Earth Talk

Untitled Document Coal used to fuel power plants and other industrial activity is a key culprit in pollution and climate change. So what is “clean coal”? The term “clean coal” describes various processes that remove pollutants from coal, our cheapest, most abundant, and dirtiest energy source. By reducing coal’s environmental footprint through technological wizardry, the […]

Untitled Document What is the status of sharks around the world? Marine biologists report that sharks are in rapid decline around the world. In the North Atlantic, shark populations have declined by more than 50 percent over the past 20 years alone, with some species now nearing extinction. Experts see overfishing, which depletes sharks and […]

Untitled Document What goes into chocolate that would raise environmental concerns? Like coffee beans, the cacao seeds from which we derive chocolate can only be grown successfully in equatorial regions — right where the world’s few remaining tropical rainforests thrive. As worldwide demand for chocolate grows, so does the temptation among growers to clear more […]

Untitled Document What is the impact of all the littering that individuals do, largely from their cars and on highways? How can we strengthen laws to prevent it? Environmentalists consider litter a nasty side effect of our convenience-oriented disposable culture. Just to highlight the scope of the problem: California alone spends $28 million a year […]

Untitled Document What should consumers look for in natural furniture? Along with replacing your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents and driving your car less, upgrading to greener furniture is one of the healthiest things you can do for your family and the planet. Most furniture is made with wood from the tropics, so the […]

Untitled Document How do we find out about recycling the many other items we use that eventually break or die out, such as light bulbs, disposable batteries, portable electronics, and so on?  It’s true that recycling items other than paper, plastic, and glass is still no easy task, but if you’re committed to unloading something […]

Untitled Document How much of an effect, if any, does the carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages have on global warming? A typical 12-ounce can of soda contains as much as 6 grams (0.013 pounds) of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, which either escapes into the atmosphere from the liquid on being opened or from your body […]

Untitled Document How does one safely remove old vinyl flooring that contains asbestos — and what are some green alternatives? Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be used in a variety of industrial applications because of its strong flexible fibers, its resistance to heat and chemicals, and the fact that it does not […]

Untitled Document What is the impact of new roads and parking lots? The history of paving dates back to Roman times if not earlier, but our modern society has taken the practice to the extreme. Originally conceived as a way to make dirt- and mud-covered thoroughfares passable, roads (and parking lots) now cover the majority […]

Untitled Document In light of the massive recalls of Chinese-made children’s toys, what are the major issues associated with chemicals in toys? Recent concerns surrounding toxic chemicals in children’s toys have focused on “phthalates” (pronounced THA-lates), a group of chemical compounds typically added to plastics to increase their softness and flexibility, and bisphenol A (BPA), […]

Untitled Document Should cats stay in or go out? They do kill wildlife, including birds, but aren’t they just taking the place of natural predators that once did the same? Most environmental advocates believe that keeping cats indoors is better for both the health of the felines themselves and for their prey. Scientists estimate that […]

Untitled Document Is it true that refilling and reusing some types of plastic bottles can cause health problems? Most types of plastic bottles are safe to reuse at least a few times if properly washed with hot soapy water — but recent revelations about chemicals in Lexan (plastic No. 7) bottles are enough to scare […]