Earth Wise

DNA analysis has become commonplace and inexpensive.  Millions of people have their DNA tested to learn about their origins and family connections.  And the technology has spread to biological research in the form of Environmental DNA or eDNA, which is such a powerful tool that it is transforming the field of wildlife biology. A quick […]

According to a new report from the U.S. Geological Survey, millions of people living in Oklahoma and parts of Kansas face significant potential for damaging earthquakes this year as a result of human activity.  The only other part of the continental United States facing a similar danger is California, which has natural faults lines slicing […]

According to a new study by the non-profit group Carbon Brief, carbon dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom are at their lowest levels since the 1920s.  Four factors are responsible:  a record drop in coal use, the rapid growth of renewable energy, the expansion of energy efficiency programs, and the increased use of natural gas […]

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, tucked away on a Norwegian island far above the Arctic Circle, is often described as humanity’s last hope against extinction after some global crisis and is popularly known as the “Doomsday Vault.”  Although its mission is to keep the world’s seeds safe, it wasn’t actually created to reseed the planet […]

The worldwide decline in the population of bees and other pollinators has impelled farmers to do what they can to encourage and nurture bees on their land.  Protecting bees is important because pollinators are essential for growing many foods including coffee, cacao, almonds and many other fruits and vegetables. The first national map of U.S. […]

Baltimore’s harbor is cleaner than it has been in decades thanks to the efforts of two solar- and hydro-powered trash interceptors built to look like googly-eyed cartoon characters.   In fact, they are known as Mr. Trash Wheel and Professor Trash Wheel. Mr. Trash Wheel, located at the mouth of Jones Falls, has stopped more than […]

Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are just starting to enter the market but they have a long way to go before they can even catch up with their battery-powered counterparts. Powering cars with hydrogen has the advantage that fueling the vehicle is much like what we are used to:  pull up to the pump, fill […]

Much has been made of the dangers of eating fast food.  Certainly, its high fat, sodium, and calorie content calls for moderating its role in our diets.  But a recent study has found that even the packaging that the food comes in might present health hazards. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science […]

Invasive species are a great concern for the health and stability of ecosystems.  They are defined as plants, animals or pathogens that are non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm.  It is that latter consideration that isn’t always obvious. A case in point is an invasive […]

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that the state’s support for solar power initiatives has resulted in an 800% increase in industry growth since 2011.   New York’s various renewable energy programs have resulted in $1.5 billion in investments.  The NY-Sun Initiative has produce a 10-fold increase in solar projects in several regions of […]