Can you drink your daily cup of joe more sustainably? If you’re like me, you like the brand of coffee you buy, or have a favorite coffee shop you frequent, and don’t want to make big changes to your coffee habits. You’re probably a busy person and don’t need extra hassle in your life. So, how can you easily reduce […]
In downtown Reykjavik, several restaurants catering to tourists offer whale meat. Perhaps they find the idea of doing something that’s illegal back home tempting. Perhaps they believe eating whale is a traditional Icelandic experience. Whatever their reasoning, many tourists will choose to eat whale steak during their Iceland vacation. But the environment is global, and whether you are acting at […]
How can we improve the carbon footprint of our yards and gardens? The traditional tools and designs of American landscaping need to change to become sustainable, so let’s take a look at the factors that are easy and harder to change at our own homes. Small gas-powered engines of the type that power lawnmowers and leaf blowers emit about 242 […]
This is the final article in a five-part series that helps you find ways to reduce your carbon footprint by exploring the main carbon culprits in the average American’s lifestyle. Whatever deficiencies Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs may have, few people would argue with the idea that food is a basic necessity that outweighs most others. It’s only natural for people […]
In this Earth911 quiz, check your knowledge of the water used to produce the food you eat. The water footprint of a meal is secondary to the CO2 emissions that were generated making your food, but water use is just as important to understand when making informed eating decisions for the planet. Making smart sustainable choices requires practice. Earth911’s weekly […]
Pam Gil-Alabaster, Global Head of Sustainability and Social Impact at Mattel, maker of Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, American Girl dolls, and more than 150 other brands of toys. She shares how Mattel works to eliminate manufacturing waste and replace virgin plastic in its packaging with recycled and recyclable plastics. The company has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% […]
As we all know, recycling is crucial when it comes to caring for our planet — and instilling this responsibility in children when they are young is a surefire way to encourage them to do it for years to come. But how can we encourage kids to recycle without reducing it to an unpleasant chore? As a former preschool teacher, […]
Lately, it seems like every year is a bad year for wildfires. If you live in an area prone to wildfires — most of the American West — you naturally want to minimize that risk. And there are natural ways to do so. A wildfire-resistant landscape won’t necessarily protect your home from the flames, but it improves the odds of […]
If you’re on kitchen duty, feel free to establish a warm, inviting ambiance — without heating up your food and your home. Plenty of tantalizing plant-based dishes don’t require you to turn on your oven. Or stand over a steamy stovetop. If that sounds enticing, enjoy these examples of planet-friendly, healthy, and even fun epicurean delights. Heat-free. Dairy-free. Meat-free. No-Bake Brownies […]
James Crooks, Ph.D., an environmental epidemiologist with National Jewish Health’s Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics in Denver, explains his research on the impact of wildfire smoke on the ozone concentrations at ground level in Colorado. Elevated ozone levels contribute to the rising incidence of asthma and diabetes, among other conditions. Dr. Crooks found that while ozone increased only 1% compared […]