Earth Wise

By Randy SimonScience Education Self-Improvement Natural Sciences Nature

Earth Wise episodes

August 14, 2018 Urban Streams Are Breeding Superbugs
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/EW-08-14-18-Urban-Streams.mp3
City streams are subjected to a constant onslaught of synthetic chemicals found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Wastewater treatment facilities are not designed to filter out these compounds. Instead, they flow into surface waters where they impact aquatic organisms like microbes – which perform key ecosystem services like removing excess nutrients and breaking down leaf litter.
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2 min
August 13, 2018 A New Catalyst For Splitting Water
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/EW-08-13-18-New-Catalyst-for-Splitting-Water.mp3
Hydrogen is widely considered to be a desirable source of clean energy. It can be used in fuel cells to power electric motors in cars or can be burned directly in internal combustion engines. If it is compressed or converted to liquid, it can be efficiently stored and transported. Most of all, when it is used as an energy source, the only emission it produces is water.
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2 min
August 10, 2018 Progress On Plastic Straws
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/EW-08-10-18-Progress-on-Plastic-Straws.mp3
Earlier this year we talked about the contributions of plastic straws to the global problem of plastic waste. Americans throw away an astounding 500 million straws a day. But global campaigns to reduce the use of plastic straws are starting to make real headway.
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2 min
August 09, 2018 Air Pollution And Diabetes
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/EW-08-09-18-Air-Pollution-and-Diabetes.mp3
Air pollution is deadly. Studies have found that fine particulate matter, such as airborne pieces of dust, dirt, smoke, soot, and other microscopic particles can enter our lungs and bloodstream, contributing to major health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and kidney disease.
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2 min
August 08, 2018 How Much Cleaner Is Natural Gas?
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/EW-08-08-18-How-Much-Cleaner-Is-Natural-Gas.mp3
The ascendance of natural gas over coal during the past decade has been driven primarily by fracking technology that has provided large quantities of the stuff at low prices. But beyond that, there are environmental issues as well. Natural gas emits 50 to 60% less carbon dioxide when combusted in a new, efficient natural gas power plant compared with emission from a typical new coal plant. It appears to be a win-win situation.
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2 min
August 07, 2018 Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/EW-08-07-18-Labeling-GE-Foods.mp3
There has been a great deal of debate over mandating labels for genetically engineered foods. On the pro side, people argue that they have a right to know whether what they are eating contains GMO – or as they are also called GE — ingredients. On the con side, people argue that the aversion toward GE is unfounded and that labeling foods will simply drive away consumers undeservedly.
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2 min
August 06, 2018 Greenhouse Emissions And Food Choices
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/EW-08-06-18-Greenhouse-Emissions-and-Food-Choices.mp3
Changes in diet have often been proposed as a way to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. However, there has not been much research about the affordability and feasibility of such changes.
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2 min
August 03, 2018 The Future Of Energy
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/EW-08-03-18-The-Future-of-Energy.mp3
A new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance takes a long-term look at the world’s energy production. According to the report, renewable energy, mostly in the form of solar and wind power, is set to provide close to 50% of the world’s energy by the year 2050.
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2 min
August 02, 2018 Greenhouses Adapt To Climate Change
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/EW-08-02-18-Greenhouses-Adapt-to-Climate-Change.mp3
The Telangana region of India has struggled with extreme weather patterns attributed to climate change. Extended periods of drought, heatwaves, and unpredictable heavy rainfalls have led to crop failures, mounting debt, and a heavy human toll. More than 3,000 farmers committed suicide in Telangana during a three-year drought.
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2 min
August 01, 2018 Salt Cocktails Compromise Freshwater
https://earthwiseradio.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/EW-08-01-18-Salt-Cocktails.mp3
Human activities are exposing US rivers and streams to a cocktail of salts, with consequences for infrastructure and drinking water supplies. Road salt, fertilizers, and mining waste – as well as natural weathering of concrete, rocks, and soils – all contribute to increased salt in waterways. When these different salt compounds combine, their harmful effects can amplify.
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2 min

About Earth Wise

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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.