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There are many options to consider when choosing a Christmas tree for your home, including a fresh cut tree, an artificial tree or a living tree. Fresh cut trees are grown on Christmas tree farms, an acre of which provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people and contributes other benefits to the environment such [...]

It can easily cost between 500 and 2000 gallons of freshwater to produce a typical American meal. On average, it takes around 1.6 million gallons of water to feed an American family for one year! Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (Source: The Superior Waters Project. “Freshwater Facts”. 2006. Available at: http://wildernessclassroom.com/superior/2006/07/freshwater_facts.html.)

The average American family uses around 350 gallons of water per day in their household. To put this number is perspective, the average African family uses only 5 gallons of water per day. Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (Source: Water for People. “Water, A Precious Natural Resource”. On display at the National Botanical Gardens Exhibit– [...]

United States households turn on their water faucets an average of 70 times each day. It is estimated that up to 50 percent of this household water is wasted, and could be saved by implementing simple conservation methods. Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (Source: The Superior Waters Project. “Freshwater Facts”. 2006. Available at: http://wildernessclassroom.com/superior/2006/07/freshwater_facts.html.)

The average US citizen uses 100 gallons of water per day! And most of this water is used for toilet flushing and watering of lawns and gardens. Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (Source: Water for People. “Water, A Precious Natural Resource”. On display at the National Botanical Gardens Exhibit– One Planet: Ours. #27 on Virtual [...]

The American Lung Association’s 2008 State of the Air Report found that about one-third of people in the U.S. live an an area with unhealthful levels of ground-level ozone pollution, and Houston ranked number four on the list of 25 cities with the highest number of high-ozone days. Ozone pollution, which forms when emissions from [...]

The American Lung Association’s 2008 State of the Air Report found that about one-third of people in the U.S. live an an area with unhealthful levels of ground-level ozone pollution. Ozone pollution, which forms when emissions from vehicles, yard care equipment, and other sources react with heat and sunlight, can cause health problems for more [...]

Between 1980 and 2001, energy consumption in Texas increased by about 2.7 percent annually. Demand for energy can be particularly high during the summer months, when people crank up the air conditioning for relief from extremely hot temperatures. Viewer Tip: Save energy by adding a programmable thermostat to your home. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts [...]

Protecting your house from the summer sun can save energy, significantly reduce your air conditioning bills, and increase home comfort. Viewer Tip: To keep out the heat of the summer sun, close window shades and drapes in warm weather. Strategically planting deciduous trees (tree that lose their leaves in winter) near south, east, and west-facing [...]

The American Lung Association’s 2008 State of the Air Report found that about one-third of people in the U.S. live an an area with unhealthful levels of ground-level ozone pollution. Ozone pollution, which forms when emissions from vehicles, yard care equipment, and other sources react with heat and sunlight, can cause health problems for kids [...]

During hot weather, shade from trees helps cool us and our homes. Trees can also pay dividends by shading our streets, which keeps pavement in better condition. Shaded streets require less maintenance and can save up to 60 percent on repaving costs over a 30-year period! Shade from trees also cools pavements, lessening the urban [...]

Did you know that more than half of Florida’s highest quality drinking water is used for irrigation Drinking water comes mostly from underground aquifers that are replenished only by rainwater. Often, the amount of water being used by humans is much greater than the amount that is recharged by rainwater. Because of these factors, conserving [...]

As of January 2008, more than 68 percent of Florida was in an “abnormally dry” condition, and 33 percent of the state was experiencing “moderate drought.” Moderate drought means that there may be damage to crops and pastures, lower water levels in rivers and streams, and increased fire risk. While areas of Florida along the [...]

Did you know that 33.5 trillion gallons of water are withdrawn annually from Alabama’s streams and rivers to provide 56 percent of the state’s population with drinking water? In addition to providing our drinking water, this water supports the diverse aquatic life forms found in the state. Alabama’s rivers are among the most biologically diverse [...]

Contamination of groundwater, which supplies humans with much of their drinking water, is often due to the intrusion of salt water. If too much much salt water enters fresh groundwater supplies, it can render groundwater unsuitable for human use. Saline infiltration can occur as a result of over pumping from groundwater aquifers, and the presence [...]

The southeastern United States has been experiencing persistent drought over the past several years, which has resulted in declining resevoirs, crop damage and water use restrictions. Drought is a normal, naturally recurring climate cycle that is defined differently in each region. Generally, a drought is a period of deficient rainfall (based on the local average) [...]

A rainstorm, even a heavy one, will not always have an impact on replenishing groundwater supply during a time of drought. Often times, the volume of water falling exceeds the natural ability of the soil to absorb water. The water that does infiltrate into the ground may take weeks to reach the groundwater aquifer, meaning [...]

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts a slight improvement in drought conditions throughout the middle-Mississippi Valley eastward, and southward from October through December, meaning that the Southeast may see some alleviation of drought conditions. However, because drought conditions persist in the region right now, it is extremely important to continue conserving water. Viewer [...]

With a large section of the Southeastern U.S. experiencing abnormally dry and drought conditions, it is important to keep water conservation in mind. Viewer Tip: These easy, inexpensive tips will help you create a yard and garden that requires less water – and may even help lower your water bills! Reduce Container Plantings. These often [...]

Did you know that an average roof sheds 160 gallons of water per hour during an average rainfall? According to the Georgia Wildlife Federation, during this period of extended drought in the southeastern U.S., rain barrels are becoming a popular, inexpensive and easy source of collecting rainwater for outdoor use. By placing the barrels uphill [...]