Updated Articles and Resources

From Larry West, Former About.com Guide since 2005

How Does Pollution Affect Health? Video Created: Monday, January 30, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Environmental pollution can affect your health by being exposed to toxins. Learn more about how pollution affects health in this educational video.
Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving - Share Your Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving Tips Created: Friday, November 19, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
You live green all year-round, how about Thanksgiving? Share your eco-friendly Thanksgiving tips and get new Thanksgiving ideas from Environmental Issues readers.
Car-Buying - How Do Environmental Concerns Affect Your Car-Buying Decisions? Created: Tuesday, November 02, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Do you consider the environment when you make a car-buying decision? Find out why people make car-buying decisions based on environmental concerns, and share your story.
Environment and Diet - How Have Environmental Issues Changed Your Diet? Created: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Are you eating less red meat and tuna, and buying more organic or locally grown food? How have environmental issues and health concerns changed your eating habits? Share your diet decisions with En..
Environment - What is the Best Way for People to Help the Environment? Created: Thursday, September 03, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
There are many ways to help the environment--what's your favorite? Share your best tip for helping the environment with Environmental Issues readers.
Top Environmental Issues - What Are Your Top Environmental Issues in the 21st Century? Created: Sunday, January 31, 2010 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Here are some of the top environmental issues of the past decade, from 2000 to 2009. What do you think will be the top environmental issues in the next 10, 20 or 50 years? Tell us what you think th..
BPA - How Do You Reduce Your Exposure to BPA? Created: Monday, October 12, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
BPA (Bisphenol A) is widely used in plastic products, children’s toys, and food/beverage can liners. But BPA has been linked to serious health problems in humans. Given how common BPA is, wha..
Green Halloween - Share Your Green Halloween Ideas Created: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Halloween is spooky by nature but it doesn't have to be a scary time for the environment. If you celebrate green Halloweens, how about sharing tips that help you and your family have an eco-friendl..
Green Living - How Do You Help to Save the Planet? Created: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
How have you adopted green living to help save the Earth, conserve resources, reduce carbon and protect people and animals? Share your tips for green living.
Reusable Bags - Why do you choose to carry, or not carry, reusable shopping bags? Created: Sunday, March 29, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Readers of About.com: Environmental Issues explain why they do, or do not, carry reusable shopping bags.
Reduce Global Warming - What are You Doing to Help Reduce Global Warming? Created: Sunday, March 29, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Readers of About.com: Environmental Issues share their ideas and strategies for what people can do at home and at work to help reduce global warming.
Earth Day Experiences - How Do You Celebrate Earth Day? Created: Saturday, March 28, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Readers of About.com: Environmental Issues share how they celebrate Earth Day.
State of the Union 2010 -- Obama Urges Clean Energy Economy in First State of the Union Address Created: Monday, February 06, 2012 Updated: Saturday, February 11, 2012
One year after taking office, President Barack Obama outlined his vision for a clean-energy economy in his first State of the Union address.
State of the Union 2012 - Obama Calls for Clean Energy and an Economy Built to Last Created: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, February 07, 2012
In his third State of the Union address, President Barack Obama shared his plan for rebuilding the U.S. economy and his vision of a return to basic American values.
What Are Environmentally Friendly Light Bulbs? Video Created: Monday, January 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, January 30, 2012
Environmentally friendly light bulbs are compact fluorescent lights or CFLs. Learn how these light bulbs can save you more energy and money than standard incandescent lights in this educational vid..
Safe Cookware Options Video Created: Monday, January 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, January 30, 2012
Some cookware options are safer to use than others. If you are concerned about toxins and potentially hazardous materials in your cookware, watch this educational video to learn more about your opt..
Is Teflon Cookware Safe? Video Created: Monday, January 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, January 30, 2012
Teflon cookware may emit potentially hazardous fumes. Learn more about the controversy concerning the safety of teflon cookware in this educational video.
5 Ways Travelers Can Reduce Their Environmental Impact Video Created: Monday, January 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, January 30, 2012
It can be tougher to monitor your environmental impact while you're traveling and out of your element, but there are things you can do to reduce it. Here's a video with tips on reducing your enviro..
Why Are Reused Plastic Bottles a Health Risk? Video Created: Monday, January 30, 2012 Updated: Monday, January 30, 2012
Plastic bottles contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health under certain conditions. Learn more about how to properly use and reuse plastic bottles to avoid health risks.
What's the Difference Between Global Warming and Climate Change? Video Created: Friday, January 27, 2012 Updated: Friday, January 27, 2012
'Climate change' and 'global warming' are terms that are occasionally used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Here's a video explaining the differences between global warming and climate c..
Obama Kills Keystone XL Pipeline Project – For Now Created: Thursday, January 26, 2012 Updated: Thursday, January 26, 2012
President Barack Obama rejected TransCanada's application for a permit to build the $7 billion Keystone XL Pipeline from the tar sands oil fields of Canada to U.S. refineries along the Gulf of Mexi..
Obama State of the Union Speech 2011 - Obama Links Energy, Economy in Second State of the Union Created: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, January 24, 2012
In his second State of the Union address, President Barack Obama told the nation that America's economic future is linked to innovation and clean energy, but he renewed his support of clean coal an..
Plastic Bottles - How to Stop Using Plastic Bottles Video Created: Friday, January 13, 2012 Updated: Thursday, January 19, 2012
The constant use of plastic bottles is really harmful to the environment and can be pretty easily reduced. Here are some ways to stop using plastic bottles so much.
How to Properly Recycle Plastic Video Created: Friday, January 13, 2012 Updated: Friday, January 13, 2012
Are you sure you're properly recycling plastic? Incorrect ways of recycling plastic can lead to the recyclables getting thrown out, so here are some tips for how to properly recycle plastic.
Safely Reuse Plastic Containers - How to Safely Reuse Plastic Containers Video Created: Friday, January 13, 2012 Updated: Friday, January 13, 2012
Learn how to safely reuse plastic containers so that you avoid leeching harmful chemicals into your food. Here are some tips on safely reusing plastic containers.
5 Ways to Eat Greener Video Created: Thursday, January 05, 2012 Updated: Thursday, January 05, 2012
Not only is eating green important for our planet, it is also better for your health and your wallet. Here are some tips for how to eat greener.
Green Christmas Tips - How to Have a Green Christmas Created: Saturday, December 31, 2011 Updated: Saturday, December 31, 2011
A step-by-step guide to help you have a Green Christmas, one that will be a blessing for the environment as well as your family.
Reduce Global Warming With Your Car - 5 Ways to Reduce Global Warming With Your Car Video Created: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Want to learn the best ways to reduce global warming with your car? Here, see helpful ways to reduce global warming with your car.
EPA Issues First National Standards to Reduce Mercury from Power Plants Created: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 Updated: Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The EPA issued the first national standards for mercury and other toxic emissions from U.S. power plants, which are expected to bring enormous economic and public health benefits.
Carpet Cleaning - Where to Find Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning Options Created: Monday, January 29, 2007 Updated: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
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.
Sponges -- Real Sponges or Artificial Sponges -- Which is Better for the Environment? Created: Monday, January 30, 2006 Updated: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
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 woo..
Biodegradable -- Does "Biodegradable" Claim Ensure Environmental Safety? Created: Saturday, December 03, 2005 Updated: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
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