Dear EarthTalk: I saw an article on sugar’s effects on the environment. Has anyone compared different sweeteners (artificial or natural) for their environmental impacts? — Terri Oelrich, via e-mail The production of sugar has indeed taken a huge environmental toll. “Sugar has arguably had as great an impact on the environment as any other agricultural […]
Dear EarthTalk: What is solar geo-engineering and how can it help stave off global warming? — Jamie Renquist, Salem, OR Solar geo-engineering is a term describing any of various techniques for reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the Earth and its atmosphere. Researchers are exploring the feasibility of utilizing solar geo-engineering to reflect some […]
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that American kids are going through puberty earlier today than in previous generations, and are there any environmental causes for this? — Paul Chase, Troy, NY Research indicates that indeed Americans girls and boys are going through puberty earlier than ever, though the reasons are unclear. Many believe our […]
Dear EarthTalk: What is the new documentary film A Fierce Green Fire about and what does the title refer to? — Gloria Howard, Washington, DC A Fierce Green Fire is a new film documenting the rise of the modern environmental movement from the 1960s through the present day. It premiered at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and […]
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that human overpopulation isn’t such a big issue any more as numbers are expected to start declining in a few decades? — Melinda Mason, Boone, IA Ever since Thomas Malthus published “An Essay on the Principle of Population” in 1798, positing incorrectly that humans’ proclivity for procreation would exhaust the […]
Dear EarthTalk: What are “ghost factories?” — Philip Walker, Hartford, CT In April 2012, USA TODAY published a series entitled “Ghost Factories,” a report on an investigation into lead contaminated soil in hundreds of neighborhoods around the U.S. where lead factories once operated. The investigation addressed the lack of action taken by the U.S. Environmental […]
Dear EarthTalk: I understand that there are many internships available at environmental organizations, some involving working outdoors, some year-round with expenses paid. Where do I find these? — Jason Baar, Los Angeles, CA Internships can provide professional experience and on-the-job training for individuals looking to enter the environmental field. There are numerous […]
EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Three regions in California recently implemented transportation plans as part of a statewide strategy for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Can you explain? — Bill Oakes, Reno, NV Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about global warming even as Washington politicians continue to debate whether or not to mandate […]
Dear EarthTalk: What is the gist of President Obama’s new plan to tackle global warming and how does the green community feel about what the White House is proposing? — Bill Kemp, Seattle WA In what’s being billed as the greatest environmental initiative of his presidency, Barack Obama announced on June 25, 2013 that his […]
Dear EarthTalk: How far along are we at developing algae-based and other higher yield sources of biofuels? — Jason McCabe, Tullahoma, TN A few years ago biofuels were all the rage. Environmental advocates to national security hawks alike were extolling the virtues of ethanol and biodiesel as a carbon-neutral bridge to our energy future. But […]
