Larry's Environmental Issues Blog May 2008 Archive

What's in your water? Chlorine is often added to tap water because it destroys many disease-causing bacteria that threaten human health. Unfortunately, chlorine also may cause other serious health problems. ... Read More

The majority of trash and garbage that goes into landfills is biodegradable, but most landfills are too tightly packed for biodegradation to occur and for biodegradable items to break down. ... Read More

The Bush Administration is planning to adopt new air quality rules this summer that will make it easier for utilities to build coal-fired power plants near national parks and wilderness ... Read More

As crazy as it may seem, some people think global warming is a hoax perpetrated by environmentalists who want to scare people into sending donations, or liberals who want to ... Read More

Honeybee colonies are dying or disappearing in record numbers, with potentially devastating effects on agriculture and food supplies. What is causing the dramatic decline of honeybee populations in the U.S. ... Read More

Sunscreen has a simple job. It is supposed to make it possible for you to enjoy being outside on a sunny day without risking a painful sunburn or, worse, skin ... Read More

A powerful earthquake in central China on Monday killed more than 10,000 people, and the death toll is expected to increase as rescue workers continue to pull bodies from homes, ... Read More

Water covers 70 percent of the Earth's surface, yet billions of people lack access to clean water. Population growth in many water-stressed countries, plus excess water use in developed countries, ... Read More

Most researchers agree that even small changes in temperature are enough to send hundreds if not thousands of already struggling species into extinction unless we can stem the tide of ... Read More

Deforestation may have magnified the devastating effects of the cyclone that hit Myanmar (formerly Burma) over the weekend, according to Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of the Association of South-East Asian ... Read More

Forget those old songs about romantic walks under beautiful city lights. Light pollution, defined as excess or obtrusive light at night, increases women's risk of breast cancer significantly, wastes energy, ... Read More

From a human perspective, ozone is both helpful and harmful, both good and bad. In the upper atmosphere, ozone protects all life on Earth from damaging radiation. At ground level, ... Read More

Researchers have known for years that exposure to excessively-loud noise can cause changes in blood pressure as well as changes in sleep and digestive patterns -- all signs of stress ... Read More