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What's Up in the Environment?

Water is really a simple but vital molecule consisting of two hydrogen and one oxygen atom bonded together. Without water, life on earth couldn't exist. It covers roughly 80% of the earth's surface--in rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans. It makes up 66% of your body. You need about two and a half quarts of it every day to stay healthy. You could try and get by without water for about a week, but then you'd keel over, thoroughly dehydrated. Click here to read how important water was to the Everglades.

WATER Resources
WATER Glossary

What can insects and alligators tell us about water health? Lots! See how Dr. Laura Bryant uses these indicator species to monitor the Everglade's condition.

When you've finished chugging down your carbonated beverage or poured that last drop of milk over your breakfast cereal, you probably toss the aluminum can or plastic bottle into a small blue bin, knowing it will be recycled into a new container. When we recycle containers, be they glass, plastic, or cardboard, we save resources and energy. But your Coke cans aren't the only things that are recyclable. Contaminated land, known as brownfields, is also recycled. Read how it's done.

LAND Resources
LAND Glossary

See how a contaminated plot of land in Philadelphia was recycled into a beautiful public park called Liberty Lands.

The greenhouse effect has been occurring in its natural form since the dawn of time - and that seemed to work just fine. But then the Industrial Revolution came along in the 19th Century making the situation a whole lot worse. Since then, carbon dioxide levels have increased nearly 30% and methane concentrations have doubled. Read more...

AIR Resources
AIR Glossary

Global warming's impact is a hotly debated subject. That's why studying it in a controlled environment (like a biome) is so important. See how the biome research works.

We need energy to power up our technological world, from laptops to lamps, cell phones to minivans. But what exactly is energy? Simply put, it is the ability to do work. Electricity energizes our gadgets, allowing them to process information, blend a milkshake, or shine a bright light. Gasoline energizes car engines, pumping pistons that are lubricated with oil. But where do we get our energy from? Click here to read about renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

ENERGY Resources
ENERGY Glossary

The sun is a great source of renewable energy, but would you ever live in a solar house? Meet one teenager who does, and see how his house works!

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