environment
EarthTalk: Is dish soap really that bad?
Dear EarthTalk: Are mainstream dish soaps really that bad for the planet? And if so, what are some greener alternatives? —P. McGrath, Boulder, CO Dec. 13. Popular dish soaps often claim to easily tackle grease, leave dishes sparkling clean and uphold commitments to sustainability and safety. But the promises are often misleading. These products may […]
EarthTalk: Is glass recycling worthwhile?
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that glass recycling isn’t worthwhile and that some municipalities are stopping doing it? —R. Bigelow, Houston, TX Dec. 6. Glass recycling has long been touted as a sustainable way to reduce waste and conserve resources. But in recent years—while glass remains theoretically recyclable and environmentally friendly—a growing number of municipalities […]
EarthTalk: Where are the ‘climate refuges’ in light of the devastation in Western NC?
Dear EarthTalk: Have extreme weather events in places like Asheville made people rethink where they consider to be good “climate refuges” as the world warms? —K.L., Raleigh Nov. 22. The concept of the “climate refuge,” or a location relatively unaffected by extreme weather phenomena, arose in response to the growing frequency of tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, […]
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 […]
