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Green California Has a Dirty Methane Secret
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 Farm Watch maps over 1,300 factory farms across the state, exposing a source of climate pollution that many don’t think about: industrial livestock. “Using the most comprehensive data gives us an opportunity to see more precisely what the amount and distribution of factory farming’s impact is on California,” said Matthew…
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The Simplest Way to Add Solar to Your Home
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer I’ve been a proud of solar panels since 2021. They significantly decreased my electricity bills to $11 per month, and it feels good to do my small part to help combat climate change. Then one day our bills started climbing again. I began wondering if something fishy was happening behind the scenes and to consider getting more solar. Unfortunately, it’s not in the cards for me financially. Next thing I know, “plug-in solar” — also called “plug-and-play” and “balcony solar” — came on my radar. Already common in several European countries, particularly Germany, and legal in Utah, this option works for people who rent, who can’t…
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AI Has a Climate Problem. Here’s a Smarter Way Forward.
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer Did you know that every time you Google something or give ChatGPT a command, it creates greenhouse (heat-trapping) emissions and uses a lot of water? The internet uses a lot of energy globally. If you look at the rapid growth of artificial intelligence* (AI) in particular, its data centers (“servers”) use about 1.5% of the world’s electricity. This demand is growing about 12% per year, according to the International Energy Agency. Data center energy use could double by 2030! “AI is an incredibly transformative technology that is here to stay,” said Phillip Thomas, a mechanical engineer in the power electronics** industry, with a focus on…
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What Is Hemp? History, Benefits, and Surprising Uses
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer When I became a vegan, I started searching for an ingredient that would give my morning protein shakes the essential amino acids (vital building blocks for your body) I needed to live. The typical pea protein powders out there were highly processed and, in my mind, gross. Then I discovered hemp. I knew it could be used to make clothes and even replace concrete, but I didn’t know it was also considered a superfood — a marketing term for a very healthy food — and extremely versatile. Hemp is a plant in the cannabis family that is grown for its strong fibers, seeds, and oil.…
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Zoo Pros and Cons: The Captivity Debate
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer On July 26, 2025, People reported that the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium welcomed a baby Asian elephant, with another one on the way. In this feel-good story, the president and CEO of the zoo* called it an “exciting milestone” and said it showed their promise to help protect these species. But not everyone agrees. Some experts in elephant behavior and rescue say keeping elephants in zoos doesn’t really help save them. Courtney Fern of Nonhuman Rights Project said there’s no benefit to conservation (protecting nature) when “holding elephants captive.” Mickey Pardo, a scientist who studies elephant behavior, asked, why keep elephants in zoos if it…
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Your Guide to Affordable, Sustainable, and Ethical Engagement Rings
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 chose rings made with recycled gold and lab-grown jewels — and saved a lot of money too! Are lab-made and recycled metals the only way to go? Let’s first look at the dark side of traditionally mined jewelry, and then we’ll check out some eco-friendly choices. 💎 What’s Wrong with…
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Rot On: How to Compost at Home
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer In early 2019, I was looking for ways to save money at home. One day, I thought, “Hmm, maybe I can get rid of my trash bill!” I looked at my kitchen garbage and noticed how much plastic and food waste was in there. “What am I doing?!” I asked myself. I felt like a hypocrite — at the time, I was working in climate change communications, but I wasn’t living an eco-friendly life. I knew it was time for a change. That’s when I started reducing my waste and composting, which means turning things such as leaves and food scraps into fertilizer. Let’s talk…
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What Is a Saola? Why This Rare Animal Desperately Needs Our Help
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer Did you know there’s a unicorn that lives deep in the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam? Okay, it’s not really a unicorn, but it’s so rare and mysterious that people call it the “Asian unicorn.” This extremely rare animal is called the saola (pronounced “saw-la”), and scientists only discovered it in 1992! Since then, it’s been spotted only a few times, mostly by hidden wildlife cameras, from short-lived encounters, and from remains found in villages. The saola is a cousin of wild cattle but resembles an antelope. Its name means “spindle horns” because of the two long, straight horns on its head. Sadly, by…
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The Shocking Truth About Factory Farming and the Environment
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer When it comes to fighting climate change, many people know we need to stop using dirty energy (fossil fuels) like coal, oil, and gas and switch to clean power like solar and wind. But did you know factory farming — a way to raise animals for food in large-scale industrial settings for profit — is also a big problem? It doesn’t just heat up the planet — it also harms the environment in many other ways. (Plus, it’s a huge animal welfare issue.) Let’s take a look at the problems and some solutions. Greenhouse Gas Emissions The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO)…
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Turn Your Yard Into a Certified Wildlife Habitat
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer Imagine: Butterflies dance over wildflowers, bees hum at lavender, and a hummingbird sips from honeysuckle. A rabbit nibbles clover as a fox slips through tall grass at dusk. Birds call from the hedgerow, completing the lively scene. At the garden’s edge, a “Certified Wildlife Habitat” sign stands — this thriving haven is your backyard! A certified wildlife habitat is a yard or garden that provides food, water, shelter, and space for wildlife to raise their young. Through the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), anyone can create one — at home, a school, a business, or even a place of worship. Why certify? Many wild animals have…
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What Is Permaculture? Joshua Tree Course Provides Overview and Community
By Holly Shaftel, EarthRise LLC Editor’s note: This piece was updated on April 15, 2025, to reflect a date change for a two-week permaculture design certification course. Earth’s problems are increasingly complex, but the solutions can be incredibly simple. That’s according to Warren Brush, a global resilience design consultant, educator, lecturer, and storyteller who helped lead an “Intro to Permaculture” weekend workshop at the Joshua Tree Foundation for Arts and Ecology in Joshua Tree, Calif., on Dec. 6–8, 2024. The event provides a taste of a two-week permaculture design certification course (postponed to late September 2025) in the same location. According to Brush, permaculture (a word combining “permanent” and “culture”…
Earth Advocacy for Future Generations
