Dear EarthTalk: Are the new SST jets friendlier to the environment than the SSTs of the 1970s?– P. Barnes, Midlothian, TX Nearly 20 years have passed since the last flight of the Concorde, the first supersonic passenger-carrying commercial airplane (or supersonic transport, SST). The aircraft cruised the Queen of England and the ultra-wealthy across the […]
Black Bald Eagles
Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that we’ve done such a good job bringing back bald eagles that they’ve become pests now? — D. Maguire, Winston-Salem, NC It’s hard to believe the bald eagle was on the brink of extinction in the Lower 48 United States just a half century ago, given how common the […]
Artificial Intelligence For Conservation?
Dear EarthTalk: How is Artificial Intelligence being used for conservation? – Katy P., Chevy Chase, MD You would never think that computers and Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help humans save nature, but in fact these tools may be key to whether or not we can halt global warming in time let alone solve many other […]
National Parks Disproportionately Affected by Climate Change?
Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that U.S. national parks are disproportionately affected by climate change. Is this true, and if so, why?– Joseph Pearl, Floral Park, NY The effects of climate change can be felt all over the globe in various ways, but America’s national parks seem to be suffering more than U.S. overall land mass. […]
Blimp Travel
EarthTalk® From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Is blimp travel really making a comeback? Is it eco-friendly? – J. Roe, Islip. NY The blimp, forever besmirched due to the Hindenburg explosion in 1937—when one of the first commercial blimps caught on fire—never really fulfilled its potential as a commuting vehicle. […]
Solar Farms
Dear EarthTalk: Has there been any backlash against the installation of rooftop solar panels or the development of big solar farms across the U.S.? – B. Jackson, Longmeadow, MA Incentives like the Solar Investment Tax Credit and increased affordability in the cost of solar panel installation over the past decade have given renewable solar energy […]
Best Electronic Vehicles
Dear EarthTalk: I am looking to finally ditch the old minivan and upgrade to an EV. What are the best choices out there nowadays in terms of up-front cost and fuel efficiency? – J. Wilson, Smithtown, NY Now is a great time to make the jump into an electric vehicle (EV)—those futuristic new cars that […]
Dark Sky Havens
Dear EarthTalk: What are “dark sky havens” and are there any near me? — D. Morris, Troy, MI A bright moon hangs over the clear, terrestrial night sky permeated by winking stars, illuminating the town below with various hues of blue. While some can only fantasize of these beautiful night settings, these nighttime skies do […]
Climate-Friendly Homes
Dear EarthTalk: What are some quick and easy ways to make my home more comfortable and climate-friendly? – Jane B., Tampa, FL While the coronavirus pandemic has been a serous blight on the world, we’ve all learned valuable lessons about resource consumption from running around so much less. The lack of commuting has practically emptied […]
Contaminants In Drinking Water
Dear EarthTalk: What are the main contaminants we have to worry about in our drinking water? How can we know if we are being exposed and what can we do about it?— L. Minto, Bern, NC Today, most Americans get their water from their sinks or fridge filters, and it travels great distances to get […]