Can we capture the carbon? When I speak to public audiences about climate change, people often ask: Isn’t there a way to capture and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? 6817913666_eb4d95b586_b[1]
Give carpooling a chance We all want to reduce the amount of gasoline we use and we all want to have less traffic congestion. There are various strategies to address these issues but one of the simplest and most effective is carpooling. 872001347_7c94999e3b_b[1]
In praise of big old trees Nothing is more beautiful than a tall, stately tree. But sometimes they get in the way of progress. Well-meaning people think that planting a couple of smaller trees will make up for the loss of the elder statesman. Not so. 8219213294_c401b4d009_b[1]
Concentrating solar power Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. But they aren’t the only way to get electricity from the sun. Concentrating solar power, known as CSP technologies, use arrays of mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect the energy and convert it to heat. The heat then produces electricity using a steam turbine or heat engine to run a generator. 3546825820_a6b5f39a79_b[1]
Our nation’s streams and rivers are in trouble The Environmental Protection Agency recently released a somber assessment of the state of our nation’s streams and rivers. A comprehensive survey looking at the health of nearly 2,000 stream and river miles across the country found more than half were in poor condition. A mere twenty percent were deemed healthy. 5986758980_dbe57e3b43_b[1]

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.

Fukushima impacts two years later http://t.co/v9irrYZTup #environment #EarthWise #fukushima

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May22

Fukushima impacts two years later

Fukushima cleanup

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When the tsunami triggered the explosions at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, we all worried about the release of radioactivity to the environment. Indeed, just a few days later, increased levels of radioactive cesium were measured in rainfall along the west coast of the United States. Public Health officials assured us that, while measurable, this radioactive fallout did not pose a human health hazard. (more…)

Posted by Earth Wise in Energy, Health, Technology, Wildlife and Habitat

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May21

The ever-expanding footprint of Homo sapiens

Crowd

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When oil was easy to find, it required a lot less effort to extract. Punch a hole in the ground, and the oil flowed. As oil has become more difficult to locate, the environmental impact of producing it has increased markedly.  We now look for oil deep beneath the sea and we scrape away the boreal forest of Canada to expose buried tar sands.  (more…)

Posted by Earth Wise in Sustainable Living, Wildlife and Habitat

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May20

Can we capture the carbon?

CCS Technology Demo

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When I speak to public audiences about climate change, people often ask: Isn’t there a way to capture and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?  (more…)

Posted by Earth Wise in Energy, Sustainable Living, Technology

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May17

Why flare it?

natural gas flaring

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Natural gas is often found with oil. The high pressure of natural gas is often what causes oil to gush from the ground in oil fields. If it occurs near a market, natural gas is often captured and used as a fossil fuel itself.  But, when natural gas is produced distant from markets, or the price of natural gas is low, it is vented to the atmosphere and burned. (more…)

Posted by Earth Wise in Climate Change, Energy, Sustainable Living

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May16

Give carpooling a chance

Traffic Congestion

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We all want to reduce the amount of gasoline we use and we all want to have less traffic congestion.  There are various strategies to address these issues but one of the simplest and most effective is carpooling.  (more…)

Posted by Earth Wise in Energy, Sustainable Living

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