Tractor parts made from soybeans and picnic tables made from the kenaf plant are just a few of the products that use natural fibers to replace more conventional materials. They are proving to be more durable, lighter in weight, and priced right. For example, both Ford Cougars and Mustangs are being outfitted with door panelsContinue reading "Soybeans In The Trunk"
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By Ronald D. Utt Growth-control advocates claim that many federal programs and laws have contributed to sprawl. Their short list includes mortgage insurance programs of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Veterans Administration (VA), the deductibility of mortgage interest payments from taxable income, the federal highway program, HUD’s low-income housing programs, federal grants forContinue reading "Suburban Legends"
Read moreBy Daniel K. Benjamin Given the racket that people raise over airport noise, one would think that the social benefits of regulating airport noise must be great. Pollution comes in many forms. One of the most ubiquitous is noise–from truck and automobile traffic, neighbors’ stereos, barking dogs, and for some people, takeoffs and landings ofContinue reading "What’s All the Racket Over Airport Noise?"
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From Bali to Las Vegas, a new method for treating wastewater is producing clean water as well as lush gardens. Designed by environmental engineers John and Nancy Todd, the Living Machine is a network of miniature environments that mimics natural biological processes to clean wastewater. While similar to the cleansing done by river and estuaryContinue reading "Mimicking Mother Nature"
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For years, dikes have held back the salty waters at Long Beach, Washington, to create pastureland for horses and cattle. Now the tide has turned, and the dikes are coming down to create high quality intertidal wetlands. John McHugh is tearing down a 60-year-old dike on his property and restoring eight acres of wetlands forContinue reading "Down With Dikes"
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The transition from muck farm to nature-based resort has been a rocky road for Florida’s St. Johns River Water Management District. Despite the rough patches, the resort is in full swing today offering visitors a glimpse of a Florida marsh and its wildlife, while returning profits to the agency. The road to nature tourism beganContinue reading "Muck Farm To Eco-Resort"
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A small group of scientists and philanthropists have personally contributed enough money to finalize the creation of a bioreserve on the Caribbean island of Dominica. The reserve is home to the Sisserou, the world’s rarest Amazon parrot and the national bird of Dominica. Only 200 of these parrots are believed to exist. Led by Dr.Continue reading "Saving The Sisserou"
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