EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine   Dear EarthTalk: Can you explain the 2010 Safe Cosmetics Act? What does it purport to do and has it been signed into law? – Megan Wilson, Austin, TX The Safe Cosmetics Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in July...

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I heard someone say that legalizing pot—as Californians considered doing last year—would benefit the environment. How would that be?                    -- William T., Portland, OR It is well known that...

On Friday April 8, 2011, Republicans came within minutes of shutting down the federal government. A federal government shutdown would have directly affected the economy and the environment. Although lawmakers would have continued to get a paycheck, 800,000 federal workers would not, this...

Green Jobs for America is a national campaign to educate the public about the need for (government) investments in green jobs. This national educational initiative is led by Blue Green Alliance, United Steelworkers, Sierra Club and NRDC and other partners. The realization that green jobs...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: A number of federal energy efficiency related tax incentives expired at the end of 2010. Will any such programs remain in force and if not, are there other ways to save money on green upgrades? -- Jen Franklin,...

EarthTalk® From the Editors of E/The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Given the environmental and economic benefits, why doesn’t the U.S. have a federal law mandating recycling nationwide? – N. Koslowsky, Pompano Beach, FL The U.S. government has historically relied on state...

As California voters gear up for the November 2nd vote on Proposition 19, which would make the recreational use of marijuana legal in the Golden State, the federal government has stated that even if the state law passes, the Drug Enforcement Agency will “vigorously enforce” the...

There are three fundamental attitudes that are leading to the destruction of our planet: greed, apathy (mainly a problem of the wealthy nations) and desperation (mainly a problem of the developing nations). Greed affects everyone. It is most obvious in those with power, such as governments or...

“It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.” – Ansel Adams Unfortunately for the environment, the United States government was created of, by, and for people. It wasn’t designed to keep in mind the plight of chipmunks, birds, and...