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Row Of Electric Cars At Public Charging Station With Plugged Power Cables

EarthTalk®: Is It True You Shouldn’t Buy A Used Electric Vehicle (EV)?

Most EVs can retain 70–90 percent of their original capacity even after years on the road. So, overall battery longevity is far more robust than many assume.

EarthTalk®: Is Joe Rogan Right That The Planet Is Actually Cooling Right Now?

Rogan recently cited data from a 2024 study that shows Earth’s temperature over the last 485 million years. Temperatures have varied, and yes, our current time period is the coolest it's been in a long time.

EarthTalk®:What Are Zombie Forests?

They may look lush and green, but some forests are already on borrowed time. These so-called “zombie forests” are made up of trees that are still alive but no longer capable of reproducing in the changing climate around them.

EarthTalk®: What Will Replace The EnergySTAR Program To Identify Energy Efficient Appliances?

Although it’s discouraging to see the EnergySTAR program potentially cut, it’s valuable for households to make an effort to improve their energy usage or buy energy-efficient appliances, in whatever steps possible for them.

EarthTalk®: Artificial Turf Controversy

Artificial turf fields have been rising in popularity as a low-maintenance (no mowing or watering) alternative to natural grass. Can you set the record straight about whether artificial turf is actually bad for our health and/or the environment?

EarthTalk®: Are Hunter-Gatherer Communities Still Living Today?

In addition to industrial projects, the loss of biodiversity through deforestation and the subsequent extinction of animal species decreases food sources and the supply of traditional medicine. Citizens and governments must make efforts toward preserving the cultures and homelands of hunter-gatherer groups.

EarthTalk®: Which Countries Currently Lead The World In Total Clean Energy Generation — And Will This Ranking Shift Anytime Soon?

Clean energy generation — or energy generation without the output of harmful greenhouse gases — has become an increasingly hot topic in today’s race for productivity and the growing global emphasis on eco-consciousness.

Green Data Center In The Middle Of The Forest

EarthTalk®: Why Is Artificial Intelligence Called The Biggest Threat To Battling Climate Change?

Environmental advocates warn that AI’s rising energy use, increased emissions from building infrastructure, and the potential to slow down clean energy efforts may become serious threats in our fight against climate change.

Woman Hands With Manicure Holding Flower

EarthTalk®: How Can I Minimize My Manicure Toxicity?

Beneath the glossy finish of a manicure or pedicure may lie health and environmental concerns. With greater awareness and support for greener innovation, we can shape a nail care industry that prioritizes long-term health over short-term beauty.

Earth Talk: Why Do Some Wild Animals Live In Cities More Than In Rural Areas?

When people think of wildlife, they often picture animals wandering in nature. However, in the past 15 years, scientists have found more animals moving into and thriving in cities — sometimes even more successfully than in their natural habitats.

What’s So Bad About Burning Wood Pellets If They’re Renewable Energy?

Many don’t consider wood pellets renewable resource, which is one that does not exhaust Earth’s resources. Trees that are ideal for wood pellets don’t quickly regenerate. One idea has been to use fast-growing pine plantations, but they’re less biodiverse and bad at capturing carbon.

EarthTalk®: IS NYC’s Congestion Pricing Really The Solution To Many Problems?

Congestion pricing seeks to manage demand for road space in busy areas. Drivers pay a fee to enter these zones with electronic tolling systems that track vehicles and collect payments. The revenue generated is usually invested into improving public transportation and infrastructure.

EarthTalk®: Are The Chemicals In Plastic Food Packaging Really All That Bad?

At least 25 percent of FCCs, including BPAs and plasticizers, can be found in the human body due to exposure to food packaging, and can be extremely hazardous to our health. Due to the prevalence of FCCs in so much food packaging, it is impossible to fully avoid them, however there are ways to minimize your risks.

EarthTalk®: Where Do We Stand In Jettisoning Coal As An Electricity Source?

Consumers can help the movement away from coal by opting for renewable energy sources, either by selecting them from your utility’s offerings or installing your own solar panels (or wind turbines) where you live or work.

EarthTalk®: What’s The Most Effective Way To Remove Pesticide Residue From Produce?

There are varied opinions on the best methods for removing pesticide residues from produce, and no method is 100 percent effective. Rinsing produce is somewhat helpful for cleaning off dirt and germs, but soaking their fruits and vegetables in warm vinegar or salt solutions may be better.

EarthTalk®: American Climate Corps Is A New Workforce Combating Climate Change

The American Climate Corps marks a significant step in the U.S.’s approach to climate change, and offers an exciting opportunity for young Americans to get involved in the fight against climate change while gaining valuable skills and contributing to their communities.

Earth Talk: Tips For Dealing With Climate Anxiety

Addressing climate anxiety is crucial not only for maintaining mental health but also for ensuring effective climate action. When individuals are paralyzed by fear, they are less likely to engage in the proactive behaviors necessary to combat climate change.

Earth Talk: Why Aren’t Solar Roadways Helping Us Keep Our EVs Charged Up And Rolling?

In 2014 the concept of solar powered photovoltaic road panels that could collect sunlight and convert it into useable energy went viral when the Idaho-based company Solar Roadways heralded it as a solution to the global energy crisis. So why aren’t solar roadways being installed across the U.S.?

EarthTalk®: What Is The US Doing To Ramp Up Large-Scale Renewable Energy Infrastructure?

Getting the United States to a place where our electricity needs can be met by renewables is going to take concerted effort on the part of a multitude of public and private entities.

EarthTalk: Can Global Warming Increase Violent Behavior?

A new study from researchers that surveyed data from 100 U.S. cities found that hotter-than-normal days—which we are getting more of every year thanks to global warming—coincide with higher incidences of gun violence.

Earth Talk: How “Green” Or Not-So-Green Is The Burning Man Festival

Burning Man, the annual arts and music festival held in the middle of Nevada's Black Rock Desert. However, when it comes to the festival's environmental footprint, opinions are as diverse as the event's attendees' eclectic outfits.

Earth Talk: Are There Greener Types Of Grills Or Grilling Methods That Are More Planet-Friendly?

Grilling is an integral part of our culinary culture. By embracing sustainable alternatives, such as electric grills or infrared grills, we can still indulge in grilling while minimizing our carbon footprint.

Earthtalk: Is America’s Electrician Shortage Hurting Our Ability To Get Away From Fossil Fuels?

A shift away from fossil fuels is necessary if we are to mitigate climate change, but a serious electrician shortage in the U.S. is proving to be one of the biggest barriers to reaching this goal.

Earth Talk: Are Sharks Are More Abundant Than Ever And Doing Well Overall—Or The Opposite?

Though shark sightings may be becoming more frequent, shark numbers are dwindling. Many shark species are struggling in their native coral reefs and marine ecosystems.

Earthtalk: What Is The “Right To Roam” And Why Is It Controversial In The United States?

The "right to roam" is a concept that allows people to access and enjoy natural areas, such as parks, forests and beaches, without being restricted by private property laws.

Earth Talk: Lobster vs Aquarium

Environmental groups believe that lobster fishing practices are to blame for right whale deaths, while the lobster industry denies these claims, stating that there have been no right whale deaths traced back to the Maine lobster industry.

Earth Talk: How Many Solar Panels Would I Need To Meet My Electricity Consumption Needs?

The exact number of panels you’ll need varies depending on factors including where you live, your roof's orientation and shading, the type of solar panels you choose, and your average monthly electricity usage.

EarthTalk: What Exactly Is Permaculture And How Is It Good For The Environment?

Permaculture is a method of cultivation that uses multiple tools to minimize human impact on the environment by mimicking the zero-waste feedback loops of naturally-existing systems.

Earth Talk: EVs For Everyone? Best Bang-For-The-Buck Models Ease Transition From Gas Guzzlers

With some 43 new battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) debuting in the U.S. this 2023 model year, there has never been a better time to make the switch from your internal combustion gas guzzler to something greener.

Madrona Tree (arbutus Menziesii) Close Up, San Juan Island, Washington, Us

Dear Earth Talk: What Are Some Of The Best Apps Out There For Helping Identify Plants And/Or Wildlife?

Not surprisingly in this day and age, you don’t need a PhD to identify plants and animals out in the natural world. All you need is a smartphone and an app.

Colorful,windows,on,the,building,with,air,conditioning

Earth Talk: As The Planet Warms, Will Increased Use Of Air Conditioning Cause Cataclysmic Warming?

As innocuous as it may seem, the common household air conditioner is actually a significant contributor to climate change!

Earth Talk: Is It True That Koalas Are On The Verge Of Extinction?

Despite their status as icons of biodiversity, koalas have been in steady decline for two decades. Yet the conservation status of this Australian native has only just changed from “threatened” to “endangered” in recent months.

Earth Talk: What Are The Most Recent Projections About Sea Level Rise Around The World?

As temperatures rise around the world, frozen glaciers in the poles are melting at unprecedented rates, inundating the world’s oceans with more water. The result has been some sea level rise but watch out as more is still to come.

Earth Talk: What Exactly Is Gravity Energy Storage?

Switzerland-based Energy Vault is one of the companies developing prototype gravity energy storage solutions that could someday replace batteries as a way to hold onto energy and dole it out as needed.

Earth Talk: Can Microorganisms Eat Our Plastic?

In 2016 Japanese scientists at the Kyoto Institute of Tokyo took samples outside of a recycling facility in Osaka and made a revolutionary discovery: microorganisms capable of breaking down PET plastic.

Earth Talk: What Are Conservation Dogs?

Most commonly conservation dogs are used to help biologists understand where and how threatened or endangered wildlife species are hanging on—or if they are still around at all.

Washing Plates In The Dishwasher. Inside A Dishwasher

Earth Talk: Dishwasher Vs Hand Washing. Which Is More Eco-Friendly?

Hands-down, the dishwasher is the way to go, not only from the standpoint of water waste and energy use but also to preserve your own sanity. Who needs to be scrubbing, rinsing and drying dishes all day when an efficient machine can do the work?

Earth Talk: Whatever Happened To The Yukon To Yellowstone (Y2Y) Wildlife Corridor Dream

Conservationists’ dreams of a wildlife corridor stretching from the Yukon to Yellowstone (Y2Y) where “charismatic megafauna” like bears, wolves and caribou can roam freely and have enough continuous undisturbed habitat to thrive is slowly becoming a reality.

EarthTalk: What Is “Slow Fashion?” Does It Relate To Sustainability

Since many people shop for the experience and enjoy the feeling of buying clothes more than the clothing article itself, slow fashion emphasizes choosing high-quality pieces made with sustainable materials.

Earth Talk: Bald Eagles As Pests – Has Our National Bird Come Back Too Well?

It’s hard to believe the bald eagle was on the brink of extinction in the Lower 48 United States just a half-century ago, given how common the majestic birds are all over the country nowadays. Some American farmers are wondering if maybe we have too much of a good thing, given a recent uptick of eagles’ preying on livestock.

Earth Talk: National Parks Suffer Disproportionately From Global Warming

The effects of climate change can be felt all over the globe in various ways, but America’s national parks seem to be suffering more than U.S. overall landmass. The only way to really turn things around across the board is to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.