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Ocean In Trouble: Toxic Algae Is Killing Sea Life
Off the coast of Southern California, something heartbreaking is happening for the fourth year in a row. A toxic algae bloom — caused by tiny ocean plants growing out of control — is making sea lions and dolphins sick. Many are getting stranded on beaches, helpless and confused. Some are even dying. This bloom started earlier than usual this year, likely because ocean waters are warmer than normal. Toxic algae produce a dangerous poison called domoic acid. It builds up in fish, and when sea lions and dolphins eat those fish, the poison attacks their brains. Sick animals may seem disoriented, have seizures, or lose their ability to swim and…
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Frozen in Time: Glaciers on the Brink
Glaciers on the Brink: Imagine a world where the towering glaciers, nature’s ancient water reservoirs, are on the brink of vanishing before our eyes. This isn’t a scene from a science fiction movie—it’s our current reality. What Are Glaciers and Why Do They Matter? Glaciers are like giant frozen libraries! They contain all kinds of important information about Earth’s past. They are massive, slow-moving rivers of ice found in mountain regions and polar areas that store about 70% of the world’s freshwater. They also hold clues about past climate, how Earth has changed over time, and they even preserve plants, animals, and microorganisms that are really old. As they melt…
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“Silent Screams: How Rat Poison Is Devastating Owls
Every night, I’m lucky to hear the deep, stuttering hoots of Great Horned Owls echoing through my neighborhood: hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo. Sometimes, the male and female of a breeding pair call back and forth in a duet, with the female’s voice sounding higher than the male’s. It’s like a secret nighttime concert, hidden in the trees. It breaks my heart to know that some of my neighbors are using rat poison — a danger that could devastate these majestic owls I’m so lucky to hear each night. Why Is Rat Poison Devastating Owls And Other Wildlife? When you think of rat poison, you probably imagine it just killing rats, right? Sadly, that’s…
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Toxic Rice? How Climate Change Is Threatening Our Food
More than half the people in the world eat rice every day. But now, rising carbon dioxide and hotter temperatures are creating toxic rice. Global Hunger in Focus The world is already facing a huge hunger crisis. Right now, about 1.9 million people are experiencing extreme hunger, mostly in places like Gaza and Sudan, but also in parts of Sudan, Haiti, Mali, and parts of the Middle East. These people are very close to famine, which means not having enough food to survive. In one camp in northern Sudan, famine is already happening. Many of these hunger emergencies are getting worse each year because of many problems happening at the…
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Pills in the Gills: Why Fish Are Acting So Weird
Fish are acting strange—and human medicines might be to blame! Find out how drugs from our bathrooms are ending up in rivers and messing with fish brains.
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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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Poison in Disguise: The Scary Side of Plastic Recycling
When we think of plastic recycling, we usually imagine helping the planet—turning old stuff into something new instead of throwing it away. But did you know that recycling plastic might actually be more harmful than helpful in some cases? We’ve grown up being told that recycling is the best way to help the planet. It became a badge of honor: rinse the yogurt cup, separate the caps, fill the blue bin. It felt like the right thing—and for a long time, it was one of the best tools we had. But now, the story’s getting more complicated. I’ve decided to dig deeper and ask myself, “Am I really helping?” I…
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How to Spot Fake Graphs
Fake graphs pop up on social media all the time. And if graphs confuse you, you’re not alone—I’ve felt that way too! With all the lines, numbers, and labels, they can seem boring, messy, or even like they’re trying to trick you. But once you learn how to read them, graphs actually make things easier. They’re like a shortcut to show patterns or comparisons without a big wall of text. This guide will help you spot misleading and fake graphs faster—so you won’t fall for the tricks. Why Even Use a Graph? Sometimes, it’s the only way to clearly show trends, like how a population grows over time, or which…
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Scientific Consensus: It’s Not a Vote, It’s the Evidence!
Scientific consensus is when most scientists agree on something after looking at a lot of evidence and doing many studies. Think of it like this: if 100 doctors all study the same illness and 97 of them say, “Yep, we’ve tested this, and this is what we’ve found,” then we say there’s a consensus—a strong agreement—on that topic. But it’s important to know: it’s not a vote. Scientists don’t just raise their hands and pick an answer. Instead, they do experiments, gather data, and check each other’s work. If many scientists get the same results over and over, that’s how a consensus forms. Examples of Scientific Evidence Include: Smoking causes…
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Secrets in the Hills: My Journey into the Santa Susana Field Laboratory
After doing a bunch of interviews, including group ones, I started working at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) in 2007. I made some awesome friends and learned a lot—especially about disinformation (which is when people spread false info on purpose). I also learned about endangered orangutans, which made me even more passionate about protecting the environment! My job was called Public Outreach Specialist. That means I helped explain environmental issues to the public. One of the main places I worked on was called the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), located between Ventura and Los Angeles counties. What is the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL)? The Santa Susana…
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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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“An Inconvenient Truth”: More Right Than We Knew
People laughed (and still are) at Al Gore over his film, “An Inconvenient Truth”. The planet’s not laughing. I’m frankly tired of the lie that Al Gore’s predictions from his film were all wrong. Yeah, he got a couple of things wrong, especially the timing. But the science behind what he said? Still very real—and in some cases, it’s even worse than he predicted. Let’s break it down: Claim: “Within the decade there will be no more snows of Kilimanjaro.” What Really Happened: Timing was off, but the ice is disappearing quickly. Gore was a little early on the timing, but he wasn’t wrong about the big picture. The glaciers…
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Celestial Sizzle? Burning Through The “All Planets Are Warming” Myth
Are All Planets Warming? Nope—that’s not true! The notion that “all planets are warming” is a myth. Here’s what scientists actually know about the planets in our solar system: Mercury, Too Hot and Too Cold! OK, how can that be? Mercury is super close to the Sun and doesn’t really have an atmosphere. That means it doesn’t have a climate like Earth’s. Even though a year on Mercury lasts only 88 Earth days, its day is super long—176 Earth days! Also, since it hardly tilts on its axis (only about 2°), it doesn’t have real seasons like we do. Believe it or not, temperatures can reach up to 800°F (430°C)!…
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Smiling Angel in Peril: The Yangtze Finless Porpoise
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 world’s only known freshwater porpoise. It once shared its habitat with the Baiji dolphin, however that species was declared functionally extinct* in 2007. Now, the porpoise faces its own fight for survival. In 2013, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed it as critically endangered due to growing threats from human activity. Will the porpoise disappear next? Why Do We Need the Yangtze Finless Porpoise? Nature is like a giant game of Jenga. Each species is a…
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The High Cost of Cheap Clothes: Fast Fashion Waste
Did you know that World Cleanup Day is March 31, 2025? It’s a day when people around the world come together to clean up trash, including plastic and fashion waste, and help protect the environment. We often hear about plastic pollution and food waste, but what about fashion? Believe it or not, the fashion industry is a huge polluter. And Fast fashion is the worst of all. The Shocking Truth About Fast Fashion Every year, manufacturers produce over 100 BILLION pieces of low-cost clothing. Many of these clothes contain harmful chemicals and harm the environment. The Environmental Cost of Fast Fashion Fast fashion is a major problem for our planet.…
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Plastic Everywhere: Microplastics Are Harming Birds–And Us
Introduction Did you know that every piece of plastic ever made still exists somewhere on Earth? Unlike food or paper—it just breaks down into tinier and tinier pieces (microplastics). That means every plastic bag, bottle, plastic cup, or straw ever created is still out there, whether it’s in a landfill, the ocean, or even tiny pieces floating in the air. Now we’ve learned that microplastics are harming birds–and us! In just the first ten years of the 2000s, people made more plastic than in all of history before the year 2000. Now, scientists estimate that there are between 15 and 51 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the ocean—that’s more…
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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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Brace Yourself: Why Turbulence Is Getting Worse
Have you flown lately? Have you noticed that turbulence is getting worse? Remember these shocking 2024 headlines? “A flight attendant broke her back during severe turbulence on a flight in Turkey—the third major incident of its kind in a week.” “Singapore Airlines flight hits severe turbulence, one passenger dead.” Buckle Up! Turbulence is making headlines! More and more, we’re hearing jaw-dropping stories of terrifying flights. In May 2024, a Singapore Airlines flight hit extreme turbulence, bouncing like a roller coaster and plunging 178 feet in just 4.6 seconds! The chaos left 104 people needing medical help, with 20 in intensive care. One person suffered a fatal heart attack. That same…
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Food Waste: The Big Problem Hiding in Your Trash!
Have you ever thrown away food at home—maybe an apple with a bruise or leftovers you didn’t feel like eating? If so, you’re not alone! I’ve done it, too! People all over the world waste tons of food every single day. But did you know that food waste is a big problem for our planet? Let’s dive into what food waste is, why it matters, and how we can help fix it! What is Food Waste? Food waste occurs when people throw away perfectly good food instead of eating it. This waste happens at home, in restaurants, at grocery stores, and even on farms. Some common reasons food gets wasted…
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“Food Waste Fix: Smart Hacks to Save Food & Save the Planet!” 🍎♻️
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Vanishing Giants: Can We Save Africa’s Forest Elephants?
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer Deep in the dense rainforests of Central and West Africa, a quiet giant roams — smaller than its savanna cousin, but just as vital to its ecosystem. The African forest elephant, a master gardener of the jungle, spreads seeds and shapes the land with every step. Yet, despite its importance, this elusive creature is critically endangered, facing threats from poaching and habitat loss. Tracking these secretive creatures isn’t easy. Unlike other animals with special markings that make them easy to recognize, forest elephants are great at staying out of sight. Instead of relying on direct sightings, scientists turn to an unusual method — counting poop.…
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African Forest Elephant Coloring Page
Want the details? Read all about them here.
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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”…
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Fueling the Future: Why EVs Are Better for the Environment
Guest Post by Holly Shaftel Introduction When I was on Facebook (maybe five years ago), I once debated an old high school classmate about electric vehicles. I can’t remember the details, but this person replied to my post about electric trucks, spewing all the falsehoods she likely picked up from her social circle, including those about battery production. As a proud EV owner and former NASA climate website editor, I’m used to “science bombing” online trolls, bots, and deniers who work for Big Oil and other bad actors. So, it might not surprise you that misinformation (unintentionally false information) and disinformation (intentionally false information) around electric cars often came up in…
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Fact-Checking Series No. 5: Busting Yet Another Myth About Climate Change
Let’s Call a Spade a Spade! I’m back, busting yet another myth about climate change! Ever heard of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI)? It’s a “think tank” (a group that shares ideas) that doesn’t believe humans are causing climate change. Sounds wild, right? Even more interesting, they’ve gotten money from groups that don’t like environmental rules, like the Charles Koch Foundation and ExxonMobil. Through 2016, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation contributed over $2.2 million to CEI.—that’s a whole lot of cash! Now, CEI once published a list basically saying, “People have been predicting environmental disasters since the 1960s, and they’re still doing it today!” But are these predictions really…
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Amur Leopard Maze (late elementary)
Hungry for more fun or fascinating facts? Dive into our Amur Leopard coloring page and discover amazing insights about this critically endangered big cat!
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Critically Endangered Amur Leopard Maze (early elementary)
Craving more fun? Grab your crayons and explore our Amur Leopard coloring page here!
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Amur Leopard Coloring Page
Amur Leopard Learn more about this beautiful, but critically endangered, species here!
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World’s Rarest Big Cat: Critically Endangered Amur Leopard
Deep in the snowy forests of Russia and China, a secretive cat moves like a ghost. This is the Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis), the rarest big cat on Earth. Sadly, only less than 60 remain in the wild, putting them at risk of extinction. Amur leopards are a “critically endangered”, which means they are in serious danger of disappearing from the wild forever. These sleek, spotted predators weigh 70 to 105 pounds and are built for survival. They can sprint up to 37 miles per hour, leap 10 feet high and 20 feet across, and silently stalk prey in the dense forest. As solitary and nocturnal hunters, they rely…
Eco Nana
Earth Advocacy for Future Generations
