Modern-day aerosol sprays no longer deplete the ozone layer, but they still contain hydrocarbons and/or compressed gases notorious for their contribution to global warming, and they also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to ground-level ozone levels
Modern western-world burial practices are arguably absurd, all things considered: We pack our dearly departed with synthetic preservatives and encase them in impenetrable coffins meant to defy the natural forces of decomposition that have been turning ashes to ashes and dust to dust for eons. And in the process we give over thousands of acres of land every year to new cemetery grounds from coast to coast.
Some 17 states now offer homeowners tax rebates or incentives for the purchase and/or installation of solar power equipment.
Dear EarthTalk: Everyone knows we should recycle metal, glass and plastic cans and bottles, but what about all the lids, tops and caps? I see people recycling plastic bottles, for example, with their caps on, but I’ve always been told to thrown them out. Is that wrong?
Dear EarthTalk: I am considering solar panels for my roof to provide heat for my hot water and possibly to do more than that. Are there some kinds of solar panels that are better than others? How do I find a knowledgeable installer?
With some 30 to 50 million Americans suffering from various degrees of lactose intolerance, and an estimated three million of us now eating animal-free (vegan) diets for humane, environmental and/or health reasons, the production of alternatives to dairy products has started to become big business.
Community based tourism refers to situations in which local people—usually those that are poor or economically marginalized in very rural parts of the world—open up their homes and communities to visitors seeking sustainably achieved cultural, educational or recreational travel experiences.
Is it bad for my health or the planet to reuse Tupperware over and over?
How does congestion toll pricing, used in some cities around the world, cut down on vehicle traffic and promote green-friendly public transit?
Is it true that the prairie grasslands of the Midwest are North America’s most endangered ecosystem?
Dear EarthTalk: What are the major environmental issues that our next president, be it Obama or McCain, will have to confront? —Melinda Barnes, via e-mail Global warming is unquestionably the most pressing environmental issue facing whoever ends up in the White House in January 2009. Not only does climate change impact—and in most cases exacerbate—other […]
