sunflower
Environment

The main drivers of food scarcity that lead to so much starvation around the world, and how can they be addressed?

Food scarcity is a bigger problem than ever as human population numbers continue to swell, putting additional stress on already fragile food production and distribution systems. And it’s not just happening in far away places: A recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that the number of U.S. homes “lacking food security” rose […]

sunflower
Environment

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I heard that my food choices can affect the use and therefore availability of fresh water around the world. How so?                                                            — Denise Beck, Washington, DC   Our food choices and the availability of fresh water are inextricably linked. The crux of the problem is that human population numbers keep […]

sunflower
Environment

A garden that encourages bees and butterflies. What’s the best approach?

Attracting bees and butterflies to a garden is a noble pursuit indeed, given that we all depend on these species and others (beetles, wasps, flies, hummingbirds, etc.) to pollinate the plants that provide us with so much of our food, shelter and other necessities of life. In fact, increased awareness of the essential role pollinators […]

sunflower
Environment

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: I like the feel of carpeting, but I’m concerned about all the chemicals. What are some good non-chemical (but still soft!) options?                            — Jennifer Jones, Madison, WI Modern day carpets, in all their plush and stain-resistant glory, are wonders of technology and help make our homes and workplaces more comfortable. […]

sunflower
Environment

Green your laundry room

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: How can I have a greener, healthier laundry room?       — Billie Alexander, Topeka, KS While there are many ways to green one’s laundry room, one place to start is with detergent. Luckily, in 2009 the federal government phased out phosphates, harsh chemicals that help break down […]

sunflower
Environment

Environmental justice movement wins victories

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I understand that the “environmental justice” movement seeks to protect the poor and non-white communities from being unfairly targeted to host activities like sewage treatment plants, landfills and polluting factories. Have there been notable victories?  — P. Silver, Peekskill, NY The environmental justice movement was born in […]

sunflower
Environment

My family has bad allergies and I’d like to improve our indoor air quality

Dear EarthTalk: My family has bad allergies and I’d like to improve our indoor air quality. What are some steps I should take? — Marcia Lane, Scranton, PA Even for those of us without allergies, poor indoor air quality is an often overlooked health issue. Recent research has shown that the air inside some buildings […]

sunflower
Environment

Dangers of non-stick cookware

Dear EarthTalk: I’ve read conflicting reports about the dangers of non-stick cookware. I have a set of older non-stick pans and am not sure if I need to replace them. Are they harmful to use, particularly if they have a few scratches?                          — Miriam Jones, Montgomery, AL   It may be time to […]

sunflower
Environment

World’s fisheries on brink of collapse

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I understand that many of the world’s fisheries are on the brink of collapse, “fished out,” to put it bluntly. How did this happen and what is being done about it? — Mariel LaPlante, New Orleans, LA   Many of the world’s fisheries are indeed in crisis […]

sunflower
Environment

What is “biomass” and why is it controversial as a potential source of energy

Dear EarthTalk: What is “biomass” and why is it controversial as a potential source of energy?                 — Edward White, New Bedford, MA Biomass is plant matter that is burned as a source of energy. Fallen or cut wood that is burned for heat is one primary form of biomass, but another includes plant […]