environment
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 […]
EarthTalk: Can we decarbonize the live music industry?
Dear EarthTalk: Is there an environmental/climate impact of the huge growth in the live music and concert industry over the last couple of decades? —Julia E., Sacramento, CA Nov. 1. The live music industry has skyrocketed over the last few decades. In 2023, the multinational Live Nation Entertainment reported 145 million fans […]
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: Steps cities can take to cool down
Dear EarthTalk: Cities seem to be heating up fast more so than less urban areas. What can we do to keep them cool in the face of increasing global warming? —Paul Smith, Providence, RI Oct. 18. As global warming intensifies, cities worldwide are experiencing an accelerated rise in temperatures compared to less urban areas. This […]
How big a problem are plastics in food packaging?
Dear EarthTalk: Are we really all exposed to many hazardous chemicals that come off the packaging our food travels in? What can we do to minimize our exposure to these potential toxins in our food? —William Freleigh, Newark, DE Oct. 11. A large percentage of our food packaging contains toxic Food Contact Chemicals […]
Wastewater overflow in 16000 block/area of Jetton
Oct. 11. Charlotte Water is reporting a wastewater overflow in the 16000 area of Jetton Road due to a low pressure pipe leaking wastewater into Lake Norman. A pipe failure caused the overflow and an estimated 255 gallons (out of 510 gallons) reached Lake Norman Most homes along the lakes are served by low pressure […]
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: Can we predict where and when wildfires will occur?
Dear EarthTalk: How can we get better at predicting when and where wildfires will occur so we can adequately mitigate their impact? —R.K., Tarrytown, NY Sept. 13. In recent years, wildfire incidents have intensified, driven by factors including climate change, land use patterns and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. As we grapple with the growing risk, […]
