Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found a way to upgrade biofuels through the use of a plant-derived chemical. Because the process is both renewable and cheaper than current methods, it could make waves in the biofuel industry as research continues. The process uses plant material based gamma valerolactone, or GVL. GVL is used […]

People are eating more and more meat. Recent research shows that India, China, Brazil and southern Europe are seeing rapid rises in meat consumption, while countries like the U.S. and Canada are seeing declining numbers. Despite the declines, total global consumption is rising. This is largely due to the fact that rapidly developing countries are […]

There are several looming environmental factors leading to a global food shortage. As the population of honeybees and other pollinators dwindles, the human population approaches 9 billion, and we’re already feeling the effects of global climate change. The results will be that fruits and vegetable prices soar, and subsequently, the price of livestock and wind […]

Maria Manton Chase’s mission at Morning Glory Bakery is “Everything from scratch.” It’s her personal mission statement as much as it is for her business. It requires some true grit and zeal to build a business up using local and organic products, while minimizing any negative environmental impact. The benefits from eating organic/local products, as […]

As renewable energy initiatives catch up with technological capabilities, we can look to an unlikely testing ground for solutions to emerge: wastewater. As reported in the science journal Nature, scientists have found a breakthrough in creating micro-biotic life, a genetically modified strain of E. Coli to be exact, which feeds off of wastewater and converts […]

Back in 2009, I had the privilege of traveling around the United States to research a documentary about honeybees and other pollinators dying off thereby leaving humanity without a third of its food supply. We called it American Colonies: Collapse of the Bee, and with cameras rolling, we posed questions to experts at Penn State […]

If you’ve ever had the privilege of seeing someone use an ear candle, then you know how the process is supposed to extract toxins and impurities. Well, Professors Stephen Trumble, Ph.D., and SaschaUsenko, Ph.D., of Baylor University are now employing a similar practiceto reconstruct contaminant and hormone profiles in whales. The result: more knowledge about […]

Thirteen years ago, the projected goals for nuclear energy in Japan were moving forward at lightning speed. The expansion of nuclear power plants was part of their country’s long term goals, with little thought that things would change. After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, all those plans have made a complete turnaround. Most of us […]

Many have been touting bioeconomy and the production of synthetic biofuels as a potential success only compared to the industrial revolution. As with everything that we do, humanity seems to jump in with both feet and not look to see potentials dangers down the road. This is no more true than our addiction to fossil […]

One usually associates states such as California with progressive attitudes as well as actions on the topic of renewable energy. However, New York State is coming front and center with an attitude and intension of becoming a top world example with the uses of solar, wind and water as renewable and sustainable energy. The New […]