Dear EarthTalk: We often see and read reports about environmental threats to women’s health, but aren’t there also concerns about which men should be especially vigilant? — Jay Walsh, Boston, MA Indeed, women aren’t the only ones who should be worried about environmental threats. A recently released report (“Men’s Health: What You Don’t Know Might Hurt […]
Backyard firepits provide a nice ambience but neighbors wonder whether the wood smoke is compromising their air quality especially as they leave windows open during the warmer months.
A growing number of researchers believe that certain chemicals collectively known as “obesogens” — including some pharmaceuticals (especially antidepressants), nicotine, and perhaps most worrisome, many household cleaning products and air fresheners…
What can we do to help prevent wildfires as summer approaches?
Dear EarthTalk: Where are some good “eco-travel” destinations right here in the continental U.S. that I can consider for a family vacation? — Janet Devino, Brooklyn, NY Many of us are looking to green our lifestyles today and this commitment to Mother Earth can also include how and where we travel. And those of us looking […]
Dear EarthTalk: What can I do to help prevent deforestation in the Amazon even if I don’t live in the region? — Janine Greco, Nutley, NJ The fact that our climate, our air and our water know no national borders means that the forests are our mutual responsibility. We all depend on their services and we […]
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that fuel cell cars aren’t really any greener than conventional gas-powered internal combustion cars? — Michelle Adamo, Portland, OR A decade ago cars powered by fuel cells seemed like the future of green automotive travel, but many analysts now think otherwise. These futuristic cars run on hydrogen fuel and emit only […]
Dear EarthTalk: I thought that putting ethanol in our gas tanks was going help fight climate change, but lately I’ve heard reports to the contrary. Can you enlighten? — Bill B., Hershey, PA Ethanol and similar “biofuels” made from corn and other crops seem like a good idea given their potential for reducing our carbon outputs […]
Dear EarthTalk: To what extent is Antarctica really melting and what impact might it have on coastlines around the world? — Andrea Hutchinson, Cary, NC The Antarctic continent, roughly the size of the United States and Mexico combined, is composed of rock covered by glaciers some 16,000 feet thick. The glaciers form from fallen snow compacting […]
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 everywhere else) remain smog and particulate pollution, […]
