Ever feel like the environmental movement is always climbing a hill but will never, ever reach the top? Our President, who once stated he would do something to help protect the environment, has pretty much dropped that idea by the wayside. The CO2 level in our atmosphere is expected to pass record levels this month, [...]
From the early 1800s through the mid-1990s, manufactured gas plants (MGPs) littered the United States. Providing gas from coal or oil for lighting, heating and cooking, MPGs were operated nationwide. Today an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 former MGP sites still exist, according to the EPA. Though generally built on the outskirts of town, cities have [...]
Q: Given that the presidential election is just around the corner, what can you tell me about each candidate’s environmental track record and positions? Just because the environment is getting short shrift this election season due to our nation’s lingering economic woes doesn’t mean that candidates Obama and Romney can ignore the issue. Environmentalists have [...]
Our homes are full of all sorts of toxic chemicals, whether they be from carpeting, insulation, various fabrics, laminate floors and countertops, or just toxic cleaning supplies. And while we can do our best to safeguard our air (and thus our health) against these toxins, sometimes good ole’ Mother Nature has the best defense against [...]
Dear EarthTalk: I understand that, among mining’s other problems, like providing climate-warming coal and endangering miners’ lives, it is also a serious water polluter. Can you enlighten? Mining disasters have grabbed a lot of headlines of late, but mines pose another insidious threat that tends to get little press attention: pollution of the nearby environment [...]
You are the only one who can make a difference. Sure, there are lots of “you” out there, but each person individually is responsible for making the changes necessary to clean up our planet. Our government isn’t going to do it for you, as evidenced by Obama’s lack of followup on campaign promises about the [...]
