Author Archives: OliviaShackell

From clean energy to racial justice, the Carolinas are tackling environmental challenges.

by OliviaShackell Posted on May 4, 2018

The prevailing wisdom is that U.S. air pollution has been on a steady decline since the 1970s. That’s not exactly the case, a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals.

Starting in 2011, progress on cleaning up air pollution stalled — and in some places, smog levels actually increased. The U.S. saw a 7 percent drop in nitrogen oxides between 2005 to 2009, followed by just a 1.7 percent fall from 2011 to 2015.

The EPA had projected a 30 percent decrease in nitrogen oxides between 2010 and 2016. That’s a big difference. Researchers from the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, and the Netherlands compared surface and satellite measurements of air pollutants to the EPA’s emissions estimates, and they were surprised by the discrepancies, which indicate that the EPA data paints an unrealistically rosy picture of our air quality.

The research is less clear about why smog hasn’t improved much in recent years. It could be that we’re past the point of seeing dramatic change after landmark policy changes like the Clean Air Act took effect. Diesel trucks and industry pollution are likely culprits, too.

What’s cause for more alarm are two factors making it even harder to tackle air pollution: the Trump administration and climate change.

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From clean energy to racial justice, the Carolinas are tackling environmental challenges.

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7 Simple Tips To Tackle Neglected Housecleaning Tasks

by OliviaShackell Posted on March 12, 2017

Spring is on its way (at least I thought so until this mornings snowstorm buried the brand new crocuses). Prepare for the upcoming bright new season with a sparkling clean home. Here are simple tips to motivate you to get started cleaning seven often-neglected parts of your home.

  1. The back of your refrigerator.

    Actually, we really mean the backs of your refrigerator. The plural refers to both the exterior and interior of this appliance. To get a jumpstart on spring cleaning and the virtuous feeling it brings, first vacuum or brush the dust off your refrigerator coils. Then clean out the sticky spills (grab a spray bottle and spritz on natural dish soap diluted with hot water to get into nooks and crannies) and toss or compost the scary biology experiments hidden inside the fridge.

  2. Couch.

    Freshen up your couch, armchairs, and otherupholstered furnitureby removing dust and grime from cushions, frame, and all their crevices with the help of an old toothbrush or a vacuum cleaner. Follow up with a light scrubbing of the fabric surfaces using a homemade non-toxic natural cleaner. (Test on an inconspicuous spot before you get started.)

  3. HVACfilters.

    Your furnace works hard all winter. When you show your heating system a little love by cleaning or changing its filter, it will generously return the favor by doing an even better job of keeping you warm and cozy. And if you neglected to clean your air conditioners filter last summer, take care of that now, too. Youll be in great shape when the steamy weather season returns. Both jobs are fast and simple just follow manufacturers instructions.

  4. Clothes dryer components.

    Your clothes dryer contains not one, but three, parts that should be cleaned regularly. Brush off your dryer lint screen after every single load you run, for optimal drying and energy efficiency. Every 2-4 months, disconnect your dryer from its power source and vacuum lint out of the backvent, as well. Youll be not only improving drying performance but also removing a fire hazard. While youve got the dryer unplugged, wipe down the moisture sensors with a soft cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol.

  5. Showerhead.

    Do you live in a region with hard water? If so, lime scale is likely to build up on your showerhead, often to the point where it blocks the holes and creates a homegrown low-flow shower effect, without the eco-friendly benefits. (Another reason to remove lime scale: tackling this cleaning task may decreaserisk of legionnaires disease.) Surprisingly, getting rid of this gunky residue is one of the easiest cleaning tasks you can imagine. Cover the head with a vinegar-soaked rag (hold it in place with a rubber band) and leave it overnight. Peel it offthe next morning and voila! Instant clean!

  6. Kettle or coffeemaker.

    Another place where lime scale loves to settle is inside your kettle or the pot that comes with your coffeemaker. Clean off this buildup and enjoy a cleaner cuppa by pouring in a 4:1 mix of water and white vinegar. After you let it soak for several hours, pour the mixture into your toilet bowl. Wipe and rinse the inside of your coffee pot or kettle.

  7. Sink drains.

    Keep your sink drains running clear and smelling sweet. (Start with an ounce of prevention use a sink strainer to trap food particles and hair and never pour cooking oil or other fat down the sink. Instead, if your community doesnt have a grease recycling program, put it in the garbage in a well-closed container.) Toclean a household drain, pour in cup baking soda, followed by 1 cup white vinegar. Let sit for 10 minutes before clearing the drain with boiling water.

By Laura Firszt,Networx.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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7 Simple Tips To Tackle Neglected Housecleaning Tasks

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