Earth Wise

Geothermal heat pumps use the heat stored in the earth’s surface to heat homes and buildings.  Even in the dead of winter, the temperature not very far below ground remains at a temperature typically in the 50s.  Geothermal systems tap into this immense thermal resource.  Conversely, this same temperature sink can be used to provide […]

The first solar roadway in the US will be installed this year at the Historic Route 66 welcome center in Conway, Missouri.  The installation will use hexagonal solar panels developed by Idaho-based start-up company Solar Roadways.  The initial trial installation will use the panels to cover a sidewalk in the Route 66 center rest area […]

The declining populations of bees and other pollinators has been a topic of great concern for a number of years.  There has not been general agreement on the root cause and, in fact, it appears as though there are multiple causes at play. The greatest controversy surrounds the issue of whether pesticides are the biggest […]

The California condor is the largest North American land bird with a wingspan of about 10 feet.  During the 20th century, poaching, habitat loss and lead poisoning reduced the vulture’s population to fewer than two dozen.   The U.S. government’s response was to round up every last one of them over a period of 5 years-  a […]

One of the thorniest problems arising from the changing climate is the degradation of inhabited areas that forces entire communities to relocate permanently.  Basically, we don’t really have the infrastructure in place to deal with such occurrences. The primary federal legislation that governs disaster relief and response in the United States is the Stafford Act, […]

One of the most notable success stories in recycling is that of structural plastic lumber.   The material is mostly polyethylene reinforced with stiff plastics or recycled composites.   Made from milk containers, coffee cups, and other recycled plastics, structural plastic lumber is lighter than steel, longer-lasting than natural lumber and strong enough to support 120-ton locomotives. […]

Perdue Farms, the fourth-largest poultry producer in the United States, produces over 60 million pounds of chicken a week.  They are arguably the most progressive of the giant poultry companies.  Two years ago, they were the first to renounce routine antibiotic use.   In late June, they announced a comprehensive animal-welfare plan – the first among […]

The Persian Gulf along with the Red and Mediterranean seas are getting saltier all the time because of the waste products of desalination.   The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman account for 45% of the world’s desalination capacity.  And the byproduct of desalination is brine, which is twice as salty as […]

We have talked before about the increasing problem of microplastics polluting the oceans.  Much of the small plastic particles result from the breakdown of plastic litter such as plastic bags, packaging and other materials.  Another source is microbeads, which are often found in health products such as face scrubs and even some toothpastes.   It is […]

It’s no secret that food waste is a global problem of epic proportions.  Approximately one-third of all food is either lost or wasted, while more than 800 million people worldwide go hungry. In the United States, up to 40% of food goes uneaten, while 15.3 million children live with food insecurity, according to government statistics. […]