EarthTalk Q&A

With consumer demand for organic food growing in leaps and bounds, it’s no wonder that pet owners are starting to think about what they are feeding to Fido and Scruffy as well.

What is the legal definition of biodegradable and do companies have to meet certain guidelines to use the term in their marketing and on their packaging?

How can stop or at least curtail the amount of wasteful junk mail that still comes through my mail slot every single day?

Most of the carpet cleansers on store shelves today contain toxic ingredients such as petroleum solvents and glycol ethers that are effective on tough rug stains but harmful to both the environment and our health.

From 1979’s The China Syndrome to 2004’s The Day After Tomorrow, numerous films with controversial environmental themes have enticed grown-ups to theatres over the past few decades. But the pickings are a little slimmer when it comes to green flicks for kids.

It is indeed true that sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs)—not to mention pickup trucks and vans—have plummeted in recent months in the U.S. Undoubtedly rising oil prices are playing a big role, and sales of the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Navigator, GMC Yukon and Hummer H2 are all down 50 percent or more.

Chlorine is a highly efficient disinfectant, and it is added to public water supplies to kill disease-causing bacteria that the water or its transport pipes might contain. “Chlorine has been hailed as the savior against cholera and various other water-borne diseases, and rightfully

<U><B>Dear EarthTalk:</U> Regarding all the hype about fuel-cell powered vehicles that will run on hydrogen produced from water: Where is all this water going to come from? It’s my understanding that there is a severe water shortage, or potentially so, worldwide.</B>

<B><U>Dear EarthTalk:</U> Which pet foods are the healthiest and most Earth friendly? Can I feed my dogs and cats vegetarian?</B>

How do “affinity” credit cards work that donate a percent of your purchases to environmental organizations?