Sustainability
A Climate Resilient Community In Newburyport Rises From Toxic Ashes
Just off Route 1 in Newburyport, a bit of the future is under construction. A huge orange crane hoists a three-story concrete slab and flips it precisely in place, forming the wall of a home. The crane accomplished in five days what would have taken weeks using standard building techniques. “The construction system has not been…
Read MoreGreening The Grave: Why More People Are Choosing Climate-Friendly Burials
Nettie Lesser’s grave is tucked in the back of Mount Auburn Cemetery in a quiet area surrounded by trees and birds and a carpet of purple flowers starting to bloom. The plot blends into the scene around it, the only marker a small plaque the size of a hockey puck; you wouldn’t know it was a…
Read MoreListen Up, New England: Goodwill Doesn’t Want Your Trash
Just before 10 o’clock most mornings, cars begin lining up outside the Goodwill donation center in Seabrook. They’re offering trunks full of treasures, yes, but also perhaps some unsellable, un-recyclable wares that also make it into the bins — and strain Goodwill’s trash bill. “We hope everyone brings great things that helps our programs, but…
Read MoreMore Clean Energy Will Demand Bigger Battery Storage To Power New England Grid
The push to switch from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy will mean a lot more demand for battery storage. It’s just part of massive efforts to modernize the electric grid in New England and the nation to meet the challenge of climate change. The future of renewable energy in New England depends on…
Read MoreEarth Day 2021: Fighting Climate Change Around New England
For Earth Day 2021, NHPR reporter Annie Ropeik hosted a roundtable of reporters from the New England News Collaborative for a special episode of NHPR’s The Exchange. They highlighted innovations and signs of progress in tackling climate change in New England, as well as the issues that are top of mind. GUESTS: Daniela Allee – NHPR reporter…
Read MoreEste Día de La Tierra, Conversamos Sobre La Importancia De Cuidar La Energía
Hoy en Qué Hay, queremos conversar sobre los problemas que enfrenta el planeta, como la contaminación del aire, que afectan la calidad de vida de las familias de bajo ingreso de New England. Para conversar del tema, tenemos a Rebecca Baez-Castro, vicepresidenta de Green Eco Warriors, organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Windsor,…
Read MoreElectric Cars Could ‘Electrify The Future’ Of Northeast Transportation And Climate Initiative
A patchwork of states have joined in an effort to modernize transportation along the East Coast and reduce gas emissions that contribute to climate change. This Transportation and Climate Initiative would also bring more electric vehicles (EVs) to New England roads and changes to the region’s power grid. Everyday feels like an electric car show…
Read MoreAs Biden’s Climate Summit Approaches, Carbon Pricing Remains Uncertain
President Joe Biden is inviting world leaders to join him later this week for a virtual climate summit, where the president is expected to announce a new, lower target for U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The reduction is seen as essential for slowing climate change. Biden has also pledged to adopt new regulations for fossil fuel…
Read MoreTransmission Upgrades Could Hold The Key To New England Clean Energy Goals
President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal seeks to help reach the administration’s ambitious clean energy goals for the U.S. over the next decade. Part of that means funding upgrades to the country’s electric transmission system — the poles and wires that everyone relies on to access power nearby or from hundreds of miles away.…
Read MoreHartford Is Burning Its Recycling, And It’s Costing The City $30K A Month
That recycling you put out each week in the blue bin may not be going where you think it is. Because of contamination in curbside bins, the city of Hartford is now redirecting most of its recycling to a nearby incinerator, which means tons and tons of recyclable materials are going to waste while the…
Read More