Cigarette Butt Pollution

By Jody Tishmack, Anima/Soul

All of the cigarettes sold in the US are filtered and the discarded “butt” is contaminated with tar, nicotine, and other tobacco additives that are known to be carcinogenic and/or toxic.

How your Garden Could Help Stop your City Flooding

By Alessandro Ossola, Matthew Burns, The Conversation

Urban flooding represents the most common yet severe environmental threat to cities and towns worldwide. Future changes in rainfall extremes are likely to increase this threat, even in areas that could become drier.

While South Carolina Floods, U.S. Wrestles With Urban Stormwater

By Codi Kozacek, Circle of Blue

Among the devastating effects of the low pressure storm system that pummeled South Carolina over the weekend was the heavy damage the record-breaking rains caused to water transport and treatment infrastructure, and the release of a tide of contaminated stormwater.

To tackle runoff, cities turn to green initiatives

By Dave Levitan, Yale Environment 360

Urban stormwater runoff is a serious problem, overloading sewage treatment plants and polluting waterways. Now, various U.S. cities are creating innovative green infrastructure — such as rain gardens and roadside plantings — that mimics the way nature collects and cleanses water.