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Are there alternatives to conventional, energy-hogging air conditioners?

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July 21, 2012   1 Comment  

The chlorofluorocarbon coolant widely used in air conditioners through the 1980s was phased out because it was damaging the Earth’s protective ozone layer, but the chemicals that replaced it are some 2,100 times stronger as greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide. We may have saved the ozone layer, but -- whoops! -- there goes the climate.

Can anything be done?

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About home energy audits

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Dec. 30, 2011   Leave a Comment  

EarthTalkEnergyAudits

Do-it-yourself or hire out?

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What are debt-for-Nature Swaps?

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July 30, 2011   Leave a Comment  

Debt-for-nature swaps are agreements whereby a portion of a developing nation’s foreign debt is forgiven in exchange for local investments in environmental conservation measures. Pictured: a Yellow Spotted River Turtle in Bolivia's Beni Biosphere Reserve, the location of the very first debt-for-nature swap, brokered by the non-profit Conservation International in 1987 (Open Cage)

A novel idea, but what does it do?

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EarthTalk: Fishery depletion? Green professional sports?

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Jan. 15, 2011   Leave a Comment  

Although 75 percent of the world’s fisheries are now either overexploited, fully exploited, significantly depleted or recovering from overexploitation, many governments continue to provide huge subsidies -- about $20 billion annually --­ to their fishing sectors. Pictured: A fisherman hauls in a catch in the North Sea. (Thinkstock)

Can football stadiums be greener?

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Elemental Love Styles

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Nov. 30, 2009   Leave a Comment  

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Are you a sucker for a little dirty talk too?

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Earth Talk: Hybrids? Uranium?

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June 1, 2009   1 Comment  

canyon70

Dear EarthTalk: With plug-in hybrid and electric cars due to hit the roads sometime soon, will there be places to plug them in besides at home? And if so, how much will it cost to re-charge? – Nicole Koslowsky, Pompano Beach, FL Gasoline-electric hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, are all the rage due to their [...]

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EarthTalk: Chemicals in baby formula? Old growth forest?

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Dec. 29, 2008   Leave a Comment  

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that some baby bottles contain chemicals that can cause health problems for babies? If so, how can I find alternatives that are safer? ‚ – Amy Gorman, Berkeley, CA No links connecting specific human illnesses to chemicals oozing out of baby bottles have been proven definitively. Nonetheless, many parents are heeding [...]

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EarthTalk: Water shortage? Lead toys?

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Oct. 27, 2008   1 Comment  

Dear EarthTalk: I saw a cover line on a magazine that said, “The next world war will be over water.” Tell me we’re not really running out of water!‚ – Nell Fox, Seattle, WA‚  Today fully one-sixth of the world’s human population lacks access to clean drinking water, and more than two million people-mostly kids-die each [...]

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