Environmental Issues: Most Popular Articles

What Causes Global Warming?
Human activities are creating excess greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and lead to global warming.

How to Reduce Global Warming
Here are 10 things you can do every day to reduce your energy costs and your use of fossil fuels, which contribute to global warming.

What is the Greenhouse Effect
A good explanation of the greenhouse effect and its relationship to global warming, plus dissenting opinions from some scientists and what is being done to address the problem.

How to Recycle Plastics
The confusion over what we can and cannot recycle continues to confound consumers. Plastics are especially troublesome, as different types of plastic require different processing to be reformulated and re-used as raw material. Some municipalities accept all types of plastic for recycling, while others only accept jugs, containers and bottles stamped with certain numbers. But what do the numbers really mean, and how can consumers learn the code?

What are Greenhouse Gases?
One in a series of frequently asked questions about global warming and greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental Issues - Articles
An index of Articles for the Environmental Issues guide site.

Humans and Global Warming
One in a series of frequently asked questions about global warming and the emission of greenhouse gases.

U.S. Kyoto Protocol
Will the Bush Administration's decision to withdraw the United States from the Kyoto Protocol weaken international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, or put the world on a better course?

Reusing Plastic Bottles
Reduce, reuse and recycle is the mantra of environmentalists everywhere, but reusing plastic bottles may do more harm than good by releasing toxic chemicals that can cause a host of serious health problems. Learn the dangers of reusing plastic bottles as well as some safe alternatives.

Global Warming and Wildlife
How does global warming affect wildlife? Most researchers agree that even small temperature changes can send hundreds of already struggling species into extinctionun less we stem the tide of global warming. Learn how global warming affects wildlife around the world.

The Pros & Cons of Biofuels
Biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel offer a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Derived from plants, biofuels are renewable and more environmentally friendly than petroleum products, but many environmental experts question whether producing biofuels requires too much energy and agricultural land to make biofuels viable.

Paper, Plastic or Neither?
Plastic bags are hard on the environment--littering the landscape, contaminating soil and water, killing hundreds of thousands of marine mammals, and using millions of gallons of oil annually--and paper bags aren't much better. Learn about better options you can start using right away.

Pros & Cons of Solar Power
The sun is a virtually endless source of clean, renewable energy, which should make solar power a logical alternative to finite fossil fuels that pollute the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. So why have scientists been unable to find a way to make solar power cost-effective enough for widespread use?

Benefits of Recycling vs. Cost
When you consider the benefits of recycling vs. the cost, is recycling worth the expense? After trying it both ways, here's what New York City discovered about the benefits of recycling.

IPCC Reports on Global Warming
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a series of reports in 2007 that set forth conclusions about the causes and effects of global warming as well as the costs and benefits of solving the problem. The reports are intended to help policymakers make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and control global warming.

What Causes Hurricanes?
Rising air and water temperatures worldwide are creating more frequent and severe hurricanes. While scientists debate what may be causing the temperature changes, there's no disagreement about the destructive force of the hurricanes those conditions create.

Which Cookware is Safest?
Since chemicals used to make Teflon were linked to health hazards, consumers have wondered about the safety of their Teflon cookware. This article explores the safety and potential health risks of several types of cookware, from Teflon to Aluminum to Stainless Steel, and offers practical advice.

Global Water Supply Drying Up
Water covers 70 percent of the Earth's surface, yet billions of people lack access to clean water. Population growth in many water-stressed countries, plus excess water use in developed countries, is shrinking water resources worldwide and raising fears about water scarcity. Learn what you can do to help.

What's Up with Eco-Fashion?
Top fashion designers from New York to California are creating innovative eco-fashion clothing designs using eco-friendly fabrics. Why is the new eco-fashion movement is setting trends from coast to coast?

Chernobyl Nuclear Accident
A detailed profile of the Chernobyl accident, the worst nuclear accident in history, which occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine.

Stop Receiving Junk Mail
Junk mail is more than an annoyance. It clogs landfills as well as your mailbox, and costs millions of trees and millions of tax dollars every year. Learn how you can reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by 90 percent.

Can PB&J Save the World?
Every time you eat a plant-based meal, such as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, instead of an animal-based meal, such as a hamburger, you strike a blow for the environment by sending a clear message about resource management to restaurants, supermarkets and farmers.

UN: Global Warming Unstoppable
A report by a United Nations group of international scientists makes it clear that the consequences of global warming are no longer avoidable and that human activity has been the primary cause of rapid global warming for more than half a century.

The Truth About Sunscreen
Sunscreen is supposed to let you get enough sunshine for good health while shielding you from harmful rays that can cause sunburn and skin cancer. Does your sunscreen offer the protection you need, or leave you exposed to UV radiation and harmful chemicals?

The Benefits of Ethanol
Ethanol is a relatively low-cost alternative fuel, but what are the benefits of using ethanol or an ethanol blend in place of unblended gasoline?

What is Wind Power?
Wind Power. What is wind power, how does wind power work, and what are the pros and cons of wind power?

Compact Fluorescent Lights
Compact fluorescent light bulbs use less energy, last longer and cost less to use than standard incandescent bulbs--and they are good for the environment. Learn how changing just one light bulb could help change the world for the better.

Best Type of Motor Oil?
Is it better for the environment to use synthetic or conventional motor oil in your car's engine? Learn the pros and cons of both types of oil, and find out about promising research into plant-based alternatives.

Benefits of Hybrid Cars
If you have been considering the purchase of a hybrid car, these new tax incentives and benefits may make the switch to hybrid cars even more appealing.

Products Not Tested on Animals
What does it really mean when a product says "not tested on animals" and how can you find products that haven't been tested by poisoning or torturing animals for the sake of cosmetics, household products, and other consumer items? Learn more about this controversial topic, and review a shopping guide than can help you find products that fit your ethics.

What Does Ethanol Cost?
What is the true cost of using ethanol, or an ethanol blend, as an alternative fuel in place of gasoline?

All About Global Warming
Climate change, specifically global warming, has captured the attention of people worldwide and has inspired more debate and action—personal, political and corporate—than perhaps any other environmental issue in history. But all of that discussion, along with the mountains of data and conflicting points of view that go with it, sometimes make it hard to really know what’s going on. This guide will help you cut through the rhetoric and confusion and get to the facts.

Top 7 Renewable Energy Sources
Most nations rely on fossil fuels for the majority of their energy, but clean renewable energy is becoming increasingly important as the world faces the threat of global warming and the realization that fossil fuels will eventually run out or become too expensive to retrieve.

Top Alternative Fuels
Alternative fuels such as ethanol, natural gas, propane, electricity, hydrogen, biodiesel, methanol and P-Series fuels provide alternatives to fossil fuels that are better for the environment and often better for the economy and your budget.

Where Can You Buy Ethanol?
Ethanol may be good for the environment, and the economy, and provide a high-octane alternative to gasoline, but how easy is it to find fueling stations that sell ethanol or ethanol blends?

Light Pollution & Cancer
Forget romantic songs about the beautiful city lights. Light pollution, defined as excess light at night, increases women's risk of breast cancer significantly, as well as wasting energy and disrupting the migration patterns and breeding cycles of many birds and animals.

Melting Glaciers & Earthquakes
Melting glaciers caused by global warming will lead to an increasing number of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, according to geologists who have been studying the likely effects of global warming on the surface of the Earth.

Global Warming Death & Disease
Along with posing serious future threats to human health, global warming currently contributes to more than 150,000 deaths and 5 million illnesses every year, according to the World Health Organization and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. And those numbers could double by 2030.

The Effects of Drought
Drought can have serious health, social, economic and political impacts with far-reaching consequences. Learn more about the possible effects of drought and how they are interrelated.

Eco-Friendly Car Washing
What is the best way to wash your car and keep the environment clean at the same time? Is it better to break out the bucket and sponge at home or drive through a commercial car wash? Learn the pros and cons of commercial car washes versus scrubbing your car in your driveway.

Rainforest Medicines
Tropical rainforest plants have produced thousands of lifesaving drugs, yet the potential of rainforest medicinals has only barely been tapped. Rainforest lands are disappearing at an alarming rate, due to development and deforestation, but preserving rainforests may be a life and death issue for untold numbers of people--now and in the future.

Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaners
Looking for a way to keep your drains unclogged without damaging the environment or your health? Learn about some of the best non-polluting, non-caustic options.

Top 10 Worst Polluted Places
More than 10 million people in eight different countries are at serious risk for cancer, respiratory diseases, and premature death because they live in the 10 most polluted places on Earth, according to a report by the Blacksmith Institute, a nonprofit organization that works to identify and solve specific environmental problems worldwide.

Charcoal Grills & Cancer
Nothing says summer like the smell of a backyard barbecue, but along with the aromas of meat and vegetables on the grill you may also be inhaling cancer-causing chemicals. Studies have shown that grilling over charcoal releases soot and other pollutants into the air and creates carcinogens in the smoke from the grill and the food itself.

The Effects of Global Warming
A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that the effects of global warming are serious and inescapable--and many of those effects are already taking place.

Designing Green Communities
What makes “new urbanism” housing developments more environmentally friendly than regular old suburban neighborhoods? New urbanisim incorporates green building design and renewable energy to create livable communities that encourage people to walk, shop locally and get to know their neighbors.

Why Add Chlorine to Water?
Chlorine in tap water destroys many disease-causing bacteria that threaten human health, but it may lead to other health problems. Learn how you can benefit from chlorine while avoiding its potentially harmful effects.

Is Global Warming a Hoax?
Some people, although not many, claim that global warming is a hoax. The widespread consensus among scientists, politicians and business leaders worldwide says otherwise. This article spells out some of the evidence and arguments that refute the claim.

Save the World in 30 Minutes
You may not be able to reduce global warming, end pollution and save endangered species single-handedly, but by choosing to live an earth-friendly lifestyle you can do a lot every day to help achieve those goals. Here are five simple things you can do—in 30 minutes or less—to help protect the environment and save Planet Earth.

How is Ethanol Made?
What are the raw materials and processes used to produce ethanol?

Why Most Landfills Don't Work
The majority of garbage that goes into landfills is biodegradable, but most landfills are too tightly packed for biodegradation to occur and biodegradable items to break down. Learn what can be done to make landfills more effective.

Greenhouse Gases Increasing?
Levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are increasing at unprecedented rates.

Secondhand Smoke Basics
Even if you're a nonsmoker, cigarettes (or cigars or pipes) may be hazardous to your health, because of the secondhand smoke you end up inhaling whenever you are around people who are smoking. Learn more about secondhand smoke and how you can protect yourself and your family from its serious health effects.

Airport Noise & Pollution
Why airport noise and airport pollution increase risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and other illness among people who live near airports.

Cross-Border Pollution
Cross-border pollution is a serious environmental problem that often frustrates national solutions. As pollution from one nation contaminates the air and water of another, it creates a dilemma for both and leaves local communities with few real options.

Litter Trashes the Environment
Litter is more than an eyesore on city streets and alongside highways. Litter pollutes waterways and leaches toxic chemicals into soil and groundwater as it breaks down. Most litter begins with a careless or thoughtless act by a single person who tosses away a cigarette butt or an empty soda can, which means there is a lot you can do to prevent litter.

Make Mowing Your Grass Greener
Gasoline-powered lawn mowers may account for five percent of U.S. air pollution, according to the EPA. Mowing your lawn for an hour with a gas-powered mower pollutes the air as much as driving 100 miles in your car. Find out how you can make mowing your grass a little greener.

The Good and Bad of Ozone
From a human perspective, ozone is both helpful and harmful, both good and bad. In the upper atmosphere, ozone protects all life on Earth. At ground level, ozone is toxic and corrosive, a threat to human health, ecosystems, plants and marine life.

How to Stop Mowing Your Lawn
Tired of spending dozens of hours and hundreds of dollars mowing and maintaining your grass lawn? Low-cost, low-maintenance alternatives to grass lawns can free you from your lawn mower, save you money, and provide attractive green spaces without the need for toxic chemicals. Learn more about alternatives to grass lawns.

Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning
Traditional carpet cleaning solution contains chemicals that can damage health and the environment. Learn where to find healthier professional and do-it-yourself carpet cleaning options.

How to Recycle Your Cell Phone
What happens to your old cell phone after you upgrade to a new model? Do stores really recycle old cell phones, or refurbish them and give them to the poor, or do they just end up in landfills? Learn how you can ensure your old cell phone is recycled and put to good use instead of damaging the environment.

Public Transportation Benefits
One of the easiest ways to pocket some extra green while living green is to use public transportation as often as possible. Using public transportation instead of driving alone in your car is good for the planet and good for your budget. Families that use public transportation regularly can save more money annually than the average U.S. household spends on food.

What "Biodegradable" Means
Many products claim to be biodegradable, but what does that label actually mean? With no legal definition for the term and no clear standards for enforcement, consumers have no guarantee that "biodegradable" products are good for the environment.

Why Not Mandatory Recycling?
If recycling is one of the three Rs of environmental preservation--reduce, reuse, and recycle--then why is recycling not mandatory everywhere in the United States and elsewhere? Should recycling be mandatory? What would have to change for recycling to become the law of the land?

Office Paper Recycling
Most business offices generate about 350 pounds of waste paper per employee every year, yet despite the good intentions of many companies to recycle their office paper quite a few still aren't getting the job done. What's the problem, and how can we solve it?

Eco-Friendly Wood Floor Wax
It's difficult to find wood floor wax without harmful chemicals, but it's not impossible. Here are suggestions for wood floor wax that helps to keep your indoor environment healthy.

What is Ethanol?
What is the alternative fuel ethanol and how is it used?

McCain AWOL on Environment
U.S. Sen. John McCain, frontrunner for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, received a zero score from the League of Conservation Voters for his congressional voting record on environmental issues in 2007. McCain earned his zero score by missing every important vote on environmental issues.

Rainforest Preservation
Preserving the Amazon rainforest in South America, as well as other rainforests worldwide, remains an important global environmental issue, even when the news media turns its attention elsewhere. Although they cover a relatively small percentage of the planet, rainforests are home to about half of the plant and animal species on Earth. Yet, according to the United Nations, at least 37.5 million acres of rainforests are lost every year. Find out more.

Eco-Friendly Home Improvements
Making eco-friendly home improvements is easier than you may think, and the benefits to your health and the environment can be dramatic. Learn more about do-it-yourself eco-friendly home improvements, and get the resources you need to make eco-friendly home improvements a snap.

Can Vaccines Cause Autism?
Is it true that toxins in some common childhood vaccines cause autism? Should parents consider not vaccinating their children to avoid the possibility of autism? Learn the facts.

Dishwashers & the Environment
Is it more environmentally friendly to hand-wash dishes or to use a dishwasher? The answer may surprise you. Learn what the experts say.

Phthalates: Cosmetics Dangers
Most mainstream cosmetics contain phthalates, an industrial chemical shown to cause serious health problems in humans and animals. Learn the dangers of phthalates and where to find cosmetics that are free of phthalates.

Why Eat Locally Grown Food?
"Eat local" has become one of the mantras of the new environmental movement, but why is eating locally grown food so important, and what does it have to do with the environment, anyway?

Traditional vs Plug-in Hybrids
The new plug-in hybrid cars being developed promise exceptional gas mileage with far fewer emissions than standard gasoline-powered automobiles or even traditional hybrid cars, but will the driving public accept some of the limitations they represent?

What is Drought?
What is the true definition of "drought," how many different types of droughts are there, and what causes droughts to occur?

Cell Phone & Microwave Effects
Scientific research indicates that exposure to cell phones and microwave radiation can cause health problems. Learn more about the health effects of cell phones and microwave radiation.

Recycle Your Toothbrush?
Recycle your toothbrush? Why not? Fifty million pounds of toothbrushes are tossed into U.S. landfills every year. Don't let yours be one of them. Several companies now offer eco-friendly products or programs that enable you to recycle or reuse your toothbrush.

How Well Does Ethanol Perform?
Ethanol is widely available and reasonably inexpensive, but what kind of performance can drivers expect from a car running on ethanol or an ethanol/gasoline blend?

Solar Water Heater Benefits
Why solar water heaters are good for the environment, and how solar water heaters can save consumers money.

Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Keeping your tires properly inflated is one of the simplest things you can do to help fight global warming, lower your fuel costs, and stay safe on the road. And with Congress requiring automakers to install new technology that monitors tire pressure and warns drivers when it drops too far below recommended levels, keeping your tires inflated will soon be even easier.

Plant a Billion Trees
The United Nations Environment Programme is coordinating a worldwide campaign to encourage people and organizations to plant at least a billion trees in a single year. Even that is only a small start on the work that must be done to restore the forests we have lost over the past decade alone. Find out how you can help.

Effects of Red Meat
What about red meat? Red meat has been associated with health problems like heart disease and colon cancer. Evidence also suggests that red meat meat may contribute to dementia, osteoporosis and other serious illnesses.

The Ethics of Dissection
Dissecting frogs and other creatures has been a standard teaching practice in science classes for generations, but collecting amphibians, birds and other animals for dissection puts added pressure on species that are struggling to survive the habitat loss and other environmental changes. Meanwhile, some studies have shown dissection may not achieve the educational goals teachers once thought, and new digital teaching tools offer alternatives that carry no environmental consequences.

True Cost of Owning a Hybrid
When Consumer Reports published an article saying that any of the six most popular hybrid cars would cost owners more over the lifetime of the vehicle than comparable gasoline-powered models, a few sharp-eyed readers pointed out a serious design flaw in the magazine’s research that sent editors scrambling to correct their mistake.

Water More Valuable Than Oil?
The most valuable commodity in the world today is not oil, but water. Many of the world’s leading investors and most successful companies are making big bets on water. There simply isn’t enough usable water to go around, and the situation is expected to get worse before it gets better. [p]

Best Trees for Global Warming
Most scientists agree that planting trees is a good way to help reduce global warming and to keep the planet healthy, but which types of trees are best and what makes some trees better than others? Learn more about the best trees to plant to offset global warming.

World Water Day Q&A
World Water Day -- More than a billion people lack access to safe drinking water. Every day, 14,000 people die from diseases caused by this global water crisis, the majority of them children under 5 years old. World Water Day is an annual observance to raise public awareness about this critical global health issue and to inspire personal action. Read the interview with Gary White, executive director and co-founder of WaterPartners International, to learn how you can help.

U.S. Autos & Global Warming
U.S. automobiles and light trucks are responsible for nearly half of all greenhouse gases emitted by automobiles globally, according to a new study by Environmental Defense.

Why Stop Using Plastic Bags?
Americans throw away almost 100 billion plastic bags every year, and only 1 percent to 3 percent are ever recycled, leaving the rest to clog streams, foul landscapes, and kill birds and marine mammals. Learn how you can help the environment by reducing the number of plastic bags that are produced and discarded.

What's Wrong with Soft Drinks?
Carbonated soft drinks (aka soda pop) have become a dietary staple for millions of people, but what are the dangers and drawbacks of consuming so much "liquid candy" and where can consumers find healthful alternatives?

Canada Dumps Sewage in the Sea
Canada flushes some 200 billion liters of raw sewage directly into natural waterways every year, from the St. Lawrence River to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean. One of the worst offenders is the city of Victoria, the picturesque capital of British Columbia, the province that is preparing to host the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Fewer U.S. Cancer Deaths
The number of cancer deaths in the United States has declined for the first time in more than 70 years—the first time since the government starting keeping statistics in 1930—according to an American Cancer Society analysis of government health data.

Can the Ocean Provide Energy?
In the search for renewable energy sources, ocean power is an option. Learn how pioneer companies can use ocean power to produce energy.

Solar Highways
Using road surfaces to generate clean solar power is an innovative idea being explored in both Europe and the United States. Experts believe that turning highways into solar collectors as well as transportation corridors could generate enough electricity to meet the energy needs of the entire world.

Life is Shorter for U.S. Women
Life expectancy for American women is declining for the first time since the Spanish influenza epidemic in 1918, according to a new study. Life expectancy is going down or failing to improve for nearly 1 in 5 U.S. women. Smoking and obesity are seen as major causes for the loss of life expectancy among American women.

Why are the Honeybees Dying?
Honeybee colonies are dying or disappearing in record numbers. What is causing the dramatic decline in honeybee populations in the U.S. and elsewhere, how is the honeybee loss affecting agriculture and food supplies, and what is being done to solve the problem?

Record High Greenhouse Gases
Scientists working in Antarctica have confirmed that levels of key greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming are higher today than at any time in the past 650,000 years, and humans are responsible for the increase.

Condoms to Preserve Rainforest
Condoms are used by millions of people worldwide to prevent pregnancy and stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, but now Brazil has come up with a new use for condoms: preserving the Amazon rainforest.

Overpopulation & Environmen
Population growth is placing tremendous stress on Earth's resources and the natural environment, creating a scarcity of food and water and leading to problems such as deforestation and increased global warming. Learn what can be done to achieve a sustainable balance between human population and available resources.

Get Healthier School Lunches
To improve the health of U.S. schoolchildren, cafeteria food has become the target in programs designed to improve school lunches, making school lunches and cafeteria food healthier and more eco-friendly.

Get a Free Home Energy Audit
Requesting a free home energy audit from your local utility can help you find ways to reduce your energy consumption, lower your carbon footprint, and save money in the bargain. You may also be able to purchase green power from your local utility. Learn more about green power and how you can get a free home energy audit.

Fast Food Waste Recycling
Along with burgers, tacos and french fries, fast food restaurants serve up a mountain of paper, plastic and Styrofoam waste every day. Fast food waste is a growing problem, as fast food chains expand and open new restaurants around the world. Some fast food companies have taken voluntary steps to reduce, reuse or recycle their waste, but is that enough? Do we need stronger regulations to govern fast food waste?

Environmental Refugees
Scholars are predicting that 50 million people worldwide will be displaced by 2010 because of rising sea levels, desertification, dried up aquifers, weather-induced flooding and other serious environmental changes.

Polar Bears & Global Warming
Polar bears need to be protected from the effects of global warming, according to a proposal by the Bush administration to make polar bears a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. But does the Bush administration's new concern for polar bears also signal a new intention to address the broader problems of global warming?

Tainted Tap Water in 42 States
Public water supplies in 42 U.S. states--the tap water millions of Americans drink every day--are are contaminated with 141 unregulated chemicals for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has never established safety standards, according to an investigation by the Environmental Working Group.

Bush on Global Warming
When President Bush unveiled his new strategy to stop the growth of greenhouse gase emissions and slow global warming, it sounded like the same old bait-and-switch. When it comes to global warming and other environmental issues, is Bush "the decider," as he once famously declared, or the dissembler?

Recyclable Plastic Containers
Find out which ingredient in most plastic containers that makes it so hard to recycle them, and how corn plastic could be the eco-friendly answer.

Earth Day History & Evolution
Offers a history of Earth Day--how Earth Day began and how Earth Day evolved--and profiles both the international Earth Day observance held each year on the vernal equinox and the annual Earth Day celebration on April 22, which is more common in the United States.

Importance of Wetlands
Wetlands play a critical role in our ecosystem, and wetlands in North America are threatened by development and pollution. Learn why wetlands are so important, and what governments and groups are doing to protect wetlands.

America's Unsafe Air
According to the American Lung Association, more than half of all Americans live in counties with unsafe levels of smog and particle pollution, which leads to many lung and respiratory illnesses.

Ticked Off About Ticks?
Ticks are small insects that can cause big problems, such as Lyme Disease. But the commercial products designed to kill or repel ticks are as dangerous as the ticks themselves, containing chemicals that can damage the nervous systems of pets and people and lead to cancer and other diseases. Find out how you can avoid ticks without dousing your house and yard with toxic chemicals.

Air Quality During Heat Waves
Air quality during a heat wave not only feels worse, it is worse. Find out how heat waves affect air quality, and what you can do to protect yourself from poor air quality and heat waves.

Organic Cotton Clothing
Learn why health and environmental concerns prompt hip designers to choose organic cotton, and where to look for organic cotton clothing.

Malnutrition & Overpopulation
Global pollution combined with population growth is leading to widespread malnutrition and making millions of people more susceptible to a range of infectious diseases--from measles and influenza to malaria--according to researchers at Cornell University. Malnutrition currently kills 6 million children annually, and affects 57 percent of the world's people.

Sweden to End Oil Dependency
Sweden has set an ambitious goal to eliminate its dependency on oil by 2020. The nation of 9 million people has made a good start at becoming oil-free. Sweden is already less dependent on oil than other nations in the European Union and a world leader in the use of renewable energy.

Batteries: Toss or Recycle?
May batteries be safely discarded along with other household trash, or must they be recycled? While newer batteries contain less mercury and other toxic substances than older versions, they do include trace amounts that could potentially harm the environment.

Life Alone Bad for Environment
Want to help the environment? Get a roommate, get married, or find some other way to expand your household. People who live alone consume considerably more energy and other resources than those who live in households of four or more, and younger, more affluent singles use more than their older counterparts.

Dams Block Migrating Salmon
Hydroelectric dams harnessed U.S. rivers and brought light into the darkness in a cleaner, more sustainable way than most other power plants could claim. But the dams also created an impenetrable barrier that blocked migrating salmon, making it impossible for them to reach the sea or return to their spawning grounds. Today, many dams are being studied for possible removal, which could create a new era of restoration for wild salmon runs.

Dishwasher & Laundry Soaps
Keeping your clothes and dishes clean is just part of living a healthy life, but are you using dishwasher and laundry soaps that put the envrionment at risk? Phosphates and other chemicals in many dishwasher and laundry soaps can pollute lakes and waterways, kill many plant and animal species and pose human health risks. Learn about the alternatives.

Is Your Car Toxic?
The EPA lists indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental risks to public health, and the concentrations of some toxic chemicals that cause indoor air pollution are five times higher inside your car than at your home or office. Learn more about the risks of indoor air pollution inside your car and what you can do about it.

An Inconvenient Truth
A review of "An Inconvenient Truth," the documentary film of Al Gore's call to action on global warming.

Which Sponges are Best?
A sponge is a sponge, right? Well, no. Some sponges are living organisms that have been harvested for centuries and used in the ways we know them best. Others are artificial replicas, made from wood pulp and other ingredients. Which is better for the environment?

Benefits of Online Bill Paying
Online bill paying is gaining popularity and it's good for the environment. Here's how online bill paying reduces waste while saving you time and money.

American Streetcar Scandal
How did the United States go from being a nation in which 90 percent of the citizenry relied on public transportation to one in which the vast majority own and drive their own cars? One powerful automaker led a conspiracy to leave Americans no other choice but to purchase a family car and hit the road.

Can Chocolate Create Fuel?
Combining chocolate with the right kind of bacteria produces hydrogen, a clean renewable energy that could be used with fuel cells to power vehicles or manufacturing processes, according to researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK.

Steve Irwin Profile
Profile and biography of Steve Irwin, better known as "The Crocodile Hunter" to his millions of film and television fans worldwide. A lifelong environmentalist and animal rights advocate, Irwin regularly educated and entertained an audience of 200 million people with his passion for animals, quirky personality and enthusiastic trademark cry, "Crikey!"

Hemp: Miracle Fiber or Drug?
What did the Gutenberg bible, Christopher Columbus' ropes and sails, the Declaration of Independence and the first American flag have in common? They were all made from hemp, a crop so versatile it can be used to make cloth, paper, even food. So why is the United States the only developed nation where growing hemp is illegal?

Desalination: Good or Bad?
As ocean desalination plants are being built, environmentalists are expressing concerns about the long-term envionmental effects of desalination. Learn why desalination may not be the best solution to our water shortage.

How to Recycle Phonebooks
Learn why it's good to recycle your old phonebooks, plus useful tips on how to reuse your phonebooks if your recycler won't take your phonebooks.

Recycling CFLs with Mercury
Compact fluorescent lamps, which use far less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs, contain mercury that should be recycled to avoid creating risks to public health.

2006 Top Environmental Stories
What were the top environmental stories of 2006? What made them important or significant? Check this list of the dozen top environmental stories, chosen by Larry West, About Environmental Issues, to see whether you agree or disagree.

Nuclear Waste: 1 Million Years
The U.S. government may have a long reach, but trying to regulate nuclear waste disposal for 1 million years is a stretch even for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But that is what the EPA is trying to do, following a court decision that said a regulatory plan for 10,000 years wasn't long enough to deal with the toxic effects of nuclear waste.

Hurricane Katrina Impact
Hurricane Katrina--learn the environmental impacts of Hurricane Katrine, including industrial waste, raw sewage and oil spills, and the lasting danger that Hurrican Katrina poses to public health.

Is Clean Coal Really Clean?
Clean coal supporters claim clean coal and liquid coal can help to free the United States of its dependence on foreign oil without damaging the environment, but critics say "clean coal" is dirtier than oil-based alternatives. Get the dirt on clean coal.

LED Lamps May Save Lives
An experiment with low-cost, solar-powered light emitting diode (LED) lamps that is lighting up the lives of a handful of families in rural India could become a beacon of hope for millions of poor people worldwide who currently rely on kerosene lamps and other lighting solutions that are toxic--and frequently lethal--when used indoors.

Americans Recycle More
Americans are recycling more and discarding less, according to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which shows dramatic increases in the amount of waste being recycled and a significant drop in the amount of waste being generated annually.

2007 Second Warmest Year
Official agencies from the U.S. to the U.K. have declared 2007 the second warmest year on record—and the hottest ever in the Northern Hemisphere—despite a variety of climate conditions that usually lead to cooler temperatures.

Global Warming Fix Affordable
Solving the growing problem of global warming due to excess greenhouse gas emissions is cost-effective, affordable and well within reach, according to a report by the world's leading climate scientists.

Organic Farming & World Hunger
All farming was organic for thousands of years, but then mankind discovered chemical pesticides and fertilizers and began to believe they were the secret to high crop yields and high profits. New research confirms organic farming is still best for farmers and consumers--and may be the only way to end world hunger without harming the planet.

Americans Breathing Smog
More than half of the residents of 10 U.S. states are living in areas with dangerous levels of smog that routinely exceed EPA air quality standards. Smog, or ground-level ozone, creates serious health risks for children and seniors, and causes or aggravates many respiratory illnesses.

Environmental News Sources
Stay informed and up-to-date on worldwide environmental news with this list of the best environmental news sources on the Internet.

Gas Tax & Global Warming
Americans are generally opposed to raising the federal tax on gasoline, but a majority would support a gasoline tax increase if they knew the money would be used to reduce global warming or to lessen United States dependence on foreign oil, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll.

Religion and the Environment
Faith-based environmentalism is a growing trend, with an increasing number of relgious leaders and organizations teaching that doing God's will means protecting God's creation.

U.S. National Parks at Risk
Twelve U.S. national parks in the American West are at risk due to the effects of global warming--such as drought, flooding, erosion and fire--accourding to a report by two leading environmentalist groups.

Power from Pet Feces
American dogs and cats produce 10 million tons of animal waste every year, and most of it ends up in landfills or ends up in the water table. San Francisco and several other cities in the Bay Area have set a goal to end their use of landfills by 2020, so they have started looking at the feasibility of turning pet feces into power instead of pollution.

Mobile Phones & Cancer
Mobile phones are a mainstay of personal and professional communications worldwide--but are they safe? A new study by the Swedish National Institute for Working Life and the University of Oerebro has found the first significant evidence linking mobile phone use to an increased risk of brain tumors.

Global Warming & Gulf Stream
Could global warming disrupt or redirect the Gulf Stream that helps keep Europe and North America temperate by bringing warm water north from the Gulf of Mexico. And if it did, what would the change do to temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere?

Coca-Cola & Groundwater
Groundwater depletion has become a serious problem in India, and villagers blame Coca-Cola for aggravating the groundwater problem. Learn what India's government and citizens are doing, and how Coca-Cola is responding to the groundwater and pollution charges.

Whole Foods Bans Plastic Bags
Whole Foods, one of the leading natural and organic grocery chains in North America, has decided to ban the use of plastic bags in every one of its 270 stores--a move that will take 150 million plastic bags out of circulation each year.