Regarding ”Bearing Up” (Op-Ed, Jan. 5) In contrast to Gov. Sarah Palin’s claims, the Alaskan polar bears are not thriving. The center’s director, Dr. Eric Chivian writes that rising temperatures and melting glaciers have made it incredibly difficult for polar bears to hunt seals, their main food. In addition, these predators are accumulating pollutants that …
Fish is considered one of the healthiest foods, and it has been a staple of human diets for thousands of years. However, concerns have been raised about the potential risks of consuming fish, such as exposure to mercury and other toxins. So, how do researchers determine the benefits and harm of fish? Benefits of Fish …
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Humans rely on the natural environment – such as oceans and coastal waters – for essential human services like providing food and essential dietary nutrients and purifying drinking water. These benefits are referred to as ecosystem services. Humans also rely on the environment for the natural cycles that renew oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide in …
Biodiversity — the variety of life on Earth — is key to human survival. But plants, animals, and microorganisms are disappearing at unprecedented rates. What impact will this have on human health? Find out in this Earth Focus special video series, produced in collaboration with Harvard’s Center for Health and the Global Environment. Biodiversity and …
The eminent Harvard biology Professor Edward O.Wilson once said about ants, “We need them to survive, but they don’t need us at all.” The same, in fact, could be said about countless other insects, bacteria, fungi, plankton, plants, and other organisms. This fundamental truth, however, is largely lost to many of us. Rather, we humans …
