The planet’s plastic pollution plague has been in the headlines, competing with climate change impacts for the top issue of the “Anthropocene”. Media coverage has raised the mainstream awareness of marine plastic pollution, and people everywhere are wondering what can be done to reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean. We already use a…
The journal Science published an analysis which shows one third of the birds in the United States have disappeared since 1970. The study based on a survey of more than 500 species, reveals steep losses even among such traditionally abundant birds as robins and sparrows. Kevin Gaston, a conservation biologist at the University of Exeter,…
This is the scary month – and these are really scary times. The world came together to tell our leaders that we are worried – worried about the way the climate is changing and what that will do to our future on this planet – AND that they must do something about it! It was…
What if we all explored and used our talents? What if we took the things we loved doing and share it with other people. How many of us have those talents that we think we are good at, but figure no one wants to hear it? How many of us are too afraid to put…
Don’t feel guilty when you travel to see grandkids or the World! Offset your travel with a donation that directly impacts carbon emissions. Two credible programs are: Carbonfund.org and cooleffect.org. Local organizations making a difference on Cape Cod: Assoc. for the Preservation of CC, Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, 350Cape Cod, Cape Wildlife Center, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research…
While you are away; reuse your towels and ask that sheets not be changed every day. Behave like you would want guests at your home to behave: Take shorter showers and shut off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth. Turn off lights before leaving the room. Hike marked trails. Dining out: eat local. Challenge yourself to include…
Travel Green: Buses, trains, hybrid cars, and coach seats on narrow jets weigh in at less than . pound of CO2 per mile. SUVs and first-class jets, produce more than one pound of CO2 per mile. Greenest option: Take the bus. A couple taking the bus will cut their carbon emissions nearly in half —…
Green Travel Tips: bring a reusable water bottle and a shopping bag, book non-stop flights whenever possible, rent a hybrid car, book flights with airlines that recycle the waste created when serving food and beverages to passengers (search: airlines that recycle), stay at a green hotel if possible (greenhotels.com) Bring your own toiletries rather than using…
Planning to travel? This month provides you with simple tips for earth-friendly travel. Some of these also apply when staying home. Before you leave, turn off or unplug lights and electronics. Turn your thermostat up or down. Suspend newspaper delivery. Unwrap items and recycle packaging as much as possible. Do not print tickets – if you…
To share suburbia with wildlife, we need to: create corridors connecting natural areas; reduce lawn area; and begin the transition from alien to native ornamental. Homeowners can do this by planting borders of their properties heavily with native woody plants. Even modest increases in native plant cover on suburban properties increases the number and species…