosystem problems across the country? — George H., Seattle, WA Sept. 20. The invention of dams was certainly one of humanity’s most innovative feats of engineering. Able to harness power from the water currents, reserving water and effectively controlling floods, dams have been crucial to […]
EarthTalk: What’s being done to phase out Styrofoam?
Aug. 29. Dear EarthTalk: Styrofoam is terrible for the environment and hard to recycle but still prevalent across the U.S. What’s being done to phase it out? — Michael Brophy, Boston, MA Plastic foam, better known under its brand name of Styrofoam, has been used for insulation, packaging and foodware (cups, takeout containers, etc.) for […]
EarthTalk: Coming clean about pesticides on food
Dear EarthTalk: What’s the most effective way to remove pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables that I buy at the supermarket? —R.L.J., Kansas City, KS Aug. 23. For decades, pesticides have been a vital tool for farmers to ensure that their harvests aren’t overgrown by weeds or eaten by pests. As a result, pesticides remain […]
