monty-ross68

Q: I heard that some wind farms use fossil fuels to power their generators when the wind won’t. Doesn’t that defeat their whole renewable energy purpose? Why not let the wind power it or not? Also, I’ve heard that the low-frequency sounds generated by these turbines can harm people and animals. Is this true? A: […]

Q: Where do you recycle plastic stuff like sandwich bags, Saran wrap and plastic grocery store wrappers? Can they just go in with other plastics in the recycling bin? There never seems to be any information available about this. A: The reason you don’t hear much about recycling these types of plastic films is that […]

Q: I always thought eating fish was healthy, but now I’m concerned about mercury in tuna and other fish. Are there any fish that are still safe to eat? A: You should be concerned about contaminants in certain fish, including some kinds of tuna. The nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) recommends minimizing consumption of albacore […]

Q: I heard about a supposed dangerous chemical called “triclosan” that is in many personal care and other consumer products. Can you enlighten? A: Triclosan is a synthetic chemical compound added to many personal and household care products to inhibit illness by preventing bacterial infection. It works by breaking down the biochemical pathways that bacteria […]

Q: Is it true that bananas are taboo for anyone who is concerned about rainforest destruction? Even if I seek out “fair trade” or organic bananas, am I feeding the demand that is causing rainforest to be cleared? A: Sadly, the short answers to these questions may be yes and yes for now, but that […]

Q: What is “kenaf” paper? From what I’ve heard, it’s good for the environment. But what exactly are its benefits and where can I obtain some? A: Kenaf (kuh-NAFF), a fast-growing, noninvasive annual hibiscus plant related to cotton, okra and hemp, makes ideal paper fiber and is a great source material for burlap, clothing, canvas, […]

Q: Why is the BP oil leak much more of an environmental threat than previous spills from tankers? A: No one knows for sure how the ongoing oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico will affect the deep sea ecosystem, but scientists are not optimistic. Oil from what is now considered the nation’s second-largest spill, […]

Q: I’ve been hearing about the popularity of milk sold in bags (as opposed to plastic or cardboard cartons) in India, Europe and Canada. What are the environmental advantages to milk in bags, and do you think it will catch on in the U.S.? And what other options are out there for milk drinkers trying […]

Q: What’s being done to clean up hog farming operationsin places like Iowa and North Carolina and others where the industry isquite large? I’ve heard horrific stories about man-made “lagoons” ofanimal waste spilling into and fouling rivers and groundwater and the like. A: Hog farming has always been a messy business, but surging demand for […]

Q: I heard that Walmart is having a bigger positive impact on the environment than any other U.S. institution. What are they doing along these lines? A: Walmart has been working to clean up its image in recent years, and many environmentalists are pleased with the company’s commitment to reduce its massive carbon footprint. Many, […]