New Research Shows Baltimore Heatwave Was Worsened by DC's Hot Air
In July of 2007, the East Coast was slammed by a record-setting heat wave. From New York City to Washington, DC, temperatures averaged above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, causing more than 40 deaths.
Beautiful Sweaty Snowflakes Dissolve Polar Ozone
Image credit: Purdue University photo/Shepson Lab digg_url = 'http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/12/beautiful-sweaty-snowflakes-dissolve-polar-ozone.php';Snowflakes, we have seen, are beautiful and diverse but they are not inert byproducts of cold
"Hose-to-the-Sky:" Still Spewing SO2 Idea to Stop Global Warming?
Hosed by this theory or greenwashed? Photo by Tony Stl via Flickr On ABC's 20/20 last Friday, Nathan Myhrvold, Microsoft's former chief technology officer, and founder/CEO of Intellectual Ventures (IV), resurrected the idea of stretching a 2-inch
Ozone Depletion Contributes to Ocean Acidification in the Southern Ocean
Forty percent: That is the share of annual oceanic carbon dioxide uptake accounted for by the Southern Ocean. Given that oceans comprise Earth's largest carbon sink, that is not an insignificant figure;
Asthma Inhalers' Green Upgrade Deadline Fast Approaching
Good news: The ban on CFC-based asthma inhalers is rapidly approaching. Inhalers are going green and by December 31, all inhalers must be powered by hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) instead of the ozone-harming chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
New Survey Explores Link Between Views on Politics, Economics, and Global Warming
Photo courtesy of Next Nature American Climate Values Survey Views on global warming may be more strongly politically and economically influenced than many may have hoped. The recently released results of the American Climate Values Survey, conducted
Existing Ozone Controls Aren't Protecting Human Health or the Environment, Report Says
Image from NASA updated: As many noted, I (idiotically) cited the Montreal Protocol's success here, which has nothing to do with reducing tropospheric ozone -- rather, it has to do with fixing the ozone layer. Thank you commenters, and my apologies for
Scientists Develop Potent Acids to Take Down Destructive Fluorocarbons
While their brethren, the dreaded chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), may be on the wane, fluorocarbons -- a class of equally dangerous industrial gases -- are still wreaking havoc. As the name implies, the main distinguishing characteristic between CFCs and
Could Fixing the Ozone Layer's Hole Make Global Warming Worse?
Talk about a lose-lose situation: On one hand, not taking any action to repair the hole would allow harmful UV radiation to percolate through; on the other hand, helping to accelerate its recovery could strengthen global warming by
Who's Looking Out for Your Lungs? Industry and Legislators Pressing EPA to Drop Tighter Ozone Standards
You can't blame them for trying: With the White House set to change hands in less than a year's time - likely bringing on board a more eco-friendly administration - industry groups have been pressing the EPA to squelch stricter air-quality standards
Ozone Could Slash Global Crop Yields by 40% by Century's End
We recently told you of a study warning that global warming could prompt the large-scale collapse of the world's crops by 2080; now comes another study concluding that rising levels of ozone could achieve the same result by century's end. The study,
Ozone Hinders Plants' Ability to Absorb Carbon Dioxide
Ozone — best known for filtering out harmful UV light as a component of the Earth's stratosphere — could dramatically reduce plants' ability to act as a carbon sink and thus cause further accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, according to
Award Winning Enviro Laundry Saves the Climate
Ozone, is a substance that like CO2, seems not only to require international treaties, but it likes cleaning stuff. Apparently NASA discovered it works a treat as a disinfectant, killing bacteria and making stains soluble at low temperatures. The
Photo: Grand Canyon's Havasu Falls are a picture of paradise
Our photo of the day comes from the 15th oldest U.S. national park.
Presidents' Day Survey: Who Is The Greenest President?
The results of our annual survey are often surprising.
One-a-day bananas: Genius at work or waste of packaging? (Survey)
Bananas are already in a perfect package. But is this even better?
Presidents' Day Survey: Who Is The Greenest President?
The results are often surprising.
Are raccoons "Urban anarchists" or "lovable rogues?"
Some would pick a third option: vermin.
Side mirrors no longer required on cars in Japan. Is this a good idea?
It would save fuel and be safer for pedestrians and cyclists. But is it too complicated?
Are you a successful minimalist?
Which of these two images does your place look like?
Trulia study finds Americans say they care about the environment but aren't willing to pay for it
The extremely dated "It ain't easy being green" title of this Trulia survey actually misinterprets the data; judging by the questions they asked, it is perfectly easy being green; it just ain't cheap.
Could you do a digital detox? (Survey)
The modern update of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs rings very true.
Is it time for the toilet to finally come out of the (water) closet?
With people living in smaller spaces and with better toilets, perhaps it is.
Some like it Hütte Hut: the Tiffany of Teardrops
It's a thing of beauty but really expensive. Poll: Hütte or Nüts?
Should mountain climbing be banned? (Poll)
People seem to do awfully stupid things when they get high.
So a bear walks into town. Should police shoot it?
People are outraged that a bear is shot and killed in a suburban backyard. It's not so simple.
Is Fahrenheit a better temperature scale than Celsius? (Survey)
This is one area of measurement where perhaps the Americans, Liberians and Burmese get it right.
If you had a choice: Eat-in kitchen or separate dining room?
I think open kitchens are greener and more efficient, but others like a separation.
Do you take baths? (Survey)
The designer Tom Ford takes FIVE of them every day. That's a bit much.
How long would your home's food supply last if you had to rely on it?
The Resilient Design Institute suggests we should all have six weeks of food in our homes. Too much or too little?
It's National Handwriting Day. Do you still write by hand?
Some people do; others use a keyboard for everything and have forgotten how. What about you?
Do you prefer a paper book or an e-book? (Survey)
A recent post that claimed readers absorb less from e-books. I wonder (and so do many commenters) if that's really true.
Are "Green" energy and water savings programs in hotels really about the environment?
Are they good for everyone or just about making money and getting rid of workers?
Laneway Studio is a tiny rooftop house in the city
Built on top of an existing garage, this laneway house in Australia makes use of what's already there.
80-year-old wooden escalators repurposed into impressive sculpture
Instead of trashing these old treads, they have been made into a inter-looping work of art in the same station.
Sydney micro-apartment designed with Japanese organizational technique in mind
Decluttering techniques are a big trend now. This small apartment is designed with organizational principles right from the start.
Minimalist multi-use unit creates more intimate studio apartment in Sydney
With everything happening in one space, studio apartments can often feel too cluttered. This Sydney apartments gets a space makeover with the addition of a clever multifunctional unit that partitions the space and stores things out of sight.
Luminous Fish Bikes Light Up Sydney Festival
A trio of awesome fish bikes made a rousing debut at this arts festival in Australia.
Sydney Builds Separate Bike Lanes, Ridership Skyrockets 82%
Sydney sees cycling skyrocket as it implements its 2030 green city plan.
Interactive Solar Art Lights Up New Sydney Space
The world’s largest permanent interactive light installation has been installed in Sydney's recently revitalized Darling Quarter.
Greenhouse: Sydney's Traveling, 'Waste-Free' Strawbale Restaurant by Joost Bakker
In our conventional, resource-intensive food and building industries, 'waste-free' may seem like an alien concept, which makes projects like Australia's Greenhouse all the more impressive. Touted as a
Australia's First Green Star Public Housing Project Opens in Sydney
Green Star is to Australian commercial and government buildings, what LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is to American structures of a similar ilk. The 5 Green Star rated Lilyfield Housing Redevelopment in inner
A Not To Be Missed Plastic Ocean Themed Green Drinks NYC Holiday Party This Tuesday
Planning your holiday party schedule in New York City can be calendar jujitsu, what with work parties, friends parties, family parties, but there are also a few green themed parties that the sustainably minded New Yorker
From 200 Bikes, One Amazing Sculpture: Sydney Art Celebrates the Green Life
It's a safe bet that few, if any, of Sydney's bicycle commuters go with penny farthings as their two-wheeler of choice. The outdated ride (popular in the 1870s) is most used these days for its retro value and the
SRD Change09: Students Seek to Inspire, Provoke and Change Design
SRD Change is the annual exhibition of new graduate design and ideas that address our those issues which will impact our future. Like issues of sustainability, environmental change and responsibility, social equity and community. The Society for
eCycleway - Safe Urban Cycling or Dangerous Segregation?
It is an undisputed truth that the majority of American cities have incomplete bicycling infrastructures. This is perhaps especially true in Los Angeles, where
Students Design for Change at Australian GreenTECH
For all the talk of green design and eco lifestyles, it’s odd that Australia has so few events for businesses, organisations and institutions to showcase their wares in this area. Melbourne does have its very well attended Sustainable Living Festival,
Sydney Becomes Australia's First Carbon-Neutral Government Body
Last month the City of Sydney declared that it had become Australia’s first carbon neutral government. It is important to note that whilst the total area of this southern metropolis is said to be equal to the size of London