While the US is using less coal than we have in the past, we plan to export more coal to Asia. That means transporting it by trains, as we’ve done for decades. But there’s very little research on the effects coal has on the environment when it escapes from coal hoppers bumping along the rails.
Nearly three years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, many consumers in the US remain concerned about radiation in fish from the Pacific Ocean. One Seattle fisherman finally got his fish tested, and found what many scientists have also found: there's nothing to worry about.
With national policy on climate and energy in political gridlock, the opponents are fighting in local and state trenches. That's why money is pouring into a small county north of Seattle, where there's a debate over a shipping terminal that would send coal to Asia.
Plans are underway to build several port terminals in the Pacific Northwest that would transfer North Dakota oil from trains onto ships bound for West Coast refineries, but the recent oil train disaster in Quebec may put the brakes on the proposed projects.
Developers are trying to build port facilities in the Pacific Northwest to ship Powder Ridge Basin coal to Asia, but half of the proposed projects have been canceled. Most recently, Kinder Morgan dumped its plans to build a facility at the Port of St. Helen’s on the Columbia River in Oregon.
In order to market coal to Asia, the western US coal industry wants to build export facilities in Oregon and Washington. The planned ports have divided local communities. EarthFix, a public radio collaborative based out of Washington State, has been following the debate with their project, Voices of Coal.
Every year the nation uses more than 20 million tons of salt to clear snow and ice from winter roads. While it may make the roads safer, scientists say salt may have the opposite effect on drinking water and wildlife. Living on Earth’s Ashley Ahearn reports.
When rivers were on fire and fish were washing up dead by the thousands Americans came together to demand "swimmable" "fishable" waterways for all. 1972 marks the creation of the Act that changed the way water pollution is managed in America.
With coal use falling fast in the US but still growing in Asia, western coal producers are pitching a plan to build five big new coal export terminals in Washington and Oregon, but opponents warn of big new environmental risks.
When you're in the supermarket or ordering fish at a restaurant, ever have trouble remembering which species has high mercury, which is overfished, and which is the most sustainable? Now, a new text messaging service can tell you everything you need to know, whether one fish, two fish, red fish or blue fish.
Dealing with large amounts of manure on industrial livestock farms has never been easy, environmentally sustainable, or profitable, but that's starting to change. Living on Earth reports on a growing industry that capitalizes on the power poop.
President-elect Barack Obama says when he takes office the United States will take strong action to combat climate change. Living on Earth's Ashley Ahearn reports that leaders and legislators have praised Obama for this promise.
The organic market is getting bigger, raising fears among some in the industry that the ethical farming commitment has been traded for market competition.
The red tide algae that wreaked havoc on the shellfish industry last year has a predator of its own, and scientists in Woods Hole are studying a certain parasite with an appetite for red tide.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. To learn more, review our Cookie Policy. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies and Privacy Policy.
Environment
Dial-A-Fish
Living on Earth
July 25, 2008
When you're in the supermarket or ordering fish at a restaurant, ever have trouble remembering which species has high mercury, which is overfished, and which is the most sustainable? Now, a new text messaging service can tell you everything you need to know, whether one fish, two fish, red fish or blue fish.
Environment
Manure magic
Living on Earth
July 04, 2008
Dealing with large amounts of manure on industrial livestock farms has never been easy, environmentally sustainable, or profitable, but that's starting to change. Living on Earth reports on a growing industry that capitalizes on the power poop.
Environment
Obama's Pledge
Living on Earth
November 21, 2008
President-elect Barack Obama says when he takes office the United States will take strong action to combat climate change. Living on Earth's Ashley Ahearn reports that leaders and legislators have praised Obama for this promise.
Turning Toward the Sun
Living on Earth
November 11, 2005
An increasing number of homeowners are finding that solar heating makes economic sense, if they can afford the installation costs.
Smoke Gets in Your Lungs
Living on Earth
February 03, 2006
California becomes the first in the nation to declare secondhand tobacco smoke a toxic air pollutant.
Got Organic?
Living on Earth
February 17, 2006
The organic market is getting bigger, raising fears among some in the industry that the ethical farming commitment has been traded for market competition.
Redefining a Region
Living on Earth
March 31, 2006
The nation's largest landowner has new plans for close to a million acres surrounding Moosehead Lake in Maine's North Woods.
Out to Sea
Living on Earth
May 12, 2006
With various bills pending to renew the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Act, Living on Earth tests the waters in the Northeast.
Stemming Red Tide
Living on Earth
June 09, 2006
The red tide algae that wreaked havoc on the shellfish industry last year has a predator of its own, and scientists in Woods Hole are studying a certain parasite with an appetite for red tide.
Dioxane on the Defensive
Living on Earth
February 16, 2007
A study highlights the amounts of a "probable" carcinogen in bath time bubbles.