The Fourth of July has become synonymous with barbeques, flag memorabilia and fireworks shows as a celebration of American independence. And, while the latter dazzle the skies, they have harmful repercussions for the environment. Drone fireworks offer an eco-friendly alternative.
Pollinators are crucial for growing the food we eat and supporting the diverse plant life that sustains our ecosystems. When feeding on pollen or nectar for energy, pollinators carry pollen from the stamen of the flower to the stigma, which fertilizes the plant so it can produce fruit and seeds. While honeybees and bumblebees might […]
When trying to be environmentally sustainable, living in suburbia can make it pretty difficult. The suburbs have been responsible for 50% of carbon emissions in the United States, mainly due to a reliance on automobiles. Suburban homes also conserve far less energy due to the heating and cooling of larger houses, which also contributes to […]
Each year, Earth Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the natural world and the benefits it confers to humanity. Conservation and preservation typically dominate the conversation. Well-meaning, these can unwittingly create a narrative that we can only protect wild spaces by keeping humans out; and we wonder why this doesn’t inspire sufficient action to address our pressing environmental challenges.
With spring settling in across the U.S. and days lengthening, many people are ready to spend more time outside. But after a walk outdoors, have you ever found seeds clinging to your clothes? Lodged in your socks and shoelaces? Perhaps tangled in your pet’s fur? While most of us don’t give these hitchhikers much thought, seeds and burrs may be the first signs of invasive plant spread.
The documentary film River, coming to theaters this Earth Day, opens with a view of a river flowing calmly between shadowed banks, shimmering with the liminal light of dusk or dawn. “Thousands have lived without love,” a quote from W.H. Auden appears over a reflected cloud bank. “Not one without water.” Yet the film that […]
Could the future of cooking be 3D-printing? That’s what researchers at Columbia University set out to investigate in a study that involved 3D-printing a seven-ingredient, seven-layer vegan cheesecake. The study is meant to examine the pros and cons of preparing food with 3D-printing technology.
This fizzy, fermented tea is great for gut health, but the single-use plastic and glass bottles it’s packaged in are bad news for the environment. Instead of shelling out four dollars for a single bottle of kombucha at the corner store, try making your own at home with a few simple ingredients. What Is Kombucha? […]