Human Impact
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Environmental Justice: Why Your Zip Code Can Determine Your Health
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 Humboldt County, where I witnessed this first hand. I was absolutely horrified. That’s not an accident. And the fight to fix it has a name: environmental justice. What Does “Environmental Justice” Actually Mean? It’s a simple idea. Everyone deserves clean air, clean water, and a safe place to live —…
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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 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 in 105 countries. Their results, published in August in Nature Ecology & Evolution, are striking: about 1 in 10 butterfly species worldwide has already changed where it lives, and climate change or extreme weather was connected to nearly 80% of those moves. But here’s the kicker: that 1-in-10 number is…
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The Race to Save Critically Endangered Rhinos
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 they need our help. 1. Javan Rhinos: The Rarest Rhino Javan rhinos are the rarest rhinos on Earth, with only about 50 left in the wild. They once lived across much of Southeast Asia, India, and China. Today, they survive in just one national park on the island of Java…
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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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The Biggest Climate Culprit Isn’t What Vegans Think
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 food causes more climate change than burning fossil fuels. But when I traced that claim, the same sources emerged: • Misleading “documentaries” — essentially propaganda — such as Cowspiracy • Well-meaning platforms such as Unchained TV that get the science wrong • Individuals such as Dr. Sailesh Rao, a climate…
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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 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 and cut down trees in forests that have stayed wild for decades. This might sound like a small change in government policy. It’s actually one of the biggest decisions about nature and public land in U.S. history. What Is the Roadless Rule? Back in 2001, the U.S. government made a…
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Wildfire Smoke: How to Stay Safe Indoors
If it seems like wildfire smoke is everywhere this summer, you’re not imagining it. Wildfires are burning across parts of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe, and the smoke isn’t staying anywhere near the flames. Winds can carry it hundreds—or even thousands—of miles away. That means even if you live far from an active wildfire, you could still wake up to hazy skies and unhealthy air. Most of us know to stay indoors when the air gets smoky. But here’s something many people don’t realize: wildfire smoke can get inside your home, too. The good news? There are several easy things you can do to keep your indoor air…
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Oohs, Ahhs, and Toxic Aftermath of Fireworks
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 into nearby rivers and lakes, where it releases metals and other chemicals into the water. It can also change how other pollutants behave. Scientists worry this could disrupt the tiny microbes and other organisms that help keep these ecosystems healthy, especially in places where fireworks are used year after year.…
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The Dirty Truth About Your Produce—and How to Clean It
Strawberries may be sweet and juicy, but they made third place in this year’s “Dirty Dozen” list from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The Dirty Dozen is an annual report that looks at which fruits and vegetables have the highest levels of pesticide residue based on testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Other foods on the list include spinach, kale, blueberries, grapes, peaches, cherries, apples, pears, and potatoes. The good news is that simply rinsing fruits and vegetables under running water can remove many pesticide residues. Some scientists say you can make washing even more effective by soaking produce in water mixed with a little baking soda or vinegar.…
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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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What’s Killing Gray Whales? (Hint: It’s Not Wind Energy)
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, and beautiful — they’ve been showing up in growing numbers since 2018. Their arrival has brought both wonder and worry. People line the shores to watch them feed and swim. Researchers race to understand why so many of them are starving. And too often, the whales end up dead. In…
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Are Hair Products Safe? New Report Finds Cancer-Linked Ingredients
A new report raises serious concerns about cancer-linked ingredients in some hair products sold in stores like Sally Beauty. Researchers found that many of these products—especially those marketed to Black women and other women of color—may contain chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems. What Did the Researchers Find? Scientists tested hundreds of hair products made for curly, coily, and textured hair. These included things like hair relaxers, straightening creams, conditioners, and styling products. They discovered that many of these products contain toxic chemicals that can release formaldehyde, a substance known to cause cancer. Even when formaldehyde isn’t listed on the label, some ingredients can turn into it when…
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Why AI Data Centers Need So Much Water
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 need a LOT of water, and that’s causing real problems in places like Texas, Virginia, California, and Arizona. What Do Data Centers Actually Do? When you send a text, stream a video, ask an AI a question, or post a photo, it doesn’t just float around in the air. That…
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Is the World Running Out of Fresh Water?
A new report from the United Nations (UN) warns that the world is running out of fresh water. The UN says we’ve entered a time called “water bankruptcy,” which means many places are under extreme water stress. Water stress happens when a community is using almost all the water it has—so there’s very little left to share. This often happens because water isn’t managed well, and climate change makes things worse by bringing longer droughts and less predictable rainfall. Many Big Cities Are Running Out of Fresh Water New research shows that about half of the world’s 100 biggest cities are running out of fresh water. That means places where…
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A Planet Under Pressure: Global Emissions in 2025
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 CO₂ is one of the main greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around Earth, trapping heat. We need some of them to keep the planet warm enough for life, but too much makes Earth heat up too fast. CO₂ comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. It also comes from wildfires and volcanoes. Scientists have been measuring CO₂ since 1958 at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.…
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Pods, Sheets, and Hidden Plastics: What’s Really in Your Detergent?
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 “dissolve” in water is actually made of plastic — hidden plastic that doesn’t really disappear. Pods and laundry sheets marketed as eco-friendly aren’t at all! Although that film, called PVA, may look harmless, but it actually adds more microplastics to our waterways—and even our bodies. What Exactly is PVA? PVA,…
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Why Methane Matters: The Short-Lived Gas with a Big Impact
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 Celsius of global warming since the late 1800s. To keep global warming within the limits of the Paris Agreement, we have to cut methane emissions quickly and deeply. Natural sources like wetlands are hard to control, so the biggest opportunity is reducing this human-made (anthropogenic) greenhouse gas — from things…
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When Plastic Breaks Down, Kids Pay the Price
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 are actually made on purpose and added to everyday products like paint, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, plastic-wrapped food, and even baby bottles and shampoo. Plastic may be convenient, but it’s more than just trash on beaches and roads. It can sneak into bodies — especially young ones — in surprising ways.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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Dive Into the Deep: Fun Facts About the Ocean
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 coolest, weirdest, and most amazing facts about the deep blue sea. Get ready to explore fun facts about the ocean, an underwater world that’s mysterious, powerful, and full of life! Fun Facts About the Ocean: The Ocean’s Hidden Highway and More! There is only one world ocean, but five named…
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A World Without Wonder? Not If We Protect Biodiversity
What in the World is Biodiversity? Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life on Earth a. But it also includes the differences within each species—from towering trees to buzzing bees to bacteria you can’t even see. But it’s more than just a list of species. It also means the differences within each kind of life — like all the types of apples, dog breeds, or animals. It’s not just about what’s living, but where they live, too. Forests, deserts, lakes, and farms are all ecosystems where life exists, and each one is full of living things that depend on each other to survive. Even the creepy-looking pincher bug has…
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Behind the Ride: The Sad Truth About Elephant Tourism
Riding elephants might seem fun, but it actually harms them. I have to admit, I took my kids to ride these gentle creatures at the San Diego Wild Animal Park—back before I realized how harmful it is for them. I wouldn’t have done it if I had known the truth. Here’s why it’s important to say no to elephant rides: Painful Training Elephants don’t naturally let people ride them. The problem with elephant rides starts with how the elephants are trained. In a process called “the crush,” handlers force young elephants to endure painful and scary treatment to make them obey humans.This can include people hurting elephants, not feeding them…
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Big Ship Pollution: A New Deal to Clean Up the Seas
A New Deal to Clean Up the Seas Have you ever wondered how stuff from across the world ends up at your local store? Giant ships carry nearly everything we buy—clothes, toys, electronics, even food. But there’s a big problem: big ship pollution. Those gigantic ships burn dirty fuel, and that pollutes our air and warms our planet. Now, there’s a new plan to help change that. What’s The Big News? Countries around the world are working on a new agreement that would require ships to cut their pollution—or pay a fee if they don’t. This deal is being talked about by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is kind…
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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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“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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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.
