From garbage baiting to climate change, humans continue to shape grizzly bear survival While the grizzly’s impressive stature renders them top predators, in the wild bears dine mostly on berries, plants, and insects. Outside of breeding and cub rearing, they are solitary animals. But they congregate around rich food resources and, if challenged, can pursue at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour. 332
Warming your home with wood – an old idea becomes new again In our quest for renewable energy, attention has shifted to our nation’s forests. Forest-based energy has the potential to be “carbon-neutral.” The carbon released into the atmosphere when trees are burned is taken back out of the atmosphere when new trees grow. 326
Mercury: It’s not just in thermometers anymore In the Northeast, many ponds - and the fish that live in them - have high concentrations of mercury.  Mercury has a long-history as an element toxic to humans, extending at least to the days of Shakespeare. It’s found naturally in the environment, so where do excessive concentrations of mercury come from? 320
Here’s the fish, and here are the fish on drugs We are a nation of pill poppers. From statins to lower cholesterol to antidepressants to lift our mood, more than half of Americans are currently taking a prescription drug. Some twenty percent of us are take three different prescriptions daily. 301
Hard or soft? When engineering shorelines, it makes a big difference Most of us have experienced a river shoreline— from a park, a train, or a boat. When we see where the water meets the land, how many of us have considered how modified shorelines influence river health? 295

From green business and new environmental legislation to how nature impacts our environment in ways never before considered, Earth Wise offers a look at our changing environment.

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Feb23

The devil in the deep blue sea

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The ocean looks like it did when we were kids, with waters that seem endless, as they must have appeared to the first explorers of North America. But with an average depth of two miles, the ocean hides its secrets. (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Agriculture, Economy and Policy, Sustainable Living

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Feb22

Good morning sunshine

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Amongst the flurry of depressing news about the environment, there is a bright spot—solar power.  Solar comes in two forms: thermal—where sunlight heats water, and photovoltaic—where sunlight is converted to electricity.   (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Economy and Policy, Energy, Technology

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Feb21

Frogs are dying – And it looks the culprit is a fungus caused by illegal wildlife trade

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Forests normally humming with the chorus of calling frogs are falling silent and the forest floor is covered in dead or dying frogs. The animals seem to be losing their skin. This sounds like the makings of a science fiction movie – but it’s the stuff of real life. And it’s occurring in forests around the world. (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Climate Change, Sustainable Living, Wildlife and Habitat

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Feb20

Carbon Dioxide: Is this the path to the valley of the Jolly Green Giant?

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Plants need carbon dioxide to grow.  It’s nature’s plant food. Look around you – every plant that you see is taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and using it to make the carbohydrates and cellulose needed for growth.  So, beyond all the talk about carbon dioxide leading to global warming, is it possible that more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere might be good for plants? (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Air and Water, Climate Change, Sustainable Living

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Feb17

From garbage baiting to climate change, humans continue to shape grizzly bear survival

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While the grizzly’s impressive stature renders them top predators, in the wild bears dine mostly on berries, plants, and insects. Outside of breeding and cub rearing, they are solitary animals. But they congregate around rich food resources and, if challenged, can pursue at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour. (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Climate Change, Sustainable Living, Wildlife and Habitat

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