Wildfires: A Growing Threat

While forest fires are important to the growth and reproduction of tree species as well nutrient replenishment of the soil, recent fires spread faster and wider than in years past. The problem will only get worse. Here’s why.

Fear The Fin?

This year, it may seem shark attacks are on the rise. Mass media coverage of recent attacks, such as those in North Carolina and Florida, support this idea. The reality of injuries and fatalities due to shark attacks is much different. An individual’s risk of being attacked by a shark has decreased by 91% in the past 63 years.

Overfishing is Worse than Plastic Pollution

Happy Earth Day. Plastic pollution in our oceans seems to pose the biggest threat to marine life. A startling statistic from the Ellen McArthur Foundation predicts that plastic will outweigh fish in the ocean by 2050. While some of us have started to make attempts to reduce our individual plastic usage, we may be ignoring an […]

Environmental Wins in 2018

It’s easy to focus on bad news concerning the environment. More coverage of climate change, reusables, and pollution have created heightened concern worldwide. The IPCC’s Climate Report warned of grave and possibly unavoidable consequences. Fortunately, governments and organizations across the planet have proved that change is possible. Here’s some of what they accomplished in 2018: ‘Single-use’ […]

Science Made Simple: Animal Agriculture

We typically think of the energy industry, pollution, and transportation as some of the most dangerous sources of environmental degradation. But what if one of the top contributors to climate change was common in our homes and a regular part of our day to day lives? The meat industry uses an incredible amount of resources and […]

Analyzing My Trash

Throughout the month of September, I attempted to create as little waste as possible. To read about my plan, check out this article: I Try: Zero Waste Continue on to see both the benefits and shortfalls that having an environmentally-minded brain gave me in this challenge. What did my trash look like? Solid, dry, and […]

I Try: Zero Waste

The practice of accumulating as little waste as possible has been gaining momentum online and on social media. The “Zero Waste” movement has inspired people to rethink their daily choices in an attempt to take less from the planet and send less to the landfill. This month, I decided to challenge myself. For thirty days, […]

The Plastic Problem

It lasts for years, but not where it’s supposed to. Recently, Starbucks announced an initiative to eliminate plastic straws globally by 2020. Although straws are made with recyclable material, their small size allows them to fall through spaces in conveyer belts at recycling facilities and hence be thrown away. The problem is, straws have essentially shifted the […]