gas station
Environment

What are “dirty fuels” and why are they so called?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: What are “dirty fuels” and why are they so called?— Bill Green, Seattle, WA The term “dirty fuels” refers to fuels derived from tar sands, oil shale or liquid coal. Just like their more conventional fossil fuel counterparts such as petroleum and coal, they can be turned […]

sunflower
Environment

Pollutants in car interior materials

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Can you discuss pollutants in car interior materials, and also pollution inside cars originating from gasoline and diesel exhausts outside the car? — Mervyn Kline, Philadelphia, PA The interior of your car may seem like a safe haven from air pollution, but it may actually be quite […]

sunflower
Environment

California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Law

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 […]

sunflower
Environment

Barack Obama's Climate Change Initiative

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 […]

sunflower
Environment

Is this the worst drought since 1930s?

Dear EarthTalk: Could it really be true that we are in the midst of the worst drought in the United States since the 1930s? — Deborah Lynn, Needham, MA Indeed we are embroiled in what many consider the worst drought in the U.S. since the “Dust Bowl” days of the 1930s that rendered some 50 […]