EcoHearth: Come Home to the Earth

The sun is the source of 99.98% of all energy on Earth. Even the power in fossil fuels is just solar energy stored over the course of eons. Unfortunately, fossil fuels are costly to extract, cause global warming when burned and take the Earth millions of years to replace.

A better solution is to tap the energy in sunlight just as it reaches the Earth. Even without solar panels (which put a strain on our environment, though less so than fossil fuels), you can supply the lion’s share of your lighting and heating needs this way. Through thoughtful building design or retrofit, based on techniques known as daylighting and passive solar heating, it’s easy to save money and reduce your carbon footprint by leveraging the abundant, easily accessible and free solar energy flooding the planet daily. Read on…

These days, it’s hard to go anywhere without hearing something about going green or becoming eco-friendly. With the world’s population and consumption both rising at an alarming rate while the world’s natural resources remain fixed, it may all seem quite daunting. So why not start with something simple? Perhaps you could green one room in your home. Here are some simple steps that you can take today to make your bathroom safer not only for the environment, but also for your entire family. Read on…

Live in an area with plentiful sunshine? Want to reduce your electric bill and decrease your carbon footprint? Then you may be thinking of installing solar panels. That’s great. But first, why not learn a little about the technology, rather than shopping blindly or relying on a solar-panel salesperson who may have his commission rather than your best interests at heart? Read on…

The idea of septic systems may conjure up images of muddy, foul-smelling yards and clogged drains. Yet, a house with a properly installed and maintained septic system won’t appear very different from one connected to a sewer. Approximately 25% of Americans use stand-alone septic systems—as opposed to tying into a city sewer system—to effectively treat wastewater, and they are often the only option in rural areas. They are inexpensive to maintain, but do require vigilance to ensure that they don’t become the source of a problem. Read on…

The bobcat, timber rattlesnake, trumpeter swan, cave salamander and pirate perch. No one would blame you if you assumed these species reside only in zoos. Actually, they are some of the endangered species native to Ohio. But whatever state or country you live in, chances are there are nearby species struggling for existence.

Although you could search high and low to witness creatures like this in action, they may be closer than you think. By becoming familiar with the endangered species in your area, you can help protect both them and their habitat—maybe even provide them a sanctuary, literally in your own backyard. Read on…