WCBE NewsRoom

Columbus, OH (2009-09-17) The global recyclables market mirrors the health of the global economy.

Columbus, OH (2009-08-18) Scientists have long known fish caught in the wild contain dangerous toxins like mercury that pose risks to human health. Now scientists have linked fish caught in the Great Lakes to diabetes in humans. Gabriel Spitzer reports.

Ohio may benefit from hybrid car boost

Columbus, OH (2009-08-06) The production of low-cost hybrid and all-electric cars is getting a financial boost from the Federal government. Ohio is going to benefit a bit . Statehouse correspondent Bill Cohen reports.

Hydrogen powered cars hit roadblock

Columbus, OH (2009-08-11) In 2003, then-President Bush proposed building a hydrogen economy to end America's reliance on foreign oil. Today, the reality of mass-produced hydrogen-powered vehicles has run into difficulty. Mark Brush reports.

What Price Lush Lawns?

Columbus, OH (2009-07-30) The perennial debate over using herbicides and fertilizers to maintain lush lawns.

Green Tip 53--Unwanted Hitchhikers Hocking Hills, OH (2009-06-04) The temperatures are rising. People and their pets are happy to be outdoors more soaking up the sun's rays...Although your pets might be having more fun in the sun, rising temperatures and more outdoor exposure is the perfect way for your best friend to pick up unwanted hitchhikers fleas and ticks. Adult fleas thrive at temperatures between 66-84 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity between 70-90%. Ticks show up when it's hot too.

Green Tip 52--Fido, Fluffy and Fritz Hocking Hills, OH (2009-06-04) As you are greening up and cleaning up your act at home, work and on the road, don't forget to include your extended family--your domestic pets. Remember that when you reduce or eliminate the toxic chemicals from inside and outside of your home, you are making positive strides on behalf of the environment. Along with it, your physical health should improve. In your efforts remember Fido, Fluffy and Fritz.

Green Tip 45--Acedia-Why Bother? Hocking Hills, OH (2009-06-04) Since I was in High School in the late 1980's I remember people saying "who cares" in response to all sorts of things. Add to that the phases "whatever" and "so what" that are used every day by people of all ages in all walks of life since then. That makes a lot of negative thoughts and words floating around out there, somewhere. Deeds might be lurking right behind those thoughts and words.

Green Tip 44--An Ounce of Prevention Hocking Hills, OH (2009-06-04) In my opinion, spring and fall are the best seasons for doing maintenance around your home and business. At least in temperate climates, these are typically times when people are making changes inside and out. Inside, people are changing wardrobes, doing deep cleaning and sifting through items in storage. Outside, people are found doing spring and fall cleanups. Whether cleaning inside our outside, one is up close to items and notices if something needs to be repaired or maintained.

Green Tip 43--Passing The Green Torch Hocking Hills, OH (2009-06-04) Many families are in the process of planning spring and summer vacations. Parents are discussing how to fill up this wonderful free time. Some people will fill their children's schedules to the brim being involved in multiple and various types of structured day camps or week camps. There are so many choices from sports to theater to art to nature. Other parents will just hang loose and flow with the wind, not involving their children in any structured events.

Green Tip 36--Beauty--Green Deep Hocking Hills, OH (2009-05-04) For the past four weeks I have been writing about things that people can do in and around their homes and businesses to be more chemical free, for personal health and for the health of the environment. This week's article features clean, pure and healthy cosmetic and personal care products. Next to the food we put in our mouth, beauty and hygiene products are the things that come in closest contact with our body.

Green Tip 35--Green Cleaning=Better Employees Hocking Hills, OH (2009-05-04) The last two green tips have been about green or all natural cleaning. The first article covered where to find green cleaning supplies for your residence or small business. The second article presented options for making home made cleaning supplies. This week's final topic on green cleaning presents green cleaning choices for commercial and industrial properties.

Green Tip 34--Dirt Cheap Green Clean Hocking Hills, OH (2009-05-04) Last week's green tip featured green cleaning products found at local co-ops, health stores, grocers or available online and by catalogue.... Making green cleaning supplies is the best solution for the environment since most recipes have water as a main ingredient and use typical, inexpensive, easy-to-find household items.

Green Tip 33--A Green Clean Hocking Hills, OH (2009-05-04) Last week's green tip compared the Earth to a giant sponge and our human bodies to little sponges. With an increased use of chemicals worldwide, the environment and human health suffer. The next few weeks' tips will focus on what individuals can do to reduce chemical exposure in and around their homes and businesses. Reducing chemical use where you spend the most time is a terrific step towards preventative health.

Green Tip 32--Heal Yourself, Heal The Earth Hocking Hills, OH (2009-05-04) At the onset of a New Year people tend to reflect and reprioritize. Many people will focus on their personal health. The next few green tips will detail changes that can be made inside and outside of homes and businesses to improve personal health and the environment. I always say, "The health of the environment is inextricably linked to personal health." If the environment is sick, humans can get sick.

Environment Report series on coal - Part 5

Columbus, OH (2009-04-10) Carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming are driving power companies to a decision. They can move away from burning coal altogether...or they can work on technology to eliminate their C-O-2 emissions...someday. While they're making that decision, some of the nation's oldest, dirtiest coal-burning power plants still run. In the final part of our series on the future of coal, Shawn Allee looks at why they billow dangerous air pollution...stuff most people think we cleaned up long ago.

Environment Report series on coal - Part 4

Columbus, OH (2009-04-09) President Obama wants the U-S to reduce the greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide that contribute to global warming. Congress is considering a carbon cap-and-trade program. In the fourth part of our series on the future of coal, Lester Graham reports on what that program will mean to coal-burning industries and consumers.

Environment Report series on coal - Part 3

Columbus, OH (2009-04-08) Coal has a reputation as a sooty, dirty fuel. More recently, environmentalists and the coal industry alike have become just as worried about the carbon dioxide released when coal is burned. In the third part of our series on the future of coal, Matt Sepic has this look at the science behind so-called clean coal.

Environment Report series on coal - Part 2

Columbus, OH (2009-04-08) The coal industry got hit with expensive pollution restrictions almost two decades ago. Now, the government's considering putting a price on carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming. Coal companies think they have a technological solution in a test project called FutureGen. Ohio was in the running to land the project, but it wound up in Illinois. In the second part of our series on the future of coal, Shawn Allee looks at why there are such high hopes for it.

Environment Report series on coal - Part 1

Columbus, OH (2009-04-08) The U.S. EPA says Ohio led the nation in the amount of toxic pollutants emitted into the air in 2007. Nearly 73 million of the 115.1 million pounds of mercury, lead, barium and sulfuric and hydrochloric acids emitted in 2007 came from coal-fired power plants. Lobbyists for the coal industry and environmentalists are conducting campaigns for and against the use of coal. In the first of a five-part series on the future of coal, Lester Graham reports.