Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have risen above 400 parts per million (ppm) in recording stations across the Arctic going as far south as Mongolia, reports the Associated Press. Such levels have not been seen in at least 800,000 years according to researchers. Carbon levels fluctuate depending on the region and the season and scientists say global concentrations will likely remain at around 395 ppm for the time being. Crossing the 400 ppm threshold "[is] a reminder to everybody that we haven't fixed this and we're still in trouble," Jim Butler, global monitoring director with the U.S.'s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Earth System Research Lab, told the AP. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, global carbon levels were stabilized at around 275-280 ppm. However, the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas, cement production, vast deforestation, industrialized agriculture, and other recent human impacts has resulted in carbon levels skyrocketing.

Reality television seems to be going downhill, at least in the United States anyway. Coming this summer, celebrity based shows like MTV’s “Snooki & JWoww”, and Fox’s “The Choice”, celebrate vanity and narcissism.  Fortunately, in other parts of the world celebrities are using their influence to spread knowledge on sustainability and farm management. One example is “Shamba [...]

When people go to their local hospital for an MRI or something of that nature, I know I, like the average human being, cringes when the nurse comes out with the needle kit for their blood test. However, there is a new study out of the Israel Institute of Technology to eliminate the physical pain [...]

Like many Americans, the last food I cooked over a fire I was outside and cooking marshmallows for smores. Unfortunately 2.5 billion people worldwide depend on indoor fires fueled with wood, coal, or charcoal to cook their meals. Biomass fuel consumption by the rural poor accounts for approximately ¼ of global CO2 emissions. These fires [...]