Photo caption: Harvard scientists with funding from Bill Gates want to launch some research balloons over the American Southwest to test their hypothesis that releasing dust into the stratosphere could counter global warming and keep our environment from overheating. Credit: SCoPEx. Dear EarthTalk: Is the plan to sprinkle dust in the stratosphere to reflect some […]
Photo caption: The first American institution of higher learning to focus primarily on the relationship between humans and the environment, the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine became the first carbon-neutral college in 2007 and plans to be completely rid of fossil fuels on campus by 2030. Dear EarthTalk: I’m going into my […]
Photo caption: If the Pebble Mine project is allowed to proceed after all, the nearby Bristol Bay fishery — one of the richest in the world — may never recover. Emma Forsberg, FlickrCC. Dear EarthTalk: What’s the background of the controversy over whether to allow development of a big copper and gold mine near Alaska’s […]
Photo caption: Some airlines are investing in newer planes and working with airports to alter their flight paths and schedules for the sake of reducing noise pollution. Credit: Snapwire, Pexels. Dear EarthTalk: I’ve noticed more and more air traffic over my house in Seattle and I’m getting a little sick of all the noise. Is […]
Bioluminescence — otherwise known as “nature’s light” — is heat-free and great for medical, military and myriad other pollution-free applications. Credit: Joshua Lambus, FlickrCC. Dear EarthTalk: Is there any way we could harness the light from bioluminescent organisms for everyday lighting and other practical purposes? — M. Wilson, Framingham, MA Bioluminescence—defined by Merriam-Webster as “the […]
Photo caption: Glampers staying at Roam Beyond’s Kalaloch site on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula can spend the night listening to the sounds of the pounding surf and chirping birdsong in an eco-friendly, solar-powered camping trailer. Credit: Homegrown Trailers. Dear EarthTalk: I was never keen on tent camping but I hear that the new “glamping” trend takes […]
Photo caption: This graphic shows the United Kingdom as represented in a Global Climate Model (GCM), a Regional Climate Model (RCM) and actual observations. Credit: Met Office. Dear EarthTalk: What are so-called regional climate models and why do we need them given that we already have pretty decent global climate models? — Rich W., Seattle, WA […]
Photo caption: This past May, the non-profit CERES got 75 major American companies to join forces in lobbying Congress to pass legislation to fight climate change. Credit: Donna & Keith, FlickrCC. Dear EarthTalk: What are American businesses doing to help the U.S. meet its Paris climate accord commitments? — M. Francis, New York, NY Not […]
Photo caption: Carbon Engineering has proven at its Canadian pilot plant in Squamish, British Columbia that it can suck greenhouse gases out of the air through so-called Direct Air Capture (DAC) and process them into liquid fuels at a cost nearly as cheap as producing fossil fuels. Dear EarthTalk: If we already know how to […]
Photo caption: Tea tree oil, witch hazel and milk of magnesia are just a few of the all-natural treatments you can use to make pimples go away and keep problem acne at bay. Credit: Kjerstin Michaela, Pixabay. Dear EarthTalk: I suffer from occasional acne but am loathe to treat it with harsh chemicals. Do you […]
