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Have We Reached Peak Oil?

Oil is a nonrenewable resource. Have we found all the oil there is to find, or is there more out there somewhere? What's the best way to wean ourselves from our oil dependency? Read More

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What is Clean Coal Technology?
How Wind Power Works
How Do You Clean Up an Oil Spill?
Are Climate Skeptics Right?

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While actual footprints measure size, weight and speed, carbon footprints measure how much carbon dioxide (CO2) we produce in our daily lives. Find out how carbon calculators work and how to reduce your CO2 footprint.
    

Carbon offsets are a form of trade that funds projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Learn about carbon offsets and carbon offset programs.
    

How do we reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A carbon tax is one answer. A simpler alternative to cap-and-trade schemes, a carbon tax encourages energy efficiency and reduced consumption.
     

Carbon trading, sometimes called emissions trading, is a market-based tool to limit greenhouse gases. The carbon market trades emissions under cap-and-trade schemes or with credits that pay for or offset GHG reductions.

Video: Earth Science

What is Global Warming?
What is global warming? Find out in this HowStuffWorks video!


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>What is the Greenhouse Effect?
>What is the Kyoto Treaty?
>What is a Trash Audit?



Additional Environmental Content on HowStuffWorks:
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
One of the misconceptions about the greenhouse effect is that it is a bad thing. The greenhouse effect keeps our planet warm enough in order for life to survive. The problems arise from a buildup of too much heat.
Read More
Can We Plug the Hole in the Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer prevents much of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light from reaching the Earth. The bigger the hole in it gets, the more of this dangerous light reaches us. What can we do about it? Read More
How Can Ozone be Both Good and Bad?
During the summer I am always hearing about ozone warnings in my city. This ozone is bad. But then I hear about the ozone layer, which is good. How can ozone be both good and bad? Read More
How Ozone Pollution Works
We want the ozone layer, but we don't want ozone pollution... Good in the atmosphere but bad on the ground? Find out about ozone pollution, how it affects you and what you can do about it. Read More
How China's Pollution Sniffers Work
In an effort to detect areas with poor air quality, China is training people to sniff out harmful levels of pollution. But what effect does this have on the human body? Learn how the brain identifies scents and about odor-detecting technology. Read More
How Recycling Works
Recycling is a pretty simple concept: take something that isn't useful anymore and make it into something new. Learn about the process and the good and bad of recycling. Read More
How Many Sheets of Paper Can One Tree Produce?
We know that paper comes from trees, but just how much does it take? Let's do the math and figure out how much paper your average tree can be made into.
Read More
What is a Green Roof?
Green roofs, long popular in Europe, are making their way into the United States. Find out what a green roof is and how it can solve some problems conventional roofs have. Read More