No Business Like Snow Business Snow. It may inspire a childlike enthusiasm in many of us around the holidays, but come January, the frigid stuff starts to look a lot less like magic, and a lot more like a major pain in the, um, ice. From shovel-shirking neighbors and traffic delays to excessive wardrobe requirements, … Read more
In the past couple of weeks many of us have seen more snow than we’ve seen in a lifetime. Since I grew up in Minnesota however, the five-foot snowbanks and freezing temps feel just like home to me. When the first snow falls, I immediately yearn to make snow angels and go skating. But for … Read more
Turns out, beets are a surprisingly effective addition to de-icing efforts (Alice Henneman/Flickr) —by Kelley Regan, Morton Arboretum When P.J. Smith works with his staff to clear snow from the 16 miles of roads and nine miles of trails at the Morton Arboretum, he needs to do it quickly and in the most environmentally friendly … Read more
And the winner of best picture in the green film category goes to…wait, what? You haven’t seen any environmental documentaries this year? Now’s your chance. Fresh off a weekend of reveling in eco-inspired cinema at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, California, I’ve got your fest-fresh picks right here. First, I’ll just … Read more
Mirror, Mirror, Should We Help Backyard Animals? You probably know that feeding wildlife is for the birds (literally!). In polar vortex-y times like this, though, it’s hard not to feel sorry for the non-homo-sapiens among us, who don’t have the luxury of modern heating or funny YouTube videos to keep them cozy on cold wintry … Read more
This “out of service” notice was posted above a restroom sink in Deerfield, Illinois – highlights included. Not a good sign…It was a fairly normal day in Deerfield, Illinois. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and I was on my way out of the Deerfield Public Library. With my water bottle in hand, … Read more
A Fine Mess: The Case for a Healthier School Cafeteria As the old saying goes, no school lunch is complete without a serving of deep-fried, mechanically-separated meat substance; a processed-cheese-drenched side; and a partially-hydrogenated-oil-stuffed dessert…Though time-honored, such cafeteria staples are exactly why VIPs like Michelle Obama and Jamie Oliver have made it a mission to … Read more
Reheated frozen chicken nuggets, mushy green beans, and jello have long been staples in many school cafeterias. But the times, they are a-changing. People are coming together across the United States to bring fresh, local foods to kids at school. Today, on Worldview’s monthly EcoMyths segment, Jerome McDonnell and I talked with Liz Soper of … Read more
Meet the Contenders The crowd roars as the rivals enter the arena. Who will win this epic match: bottled or tap water? A shiny clear bottle takes the ring, and it sure looks like a champ. Its factory-sealing suggests safety, its plastic material, convenience, and the pristine waterfalls gracing its label ooze purity—together inspiring confidence … Read more
You may have noticed many beautifully formed lush street trees and park trees being cut down over the past few years. Most of these are ash trees that are suffering from an infestation of emerald ash borer. At EcoMyths we wondered: Why do the trees have to be cut down? Is there any other way … Read more
