Premium: Green Living - Dakota County Star

Why home insurance rates are rising so fast across the US – climate change plays a big role

Millions of Americans have been watching with growing alarm as their homeowners insurance premiums rise and their coverage shrinks. Nationwide, premiums rose 34% between 2017 and 2023, and they continued to rise in 2024 across much of the country.

Expert tips to save you money heating your home

(BPT) - As the days get shorter and cooler, it's the perfect time to turn your attention to your heating system. Before it gets too chilly, you'll want your HVAC system to be in great condition …

5 tips for sustainably decorating your home

From upcycling to investing in quality materials, Made Trade rounded up five tips for sustainably decorating your home.

Keeping Your Community Clean: 4 ways to do your part for spotless public spaces

(Family Features) From a day spent in the office to evenings out and everywhere in between, there's one thing virtually everyone leaves behind now and again: a mess.

Inside fast fashion brands' love affair with uncomfortable, synthetic, and slow-to-biodegrade fabrics

The RealReal used data from Textile Exchange to explore the far-reaching prevalence of polyester, including in the fast fashion industry.

‘Just the Facts with Steve Ballmer’ Shares Government Data on Energy & the Environment, and Economy

(BPT) - USAFacts, a not-for-profit, nonpartisan civic organization founded by former Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, is launching the next set of PSAs in a six-part series — these will focus on …

What if your pets' steps could create renewable energy?

(BPT) - Does your dog run crazy-eights? Does your cat get midnight madness? Of course, any of your pets can get the zoomies, or, maybe they simply follow you around the house all day in hopes of a …

New round of federal grants injects billions into rural renewable energy projects

The Daily Yonder reports on a new round of federal funding and its focus on communities across the country with fewer than 10,000 residents.

The Importance of Clean School Transportation

(Family Features) Across the country, more than 1.3 million children ride to school each day in school buses, most of which are powered by diesel and produce harmful emissions.

Ancient Rome had ways to counter the urban heat island effect – how history’s lessons apply to cities today

Trees are one way to cool down a city. Architects in ancient Rome also designed buildings with porticos for shade and air flow. Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images As intense heat breaks records around the …

New big storm is headed for the Caribbean: What meteorologists look for in early signs of a future hurricane

Disturbances in the Atlantic may be nothing, or they could be the seeds of a destructive hurricane. NOAA GOES When tropical meteorologists peer at satellite images , they often catch sight of subtle …

Hail the size of golf balls and even grapefruit? The science of how tiny ice crystals grow dangerously large

Hail the size of grapefruit shattered car windows in Johnson City, Texas, in May 2024. In June, a storm chaser found a hailstone almost as big as a pineapple . Even larger hailstones have been …

Hurricane Beryl’s rapid intensification to Category 5 is alarming: Here’s why more tropical storms are exploding in strength

Hurricane Beryl hit the island of Carriacou, Grenada, on July 1, 2024, with 150 mph sustained winds. NOAA Hurricane Beryl was the latest Atlantic storm to rapidly intensify, growing quickly from …

Is Earth really getting too hot for people to survive? A scientist explains extreme heat and the role of climate change

Many countries have seen extremely hot weather lately, but in most of the inhabited world, it’s never going to get “too hot for people to live here,” especially in relatively dry climates. Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If …

One city's unique bike giveaway program is a win for mobility justice

Next City reports that by giving free bikes to those most in need, the Bike Chicago program has proven a powerful strategy to grow active transportation.

3 Reasons to Ditch Your Laundry Detergent for Eco Strips

(NewsUSA) - The laundry industry would have you believe that in order to get brilliant, clean laundry, you need to use powders, liquids and pods that are diluted with water, and come in bulky, …

Help your home and your energy bill handle summer heat

(BPT) - As summer temperatures rise, what can you do to beat the heat at home? Before lowering the thermostat setting, consider an often-overlooked approach to help your home and your energy budget …

Would Kamala Harris be our first Gen X president?

Economic Hardship Reporting Project writer makes the case that being so Gen X self is, surprisingly, Kamala Harris' best bet for connecting with a wide range of voters, especially young ones.

Blue Star Families Spotlights Military Mental Health for Awareness Month this October

(NewsUSA) - The challenges of military life don't always end when the mission does. For many in our military community – both active duty and veterans alike – there's an ongoing, often silent …

11 tips for reducing stress on World Mental Health Day

Vivian Health shares 11 tips to add mental health and wellness practices into the daily routines of healthcare professionals.

Most older adults face ageism, and it's taking a toll on their mental health

Counseling Schools examined peer-reviewed research and data from WHO and the American Psychological Association to understand the impact of ageism.

Find Affordable Life Insurance to Protect Yourself and Your Family

(NewsUSA) - Life is uncertain, and there is no time like the present to be sure that you have life insurance in place. A life insurance plan provides affordable and lasting financial protection for …