Eco Nana

Eco Nana

Earth Advocacy for Future Generations

  • About Eco Nana
  • Blog Post Library
  • Activities for Kids
  • Videos
  • Contact
  • About Eco Nana
  • Blog Post Library
  • Activities for Kids
  • Videos
  • Contact

Trusted Websites

Shop Eco Products

Activities for Kids

  • On the Brink: Endangered Species Puzzle Hunt
  • The Great Recycling Adventure Quiz
  • Coloring page of a mother and baby Asian elephant in a forest.
    Asian Elephant Coloring Page
  • Photosynthesis coloring page with sunlight hitting a sunflower, taking in carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen.
    Photosynthesis coloring page
  • Coloring page - dolphin under water with coral and seaweed
    Ocean Coloring Page
Deforestation, Endangered Species, Featured Posts, Human Impact

Roadless Rule: Forests On The Chopping Block

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…

read more
August 21, 2026
Featured Posts, Human Impact, Pollution

Toxic PFAS May Be in Your Tap Water

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…

read more
September 10, 2026
Climate, Featured Posts

What Happens When Earthquakes Hit a Thawing Arctic?

What a rockslide on a tiny Arctic island can teach us about a warming world Way up in the Arctic, about halfway between Iceland and Norway’s Svalbard islands, there’s a…

read more
September 8, 2026
Climate, Featured Posts, Human Impact

Butterflies Are on the Move — and That’s a Warning Sign

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…

read more
September 20, 2026
  • Photo of a wild cat inside a cage at a zoo
    Endangered Species

    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…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    A photo of a larger and smaller African penguin walking along the shoreline.

    African Penguins: Cute, Unique, and Critically Endangered

    February 6, 2026
    Photo of rainforest destruction in Borneo.

    Palm Oil: The Hidden Problems Behind It

    October 13, 2024
    Northern White Rhino, Lake Nakuru, Kenya

    The Race to Save Critically Endangered Rhinos

    September 10, 2026
  • Climate

    Parenting Climate Disasters, Trauma, and Recovery

    Guest Post by Natasha Stavros, Ph.D. Climate disasters, like wildfires, are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. For parents, this isn’t just about rebuilding homes or replacing toys and other belongings. It’s also about caring for children while managing trauma. Research shows that people who have experienced a climate disaster often suffer Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at levels similar to those returning from a war zone. What does this mean for parents? My Story: Parenting Through Wildfire Trauma The first time that I evacuated my home because of a wildfire was in 2003. Since then, I’ve evacuated two other times, and twice I’ve watched my communities burn.…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Sick sea lion on beach

    Ocean In Trouble: Toxic Algae Is Killing Sea Life

    April 29, 2025
    An image of hurricane Erin. It looks like a large, white, organized, swirling cloud system with a distinctive "eye" at its center. The "eye" is a calm, clear area surrounded by the storm's most powerful winds. The extremely large cloud formation of has large, spiral bands.

    Hurricane Erin: A Supercharged Storm Fueled by Climate Change

    August 24, 2025
    Thermometer stuck in grass registering about 103 degrees F and abut 40 degrees C.

    La Niña Years—Our “Cool” Years—Are Now Warmer Than El Niño Years

    July 9, 2025
  • Photo of a blue whale just under the surface of the ocean. They are long and sleek with mottled blue-gray skin, reaching up to 110 feet long and weighing over 200 tons. They have a small dorsal fin, large fluke (tail), and a broad, flat head with two blowholes.
    Climate

    Blue Whales Are Going Quiet — and That’s a Big Warning

    Under the ocean’s surface, there’s an underwater symphony. Blue whales and other marine mammals fill the water with songs and calls, almost like an underwater orchestra. To eavesdrop on this symphony, scientists use special tools called hydrophones — microphones designed to work underwater. In this case, researchers used a hydrophone anchored 3,000 feet below the surface. What Did the Scientists Find? Over six years, researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium noticed something troubling along the California Coast. Blue whales and fin whales began singing less often when the ocean got unusually warm. Scientists say the silence is a serious warning. Meanwhile, some whales that eat lots of different things (like…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Scared female passenger on an airplane

    Brace Yourself: Why Turbulence Is Getting Worse

    March 10, 2025
    An illustration of a scientist in a laboratory looking at something very closely on the end of his finger. There are tables with beakers in the background.

    The CO₂ Fingerprint: Proving Where Extra Carbon Comes From

    January 18, 2026
    Red flag on a pole blowing on a windy day.

    Red Flag Warning: Why Wildfires Are Everyone’s Problem Now

    April 26, 2026
  • Giant crater in the middle of grassy tundra filled with water. People are standing on the outside looking in.
    Climate

    Melting Permafrost in Siberia is Creating Explosive Craters

    Imagine this: you’re walking across the frozen tundra in Siberia and—whoa—there’s a giant hole in the ground, big enough to swallow a house. No, it’s not a scene from a sci-fi movie. These craters are real, and scientists have been finding more of them over the past decade. The big question: what’s going on? What’s Hiding Under the Ice? Siberia is covered in permafrost, soil that usually stays frozen solid all year long. But, as the planet heats up, permafrost is thawing faster than ever. That’s already causing big problems you can see—like sinkholes opening up, telephone poles leaning, roads and runways cracking, and forests where trees just topple over.…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    An image of emissions from factory smokestacks.

    A Planet Under Pressure: Global Emissions in 2025

    December 8, 2025
    A photo of black and white dairy cows in a building being fed by a robot.

    The Heat You Can’t See: Greenhouse Gases Explained

    June 13, 2025
    climate change, low angle view Thermometer on blue sky with sun shining in summer show increase temperature, concept global warming

    How are “Global Warming” and “Climate Change” Different?

    October 4, 2024
  • A photo of eco-friendly products - cups, jars, soap, and utensils. They are all made of wood, paper, or glass.
    Solutions

    Eco-Smart Products That Make a Difference

    Taking care of the planet really matters to me, so I’ve been trying to make small changes in my life over time. I first drove hybrid cars, like the Honda Insight and later the Prius Prime, which worked great for everyday driving. A few years ago, I made the jump to a fully electric car—and honestly, I love it! At home, I’ve been swapping out old products for eco-friendly ones, step by step. I bought my current home about three years ago, and though it’s been a financial stretch, my boyfriend and I invested in solar panels, a heat pump system (for heating, cooling, and hot water), and an induction…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    An image of an electric car connected to a special two-way charger connected to a house and to the electrical grid.

    Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): When Electric Cars Become Energy For All

    January 15, 2026
    A view from shore of large wind turbines in the ocean.

    The Truth Behind the Offshore Wind: Who’s Really Opposed?

    August 6, 2025
    Photo of sun rising over wheat fields signifying hope

    Good News For A Change: Hope Is On The Horizon

    May 7, 2025
  • Photo of very long canoe painted maroon, blue, and yellow covered with a canopy of solar panels.
    Renewable Energy,  Solutions

    Turning Sunlight into a Lifeline: Clean Energy in the Amazon

    Part One I’ve been lucky enough to travel to the Peruvian Amazon. Many families there live without electricity, refrigerators, and wash their clothes in nearby rivers. Something as simple as flipping on a light switch or keeping food is a daily struggle. For many Indigenous communities in the Amazon, this is just everyday life. But even with all these challenges, something amazing is starting to shine through — a spark of hope powered by the sun and built on deep respect for the land. The Big Problem: Power and Pollution in the Amazon The Amazon isn’t just a forest — it’s is one of the most amazing places on Earth.…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Photo of an electric river ferry on the Moscow River.

    Smooth Sailing into the Future with Electric Ferries

    May 18, 2025
    Image of a geothermal power plant. It has a central industrial structure housing the turbine-generator assembly. It is usually a modest-sized, enclosed facility. Insulated Steam/Water Shows a complex network of silvery or metallic pipes travels along the ground, transporting hot brine or steam from the production wells to the powerhouse and returning cooled water to the reinjection wells. 4 large cooling towers with steam plumes show plants feature large cooling towers with white steam plumes can be seen.

    The Energy Source That Never Sleeps: Geothermal

    February 3, 2026
    An image of a modular battery storage facility in California. It looks like a series of lined-up white, rectangular containers.

    The Rapidly Evolving World of Grid Battery Storage

    July 16, 2026
  • Young shark as bycatch in industrial fishing
    Climate

    The Hidden Climate Impact of Bottom Trawling

    As a scuba diver, I’ve seen the wonders of the undersea world—brilliant coral reefs, swaying seagrass meadows, and the incredible creatures that call these places home. That’s why what happens with bottom trawling feels so devastating. Picture this: a huge fishing boat drags a massive, weighted net across the seafloor. It tears through everything in its path, scooping up fish. At the same time, it crushes coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and habitats that have taken centuries to grow. Behind it, clouds of dark mud swirl like an underwater storm. Even stingrays and baby sharks get trapped, with no chance of escape. This method, called bottom trawling, is one of the…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Bowl of rice and chicken

    Toxic Rice? How Climate Change Is Threatening Our Food

    April 25, 2025
    A photo of a thermometer registering over 100 degrees against a blue sky and a bright sun..

    Planet on the Edge: The Alarming Forecast from 2025–2029

    June 12, 2025
    Thermometer stuck in grass registering about 103 degrees F and abut 40 degrees C.

    La Niña Years—Our “Cool” Years—Are Now Warmer Than El Niño Years

    July 9, 2025
  • Image of a burning home during Palisades fire in LA County.
    Fact-check

    No, LA Didn’t Run Out of Water During the Fires

    Fact-check It’s been almost eight months since wildfires tore through Los Angeles County, but the wild rumors just won’t quit. Some people say “LA ran out of water.” Others claim “California didn’t take care of its forests.” Then there are the over-the-top ones—like fires being part of a plot by “global elites” to clear land, or a tiny fish called a smelt being the cause. And my favorite? That Governor “Newscum” (yep, that’s the nickname floating around online) refused to sign a “magic” water plan that supposedly would have sent endless gallons south every day. Sounds like a comic book, right? But here’s the real question: why do these conspiracy…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    It was hotter 56 million years ago

    Fact-checking Series No. 2: Uncovering the Truth About Climate

    October 2, 2024
    Image of the word "myth" with a fist punching through it.

    Fact-Checking Series No. 5: Busting Yet Another Myth About Climate Change

    February 21, 2025
    A picture of a satellite vs a surface temperature station asking "which is better"?

    How Reliable Are Satellite Temperature Measurements?

    August 26, 2025
  • AI image of a concrete house with white squiggles all over it representing electricity.
    Solutions

    Building Power! Concrete That Makes Its Own Energy

    A team of researchers at Southwest University in China created a special kind of smart concrete that can make and store electricity. They mixed regular cement with a material called PVA hydrogel, making a new type of concrete that stays strong like regular concrete. Bonus: your walls could power themselves while building a greener future! How Smart Concrete Works Inside the concrete, tiny particles and water let electric charges move around. When one side gets hot and the other stays cooler, this ‘thermo-ionic effect’ makes the charges flow and generate electricity. It’s kind of like when a small thermometer creates electricity if it’s hot on one end and cold on…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    A group of permaculture students standing outside in the desert, facing an instructor, who's wearing a sun hat

    What Is Permaculture? Joshua Tree Course Provides Overview and Community

    March 6, 2025
    A view from shore of large wind turbines in the ocean.

    The Truth Behind the Offshore Wind: Who’s Really Opposed?

    August 6, 2025
    A photo of a blimp-like object in the sky with a turbine around it (it almost looks like an airplane engine), attached to a wire.

    China Is the World’s Renewable Energy Champion

    June 28, 2026
  • A picture of a satellite vs a surface temperature station asking "which is better"?
    Fact-check,  Understanding Science

    How Reliable Are Satellite Temperature Measurements?

    Some people who reject climate science claim satellites are the “real truth-tellers” when it comes to Earth’s temperature. But here’s the kicker: satellites don’t actually measure temperature at the surface where we live—they measure microwave radiation coming from oxygen molecules way up in the atmosphere. That data has to be modeled and pieced together like a giant puzzle. Ground thermometers, on the other hand, give us direct, accurate readings right where it matters most. That’s why scientists worldwide rely on them to track how fast our planet is heating up. Here’s why ground-based measurements are the gold standard: Satellites don’t measure temperature directly Satellites don’t measure temperature directly, or even…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    A view from shore of large wind turbines in the ocean.

    The Truth Behind the Offshore Wind: Who’s Really Opposed?

    August 6, 2025
    A photo of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant with two reactor domes and the ocean in the background.

    Nuclear Power: Clean Energy Hero or Environmental Headache?

    November 2, 2025
    Green Hydrogen renewable energy production pipeline. It shows a large, silver pipe with two sections painted green and the words, "H2 green hydrogen".

    Is Green Hydrogen Really the Future of Clean Energy?

    August 15, 2025
  • An image of hurricane Erin. It looks like a large, white, organized, swirling cloud system with a distinctive "eye" at its center. The "eye" is a calm, clear area surrounded by the storm's most powerful winds. The extremely large cloud formation of has large, spiral bands.
    Climate

    Hurricane Erin: A Supercharged Storm Fueled by Climate Change

    In August, Hurricane Erin tore across the Atlantic Ocean with winds blasting over 160 miles per hour on August 16. Erin didn’t make landfall, but its effects—big waves, riptides, and rough weather—slammed coastal communities. This created dangerous conditions stretching over 1,000 miles of the East Coast. And here’s the kicker: climate change is making those effects worse. Supercharged: Hurricane Erin’s Shocking Rapid Intensification Erin exploded from a Category 1 storm to a monster Category 5 in less than a day—one of the fastest growth spurts ever recorded. Scientists say this kind of rapid jump is happening more often as our planet heats up. Jim Kossin, a former hurricane expert at…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    A graphic that states, "Busting the Myth That CO2 is Plant Food". It shows a boxer and the words "smack" and "kaboom".

    Unmasking CO₂ Myths: The Science You Need to Know

    July 9, 2026
    An image of emissions from factory smokestacks.

    A Planet Under Pressure: Global Emissions in 2025

    December 8, 2025
    Scared female passenger on an airplane

    Brace Yourself: Why Turbulence Is Getting Worse

    March 10, 2025
  • Earth split in two: one half with forests ablaze and the other inundated with murky floodwaters under a gray, overcast sky.
    Climate

    Caught in a Storm of Extreme Events

    In Arizona, the summer heat has turned deadly. Public health officials warn that extreme temperatures in Maricopa County may have already claimed more than 400 lives. Across the ocean, Southern Europe is also in crisis, with heatwaves fueling wildfires—including 152 new blazes in Greece alone. Far to the north, Alaska faced a very different kind of disaster. A lake of rainwater and melting snow burst through a glacial dam near Juneau, unleashing a torrent that pushed the Mendenhall River to its highest level ever recorded. Streets and homes in the city were swallowed by the flood. Recent heavy rains caused sudden flash floods in Pakistan, killing 337 people. Since late…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    A photo of a larger and smaller African penguin walking along the shoreline.

    African Penguins: Cute, Unique, and Critically Endangered

    February 6, 2026
    A photo of Earth that is completely dark.

    Earth’s Losing Its Shine (And That’s Not Good)

    November 13, 2025
    Image of an Earth on fire.

    Hotter Earth, Sicker World: The Surge of Insect-Related Diseases

    May 15, 2025
  • Green Hydrogen renewable energy production pipeline. It shows a large, silver pipe with two sections painted green and the words, "H2 green hydrogen".
    Fact-check,  Understanding Science

    Is Green Hydrogen Really the Future of Clean Energy?

    You’ve probably seen headlines saying that green hydrogen is the next energy savior. Some even say it could help us fight climate change and keep our lights on. But before we celebrate, let’s put it under a microscope. Hydrogen Really Isn’t a Fuel Source A lot of articles call hydrogen an “energy source.” But that’s not exactly true. Hydrogen doesn’t just appear out of thin air — we have to make it using other energy sources. Think of it more like a battery that stores energy made from something else, like wind or solar power. To create hydrogen, we usually use a process called electrolysis — splitting water into hydrogen…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    It was hotter 56 million years ago

    Fact-checking Series No. 2: Uncovering the Truth About Climate

    October 2, 2024
    A picture of a satellite vs a surface temperature station asking "which is better"?

    How Reliable Are Satellite Temperature Measurements?

    August 26, 2025
    Photorealistic illustration of a female scientist with a volcano and dollar bills in the background.

    Fact-checking Series No. 4: Busting Myths About Climate Change

    February 14, 2025
  • Deep flood water in residential area, Del Plains, Illinois 2024
    Climate

    Floods: The New Normal?

    August 13, 2025 Floods aren’t just breaking records—they’re breaking lives. Picture this: streets turned into raging rivers, rooftops barely peeking above swirling brown water, and rescue boats zigzagging through what used to be quiet neighborhoods. Right now, parts of the Midwest are drowning. Not long ago, New York City’s subways became underground lakes. Last month, Beijing was hammered with a year’s worth of rain in just days, killing 38 people. In Texas, massive floods claimed 119 lives. And now, Tennessee is under siege from rising water—where one family’s life ended in an instant when flood-loosened trees came crashing down on their car. Torrential rains swamped homes and roads across Mexico…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Red melting thermometer against the hot sun.

    The Hidden Threat to Our Power Supply: Extreme Heat

    August 9, 2026
    An image of a vibrio vulnificus bacteria. They look like tiny cucumbers with tails.

    Beneath the Surface: Hidden Risks of a Warmer World

    July 20, 2025
    A graphic that states, "Busting the Myth That CO2 is Plant Food". It shows a boxer and the words "smack" and "kaboom".

    Unmasking CO₂ Myths: The Science You Need to Know

    July 9, 2026
  • A view from shore of large wind turbines in the ocean.
    Fact-check,  Renewable Energy,  Solutions

    The Truth Behind the Offshore Wind: Who’s Really Opposed?

    Part One When I retired from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in early 2024 and moved to California’s Central Coast in 2022, I had big plans for my next chapter—spending more time with my grandkids, and finally taking those classes I’d been dreaming about: geology, astronomy, maybe even jewelry making and flower arranging. But those plans took a turn when I started reading wild claims about offshore wind: that it kills whales, is worse for the environment than fossil fuels, and would ruin our coastline. After years of working in science communications and battling climate misinformation, I knew better than to take those claims at face value. So I did what…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Fact-Checking Series No. 1: Uncovering the Truth About Climate

    November 4, 2024
    Photorealistic illustration of a female scientist with a volcano and dollar bills in the background.

    Fact-checking Series No. 4: Busting Myths About Climate Change

    February 14, 2025
    It was hotter 56 million years ago

    Fact-checking Series No. 2: Uncovering the Truth About Climate

    October 2, 2024
  • Image of a plastic cup filled with liquid and an orange silicone cup with a lid and straw. They are sitting on a beach towel near the ocean.
    Human Impact

    Silicone vs. Plastic: Which Is Really Better?

    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…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    A photo of a gas plant with a pipe that is flaring gas. The flaring looks like a large plume of yellow and orange smoke.

    Why Methane Matters: The Short-Lived Gas with a Big Impact

    November 5, 2025

    Green California Has a Dirty Methane Secret

    May 18, 2026
    Dead, decomposing gray whale lying on the beach

    What’s Killing Gray Whales? (Hint: It’s Not Wind Energy)

    April 27, 2026
  • A deserted NASA control room, lights flickering, dust motes in the air, under a stormy night sky.
    About,  Understanding Science

    Shutting Down Our Eyes on the Earth—and Beyond

    The current Administration wants to make big changes to NASA—shutting down our eyes on the Earth and beyond. They also want to stop the Agency from working on future science projects, especially those studying Earth and climate. Instead, their plan focuses on a smaller, “leaner” space agency that would send the first American astronaut to Mars. But scientists say this will end NASA’s longtime leadership in space science—and hurt our ability to understand the fast changes happening on Earth. In May, the Trump administration shared a plan to cut NASA’s science budget nearly in half—from about $8 billion to $3.9 billion. While the final bill kept much of NASA’s overall…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    An older woman holding up both hands with red boxing gloves

    To My Kids and Grandkids, I Will Never Stop Fighting

    December 4, 2025
    Image of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory against the rocky hills of Simi Valley, California

    Chapter 4 Secrets in the Hills: My Journey into the Santa Susana Field Laboratory

    March 29, 2025
    A person with tape over her mouth and an X over the tape. Text says: NASA science is now NASA silence.

    When the Silence Hurts: A NASA Insider Speaks Out

    June 20, 2025
  • An image of a vibrio vulnificus bacteria. They look like tiny cucumbers with tails.
    Climate

    Beneath the Surface: Hidden Risks of a Warmer World

    We’re used to hearing about floods and wildfires, but there’s a great deal of climate change happening beneath the surface. You’ve likely heard about ocean acidification and coral bleaching, but there’s so much more we just can’t see. On a small research boat in Chesapeake Bay, a scientist collected water to study tiny living things called microbes. All around, people were enjoying the beach, unaware that dangerous bacteria called Vibrio were hiding in the water. Vibrio live naturally in oceans and rivers. Some types are harmless and even help the environment by recycling nutrients. But others can make people very sick—with symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea, or in rare cases,…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    An illustration of the Urban Heat Island effect. It shows tall buildings and homes with wavy red lines coming up from them, representing heat. If also shows a very hot sun.

    Is Global Warming Just an Urban Heat Island Effect? Scientists Say No

    May 25, 2026
    Grinnell Glacier ice loss from 1938, where there was a lot of ice to 2021, when there is mostly water.

    The Big Thaw: What’s Happening to Earth’s Ice Right Now

    December 17, 2025
    Deep flood water in residential area, Del Plains, Illinois 2024

    Floods: The New Normal?

    August 14, 2025
  • A picture of a bright red car powered by aluminum and caffeine.
    Renewable Energy,  Solutions

    Brewing Clean Energy with Caffeine, Cans, and Seawater

    Scientists at MIT have recently come up with a cool way to brew clean energy fuel using ingredients like seawater, caffeine, and even aluminum from empty soda cans. This fuel doesn’t release carbon dioxide, which makes it much better for our planet. Here’s How It Works: Aluminum is a super reactive metal. When it touches water, it creates hydrogen gas. Hydrogen can be used as fuel to power things like cars, generators, or even rockets—without causing pollution. But normally, aluminum has a layer of protection on it that stops this reaction. The MIT team found a way to make aluminum react with water by mixing it with something called a…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Photo of an electric river ferry on the Moscow River.

    Smooth Sailing into the Future with Electric Ferries

    May 18, 2025
    Photo of very long canoe painted maroon, blue, and yellow covered with a canopy of solar panels.

    Turning Sunlight into a Lifeline: Clean Energy in the Amazon

    September 9, 2025
    Red melting thermometer against the hot sun.

    The Hidden Threat to Our Power Supply: Extreme Heat

    August 9, 2026
  • Coloring page of a mother and baby Asian elephant in a forest.
    Kid Activities

    Asian Elephant Coloring Page

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Amur leopard maze game for late elementary school students. Help the lost baby Amur leopard find it's mom!

    Amur Leopard Maze (late elementary)

    February 19, 2025
    Black and white coloring page with an Amur leopard in the foreground and a Sumatran tiger in the background.

    Amur Leopard Coloring Page

    February 19, 2025
    Coloring page of an African Forest Elephant. They are smaller and darker than their savanna relative, with characteristically rounded ears and a hairy trunk. An African forest elephant's tusks are straighter and point downward, rather than outwards like savanna elephants.

    African Forest Elephant Coloring Page

    March 6, 2025
  • A photo of a baby Asian elephant walking on sand with forest in the background.
    Deforestation,  Endangered Species

    The Shocking New Threat to Asian Elephants: Skin Poaching

    Let’s face it—when money’s involved, humans often show little or no respect for animals. That’s why poachers are now killing Asian elephants not just for their tusks, but for their skin. It’s a horrifying story—one that brought me to tears while researching and writing—but understanding what’s happening is the first step toward protecting these gentle, endangered giants. Poachers are targeting elephants in places like Myanmar—a known hotspot for the illegal wildlife trade. Instead of focusing only on tusked males, they now kill any elephant they can find—males, females, even babies. Why? Because elephant skin is being sold for jewelry, beads, and traditional medicine. Poachers Are Wiping Out Myanmar’s Elephants Myanmar’s…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Picture of healthy forest in the background and tractor cutting down trees in the foreground.

    How Farming Fuels Forest Loss: The Agriculture-Deforestation Link

    January 21, 2025
    Photo of rainforest destruction in Borneo.

    Palm Oil: The Hidden Problems Behind It

    October 13, 2024
    Dense trees and ferns with a waterfall in the background.

    Roadless Rule: Forests On The Chopping Block

    August 21, 2026
  • Air freshener shaped like a cupcake hanging from the rearview mirror of a car.
    Uncategorized

    The Truth About Air Fresheners–They’re Toxic!

    Guest Post by Helen Lovell-Wayne, MS, Edited by Susan Callery This article was written to help people understand what’s really in the air fresheners they use. If enough people speak up and make safer choices, companies may start making healthier, more eco-friendly products. You’ve probably seen or used air fresheners like Tropical Rain Forest, Hawaiian Breeze, or Apple Cinnamon. They come as sprays, plug-ins, gels, or even little trees hanging from car mirrors. Many people use them to make their homes or cars smell nice—but these products can be harmful. Tropical Rain Forest, Summer Sky, Hawaiian Breeze, and Apple Cinnamon are just some of the air freshener fragrances the public…

    read more
  • Looking up at tall trees in a forest
    Climate

    Vanishing Insects and the Silence of the Forests

    Special thanks to Jay Thompson for his contribution to this blog! Vanishing insects are the silent alarm of climate change—one we can’t afford to ignore. Some of my most cherished memories come from forests, such as the rainforests of Borneo, or in Tasmania where I was greeted by a curious pademelon at the entrance of my log cabin. In the Amazon rainforest I watched wild macaw parrots gather at clay licks — a vibrantly colorful and magical sight I wish everyone could experience. In nearly any forest on Earth, the productions of nature saturate our senses: the smell of moist ground and humid air, the sounds of birdsong, of tree…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Fact-Checking Series No. 1: Uncovering the Truth About Climate

    November 4, 2024
    A picture of stratocumulus clouds.

    Vanishing Clouds, Rising Heat: A Warning from Above

    June 25, 2025
    A photo of Earth that is completely dark.

    Earth’s Losing Its Shine (And That’s Not Good)

    November 13, 2025
  • Thermometer stuck in grass registering about 103 degrees F and abut 40 degrees C.
    Climate,  Understanding Science

    La Niña Years—Our “Cool” Years—Are Now Warmer Than El Niño Years

    Every year, Earth’s temperature changes a little. Sometimes it gets hotter, and sometimes cooler. Scientists track this closely to understand how our climate is changing. But it’s not just about climate change. Natural patterns in the ocean also affect short-term global temperatures. Two of the biggest ones are called El Niño and La Niña. These are part of a system called the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, or ENSO for short. What Is El Niño? El Niño, Spanish for “little boy” happens every two to seven years when trade winds weaken. Warm water builds up in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, close to South America. This pushes more heat into the…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    An illustration of the Urban Heat Island effect. It shows tall buildings and homes with wavy red lines coming up from them, representing heat. If also shows a very hot sun.

    Is Global Warming Just an Urban Heat Island Effect? Scientists Say No

    May 25, 2026
    A photo of two firefighters on a hill fighting a wall of huge flames.

    California Wildfire Severity Is Skyrocketing — And Scientists Know Why

    July 1, 2026
    Looking up at tall trees in a forest

    Vanishing Insects and the Silence of the Forests

    July 11, 2025
  • A picture of a grocery cart outside with a lot of different types of plastic waste.
    Human Impact,  Pollution

    The 7 Types of Plastic—and How to Deal with Them

    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 and keep more plastic out of the ocean and landfills. When you toss plastic into the recycling bin, you probably think it’s being turned into something new—like another bottle or a piece of clothing. But in reality, that’s not usually what happens. Most plastic doesn’t get recycled. The arrow symbol…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Amur leopard resting on a rock with trees in the background.

    World’s Rarest Big Cat: Critically Endangered Amur Leopard

    February 16, 2025
    Dead bird covered in plastic netting.

    Plastic Everywhere: Microplastics Are Harming Birds–And Us

    March 15, 2025
    A picture of a row of cows eating in a factory farm.

    The Biggest Climate Culprit Isn’t What Vegans Think

    September 8, 2026
  • Photosynthesis coloring page with sunlight hitting a sunflower, taking in carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen.
    Kid Activities

    Photosynthesis coloring page

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Coloring page of an African Forest Elephant. They are smaller and darker than their savanna relative, with characteristically rounded ears and a hairy trunk. An African forest elephant's tusks are straighter and point downward, rather than outwards like savanna elephants.

    African Forest Elephant Coloring Page

    March 6, 2025

    Greenhouse Gas Gummies Kids’ Activity

    October 18, 2024
    Sumatran orangutan coloring page

    Orangutan Coloring Pages and Fun Facts!

    February 3, 2025
  • Close up of a yellow leaf with green veins to help show photosynthesis.
    Understanding Science

    What is Photosynthesis?

    For elementary school students I had lunch with a friend of mine yesterday, and she told me how many people she’s met who don’t understand or remember photosynthesis. Many adults vaguely remember hearing the word, but not how it works or why it matters. I don’t know about you, but I first learned about it back in elementary school. No wonder many adults don’t remember! That’s a big deal, because photosynthesis–a biological “magic trick–is at the heart of life on Earth. 🌞 Here’s How Photosynthesis Works: 🌬️ And as a bonus of photosynthesis, the plant gives off oxygen — the air we need to breathe! Plants Don’t Just Make Oxygen—They…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    climate change, low angle view Thermometer on blue sky with sun shining in summer show increase temperature, concept global warming

    How are “Global Warming” and “Climate Change” Different?

    October 4, 2024
    A deserted NASA control room, lights flickering, dust motes in the air, under a stormy night sky.

    Shutting Down Our Eyes on the Earth—and Beyond

    July 28, 2025
    Thermometer stuck in grass registering about 103 degrees F and abut 40 degrees C.

    La Niña Years—Our “Cool” Years—Are Now Warmer Than El Niño Years

    July 9, 2025
  • Picture of fake grass.
    Human Impact,  Pollution,  Solutions

    The Truth About Fake Grass: It’s Not So Green After All

    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. I tested different types to see which stayed cooler in the sun. I picked one that didn’t get too hot and said it was recyclable. It seemed like a smart, eco-friendly choice. Win-win, right? I didn’t know then what I know now: that fake grass can contain toxic chemicals. That…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    A photo of dishwasher pods, which is a green liquid soap wrapped in plastic.

    Pods, Sheets, and Hidden Plastics: What’s Really in Your Detergent?

    November 10, 2025
    Dense trees and ferns with a waterfall in the background.

    Roadless Rule: Forests On The Chopping Block

    August 21, 2026
    Northern White Rhino, Lake Nakuru, Kenya

    The Race to Save Critically Endangered Rhinos

    September 10, 2026
  • Photo of a large, black metal silo filled with sand.
    Solutions

    The World’s Biggest Sand Battery Is Now Working in Finland!

    A company in Finland called Polar Night Energy has turned on the world’s largest sand battery in the town of Pornainen. What is a Sand Battery? Imagine a giant thermos filled with about 2,000 tons of crushed soapstone (a type of rock)! The soapstone was basically trash — thrown away from a Finnish fireplace maker. Inside, the sand is heated up to hundreds of degrees using electricity from wind or solar power. The sand holds onto the heat for days, weeks, or even months! How Big is the Sand Battery? The tank is 43 feet tall (13 meters, or about as tall as a four-story building) and 49 feet wide (15 meters,…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    Photo of sun rising over wheat fields signifying hope

    Good News For A Change: Hope Is On The Horizon

    May 7, 2025
    A view from shore of large wind turbines in the ocean.

    The Truth Behind the Offshore Wind: Who’s Really Opposed?

    August 6, 2025
    A monarch butterfly on a flower

    Turn Your Yard Into a Certified Wildlife Habitat

    March 11, 2025
  • A picture of stratocumulus clouds.
    Climate

    Vanishing Clouds, Rising Heat: A Warning from Above

    Vanishing clouds? Why should we care? We usually think of clouds as just part of the weather—something that blocks the sun, brings rain, or makes cool shapes in the sky. But did you know that clouds also help protect our planet from getting too hot? A new study shows that certain types of clouds are disappearing, and that’s bad news for our warming world. What’s Happening? Scientists studied 20 years of satellite data to learn how clouds are changing. They found that the thick, low clouds that form over the ocean are shrinking. These clouds are important because they reflect sunlight back into space—kind of like a giant mirror. When…

    read more

    You May Also Like

    A photo of rows of green and red lettuce with beautiful green hills in the background. Agriculture is a big contributor to nitrous oxide, or N2O.

    N2O – The Greenhouse Gas No One Talks About (But Should)

    January 29, 2026
    A photo of a gas plant with a pipe that is flaring gas. The flaring looks like a large plume of yellow and orange smoke.

    Why Methane Matters: The Short-Lived Gas with a Big Impact

    November 5, 2025
    A picture of a row of cows eating in a factory farm.

    The Biggest Climate Culprit Isn’t What Vegans Think

    September 8, 2026
 Older Posts
Newer Posts 

Latest Posts

  • Butterflies Are on the Move — and That’s a Warning Sign
  • The Race to Save Critically Endangered Rhinos
  • Toxic PFAS May Be in Your Tap Water
  • What Happens When Earthquakes Hit a Thawing Arctic?
  • The Biggest Climate Culprit Isn’t What Vegans Think

Posts by Category

  • About
  • Climate
  • Deforestation
  • Endangered Species
  • Fact-check
  • Featured Posts
  • Human Impact
  • Kid Activities
  • Palm Oil
  • Pollution
  • Renewable Energy
  • Solutions
  • Truth
  • Understanding Science

Follow Eco Nana

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Eco Nana 2026
  • Home
  • About Eco Nana
  • Blog Posts On…
  • Eco-Friendly Products
  • Trusted Climate Websites
  • Activities for Kids
  • Social Media
  • Contact
Ashe Theme by WP Royal.