Changing Perspective for a Changing Climate There’s something fishy happening in our rivers, streams, and lakes. Fish species that Americans have enjoyed for generations are experiencing population declines. Water temps are rising, while water levels are, well, doing the opposite. Freshwater ecosystems are changing—and not for the better. Indeed, global warming is at hand… What, … Read more
—by Debra Shore, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner Today more people than usual will be talking about crap. It’s November 19: World Toilet Day. (You didn’t think I’d forget, did you?) In fact, in her engaging and excellent TED talk, British author Rose George urges all of us to speak about the unspeakable, talk about … Read more
How are you celebrating America Recycles Day? Our plan: to pay homage to the brilliance of recycling by, ahem, recycling some related content. Here, a few EcoMyths blogs and articles on recycling for your eco-celebrations: EcoMyth: You Must Rinse All Containers Before Recycling Them…or Else! Recycling Blog: To Rinse or Not to Rinse Radio Show: … Read more
People ask us all the time about recycling. One of the most frequently asked questions we hear is “Do you need to rinse all containers before tossing them into the recycling bin”? We think that’s a great question and have often wondered that ourselves. To explore this issue, today on the EcoMyths segment on Worldview, … Read more
Ryerson Woods in Deerfield, Illinois, has earned its reputation as one of the region’s most unique and important conservation areas, with many thanks for its continued success owed to the support of our partner group, the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods. What’s that you say—what happened to the “friends”? Yes, you probably know the organization … 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
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
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
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
—by Debra Shore, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner Great news. Yesterday, the board of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District voted unanimously to award two contracts to construct disinfection facilities at the O’Brien (formerly North Side) Wastewater Treatment Plant and at the Calumet Plant. This means that the water discharged from these two treatment plants will … Read more
