Texas Park Has Bad Air Day
From: Pat Maxwell
Series: February 2007 - Isla Earth Radio Series
Length: 01:30
Also in the February 2007 - Isla Earth Radio Series series
A Tale of Two Birds
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This is a tale of two marsh birds that live on opposite sides of the United States. They belong to the same species, and prefer the same kind of habitat. But while one is ...
Restoring a Fragile Marine Ecosystem
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
A study in the journal Nature found that up to 90 percent of the larger specimens of these species have disappeared from the world's oceans.
New Meters Could Help Conserve Energy
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
The EPA says that the average home produces more greenhouse gases than the average car.
Understanding Fish Migration Patterns
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Tracking whale sharks is a tricky business. But conservationists have come up with a hi-tech solution, an ingenious new device that allows researchers to track fish ...
Citizen Scientists help Protect Amphibians
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Amphibians have existed for 300 million years. But in recent decades, 168 species are believed to have gone extinct, and almost 2,500 others are disappearing in a hurry.
Merced's new Sustainable Campus
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Colleges and universities are jumping on the green building bandwagon.
Reduce Home Water Use
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Americans use a lot of water. In fact, the average American uses more than 100 gallons every day.
Mobile Urban Farms
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Ken Dunn transforms unused urban land into productive gardens.
Trees Offsetting Vehicle Emissions
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
Filipinos are aiming to improve the quality of the air they breathe by planting trees on the country's roadways.
Creatures in Love
(01:30)
From: Pat Maxwell
To celebrate Valentine's Day, we're going to look at the mating habits of three very different creatures.
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Big Bend National Park has some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States. It's in the boonies of southwest Texas, yet it has the smoggiest air of any of the parks out west. In the past, you could see for more than a hundred miles. But today, the smog's so thick you're lucky if you can see half that far. Where's all the dirty air coming from? Park officials thought that two power plants in Mexico, a hundred miles upwind, were the culprits. But an air quality study showed that sulfur dioxide from Houston -- and even from as far away as the northeast United States -- was also a significant contributor! Power plants account for about two-thirds of the sulfur dioxide pollution in the U.S., and health officials recommend higher emission standards. In the meantime, visitors are encouraged to obey speed limits to keep exhaust fumes down. But park officials will have to corral more than one source of pollution to clear the air over this Texas landmark. A picture perfect view? Maybe, with a little help from friends.
