Photo Credit: Max Braun

Recently, China has been working on the development of new energy policy. This comes at a time when the United States and President Obama have placed emphasis on a similar agenda. The Chinese, like the Americans, are making progress toward greater reliance on renewable energy, however for reasons of national security it seems the Asian superpower will remain behind the environmental curve for some time. Read more…

It’s nearly here! Nissan’s soon to emerge Leaf is the world’s first mass market electric vehicle that produces zero emissions while on the road. With no gas tank, gas lines, or tailpipe, the Leaf is on it’s way to being the trendiest “green” car available to the mass public. Sounds almost too good to be true… And that’s where the controversy hits: although emissions aren’t produced while driving, what about those of the electricity produced for the little Leaf as it charges overnight? Read more…

While the consumption of bananas—even organic or fair trade bananas—has been taboo for decades, the $5 billion banana industry is slowly adopting sustainable forms of production. Bananas have historically caused massive degradation of rainforest land across the tropics—not to mention exploited farm workers and spread chemicals throughout watersheds—but organizations like the New York-based non-profit the Rainforest Alliance are working to change the industry. Read more…

Brothers Rinchen Samdrup, Jigme Namgyal, and Karma Samdrup. Photo Credit: The International Campaign for Tibet

China has sent award-winning Tibetan environmentalist, Rinchen Samdrup, 44, to jail for five years on a charge of “inciting separatism in the country.” Samdrup’s supporters believe this charge is the latest sign of what human rights groups call “increasing repression of intellectuals,” as the charge was set off after Samdrup challenged powerful local authorities and accused a local police officer of poaching. Read more…

Photo Credit: Karthik B

Fireworks have become one of America’s favorite means of celebration- whether it be for Super Bowl Sunday or the Fourth of July. However, some environmental activists are beginning to challenge this explosive tradition, claiming that it is detrimental to the health of vulnerable ecosystems. In San Diego, one group  has taken matters into their own hands.

Read more…

Photo Credit: Ryan Cheng

Eco-conscious Holland is a country known for its cycling culture. However, as you move out of the Dutch cities you start to see less bikes and more cars. One of the major issues is transportation, since the country is so small and so densely populated traffic jams are frequent and carbon emissions are a main concern. In order to reward those people who have been cutting back on their driving, and to encourage those who are reluctant to change, the Dutch government has implemented a driving tax that looks promising. Read more…

In a world (or actually just the United States) where meat producers use antibiotics for pretty much everything (from increasing animal growth to preventing the common cold in cows), it was only a matter of time before the term ‘antibiotic-resistant’ was used in the same sentence as ‘meat’ by none other than the Federal Government. Due to the growing concern that the constant use of antibiotics on livestock could lead to strains of bacteria that are, in fact, resistant to the drugs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a ‘guidance statement’ on Monday asking meat producers to limit their use of antibiotics. Read more…

Photo Credit: SunSD

If you are currently enjoying some summertime heat, a great way to spend the afternoon is by lazing around or in the good old swimming pool.  Even without the summer weather, taking a dip or swimming laps is an enjoyable past time.  However, chlorine has negative side affects on a person’s health, mainly affecting the respiratory system by causing increased rates in asthma and wheezing (and it turns some peoples’ hair green!).  Luckily, an eco-friendly, European solution has been recently gaining some popularity in the United States.   Read more…

Photo Credit: Lain

Most of us have been warned about the levels of toxic metals that can be found in the fish we eat, like tuna for example.  However, a recent research study performed over a 5-year period by American scientists on 1,000 sperm whales demonstrated a frightening reality.   After studying evidence collected using tissue-sampling darts, shockingly high levels of toxic heavy metals (amongst them lead, titanium, and mercury) were found in the whales that pose a risk to ocean life, along with those of us who are seafood consumers. Read more…

Photo Credit: Rhett A. Butler

For many years, deforestation has been a major component of climate change and the overall health of the earth.  Rainforests provide habitats, sequester carbon dioxide, and produce oxygen.  There are many problems associated with the clearing of forests for agriculture and development, but for the first time a new study directly links deforestation with a decrease in human health.  From 1997 to 2001, a group of researchers found that a 4.2% decrease in forest area contributed to a 48% increase in diagnosed malaria cases. Read more…