Earth Wise

Using solar and wind power can go a long way toward replacing fossil fuel-generated electricity, particularly with the addition of battery energy storage.  But because of the intermittent nature of both sun and wind, other sources are still needed.  There is also the need for ways to produce high temperature for industrial processes.  Complete decarbonization […

The combination of a warming climate and human disruption of traditional habitats has been causing changes in the ranges of many animal species.  Over the past century, white-tailed deer have greatly expanded their range in North America.  Researchers from a group of Canadian institutions have been investigating the expansion of the deer in the boreal […]

California has aggressively pursued the use of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power.  Last year, renewables supplied 54% of the state’s electricity needs.  This year, California has been achieving some remarkable milestones with its renewable energy. As of May 26th, California had produced more than 100% of its electricity demand with wind, solar, and [&#

Direct air capture (DAC) is process that removes carbon dioxide out of the air and stores it away where it can no longer trap heat in the atmosphere.  It is intended to be a way of getting rid of the greenhouse gases that have built up in the atmosphere.  In principle, it’s a great idea.  […]

If you are seeing fewer fireflies each year, you’re not alone.  Like many insects, firefly populations are in decline.  A new study by researchers from the University of Kentucky, Bucknell University, Penn State University, and the USDA has shed some light on the precarious situation facing firefly populations across North America.  The research team used […]

There has been lots of talk recently about the transition to electric vehicles sputtering out.  Several automakers have delayed their EV programs citing reduced demand for the vehicles and lack of profitability.  In the bigger picture, the auto industry as a whole is in a rough patch as rising interest rates and other factors have […]

About 40% of the world‘s population lives in coastal regions.  People really like ocean-front property.  But worldwide, rising sea levels mean that more and more people want to live on land that may someday be swallowed up by the sea. One possible solution to the problem is to build cities on top of the water.  […]

Emperor penguins, the tallest and heaviest of all living penguins, are also the most famous, being the subject of a very popular documentary film.  The ongoing loss of sea ice in Antarctica has led to unprecedented breeding failures in emperor penguin colonies.  Since 2016, Antarctica has seen the four years with the lowest sea ice […]

For the past several years, the Swiss-based company Energy Vault has been developing an energy storage system based on the principle of using mechanical devices to lift heavy concrete blocks into stacks using power generated by wind turbines or other renewable sources.  When energy is needed, the blocks are lowered back to the ground, spinning […]

Palm oil is the world’s cheapest and most widely used vegetable oil.  In fact, more than 86 million tons of palm oil was consumed last year alone.  Even though few of us cook with it, palm oil can be found in approximately half of all packaged grocery items – everything from ice creams and pizzas […]