Reusable Mugs, Bleach Alternatives and Acid Rain What are the main causes of acid rain, and where are the highest concentrations found in the U.S.? —Jeff Ohmberger, Lincoln, NE A vast medley of chemicals and pollutants can contribute to acid rain, but emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) are primarily to blame. […]
I remember hearing that the world’s frogs were in peril. How are they doing today? —Omar Khan, Columbus, IN © Chris Murphy According to Harvard biology professor Jim Hanken, "Overall, the status of frogs has definitely gotten worse. The problem is more serious than we originally thought." Scientists are particularly concerned because frogs are considered […]
I have been searching for an environmentally-friendly way to repel moles from my home without killing or harming them. Any suggestions?—Elizabeth Powell, Marion, OH Having moles in your yard is not necessarily detrimental. In fact, moles eat destructive creatures like Japanese beetles and grubs, and aerate the soil by tunneling, bringing subsoil close to the […]
Do airplanes contribute significantly to air pollution? —Neil Gladstone, New York, NY Airports cause as much pollution as power plants, incinerators and oil refineries, although they are subject to less regulation, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The hundreds of thousands of airplanes taking off, landing, taxiing and idling each day across the […]
The United Nations Development Program estimates that urban gardens, like the ones springing up all over New York City and Seattle, provide 15 percent of the world’s food supply. They also create sorely needed jobs in neglected neighborhoods and introduce concrete-raised children to the wonders of nature.
What are the pros and cons of juice pasteurization? —Sabrina Coolidge, Portland, OR Some consumers are skeptical of pasteurization because they are concerned that the heat treatment will compromise the nutritional value of juice. According to Odwalla, a natural juice company, there is an approximate 30 percent nutrient loss during pasteurization. But the U.S. Food […]
Is there a connection between practicing yoga and protecting the environment?—Rachelle Gould, Cambridge, MA ©Chris Murphy The modern practice of yoga is rooted in the complex belief systems of ancient India. According to Yoga Journal, hatha yoga emerged in the ninth century and is the foundation of the physical postures called asanas. The term "yoga" […]
How serious is the problem of soil erosion, and what can be done about it? —Brandi, Fort Worth, TX © Chris Murphy The "dirt" beneath our feet plays a variety of supporting roles. It gives plants a foothold so they can root, filters rainwater and provides a record of environmental change. But excessive cultivation, erosion […]
I’ve heard that leaving a light on for a given length of time may use less energy than turning it off and on again. Is this a myth? —Allison Nelson, Glen, NH Leaving a light on to save energy is not a bright idea. This myth arose in the 1940s when energy was cheap and […]
The Channel Islands National Park and Island Conservation recently united in a $1 million project to remove non-native rats from Anacapa Island in an effort to protect critical nesting habitat for seabirds. Rat predation had reduced one of the largest breeding colonies of Xantus murrelets to just a few pairs, earning the seabird a potential spot on the federal Endangered Species List.
