sunflower
Environment

I recently heard that Sweden is the greenest country in the world. Is this true and, if so, by what standards? And where does the U.S. rank?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I recently heard that Sweden is the greenest country in the world. Is this true and, if so, by what standards? And where does the U.S. rank? — Raul Swain, New York, NY It’s true that Sweden came out on top in the recently released ranking of […]

sunflower
Environment

What’s the latest on efforts to ban plastic bags? How many U.S. locales have instituted some kind of ban, and have these initiatives made a dent in the amount of plastic litter?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: What’s the latest on efforts to ban plastic bags? How many U.S. locales have instituted some kind of ban, and have these initiatives made a dent in the amount of plastic litter?     — Melinda Clarke, New York, NY California made big news recently when it […]

sunflower
Environment

What are some of the more dangerous threats to our air quality and what can be done to eliminate them so we can all breathe more easily?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: What are some of the more dangerous threats to our air quality and what can be done to eliminate them so we can all breathe more easily? — Melanie Smith, Pomfret, CT The main threats to local air quality across the United States (as well as most […]

sunflower
Environment

How is it that some food purveyors are contributing to the destruction of tropical rainforests by ditching unhealthy “trans fats?”

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: How is it that some food purveyors are contributing to the destruction of tropical rainforests by ditching unhealthy “trans fats?” — Billy S., Salem, OR Most public health advocates applaud efforts by processed food producers, restaurants and fast food chains to get rid of so-called “trans fats”—partially […]

sunflower
Environment

We must really be swimming in electronic waste, what with all the iPhones and other devices that are so common. How is this all being dealt with?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: We must really be swimming in electronic waste, what with all the iPhones and other devices that are so common. How is this all being dealt with?      — Mary Shufelt, New Bern, NC With electronic equipment and gadgets the fastest growing waste stream in many countries, how to […]