EcoHearth: Come Home to the Earth

Most of the ragged survivors of our crusade to exterminate Mexican wolves—a slaughter that ended less than 40 years ago—have been living in cages all these long years. Generation after generation of lobos have paced their fence lines, scanning the air with their powerful noses, searching for a trace of elk or deer when there is only processed zoo food and people with hot dogs and French fries. How long can a species hold on to its wild edge, when every year only those most adapted to life in a cage manage to breed? Read on…

I like environmental tips. They offer practical ways to make one's life greener, bit by bit. But sometimes tips offer little in the way of real value.

As I check off items on my little green to-do list in order to save electricity here or reduce waste there, I often find myself in the wake of a creeping fog, which whisperingly suggests that I am subjecting myself to pointless inconveniences. There are no environmental police forcing me to recycle my plastic bags, no gold stars given for taking public transportation. Why should I, and why do many people I know, day in and day out, sacrifice the ease and convenience that is readily available to us? Read on...

In 19th-century Europe, it was still possible to scare children with stories about forests—dark and treacherous places, filled with spirits, wolves, bears and other man-eating animals. Nowadays, these stories don’t work anymore. The forests of Europe have become friendly places with names like “Green Heart” and “Lake Park.” Read on…

During my third year at UC Berkeley, I took an introductory environmental science class. As we discussed greenhouse-gas emissions, I remember one student who would not budge on his belief that he needed to drive. His car allowed him to live his lifestyle, and he had no desire to give that up. Driving was an efficient way to go many places in a short amount of time—and with little effort, of course. Read on…

A few days ago, I was reminded of the strength of tea tree oil when I accidentally spilled a few drops on a freshly painted dresser. Within moments, it ate through the paint. Whoever says that natural products aren’t as potent as their artificial counterparts has yet to encounter the powerhouse that is tea tree oil. Just one whiff of this essential oil’s harsh medicinal smell is enough to clue you in to its might. Read on…