Green Options

Installing compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in place of incandescent light bulbs is one of the simplest and least expensive ways homeowners can reduce energy use in their homes. But there’s a catch many homeowners may not be aware of – all fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, a toxin that can cause neurological problems in humans, especially children and fetuses. The good news – CFLs are now available with reduced amounts of mercury.

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In my first exploration of the issue of by-catch in commercial fishing, I looked at the devastating effects of fishing not simply for the "target" species, but on those animals who are unlucky enough to be caught in the lines, traps, hooks, and nets not meant for them. In this second part, I further explore this issue and take a look at how the dolphins, sea turtles, and seals - animals for whom

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Lewis Carroll's Mad Hatter: Image Courtesy of Corrosion-Doctors.orgIf you are not a parent or observant of children's shoes, you may not realize that many of the shoes marketed for children light up when they take a step. These shoes range from sandals to tennis shoes, and many adults and children think they are very cool. Light-up shoes are popular and inexpensive in our mainstream culture,

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Anna Hackman is the author and publisher of the blog Green Talk, which is based on her own experience of building and maintaining a house using many green materials, and wishing to connect with others to help turn the planet green, one conversation at a time. This post was originally published on May 9, 2007.

LightFair NYC this year was home to amazing light technology from energy efficiency featuring LED technology

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During our energy unit, I had a student tell me that her family was going to install compact fluorescent bulbs in their home, but they were worried about the mercury. Huh? I hadn't heard anything about this, and I had been using CFLs for years. I decided to investigate further.

Imagine my surprise when I learned that mercury exposure is a common misconception when it comes to CFLs. Fortunately, these

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It has all the mystery, intrigue, and backstabbing of a good…bureaucratic dog fight.

Last year, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell proposed legislation that would cut mercury pollution 90 percent by 2015 from the state’s 36 coal-fired power plants. This would make PA the largest coal-burning and coal-mining state to have regulations tougher than those of the federal government. The legislation was approved by an environmental oversight committee and a regulatory review committee. Everything seemed to

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