Solutions
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AI Has a Climate Problem. Here’s a Smarter Way Forward.
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer Did you know that every time you Google something or give ChatGPT a command, it creates greenhouse (heat-trapping) emissions and uses a lot of water? The internet uses a lot of energy globally. If you look at the rapid growth of artificial intelligence* (AI) in particular, its data centers (“servers”) use about 1.5% of the world’s electricity. This demand is growing about 12% per year, according to the International Energy Agency. Data center energy use could double by 2030! “AI is an incredibly transformative technology that is here to stay,” said Phillip Thomas, a mechanical engineer in the power electronics** industry, with a focus on…
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The Energy Source That Never Sleeps: Geothermal
An exciting new study led by Mark Jacobson at Stanford University found that using geothermal energy—which is power from heat deep inside the Earth—could be a big help in moving the world toward clean, renewable energy. Geothermal energy works kind of like this: deep underground the rock is super hot, and we can turn that heat into electricity that doesn’t produce pollution. The cool thing is, it can run 24/7—even when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. This study shows that if we add this underground heat energy to wind, solar, and batteries, we wouldn’t need as much land or as many big energy systems to make…
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Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): When Electric Cars Become Energy For All
It’s time for some good news! Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is a new way for electric cars to not just charge from the grid, but also send electricity back when it’s needed. It’s like using your car’s battery as a giant shared battery that helps keep power flowing in your town. Electricity goes both ways — into the car and back out to help homes and the grid. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Bidirectional Charging Explained Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is a smart way for electric cars to both take electricity and give it back. Most cars today only do one thing:👉 Electricity flows one way — from the grid into the car. With V2G, electricity can…
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What Is Hemp? History, Benefits, and Surprising Uses
By Holly Shaftel, contributing writer When I became a vegan, I started searching for an ingredient that would give my morning protein shakes the essential amino acids (vital building blocks for your body) I needed to live. The typical pea protein powders out there were highly processed and, in my mind, gross. Then I discovered hemp. I knew it could be used to make clothes and even replace concrete, but I didn’t know it was also considered a superfood — a marketing term for a very healthy food — and extremely versatile. Hemp is a plant in the cannabis family that is grown for its strong fibers, seeds, and oil.…
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Carbon Capture Explained: Is It Really Worth it?
You know me: I’m always trying to understand the latest “big climate solutions” people are talking about. And lately, I keep hearing about carbon capture — a super-fancy idea that sounds like a giant vacuum cleaning up the sky. ExxonMobil loves to tout it as a “real solution” to address climate change. But does it really work? And can it help our kids and grandkids grow up on a healthy, stable planet? Let’s look into this together. Okay… What Is Carbon Capture, Really? Carbon capture is a set of technologies that try to grab carbon dioxide (CO₂) before it escapes into the air — or pull it straight from the…
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Bamboo Plastic That Breaks Down in 50 Days
What if we could keep all the things we love about plastic — strength, flexibility, convenience — without the pollution? Scientists in China just created a new kind of bioplastic made from bamboo that’s strong, safe, and breaks down naturally in less than two months. That’s right. No more waiting forever for plastic bottles and bags to disappear (they never really do)! Nature Meets Science Researchers at Northeast Forestry University found a way to turn fast-growing bamboo into something that works just like regular plastic, but it’s not made of oil or natural gas. Using a safe, alcohol-based process, they broke down bamboo cellulose — the stuff that gives bamboo its…
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Clean Energy, Fresh Produce: How Agrovoltaics Helps Farmers Beat the Heat
Imagine you’re walking through a field close to home. Except, here’s the twist: above parts of the crops are solar panels. These solar panels are quietly making clean electricity while lettuce, beans, or even sheep thrive underneath. That’s agrovoltaics — combining farming and solar power on the same land. And guess what? It’s not just theory — there are real examples! A City Girl in Farm Country Although I’ve always been a city girl, about three and a half years ago I moved to an agricultural area. I hear a lot about struggling farmers here — and even more about the challenges in California’s hot, dry Central Valley. Water is…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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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,…
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Growing Smarter: How Crops Can Thrive in a Hotter World
The world’s major farming regions—places like the California and the Midwest in the U.S. and parts of Asia and Africa—are heating up. These areas grow the foods we depend on most, like wheat, corn, and rice. But climate change is making it harder for these crops to survive. In fact, scientists say we’re already seeing smaller harvests in some places. And if temperatures keep rising, food shortages could get worse. Can scientists help them grow smarter to beat the heat? But there’s hope. Scientists around the world are working on ways to help crops survive in hotter conditions. This issue feels personal. My own county grows over $1.1 billion in…
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After the Fire: Building Better Battery Storage
Can we build better battery storage? In January 2025, a large fire broke out at the Moss Landing battery storage site in California—one of the biggest in the world. Even though the site started running in 2020, it was built before today’s stronger safety rules for large battery systems were in place. What Happened at Moss Landing? The fire started in the Vistra Energy part of the battery storage facility, where numerous lithium-ion batteries were used to store extra energy from renewables like solar and wind. These batteries are extremely important, because they help provide power when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. But lithium-ion batteries can…
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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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Breeze to the Rescue: Offshore Wind for a Healthier Ocean
I live on the Central Coast of California and am up to my eyeballs in offshore wind. I moved here about three years ago after retiring from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2024. I thought I was done working—but surprise! I’m busier now than I was when I had a full-time job! Why? We have three offshore wind lease areas covering about 376 square miles of ocean waters located roughly 22 miles off the coast of San Luis Obispo County, near Cambria and San Simeon. I got involved in offshore wind after reading opinion pieces and social media posts saying that wind farms were killing whales and birds. Since I…
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Smooth Sailing into the Future with Electric Ferries
Electric ferries are here! A new article from CleanTechnica shows a big change in how ferries are being made. Around 70% of new ferries being built around the world now run on electricity instead of gas. This is happening to cut down on pollution and help fight climate change. Why Electric Ferries Are a Big Win Most ferries today use diesel fuel, which gives off harmful gases that pollute the air and contribute to air pollution. Electric ferries, powered by batteries, produce no emissions during operation, making them cleaner for the environment and healthier for people, especially in coastal communities where ferries often operate. From Norway to Uruguay: The Ferry…
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8 Simple Ways to Travel More Sustainably in 2025
Summer’s almost here! If you’re getting ready to pack your bags and head out on vacation, you’re probably super excited. But have you ever thought about how your travel choices can affect the planet and the people who live in the places you visit? The good news is, you can still have an awesome trip and be kind to the Earth! Here are eight simple ways to travel more sustainably—helping both the planet and the people you meet along the way. Choose More Eco-Friendly Airlines Some airlines are better than others when it comes to reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry. This includes having a newer fleet, using…
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Good News For A Change: Hope Is On The Horizon
Hope is on the horizon! Amid the challenges, there’s good news: people everywhere are stepping up to protect our planet. From coral reef restoration and reforestation projects to massive clean energy expansions and some wildlife making a comeback, change is happening. Some endangered sea turtles are recovering. Countries are phasing out coal. Kids are leading climate marches. Nature is resilient—and so are we. A Bright New Record for U.S. Power In March 2025, something big happened—clean energy made more electricity than fossil fuels in the U.S. for the very first time! That month, renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower provided 51% of the country’s electricity, while fossil fuels…
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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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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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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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“Food Waste Fix: Smart Hacks to Save Food & Save the Planet!” 🍎♻️
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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 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 my…
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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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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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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…
