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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…
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Fact-checking Series No. 4: Busting Myths About Climate Change
Climate change is a big issue, and there are a lot of myths about climate change out there that can make it hard to know what’s true. Some people think it’s just a natural cycle, while others believe small actions don’t matter. These ideas can cause confusion and slow down efforts to fix the problem. In this article, we’ll break down some common myths about climate change and explain the real facts in a simple way, so everyone can tell what’s true and what’s not. Scientists predicted global cooling in the 70s I see this myth about climate change on social media almost every day. It’s actually a myth that…
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Chapter 3: From Courtrooms to Cartoons
Okay, so here’s the deal—I thought I was going to be a great paralegal. Turns out, not so much. My first temp job was at a law firm in downtown Los Angeles, which sounds fancy, but in reality? It was brutal. Oh, and did I mention that I had just gotten divorced and decided to move to LA? Yep, big life changes all around. At that law firm, sleep was optional. And by “optional,” I mean most people just gave up on it entirely. Some paralegals lived in their offices. I saw moms missing their kids’ soccer games and even their babies’ first steps. Me? I was so sleep-deprived that…
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Bottled Water or Tap Water: Which One Would You Choose?
Every living thing needs water to survive! Water is super important for staying healthy, but should you drink bottled water or tap water? The answer depends on things like cost, health, convenience, and the environment. Let’s break it down! Which One Costs More? If you want to save money, the choice between bottled water or tap water is clear. Tap water is the better choice. In the U.S., tap water costs less than a penny per gallon, while bottled water can be hundreds or even thousands of times more expensive. If you buy bottled water often, the cost adds up fast! Instead, using a reusable water bottle and a home…
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Orangutan Coloring Pages and Fun Facts!
Did you know that orangutans can live almost as long as we do—around 60 years or even more? And guess what? Their arms can stretch over 7 feet long! That’s taller than most grown-ups! There are three different kinds of orangutans. They are the Bornean, the Sumatran, and the Tapanuli. Scientists only figured out that the Tapanuli was a new kind of orangutan in 2017! These awesome great apes live only in the wild on two islands—Borneo and Sumatra. Sadly, all three kinds of orangutans are in serious trouble and could disappear forever. Experts think there are just over 100,000 Bornean, fewer than 14,000 Sumatran, and only about 800 Tapanuli…
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The Race to Save Critically Endangered Rhinos
Did you know that more than 46,000 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 they need our help. 1. Javan Rhinos: The Rarest Rhino Javan rhinos are the rarest rhinos on Earth. There are only about 18 left! They used to live in many places across Southeast Asia, India, and China. Now, they are critically endangered survive in just one national park on the…
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How I Try to be Eco-Friendly
Being eco-friendly is really important to me, and I’ve been working to make choices that help the environment and reduce my carbon footprint. I started by driving hybrid cars, like the Honda Insight and then the Prius Prime. These small cars were great for getting around town. A few years ago, I upgraded to a fully electric car, and I’m really happy with it! I bought my current home about two and a half years ago. Although 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 stove. We’re thrilled with these upgrades, even…
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How Farming Fuels Forest Loss: The Agriculture-Deforestation Link
Forests are home to amazing animals, provide us with fresh air, and are vital to keeping our planet healthy. So why are humans cutting them down at such an alarming rate? The main reason is agriculture—growing food and raising animals. Uncover the truth about deforestation and its biggest cause: agriculture. Learn how it affects our planet and what we can do to prevent it. What is Deforestation? Deforestation means clearing forests to use the land for something else. People cut down trees to make space for farms, ranches, and plantations. Sometimes, forests are also cleared to build roads or cities, but agriculture is the biggest culprit. How Agriculture Leads to…
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From Sewer Sludge to Forever Chemicals: A Sticky Health Mystery
Sewer sludge, a leftover material from cleaning wastewater, might expose farmers and people living nearby to toxic chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” according to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Where is Sewer Sludge Used? Farmers sometimes fertilize their fields with sewer sludge. This sludge can hold high levels of harmful chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). By using this sludge year after year, farmers risk being exposed to unsafe amounts of PFAS. The EPA also warns that PFAS can end up in food products like milk or eggs. The EPA says farmers use biosolids on less than 1% of U.S. farmland, but the National Biosolids…
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Endangered Species Valentines
Downloadable Valentine’s Day images for printable cards! Created by Eco Nana for our younger animal lovers. Click the black download button below each image.
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Kids’ Climate Quiz
Are you ready to test your knowledge of climate change by taking this simple kids’ climate quiz? Don’t worry if you don’t know all the answers or get some answers wrong. It’s OK!! This is a chance to learn. There are also some great books out there to help you prepare for this kid’s climate quiz: What Is Climate Change? (What Was?) by Gail Herman The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen
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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 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 with the tests we have now. In this study, the USGS looked for 32 specific types of PFAS. What exactly are PFAS? Toxic PFAS chemicals are used in a lot of everyday products, like nonstick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, and even cosmetics. There are over 14,000 of…
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Solutions to Climate Change
Finding solutions to climate change isn’t easy, but it can be done! Some are easy, some are hard, some are expensive, and some are cheap. And, believe it or not, you can have fun doing it! One of my biggest frustrations working on NASA’s Climate website was our inability to discuss solutions to climate change. That wasthe most asked question that came through our “Feedback” section (which no longer exists). Climate change is one of the biggest challenges our world faces today. It means that Earth’s average temperature is rising. It also means that ice sheets and glaciers are melting, and extreme weather is getting worse. Fortunately, people around the…
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Endangered Species Word Search
Welcome to our free printable word search puzzle featuring the names of some endangered species! This fun and educational activity is a great way to learn about some of the amazing animals that need our help to survive. Just right click and save! As you search for each name, you’ll get familiar with a few of the species from all around the world that are endangered. Enjoy the challenge, and maybe even discover a few animals you’ve never heard of before. Have you ever heard of a kakapo or a vaquita? Hopefully, you’ve already read my page on endangered species and how we can help them before starting this puzzle.…
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Endangered Species: Why They Matter and How Can We Help Save Them
Imagine a world without mountain gorillas, orangutans, elephants, rhinos or sea turtles. Hard to picture, right? Sadly, many of the animals and plants we love are either disappearing or critically endangered. These are called "endangered species," meaning their populations are so low that they could vanish forever. But why are they endangered, and how can we help save them?
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Fact-Checking Series No. 1: Uncovering the Truth About Climate
I’d love to share with you my new Fact-Checking Series, where I will focus on uncovering the truth about climate and clarifying misunderstandings. I’ll be addressing the usual claims from people who don’t believe that Earth’s climate is changing because of human activities. I’ll start with some of the most common myths I come across on social media every day. Climate’s Changed Before Climate Has Changed Before? Bingo! Who would’ve guessed? Of course, scientists are well aware of this. Uncovering the truth: while Earth’s climate has naturally warmed and cooled over the ages, the rapid warming we’re seeing today can’t be chalked up to natural causes like changes in Earth’s…
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Can We Save the Vaquita, the World’s Most Endangered Marine Mammal?
The vaquita is a very shy porpoise and the most endangered marine mammal in the world. There are only about 9 or 10 vaquitas left, and they will go extinct unless we completely stop using gillnets in their habitat. In 2023, the International Whaling Commission sent out its first-ever “extinction alert” to warn people that the vaquita was in serious danger of disappearing forever. Vaquitas live in a very small area—the northern part of the Gulf of California in Mexico. This region has lots of fish and shrimp, so fishing is a big source of income for people who live there. However, fishermen use gillnets, which means they get trapped…
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Renewable energy is an important solution to climate change
Renewable energy is a critical solution to climate change. Renewable energy is energy from sources we can’t run out of. Some types of renewable energy, like wind and solar, come from sources that are not depleted when used. Others, like biomass, come from sources that can be replenished. Common types of renewable energy are wind, solar, hydropower, biomass and geothermal. Renewable energy has two advantages over the fossil fuels that provide most of our energy today. First, there is a limited amount of fossil fuel resources (like coal, oil and natural gas) in the world, and if we use them all we cannot get any more in our lifetimes. Second, renewable energy produces…
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Greenhouse Gas Gummies Kids’ Activity
A quick kids’ activity that teaches about the different greenhouse gas molecules using gum drops and toothpicks. Get creative – you could use gummy bears or Dots candy, or even use colored stickers on paper. Substitute colors if you need to! Thanks to our friends at NASA Climate Kids for this great kids’ activity!
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Plastic Pollution is Ick!
Plastic pollution is a big problem for our planet. From tiny plastic bits to large, large pieces floating in the ocean, plastic waste is everywhere—and it’s causing a lot of harm to our health, wildlife, and ecosystems. The vast majority of plastic is made from fossil fuels—crude oil, coal, and natural gas. What is Plastic Pollution? Plastic pollution happens when people don’t throw away plastic items like bottles, bags, wrappers, and straws properly, and these items end up in the environment. Unlike organic materials, plastic doesn’t break down naturally. Instead, it breaks into smaller pieces, called microplastics, which remain in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years. How…
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What’s the Difference Between Science and Propaganda?
I spend way too much time on social media platforms. I often come across various forms of propaganda and disinformation, especially about climate change. Bots create some of these posts. Likely bad actors produce others, and some come from people who genuinely can’t distinguish between science and propaganda. Science and propaganda are very different in their purpose, method, and intent. Here’s a comparison to make these differences clearer: Science Science aims to understand the natural world by observing, experimenting, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. Scientists follow the scientific method: they form a hypothesis, conduct experiments, analyze data, and reach conclusions. They focus on being objective, making sure others can…
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The Next Chapter of My Journey
The next chapter of my journey dates back to 1982. We moved to New York City for my husband’s work. Even though I grew up in a pretty big city and had lived in Los Angeles for 10 years, Manhattan was a complete shock. On our first day there, someone broke into our car. Welcome to our new home! We rented an apartment in doctors’ housing. When I opened the door, I found a giant pile of dirt and debris on the floor. The view from the 9th floor might have been nice—if the windows weren’t too dirty to see out of. I burst into tears. I wanted to go…
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I Love Earth Coloring Pages
Download your favorite version of our coloring sheets.
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Palm Oil: The Hidden Problems Behind It
I always dreamed of seeing orangutans in the wild. I knew that they are probably the most intelligent of all the great apes because of their ability to innovate and problem-solve. However, problems with palm oil production greatly threaten their habitat. In 2007, I finally scraped together the money to travel to Borneo. Little did I know, at 53 years old, I would find my passion. My Journey Begins When I landed in Jakarta, beginning my journey to Borneo, a suffocating haze greeted me. My eyes burned, my throat grew raspy, and smoke clung to my clothing and hair. I quickly learned the cause: illegal fires, set intentionally to clear…
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How are “Global Warming” and “Climate Change” Different?
Social media spreads a lot of false information about climate change. This really confuses people and slows down progress on environmental solutions. Some people post claims that deny climate change or push strange theories, like saying secret projects cause natural disasters. One common myth is that “they” changed from “global warming” to “climate change”. This is false. “Global warming” means the Earth’s temperatures are getting higher. This is because more greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, are building up in the atmosphere. “Climate change” includes global warming but also covers other big changes happening to our planet, like sea levels going up, glaciers and ice sheets getting smaller. Other major changes…
Eco Nana
Earth Advocacy for Future Generations
