Researchers have identified soil bacteria able to break down some PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” because they take decades to degrade naturally. PFAS are used in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams, and have been linked with higher cholesterol, lower fertility, developmental delays in children, and a greater risk of developing kidney, prostate, or testicular cancer. Scientists behind […]
Choose the Right Type of Grill for Your Sustainable Summer
Backyard and picnic grilling season is back. Your choice of a new grill can minimize the greenhouse gas emissions created by summer parties. Before you buy a new grill, take a few minutes to understand the impact of charcoal, wood pellets, propane, natural gas, and solar grilling. And if you’re buying a new grill as a replacement, don’t forget to […]
How To Grow Bountiful Tomatoes
There is nothing like the taste of a homegrown tomato. They’re juicy, yet have a subtle burst of sweet and tart flavors. The flavor of store-bought tomatoes, which are harvested before they ripen, does not rival homegrown tomatoes by any measure. Not surprisingly, tomatoes are the most popular crop to grow in the garden. They are somewhat temperamental, though, and […]
Best of Earth911 Podcast: Author John Perlin Explores the Role of Trees in the Rise & Fate of Civilization
Let’s venture into the history of trees, wood, and the axe. Everywhere humans have gone they’ve mowed down trees to make tools, homes, fires, bridges, buildings, and even railroad tracks. Yes, the first railroads often ran on wooden rails, as author John Perlin explains in a new edition of his classic book, A Forest Journey: The Role of Trees in […]
Teens Create Climate Legislation
Because they are too young to vote, many high school students feel locked out of the political process. But voting is not the only way to have a political impact. In fact, youth can be directly involved in the political process and can help develop policy at every level of government. On March 28, more than 60 high school students […]
We Earthlings: Are You Chewing Single-Use Plastic?
If you’re a fan of chewing gum, there’s a big likelihood that you’re chewing single-use plastic. Most gum contains plastics. They give gum the elasticity and bubble-blowing characteristics that so many enjoy. When you toss that gum in the trash, it’s one more contribution to our plastic pollution problem, as that gum won’t biodegrade. We’re not asking you to give […]
Earth911 Podcast: ReUser Founder James Wilson Introduces a Reusable Takeout Packaging Service
Making circular living easy for people is the key to achieving our sustainability goals. The take-make-waste linear economy has excelled at making the disposal of products and packaging easy, but only if you consider the landfill an environmentally responsible solution (it’s not). Now we need to make collecting and reusing items as convenient as tossing packaging in the trash after […]
Where To Buy Regeneratively Grown Foods
The documentary Kiss the Ground helped raise public awareness about regenerative agriculture. This no-till farming method helps restore the complex biology of topsoil and produces many public health and environmental benefits, such as boosting diversity and sequestering carbon. But finding regeneratively grown foods can still be challenging depending on where you live. Narrated by actor and environmentalist Woody Harrelson, “Kiss […]
DIY Laundry Detergent Recipe Worthy of a Spin
One walk down the laundry detergent aisle of your local supermarket can make your head spin. With so many choices — each with so many ingredients — it can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t need to be. If you’re looking for a simple DIY laundry detergent recipe, this episode of Earth911 TV is for you. Learn how to easily make […]