Rising temperatures are unleashing increasingly severe storms, heat waves, droughts, and floods, challenging humanity’s ability to adapt, according to a new report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The assessment warns of the catastrophic impacts that await if nations do not quickly make steep cuts in emissions. “Today’s IPCC report is an atlas of human suffering and […]
Wind energy has soared in popularity in the last couple of decades. Today, 8.4% of the total energy consumed in the United States is from wind power. With so many utility-scale wind turbines being installed, it is critical to consider the sustainability of the wind energy industry. That includes what happens to the wind turbines when they are decommissioned. Wind […]
Kathleen Rogers, president of the Earth Day Network, joins us to talk about the goals for Earth Day 2022, which takes place on April 22. This year’s programs will focus on investing in the planet, from making sustainable choices among ESG stocks, as well as how to invest in a better future by getting involved in activism, taking action to […]
Soy-growing industrial farms carry a heavy environmental footprint, and a new study from Our World in Data shows that they also indirectly drive deforestation in Brazil. This popular plant shows how the complex human food supply can put a planet-harming, soy-based meal on your plate even when it claims to be vegan. Where our food comes from matters a lot. […]
The Russian attack on Ukraine has led to a spike in energy prices, with oil briefly surpassing $100 a barrel, the highest level since 2014, and Dutch and British gas prices rising 40 to 60 percent Thursday. Russia is the world’s second-largest exporter of oil and largest exporter of natural gas. As the war intensifies and sanctions loom, analysts fear […]
Today’s inspiration comes from Pope John Paul II’s 1987 homily from his Mass for the Rural Workers: “The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.” Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think […]
You’ve seen them on your plastics, the chasing arrows with a number in the middle. But do you know what they mean? While some people call them plastic recycling codes, they are actually resin identification codes. They identify the type of plastic the product is made from, which is important to know before an item can be recycled. However, contrary […]
A sudden surge in methane emissions is threatening to undermine international efforts to halt planetary warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. And scientists are warning that the task of holding back the surge is being made worse because climate negotiators are underestimating by a factor of three the warming effect that methane will have over the critical quarter-century we have left […]
Humans create a lot of waste, but when you throw something away, how much do you know about where it goes or how it’s handled? This article is the last in a five-part series that explores what happens to the tons of materials we discard. Few environmental lessons have taken hold as strongly in the United States as the imperative […]
Making smart sustainable choices requires practice. Earth911’s weekly sustainability quiz helps you hone your ability to recognize earth-friendly products and services. Through your daily choices — from transportation mode to purchases to waste disposal — you can make a positive difference. This week, test your knowledge of food waste in the United States. Feature image: adonyig on Pixabay. This quiz […]