environment
EarthTalk: Who profits the most from global warming?
Dear EarthTalk: Which companies and industry sectors stand to profit the most from global warming? —Jerry M., Largo, FL June 6. According to a report by Swiss Re, a global insurance provider, climate change could erode a total of $23 trillion of global gross domestic product by 2050. But while global warming is a crisis […]
New research: Coastal communities are flooding more than previously thought
June 3. By Dave Yochum. The “Sunny Day Flooding Project,” a research initiative focused on improving flood monitoring, broadening understanding of coastal flooding, and identifying the most effective flood mitigation strategies, reveals that some North Carolina coastal communities are flooding more than previously thought. Indeed, you might want to think twice about that beach house. […]
EarthTalk: What is mariculture and why are proponents so bullish?
Dear EarthTalk: What is mariculture and why are proponents so bullish on it as a solution to environmental challenges? —Peter Manchin, Atlanta, GA May 30. Growing demand for seafood adds more pressure to ocean populations. Mariculture has an alternative that can help mitigate environmental challenges and even climate change. This type of aquacultural practice cultivates […]
EarthTalk: Changing climate for climate commitments
Dear EarthTalk: Which U.S.-based Fortune 500 companies are turning their backs on previous climate commitments, and which are forging ahead toward carbon neutrality? – L.J., via email May 16. Many Fortune 500 companies have pledged ambitious climate goals, including net-zero emissions and investing in renewable energy. But while some are making meaningful progress, others are […]
Regional air quality worsens year over year
April 23. According to the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” report, Charlotte’s air quality is worse this year than it was year. Extreme heat and wildfires contributed to worsening air quality in much of the country. Charlotte Ground-level Ozone Pollution: Number of Unhealthy Days per Year: 2.7 days (1 day in 2024 report) […]
EarthTalk: Why is wind power suddenly up in the air?
Dear EarthTalk: How is wind power doing in the US? —P.K. via email March 28. Wind energy is the largest single source of renewable energy in the U.S., comprising 10 percent of the nation’s electricity mix. In Iowa and South Dakota, wind provides more than half the electricity. In 2024, U.S. wind electricity generation surpassed […]
EarthTalk: What should we do with old electronics?
Dear EarthTalk: Can we do a better job repurposing outdated technology instead of trashing it? —R.T Smith, via e-mail March 21. The annual production of “e-waste”—electronic products that have reached the end of their useful life and tossed—is rising by 2.6 million tons globally, on track to reach 82 million tons by 2030. While recycling […]
EarthTalk: What’s happening to the Great Salt Lake?
Why is the Great Salt Lake shrinking so much and can it be saved? —E.T., via email March 14. Utah’s Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. It is a remnant of Lake Bonneville, which dried up 14,000 years ago due to extreme drought. It contributes $1.9 billion annually to […]
EarthTalk: What about ‘green corridors,’ and how are they useful?
Dear EarthTalk: What are so-called “green corridors” in cities and how do they help mitigate climate change? —Peter Q, Boston, MA March 7. Green corridors, or ecological corridors, are strips of vegetation and natural landscape dispersed throughout a city. From simple, street-lined rows of trees to interconnected networks of parks and pathways, these developments provide […]
EarthTalk: What about Monarch butterflies?
Dear EarthTalk: What is the status of the monarch butterfly in the U.S. and is it listed as threatened or endangered? —M. Smith, Raleigh, NC Feb. 28. The monarch butterfly, known for its awe-inspiring migration across North America, has become a symbol of both ecological wonder and environmental decline. Once abundant across the continent, their […]
