Posts on Human Impact

Take a deep breath. Now picture filling a glass of water at your kitchen sink. Most of us don't think twice about either one. But here's something you may not know: in the United States, how clean your air and water are depends a lot on where you live — and on who your neighbors are. I just returned from …

Butterflies are turning up in places they've never lived before. And they're vanishing from places they've called home for generations. Climate change seems to be a big reason why. In the largest study of its kind, an international team led by Shawan Chowdhury at Monash University in Australia combed through more than 6,000 records of butterfly movements, covering 1,758 species …

Did you know that more than 49,500 endangered species and nearly 4,000 critically endangered species? Rhinos are amazing animals, but many types of rhinos are in danger of disappearing forever. They are critically endangered because of problems like poaching (illegal hunting), losing their homes, and other threats caused by humans. Let’s learn about the different kinds of rhinos and why …

Nearly half of the nation’s tap water is thought to contain one or more kinds of chemicals called PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances. This finding comes from a recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Believe it or not, there are over 12,000 different types of toxic PFAS, but we can’t detect all of them …

By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer After 12 years in climate science communications, I paused my career to become an animal rights activist, targeting animal agriculture. I had spent years exposing false information about climate change. So, I thought the people in my new community would understand the science. I was wrong. Many animal rights activists think that raising animals for …

On August 18, 2026, the Trump administration made a big announcement. It wants to get rid of a rule called the Roadless Rule. This rule has protected about 45 million acres of national forest for 25 years — that's almost a third of all the national forest land in the country. If the rule goes away, companies could build roads …

Fireworks look amazing lighting up the night sky, but scientists have discovered they leave behind pollution that can linger long after the show is over. Three new studies looked at what really happens after the fireworks fade. Leftover Firework "Trash" Pollutes Water After fireworks explode, burned pieces and leftover chemicals fall back to the ground. Rain can wash this debris …

The State Can't Be a Climate Leader While Animal Agriculture Pollutes Freely This piece was originally written for FactoryFarmWatch.org and has been simplified for a middle school audience. By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer California loves to call itself a climate leader. But how well does that reputation hold up when you zoom in? Using more than 100,000 data points, Factory …

Scientists are sounding the alarm about a gray whale crisis up and down the Pacific Coast. The culprits are well documented — and offshore wind isn't one of them. San Francisco Bay is famous for its Golden Gate Bridge, its ferries, and its busy ports. But lately, locals have been noticing something new in those waters: gray whales. Huge, barnacle-covered, …

You’ve probably heard how fast artificial intelligence (AI) is growing — things like chatbots, smart apps, and online games all use powerful computers hidden inside data centers. These buildings are full of servers (big, fast computers) that help process all the information we send and get online. But what most people don’t think about is that these huge computer hubs …

As 2025 wraps up (even though it feels like it just started!), here’s a quick update on global greenhouse gas emissions. Sadly, the news isn’t great—our three biggest heat-trapping gases are still risi Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions Image: CO2 in the air from the Mauna Loa Observatory. Credit: NASA using NOAA data CO₂ is one of the main greenhouse gases. …

I try to do the right thing — recycle, reuse, and make choices that are better for the planet. But I’m learning something new every day. Recently, thanks to my friend, Kathleen, I found out that those “eco-friendly” laundry pods and detergent sheets I thought were a smart switch weren't so green after all. The thin film that makes them …

Since about 2006, methane levels in Earth’s atmosphere have been climbing fast — mostly because of human activities. It is a super-powerful greenhouse gas that traps heat, but it doesn’t last as long in the air as carbon dioxide does. It's also the second-largest contributor to rising global temperatures after carbon dioxide (CO₂). It’s already added about half a degree …

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic—no bigger than 5 millimeters, about the size of a pencil eraser. They’re everywhere. Each year, people release an estimated 10 to 40 million metric tons into the environment, and if we don’t change our habits, that amount could double by 2040. Most microplastics come from bigger plastic items that slowly break apart, but some …

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 …

Do you ever wonder what the numbers inside the triangle on the bottom of plastic containers mean? Those numbers show that not all plastics are the same. In fact, there are 7 types of plastic, and each one is used for different things—and recycled (or not) in different ways. Understanding what these numbers mean can help you make smarter choices …

When I worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California, I thought a lot about water—how precious it is here on Earth. Living in drier area, I wanted to save water at home. My front lawn took a lot of it, so I replaced the grass with fake grass, or "artificial turf". Doing your homework is really important. …

Holly Shaftel, contributing author I Said Yes — to Love and the Planet My partner of 10 years recently popped the question, and of course I said “Hell yeah!” Because I care a lot about the environment, he knew I’d want engagement and wedding bands that were made in a way that’s kind to people and the planet. So, he …

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 …