A few days ago my six-year-old daughter had a talk with me about Earth Day. She told me that whales eat plastic and then they get really sick and die. I said yes, it’s so sad. She agreed and proceeded to tell me all about Earth Day and why it’s important not to litter. She […]
“A natural solution to the climate disaster” from an open letter by activists
An open letter calling for mass reforestation and restoring ecosystems was published by The Guardian earlier this month. We are writing to champion a thrilling but neglected approach to averting climate chaos while defending the living world: natural climate solutions. This means drawing carbon dioxide out of the air by protecting and restoring ecosystems. – […]
Can today’s renewable energy sources power the future?
You’ve probably read renewable energy will power the future, but it’s still only about 17% of total electricity generation in the US. Fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas are still 63%. Wind is about 7%, and solar is only about 2% in the US. We have a long way to go. So I […]
Economists’ Letter Recommends a Carbon Tax and Dividends
A statement signed by 45 leading economists including former Federal Reserve Chairmen Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan, Janet Yellen, and Paul Volcker recommends a carbon tax as the best solution to climate change. The recommendations “By correcting a well-known market failure, a carbon tax will send a powerful price signal that harnesses the invisible hand of the […]
The Biggest Environmental Issues We Face
Environmental issues and human progress are intimately connected. The incredible progress from the Industrial Revolution gave humanity the best health, wealth and security in world history. It’s also caused irreparable damage to our natural environment. Each environmental issue is connected. Below are some of the most difficult environmental problems that need solutions. Air pollution Today […]
How a small town banned single-use plastics
San Pedro La Laguna, a small town in Guatemala, banned single use plastic in 2016 according to the UN Environment Assembly. Disposable plastic bags and styrofoams were polluting the lake, and the cost of proper disposal was getting too expensive for the city. So they major banned them. Embracing reusable bags and banana leaves? Most […]
The Moral Fiber company turns polyester waste into new textiles
“Moral Fiber company has developed a three-step chemical process that can extract polyester from mixed blend materials to create a new yarn, billed as the world’s first textile product made entirely from old clothing. The equipment needed for this transformation can fit into a small shipping container, making it easy to deploy,” according to UNEnvironment.org. […]
Corona will test biodegradable six-pack rings next year
Corona is trying a plastic-free six-pack ring in Mexico starting in 2019. The rings are made with plant-based biodegradable fibers with a mix of by-product waste and compostable materials. If they are left at the beach or end up in nature instead of a trash can, they will decompose instead of killing wildlife. Biodegradable plastic […]
The future of environmentalism looks like a circular economy
Ellen MacArthur started out as a sailor. At 24 she came in second in an offshore sailing race. A few years later she became the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe alone. She sailed over 26,000 miles and spent 71 days alone with only the resources she brought on the boat. That’s where she realized […]