Dear EarthTalk: How are conservationists encouraging reforestation in the Amazon? -- Peter Smyth, Tempe, AZ The Amazon Rainforest covers eight million kilometers of land and spans nine countries across South America, making it the world’s largest rainforest. The Amazon is home to 400 billion trees, contributing greatly to global carbon storage and climate regulation. In addition, 10% of the Earth’s known species live in the Amazon, which also provides essential food and medicine to nearby communities. Despite such overwhelming benefits, the Amazon is gradually becoming barren land. According to Global Citizen, a leading international advocacy organization, 20% of the rainforest has been lost to mining, forest fires, agricultural expansion, land grabbing, and cattle ranching in the past 50 years. Indigenous communities have taken on initiatives to reforest and preserve the Amazon. Farmers have integrated agroforestry systems, a method of sustainable farming that preserves biodiversity. Local-led ecotourism is another way communities have worked to protect the Amazon’s acreage. Sani Warmi, a Kichwa indigenous women’s organization in Sani Isla, Ecuador, operates the Sani Lodge and leads traditional cooking and craft lessons for tourists, protecting 76,600 forest acres. And the U.S.-based Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon works with locals in Peru to re-plant...

For millions of Americans living with the reality of PFAS contamination in their tap water, there's finally some encouraging news on the horizon. Recent developments in cleanup technology are giving s...

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— L.J., via email

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Dear EarthTalk: What does the science say about how common pesticides affect human health? -- Jay Jackson, New York, NY Pesticides are used to control the spread of or eliminate pests in the agricultural field. The primary purpose of using them is to control invasive species that can impact crop growth. By using pesticides, crop yield is increased, leading to a higher supply of a particular crop. Some of the most commonly used pesticides are herbicides, insecticides and fungicides (to control plants, insects and fungi, respectively). While pesticides have benefits in the agricultural industry in increasing crop yield, pesticides are not only harmful to pests; they can harm humans as well. “Early symptoms of pesticide exposure can include headaches, nausea, dizziness and respiratory secretion,” says Michelle Perro, founder of GMOScience, a non-profit which facilitates discussion among physicians about the impact of genetically modified crops. Prolonged exposure to pesticides can also lead to skin and eye irritation. Additionally, more serious conditions linked to pesticide exposure include cancer and neurological disorders. Several studies have been conducted that back the idea that pesticides have detrimental effects on human health. A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) after reviewing the prominence...

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that polyester clothing might be a significant factor in the microplastic...

Dear EarthTalk: What are some ways that fashion is getting more sustainable? H.M., Via email When we think of the main sources of carbon (CO2), three main things come to mind: industry, transportation, electricity. But what many people miss is that a major contributor to global CO2 emissions is on their very body: clothes. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, fashion accounts for 10 percent of global CO2 emissions. While clothing remains an essential part of daily life, a growing number of innovations and initiatives are helping make the fashion industry more sustainable. Sustainability in fashion starts from the source by implementing sustainable practices during textile production. In regular textile production, hazardous chemicals like polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) are used extensively—chemicals that can bioaccumulate in the environment and contaminate water and soil. To combat this, researchers like Professor Julia Eastoe at Bristol’s School of Chemistry have developed sustainable alternatives, replacing fluorine groups with those containing only carbon and hydrogen while still maintaining its original stain-resistance and oil-repellence qualities. Another step for sustainability within the fashion sector is redefining the idea of a “circular economy.” At the frontlines of this movement include companies like FabScrap, which diverts textile waste from landfills by...

Dear EarthTalk:Why is real-time or near-time tracking of pollution and other environmental markers important today and who is leading the charge?Barry Jenkins, Erie, PA Pollution tracking is a way of continuously monitoring the air quality of an environment. Though this technology has been used since the mid-20th century, it has become increasingly more reliable in recent years. Pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and others are detected and monitored by a variety of technological systems, providing key insights for scientists, researchers and the public. Pollution tracking serves many roles, including providing a means to detect an issue and trigger a quick response to a rise in pollutants. This helps implement protections before the pollutant levels become dangerous. Also, pollution tracking helps educate the general public about the impact of poor air quality. Recently, there have been various advances in real-time technology, making it more accurate and reactive. These improvements are essential for a speedy and precise response to a rise in pollutants. “Regulators can pinpoint precise interventions, and cities can compete on measurable impacts, not vague promises,” says Ingmar Rentzhog, the founder and CEO of We Don’t Have Time, the largest global climate action media platform. “Investors, regulators, insurers, and...

Experts offer strategies for identifying false climate claims on social media and countering them without amplifying misinformation further.

Thrifting is more than the act of buying used items; it’s a lifestyle adopted by people who share a distinct set of values.

Dear EarthTalk: Are polar bears still in decline due to global warming? – P. F., Bowie, Maryland Ans...