Eco-friendly products are made with sustainable materials and minimal waste and pollution. They are often packaged in recyclable or compostable materials. All these eco-friendly choices may seem small...

Discover the 7 types of plastic, how they impact health and the environment—and learn smart ways to reuse, recycle, or avoid them.

By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer In China’s Yangtze River, a shy, finless “Smiling Angel” glides through the water, echolocating with others of its kind. This is the Yangtze finless porpoise, the...

Eco on the Go: 8 Smart Ways to Travel Sustainably This Summer.

"Did you know tossing food can hurt the planet? Learn how the food waste problem creates pollution, and easy, fun ways to help —one snack at a time!"

Many people think silicone is a good alternative to plastic. I thought so too! I read environmental websites that call silicone, “a healthier choice than plastic” or “beneficial because of its exceptional temperature resistance”. But is it really better than plastic? Silicon is found naturally in the Earth, but it’s hard to get. That’s why silicone products are usually made from something easier to find—silica, which is found in beach sand and quartz. But turning silica into silicon isn’t the end of the process. To make silicone (the stuff used in kitchen tools, baby products, and more), silicon has to be mixed with chemicals made from fossil fuels. So even though silicone starts with something natural, it ends up being a man-made material. What is silicone? Silicone is made from a mix of natural and man-made materials. It starts with silica, found in sand, but it’s turned into silicone through a process that uses a lot of energy and chemicals that come from fossil fuels like oil and gas. So even though it comes from nature, it’s not natural by the time it becomes a silicone product. Silicone vs. plastic: What’s the difference? Silicone doesn’t break down the same way plastic does. It doesn’t break into tiny microplastics, but it also doesn’t fully biodegrade or compost. That means it sticks around in landfills for a long time, just like plastic. Is it safe? Some people say silicone is safer than plastic because it doesn’t release harmful chemicals as easily. But recent studies show that silicone can still break down in heat, sunlight, and water—and when that happens, it can release toxic chemicals into the environment. My orange silicone spoon is the perfect example that it’s not always heat-resistant. Image: Silicone spoon with bubbles from heat, Credit: Susan Callery Energy use and cost of silicone vs. plastic Silicone takes a lot more energy to make than plastic. That’s because turning sand into silicon requires high heat, special equipment, and plenty of electricity. Producing plastic usually takes about 2–4 kWh per kilogram (kg). In comparison, silicon production takes about 11–13 kWh per kg. This is one of the reasons why silicone products tend to be come with a higher price tag—and not everyone can afford that. So while silicone can be a better choice in the long run, it costs more up front. Can we recycle it? Most cities don’t have a good way to recycle silicone. Even though some companies offer take-back programs, it’s hard to know if those items are really being reused or just thrown away. What’s the better choice between silicone and plastic? Using silicone might be better than plastic in some cases, especially if you use it over and over again. But the best choice is still to reduce how much stuff we use in the first place—and to pick reusable products made from materials like glass, stainless steel, wood, or fabric that are safer for people and the planet. I get it—trying to do the right thing for the planet isn’t always easy. I’m still learning new stuff all the time. Sometimes I think I’m making a good choice, and later I find out it wasn’t the best after all. But that’s okay. What matters is that we keep trying and think about the kind of world we want to leave for our kids and grandkids. If you want to learn more, read my posts about plastic recycling and the 7 types of plastic pollution. I also like to check out Beyond Plastics to keep up on the latest information!

Discover how growing smarter—like heat‑tough crops and climate‑savvy techniques—can help our food grow strong in a warming world.

We hear the most about carbon dioxide (CO2) because it’s the main greenhouse gas causing climate change. Most of the CO2 comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas for things like electricity, cars, and factories. Since humans produce so much of it every day, CO2 has the biggest long-term impact on Earth’s temperature. That’s why people talk about it the most. We just reached 430 ppm CO2, a more than 50% increase since 1750. CO2 levels haven’t been this high in millions of years. That’s way before humans—or even most of the animals and plants we know today—existed. That’s a big warning sign for our planet. Don’t Forget Methane—The Climate’s Other Heavy Hitter Methane is a strong greenhouse gas that helps warm the planet. It’s the second biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide (CO2). Even though there’s less methane in the air, each methane molecule traps more heat than a CO2 molecule. But it doesn’t last as long—methane stays in the atmosphere for about 7 to 12 years. On the other hand, CO2 can stick around for hundreds of years. Where Does Methane Come From? Methane comes from both nature and human activities. Today, about 60% of methane pollution comes from things people do—like farming, using fossil fuels, and trash rotting in landfills. The other 40% comes from natural places like wetlands, which are the biggest natural source. As the planet warms, it releases even more methane into the air, which makes climate change worse. For example, when frozen ground in the Arctic—called permafrost—starts to melt, it can release methane that was trapped for thousands of years. Warmer temperatures can also cause wetlands to produce more methane and make it easier for methane to leak from places like oil and gas wells. This extra methane adds more heat to the atmosphere, creating a dangerous cycle where warming causes more methane, and more methane causes more warming. The Lesser-Known Greenhouse Gases Did you know there are some lesser-known gases that also trap heat and warm our planet—like ground-level ozone, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Ground-level ozone isn’t released directly into the air. Instead, it forms when sunlight reacts with pollution from cars, factories, and power plants. While ozone high up in the atmosphere is a good thing—it protects us from the Sun’s harmful rays—ground-level ozone is harmful—it pollutes the air we breathe and acts like a powerful greenhouse gas, adding to global warming. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is sometimes called “laughing gas,” but it’s no joke for the climate. Although there are natural sources of N₂O from soil microbes, the ocean, and wetlands, there are also human-caused sources. The biggest sources comes from farming—especially from fertilizers used on crops and animal waste. It’s about 300 times stronger than carbon dioxide at trapping heat. That means one molecule of N₂O traps as much heat as 300 molecules of CO₂! and it can stay in the atmosphere for over 100 years. Chlorofluorocarbons (it’s a mouthful!), or CFCs, were chemicals once used in things like air conditioners, refrigerators, and spray cans. They’ve mostly been banned now because they also destroyed the ozone layer that protects Earth from ultraviolet radiation. But CFCs are still in the atmosphere from past use, and they’re very powerful greenhouse gases—thousands of times stronger than CO₂. In addition, scientists recently found signs of new CFC-11 pollution, which may mean someone is still making or using them illegally. Even though CFCs are much less common than carbon dioxide in the air, they’re about 10,000 times stronger at trapping heat and can stay in the atmosphere for 45 to 100 years. Bottom line: Every greenhouse gas we release—whether it’s carbon dioxide, methane, or CFCs—adds more heat to our planet and puts our future at risk. We need to cut emissions now by switching to clean energy, protecting forests, and pushing for strong climate action—because every bit of warming we prevent matters.

After a major fire, safety upgrades are transforming battery energy storage—making it smarter, safer, and key to a clean energy future.

Traditionally mined jewelry is bad for the environment. Thankfully, there are several sustainable, ethical, and affordable alternatives.

The post Ocean Coloring Page appeared first on Eco Nana.

Discover how offshore wind power can fight climate change, protect ocean life, and bring clean energy to our coastlines—without harming whales.

Did you know that most of our planet is underwater? The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface, yet we’ve explored less of it than the surface of the Mars! From glow-in-the-dark creatures to underwater mountains taller than anything on land, the ocean is packed with life and continued surprises. In this blog, we’ll dive into some of the coolest, weirdest, and most amazing facts about the deep blue sea. Get ready to explore fun facts about the ocean, an underwater world that’s mysterious, powerful, and full of life! Fun Facts About the Ocean: The Ocean’s Hidden Highway and More! There is only one world ocean, but five named ocean basins. The ocean basins are: the Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Southern. The ocean holds 71% of Earth’s water and 35 out of 50 of our critical mineral resources. Our ocean is home to the biggest living thing on Earth—the Great Barrier Reef! It’s so huge that it stretches about 1,600 miles (that’s around 2,600 kilometers), and evidently astronauts can even see it from space! Thermohaline circulation is ocean’s hidden highway that moves ocean water all around the planet. It’s driven by two things: temperature (that’s the “thermo” part) and saltiness (that’s the “haline” part). Here’s how it works:In some cold places, like near the North and South Poles, ocean water gets really cold and salty. Cold, salty water is heavier than warm or fresh water, so it sinks to the bottom of the ocean. When it sinks, it pushes other water around, helping it flow through the deep ocean. Conversely, in warmer parts of the world, the sun heats the water and makes it rise to the surface. This creates a loop: cold water sinks and spreads, warm water rises and moves along the top. It’s all connected—like a slow, steady current that helps mix the oceans and move heat around the planet. This circulation helps keep our climate stable and supports ocean life by moving oxygen and nutrients around. Pretty amazing, right? It’s Deep and Teeming with Life! Most of the ocean is a little more than 2 miles deep. But the deepest spot is the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean—it’s almost 7 miles deep. That’s like stacking more than 112 football fields end to end straight down into the bottom! Over half of the world’s oxygen is created by phytoplankton and algae in the ocean. More than 2.2 million species of animals live in the ocean, and scientists have only explored 5% of the ocean! The water on Earth actually has its roots in outer space. Scientists believe that some of the water in our oceans came from icy comets and space rocks that hit Earth billions of years ago. So in a way, the origins of our oceans are in the stars! El Niño and La Niña are ocean patterns in the Pacific that change sea levels and weather around the world. El Niño brings warmer water and higher sea levels to the eastern Pacific. La Niña does the opposite—pushing warm water west and raising sea levels there instead. Not So Fun Facts About the Ocean! Shell-Builders Aren’t Happy! The ocean absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) that goes into the air, which makes the water more acidic. This makes it harder for animals like oysters, clams, sea urchins, corals, and tiny plankton to build and keep their shells. A mix of warmer waters plus fertilizer runoff can increase the growth of harmful algal blooms. This causing sea life to get sick and even die. Hotter Seas, Higher Tides: The Ocean’s Warning In 2024, ocean temperatures hit a record 20.87°C (69.57°F), with heat records broken every year since 2019—fueling more intense marine heatwaves How We Can Help Share our information with friends and family. Support renewable energy. Conserve energy. Minimize plastic consumption. Choose sustainable seafood. Join a beach cleanup. Donate to organizations working to protect the ocean, like Ocean Conservancy and Surfrider Foundation. Our environment is facing more threats than ever before, so we need to support agencies like NOAA and the EPA—not take money away from them. After all, they help protect the air we breathe, the land we live on, and the water we drink. Now’s the time to speak up for the programs and people who keep our planet safe. Don’t miss the rest of our ‘Understanding Science” posts right here!

Electric ferries are here! A new article from CleanTechnica shows a big change in how ferries are being made. Around 70% of new ferries being built around the world now run on electricity instead of gas. This is happening to cut down on pollution and help fight climate change. Why Electric Ferries Are a Big Win Most ferries today use diesel fuel, which gives off harmful gases that pollute the air and contribute to air pollution. Electric ferries, powered by batteries, produce no emissions during operation, making them cleaner for the environment and healthier for people, especially in coastal communities where ferries often operate. From Norway to Uruguay: The Ferry Revolution Spreads Countries like Norway are leading the way, with about 70 electric ferries already in service. Denmark and Sweden are following Norway’s lead, as well as Japan and South Korea. Globally, there are over 200 of these new ferries, and many more are being planned or built. For example, the new 100% electric-powered China Zorrilla ferry will connect Argentina and Uruguay, traveling 200 kilometers multiple times a day at speeds of 25 knots (about 29 mph). In the U.S., Washington state is looking to build hybrid-electric ferries. Why Do We Need Electric Ferries? Traditional ferries run on diesel, which emits harmful gases that contribute to air pollution and global warming. Electric ferries, powered by batteries, produce no emissions during operation, making them cleaner for the environment and healthier for people, especially in coastal communities where ferries often operate Why These New Ferries Rock! Environmental Impact: They reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Greater Efficiency: Electric ferries can save money in the long run because they don’t need as much fuel or as many repairs as diesel ferries. More Enjoyable Experience: They offer a quieter and smoother ride compared to diesel-powered ferries. In fact, recent studies show that electric ferries are much quieter than diesel ones—they can make over 10 times less noise. People who ride diesel-powered ferries often may be exposed to harmful exhaust fumes, which have been linked to a higher risk of cancer. The Hurdles to Going Fully Electric Switching to electric ferries is exciting, but there are still some problems to solve. For example, ports need places to charge the ferries, and we need to make sure the electricity comes from clean energy like wind or solar. Still, with more investment and new ideas, fully electric river rides could soon become a common and cleaner way to travel. Stay tuned here for more exciting developments!

Discover how palm oil plantations are destroying the homes of Borneo's orangutans and what we can do to help save these critically endangered apes.

Discover real-life comeback stories of saving species once on the brink of extinction. These stories prove that with care and action, we can save endangered species.

Big ship pollution is a big problem—but a new plan could help clean things up. Find out how we can protect sea life and make waves for a better future!

In 2024, Earth's natural systems struggled to keep up with the highest CO₂ increase ever recorded. Discover why forests and oceans couldn't absorb the excess carbon—and why it's a wake-up call for us all.

Glaciers are on the brink of disappearing — putting our planet’s water and future in danger. See why it matters and why we must act now.

Rat poison is devastating owls and other wildlife. Discover how we are harming these beautiful hunters—and how we can save them before it’s too late.

Toxic algae blooms are surging, sickening and killing sea lions, dolphins, and other ocean life. Learn what’s causing it—and how we can fight back.