Earth Wise

Why should we care about freshwater mussels? There were once three hundred species of mussels in the United States. They supplied food to Native Americans and people harvested them for pearls and for mother-of-pearl to make buttons. Now, hardly anyone eats freshwater mussels and buttons are mostly made of plastic.

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Honeybees are critical to U.S. agriculture, and they’re in trouble At least a third of U.S. crops are pollinated by commercial beekeeping operations, including apples, blueberries, cucumbers, almonds, pumpkins. In the year 2000, the value of these bee-assisted crops was about fifteen billion dollars.

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Raising livestock outdoors is humane, but pasture-raised animals can cause environmental problems Let’s focus on pigs. Most of the pork we consume comes from massive indoor facilities where a large number of animals are raised in a relatively small space. These operations are notorious for pervasive odors and for causing air and water pollution. For ethical reasons, many people prefer to buy pasture-raised pork.

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Lightning can help your garden grow Nitrogen is one of the key nutrients that plants need to grow. It’s bountiful in our atmosphere, comprising seventy-eight percent of the air we breathe. But atmospheric nitrogen needs to be converted to ammonia in order to be useful to plants.

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You might want to think twice about that picnic on the beach Most of us take precautions when planning to spend a day in the sun and surf. We apply sunscreen, don hats, and pay attention to warnings about waves, sharks, and water quality. But a recent report highlights an overlooked beach risk: the sand.

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From green business and new environmental legislation to how nature impacts our environment in ways never before considered, Earth Wise offers a look at our changing environment.

Recent Updates

May18

Birdwatchers make great citizen scientists

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For years, scientists have used data collected by birdwatchers to assess the pathways of migrating birds and changes in bird populations and range. The National Audubon Society’s Christmas bird count dates back to 1900 and provides an annual snapshot of bird populations throughout the country. More than 50,000 people participate each year. (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Sustainable Living, Technology, Wildlife and Habitat

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May17

Is the humble clothesline poised for a comeback?

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Sometimes, doing the right thing for the environment costs more money. But that’s not the case in the household laundry room. (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Economy and Policy, Energy, Sustainable Living

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May16

A shortage of acorns has left us vulnerable to Lyme disease

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The northeastern U.S. should prepare for a surge in Lyme disease this spring. And we can blame fluctuations in acorns and mouse populations, not the mild winter. So reports Rick Ostfeld, a disease ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Health, Wildlife and Habitat

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May15

A new renewable energy source is making waves

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For years, when we talked about using renewable energy, our options were solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower. Each has its pluses and minuses, but each is a significant step away from burning fossil fuel. (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Air and Water, Economy and Policy, Energy, Technology

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May14

Deer appetites shape the future of our forests

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Chances are good that either you or someone you know has had both positive and negative experiences with deer. Vehicle collisions, damage to landscape plantings, and intrusions into fruit and vegetable gardens are common negative occurrences. (more…)

Posted by EarthWise in Air and Water, Sustainable Living, Wildlife and Habitat

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WAMC Northeast Public Radio

Earth Wise is a presentation of WAMC Northeast Public Radio and The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies