Natural resource - Environmental quality

  • Fertilizing the ocean
    Fertilizing the ocean

    As Earth warms, should we try huge geoengineering projects to cool the climate? Would adding iron to fertilize ocean plants withdraw enough carbon dioxide to slow warming — or backfire?


    Thursday, August 6th, 2009
  • Bush creates huge Pacific reserves
    Bush creates huge Pacific reserves

    Three giant new reserves, extend 50 miles out from shore, will protect coral reefs, fish, clams, and other life forms. But how effective are marine protected areas?


    Sunday, January 25th, 2009
  • Fuel Faves: Coffee meets diesel!
    Fuel Faves: Coffee meets diesel!

    Oils in spent coffee grounds are easily converted into biodiesel — a renewable source of transportation energy. Bottoms up for CofFuel?


    Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
  • Carbon tax or carbon trading? Can economics battle global warming?
    Carbon tax or carbon trading? Can economics battle global warming?

    Carbon tax never even got considered, but it may produce more carbon control at a lower price. Comparing carbon tax with cap and trade…


    Thursday, December 4th, 2008
  • New concern as ocean grows more acidic
    New concern as ocean grows more acidic

    Each hour, the ocean dissolves 1 million tons of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuel. As the water grows more acidic, sound travels further. What will happen to marine mammals, which rely on an exquisite sense of hearing?


    Thursday, November 13th, 2008
  • Mystery of the disappearing ice sheet

    Rapid melting of Canadian ice sheet suggests that Greenland’s massive ice cap could melt and raise sea level much faster than predicted within a century.


    Thursday, September 4th, 2008
  • Ice is nice: Report offers no certainty on sea level rise

    Greenland’s icecap holds enough water to raise sea level by 7 meters. Some studies show it sliding faster into the sea. Should we worry? New report says “We don’t know.” Comforting?


    Thursday, May 3rd, 2007
  • Nature: The natural prescription for health?

    Could a walk in the park be good for you? Could looking out a window at a park be good for you? Can nature lower stress and promote healing? For centuries, philosophers, mystics and tree-huggers have talked up the benefits of nature.


    Thursday, April 19th, 2007
  • Can Ethanol Replace Gasoline? Should it?

    Global warming gets worse. Petroleum grows scarce. Should we start making biofuels bigtime? If so, should we get the ethanol from corn, or from plant wastes?


    Thursday, February 8th, 2007
  • Ecotourism: Is it Working?

    20 years ago, ecotourism was promoted as a way to save natural systems, and the people who lived in them. We ask: Is ecotourism a force for good, or just another form of “greenwashing”?


    Thursday, November 2nd, 2006


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