Author: E-The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: What is the "cleantech" business sector and why have I been hearing that term so much lately?

Dear EarthTalk: What are some of the best online sources of environmental information?

Dear EarthTalk: It is true that the carcasses of whales that wash up on shore are considered danger­ous to humans because of the amount of toxins and chemi­cals in their blubber?

With just about every company trying to green its products, services and internal operations these days, there has never been a better time to find a green job.

Carbon offsets are monies that consumers and businesses pay voluntarily to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions they generate directly by driving, flying, running the air conditioning and otherwise using non-renewable energy.

Analysts at the nonprofit Earth Policy Institute (EPI) estimate that the United States could close 80 coal-fired power plants if Americans switched over en masse to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

Participating in an environmental club is an excellent way for high school students to learn about environmental issues while providing measurable benefit to their community.

The average North American produces between 60 and 150 gallons of wastewater every day, much of it a result of washing dishes and clothes.

Dear EarthTalk: My grandmother was a home canner, and I'm interested in getting involved myself. Where do I learn about the benefits to my health and to the environment?

Dear EarthTalk: What kinds of cat litters are kinder to the environment: traditional clay litters (so-called clumping litters) or other varieties?

Dear EarthTalk: A number of products, including paper and clothing — even food and beer — are made from hemp. What is it about hemp that makes it so versatile, and why is it illegal to grow in the United States? Is it also illegal in Canada?

Dear EarthTalk: What is the status of horse slaughter in the U.S., which is done primarily to export the meat to Europe?

Dear EarthTalk: What are the most environmentally friendly and highest mileage cars on the market today? Also, are the batteries in hybrid cars recyclable?

Dear EarthTalk: In what ways is global warming already affecting us in North America?

Dear EarthTalk: In a public restroom, which is the more environmentally sound and healthy option for drying your hands: a paper towel or an electric hand dryer?

Dear EarthTalk: What are the implications of the massive thaw that is taking place right now in Western Siberia?

Dear EarthTalk: The soda bottle I'm holding only lists a few U.S. states and deposit amounts on it. Aren't more than just a few states requiring that bottles be returned for recycling?

Dear EarthTalk: Do houseplants really help to clean indoor air? 

Dear EarthTalk: Is bamboo really an environmentally friendly alternative to wood for making paper? If so, why are we still cutting down trees to keep our copiers and printers humming?

While conducting research upon completion of his sociology Ph.D. in Houston in 1979, Dr. Robert Bullard noticed that all the city’s garbage dumps