While information about pollutants has been publicly available in the U.S. since passage of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, the public was not able to access it easily until the advent of the Internet, which now makes the research quite easy.
Is putting up bat houses worth the time, effort and money involved to help conserve bat populations, or should I not bother?
Is there any way to find out if the property where I live has ever had issues with toxic waste contamination in the past?
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 […]
