An argument for not dusting the house – ever. It might actually make your plants healthier.

New research published in New Phytologist shows that plants can acquire nutrients not only from the soil but also from atmospheric dust that settles and dissolves on their leaves, releasing elements such as phosphorus and iron. This goes against what many plant owners assume: that dusty leaves impair respiration and growth.

In a Mediterranean field study simulating dust events—common during dust storms—dust application increased plant macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations through the plants’ mildly acidic leaves.

By integrating field observations with dust-deposition estimates and soil nutrient data from different regions, investigators found that during dust events, daily nutrient inputs via foliar uptake can match or even exceed soil-derived inputs.

“This suggests a shift from the traditionally soil-centric view of nutrient acquisition toward a vegetation-mediated pathway, where the plant canopy acts as an active interface for capturing and processing atmospheric particles,” said Dr. Anton Lokshin, a postdoctoral researcher at BGU where the research took place. “In nutrient-limited ecosystems, this leaf-based nutrient pathway may represent an important and currently overlooked contribution to plant nutrition and ecosystem functioning.”

The study was conducted by Anton Lokshin in the laboratory of Dr. Avner Gross, in collaboration with Dr. Daniel Palchan (Ariel University), Prof. Marcelo Sternberg (Tel Aviv University), Tom Goren (Bar Ilan University), and Andre (Mahdi) Nakhavali (IIASA).

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A new study from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York offers a striking insight into how the environments we are born into can quietly shape our brains years later. By analyzing naturally shed baby teeth, the ones tucked under pillows for the tooth fairy, researchers have reconstructed a detailed timeline of exposure to environmental metals during pregnancy and early infancy. What they found reads like a forensic map of vulnerability.

The study, published in Science Advances, followed children from the PROGRESS birth cohort in Mexico City, tracking them from the womb into adolescence. Using a laser-based technique, scientists were able to read the chemical composition of baby teeth much like tree rings: each layer revealing exposure to metals such as lead, manganese, zinc, and magnesium at specific developmental stages.

This approach allowed researchers to pinpoint not just what children were exposed to, but when, and timing, it turns out, is everything.

Two critical windows emerged as especially sensitive: the first between weeks 4 and 8 after birth, and the second between weeks 32 and 42. During these narrow periods, higher exposure to metal mixtures correlated with measurable differences in later brain structure, connectivity, and behavior.

Adolescents who had higher exposures during these windows showed increased symptoms linked to anxiety, attention challenges, and mood disorders.

Many of the metals studied—such as manganese, zinc, magnesium, and lead—are commonly encountered through food, drinking water, and the built environment.

“This study shows that when exposure happens matters just as much as what the exposure is,” said senior author Megan K. Horton, PhD, MPH, Professor, Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Our findings shift prevention from broad early-life exposure concerns to protecting children during specific high-risk windows.”

Lead author Elza Rechtman, PhD, Assistant Professor, Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, emphasized the broader environmental significance: “What surprised us most was how precisely these vulnerable windows emerged. Exposures occurring during just a few critical weeks—especially in early infancy—were linked to measurable differences in brain structure, connectivity, and behavior more than a decade later. These findings highlight how environmental policies that reduce metal exposure during pregnancy and infancy could have lifelong benefits for brain health.”

“The results suggest that environmental regulations and public health policies may need to focus more specifically on protecting pregnant people and infants from metal exposure in food, water, and housing,” added Dr. Arora.

This isn’t about a single toxin causing harm, the researchers note. Instead, it’s about a complex cocktail of everyday exposures: heavy metals found in food such as fish, water, and pesticides from the urban environments interacting with a developing brain at precisely the wrong moment. About 4% of children in the study showed behavioral scores in the clinical range, suggesting real-world implications for mental health.

Brain imaging backed this up. MRI scans revealed that early exposure was linked to changes in how different brain regions communicate, subtly rewiring that may only become visible years later in behavior or emotional regulation.

For researchers, this marks a shift toward what they call “precision environmental health.” Instead of broadly warning about early-life exposure, the goal is now to identify, and protect, the specific developmental windows when the brain is most at risk. It’s a more targeted, and potentially more actionable, way to think about prevention.

The researchers noted that simple steps that may help reduce exposure include:

• Ensuring safe drinking water
• Careful food preparation and sourcing
• Reducing exposure to known environmental metal sources

The implications ripple outward. For families, it reinforces the importance of reducing exposure to contaminants in water, food, and housing, especially during pregnancy and infancy. For clinicians, it suggests that environmental history should be part of how we understand long-term mental health risks. And for policymakers, it raises a sharper question: are current environmental regulations precise enough to protect the most vulnerable moments of human development?

In a warming, industrialized world where environmental exposures are shifting, this kind of research feels necessary. The idea that a few weeks of exposure early in life could echo across a decade reframes how we think about both risk and responsibility. How we help reduce exposure to toxins is another story.

A brief history: Mount Sinai as a Jewish hospital

Mount Sinai Hospital in New York was founded in 1852 by members of the city’s German Jewish community as the “Jews’ Hospital,” created to serve Jewish immigrants who often faced discrimination in existing medical institutions. It quickly became a center not only for care but for medical training and innovation, open to all regardless of background. Over time, it expanded into one of the leading academic medical centers in the United States, shedding its sectarian name but retaining its roots in community care, social justice, and scientific leadership, which are values that continue to shape its research today.

The post Baby teeth read like tree rings paint a picture of toxins in early life appeared first on Green Prophet.

On a windswept farm north of Belleville, Ontario, a roof became something more than shelter. It became a new opportunity for women to work. When Michele Vindum needed a new roof on her home at Plainfield Heritage Farm, she set a condition that surprised even seasoned contractors: the crew had to be all women.

“I’ve always been very aware, as a woman who used to work in the sciences… that there are systemic barriers to women entering non-traditional trades,” she told CBC Radio. What followed was not just a job, but the formation of a movement.

Vindum found Samanntha De Coteau, a Welland-based roofer known online as “RooferGirl.” De Coteau reached across provinces, calling in tradeswomen from Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The result: the Summit Sisters, an all-woman roofing team that is now gaining national attention.

Roofing season in Canada doesn’t last long, maybe 5 months of the year. And with global warming and intense summers reducing the lifespan of shingles, more and more people need their roofs done, but with few laborers in some areas willing and able to do the job.

“Everybody was just so interested in it, so supportive,” De Coteau said. “All the girls said, ‘Yeah, I’ll come, I’ll do it.’”

A changing climate with a changing roof

Canada’s roofs are under pressure. Freeze-thaw cycles are intensifying with climate change, shortening the lifespan of asphalt shingles, the most common roofing material across the country. Hailstorms, heat waves, and heavy snow loads are forcing homeowners to replace roofs more often than expected.

And that raises a deeper question: if you’re replacing your roof anyway, why go back to the same material? I faced that decision myself. Instead of reinstalling asphalt shingles, I worked with local builders to convert my aging roof into tin—what’s more commonly known as a standing seam metal roof.

It cost more upfront, probably double the cost, but the payoff was immediate: durability, recyclability, and a lifespan that can stretch 40 to 70 years. Once you’ve turned to a tin roof, that’s pretty much it for the rest of your life. Your kids can deal with changing the roof in the future. I called around and spoke with local Quakers who roof and who sell ends, at dollars a piece but my roofer Randy said it’s a better roof if he buys large pieces, so we did that.

So is metal roofing the more sustainable option?

In many cases, yes. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), metal roofing outperforms asphalt in longevity, energy efficiency, and end-of-life recyclability. Asphalt shingles typically last 15–25 years and often end up in landfills. Speaking with locals in Northern Ontario, they estimate the ages of the materials, lower in quality than the past, you can get 8 to 10 years out of a new shingle roof. Metal roofs, by contrast, are often made from recycled content and can be fully recycled again.

For homeowners navigating cost vs. impact, this guide offers a grounded breakdown:
Sustainable roofing options in Canada (CMHC).

If you live in a hot desert climate, a flat, white-painted flat roof, or thatched natural roof, or clay roof (like in Sicily) might be a better option. Also consult your local building associations for the greenest roof for your location.

More than a roof for the shingling Summit Sisters

But the Summit Sisters story isn’t just about materials, or about environmentalism. It’s about access and building regenerative communities (see our interview with Tony Cho). Only about 7% of workers in trades, transport, and equipment occupations in Canada are women, according to Statistics Canada. Roofing remains one of the most male-dominated sectors. In summer months it’s almost impossible to find a skilled laborer who will return after the first quote.

Women are filling the gap. De Coteau knows that firsthand. “Maybe they’re too intimidated because it’s considered a man’s job,” she said. “Maybe they think they’re not strong enough.”

The truth is, roofing isn’t about brute strength. It’s about skill, balance, endurance, and increasingly, precision installation of advanced materials like solar-integrated panels and high-performance membranes. You don’t need to be strong to be a roofer. You need to be brave.

How to find an all-woman roofing crew

They are still rare, but not invisible. Search local Facebook groups and Instagram for tradeswomen (terms like women roofers Canada, female contractors Ontario). We found Summit Sisters on TikTok. Platforms like Build Together Canada and Women Building Futures connect women to trades and employers. Ask contractors directly, some companies now offer mixed or all-women crews by request. Word of mouth still matters: Vindum found her crew through a single social media post.

Do do due diligence, however. When we hired a local guy we knew, he did the roof all by himself in one weekend and the cost to replace the roof wasn’t split among a team who needed to travel far and offer per diems. He lived down the road, and ordered material from a local company he has known since he was young. When there is a leak or something goes wrong, I have someone local to call. That might not be the case with over-marketed teams, hired just because they are women. Hire the best person for the job at the best price.

But we get inspiration from that Ontario farm. It’s a signal that as climate change forces us to rethink how we build, and renovate and maintain our homes, the labor behind those decisions matters too. The Summit Sisters didn’t just replace a roof, they raised a bar.

The post Roof sisters changing culture men’s work in Canada appeared first on Green Prophet.

The extreme weather threatening the US and parts of Europe has already downed electricity for thousands of people and made it hard to access supplies. Be smart; be prepared. Build a family emergency kit to get you and your household through at least 72 hours without normal services, as comfortably and safely as possible.

Make a list of things each family member regularly uses and can’t do without. For instance, a baby will need diapers, many changes of clothes, moist towelettes and specific food. Anyone depending on medications should have seven days’ supply stored away. Feminine hygiene products, entertainment items, pet supplies – each person or pet has unique needs.

Discuss it with your family. They’ll remind you of things you may not have thought of. Make sure you have these things, then store them in an accessible place.

If you can, make up an individual box or package for each person, and put it where they can easily find it.

Now let’s look at an all-purpose list of indispensable supplies. Below is the Red Cross list, with our comments in parenthesis:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day: 3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home. (We bought water purification tablets and used them to store tap water in tightly closed buckets. But plain non-perfumed bleach will also serve to sanitize water. Find instructions here.
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items: 3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home. (Store foods that your family likes. And a manual can opener)
• Flashlight (or two)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Extra batteries for flashlight and radio
• First aid kit (Things to have in the first-aid kit )
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items (toilet paper, feminine hygiene products. Baby wipes can be used in a pinch for personal hygiene when no running water available. Also, shops that sell adult diapers often sell full-body moist towels; worth having for hygiene and comfort.)
• Copies of personal documents: medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies (plus marriage/divorce documents, bank account information). Put these documents in sealed, waterproof bags and keep them in a getaway suitcase in case of evacuation. Here is FEMA’s guide to safeguarding critical documents and valuables.
• Cell phone with chargers (and a portable power bank)
• Family and emergency contact information (put these names and numbers on everyone’s phones. Plus keep a paper copy taped to the refrigerator.)
• Extra cash
• Emergency blankets or sleeping bags
• Map(s) of the area

Depending on the types of disasters that are common where you live, also consider adding these things to your kit:

• Whistle (to call for help)
• N95 or surgical masks
• Matches
• Rain gear
• Towels
  Work gloves
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Household liquid bleach
• Entertainment (and comfort) items
• Two-way radios
• Extra set of car keys and house keys (give a set to a trusted neighbor or friend)

We add:

• Moist antiseptic towels to sanitize areas.
• A portable solar-powered or hand-crank lantern, to avoid tripping in the dark.
• Several long-burning candles for comforting light; assuming that it’s safe to have fire burning.
• Two or three cigarette lighters. A cigarette lighter supplies fire many more times than a box of matches.

If the suppy list seems too long to deal with, the Red Cross sells emergency kits of all sizes on their site. But we recommend building your own kit that suits your particular needs.

Other notes:

Wash and dry all the laundry in the hamper, and don’t let more accumulate. If the power goes down or water stops running in the pipes, you’ll at least have clean changes of clothes. This is important not only for hygiene but for mental health: having to live in dirty clothes makes stress worse.

If it seems likely that running water might stop, improvise a toilet made from a tall, sturdy metal bucket, strong plastic bags to line it, and a tight lid. You can also order a portable toilet online.

If you wonder where to store the emergency supplies, stash the boxes or suitcases in unused spaces. Under a table. Under beds; under the sofa. On top of closets, or under a sink. In the space under the stairs. Out on the patio; in the garage – always assuming it’s safe to go outside. Put decorative items away and use the space for emergency storage. It might feel crowded, but you’ll restore order after the emergency.

The important thing is to stay safe and be prepared.

The post How does one start prepping? appeared first on Green Prophet.

I was in Munich, Germany, settling into my new temporary digs when my Couchsurfing host flung open the living room windows. “Lüften!” he exclaimed ardently.

The breeze felt nice, if not a bit chilly, on that late winter afternoon. But in a land where the people love cold plunging, I made like a local and embraced the briskness.

Although it was March 2020, finding fresh air had nothing to do with the impending Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, as my host explained, lüften is a German cultural tradition practiced multiple times daily.

Simply the practice of opening windows for natural ventilation, it is considered essential for well-being and doesn’t cost a dime. Even a short burst of air has a powerful impact, with the typical session lasting from five to thirty minutes.

In the modern era, Germans have emerged as trailblazers in health and social care, but they have been practicing lüften for centuries to rid living spaces of stale air, odors, and even mold by regulating humidity. For these benefits, many landlords write lüften into their rental contracts.

Related: Improving the air quality of your home starting with your AC unit

Physically, lüften is a tried and true remedy for improving respiratory function, energy levels, and mood. We refresh our spaces with plants with much of the same motivation; lüften makes greenification a more immersive experience.

Lüften must invigorate a primal understanding that we are connected to the elements. When, for whatever modern reasons, we are stuck inside, we can swiftly invite in the great outdoors. Easy, breezy, beautiful.

See also: Eco-friendly upgrades every homeowner can make

I’ve never been a big fan of air conditioning, much preferring air that hasn’t been tampered with. It has always been a no-brainer for me to let fresh air flow inside during warmer weather, but now I happily crack the windows during the colder months too, actively recalling my old friend and the wisdom of his ancestors.

I brought lüften back with me from Germany, an unseen souvenir — often the best kind of memento.

The post Let the lüften in — and be healthier for it appeared first on Green Prophet.

Building back home and dignity can work with local, sustainable materials

Somalia faces one of the world’s most persistent displacement crises, with millions uprooted by conflict, drought, and climate-driven instability. As emergency camps grow into semi-permanent settlements, the need for long-term, affordable, and culturally grounded housing becomes urgent. A new proposal, Shelters of the Future, offers precisely that: a mud-brick modular framework rooted in Somali building traditions yet designed for resilience, dignity, and community.

Developed by designer Rabie Al Ashi in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with Kengo Kuma & Associates, Shelters of the Future won first prize in an international competition led by Somalia’s Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing (MoPWRH), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Young Architects Competition (YAC). It stands out for its elegant simplicity: a shelter system that relies on local materials, local skills, and local cultural logic.

With so much goodwill going into designing new refugee shelters from the western world –– see our 2014 article on refugee shelters from IKEA and designers in Jordan, we are still seeing Gazans and Somalis living under tarps.

Read our article: Refugee shelters we hate to love

Still, we celebrate ideas and appreciate this design because it works with vernacular materials and takes into account the local.

At the heart of the design is a flexible 4×4-meter module, a human-scaled unit pairing two enclosed rooms with a semi-open central space and a private garden. This small footprint is deceptively powerful: it gives each household privacy, a safe outdoor space, and the ability to arrange interior life according to Somali social norms. The module becomes a building block—units can be combined into courtyards, linear clusters, or circular compounds that echo traditional Somali settlement patterns. Compare this to the shelters Somalis have built in Yemen, below.

Materiality grounds the system firmly in place. Structures are built from mud bricks, acacia logs, palm leaves, and earth-based plasters—materials that are renewable, inexpensive, and readily available. Mud bricks in particular offer thermal mass, keeping interiors cooler during the day and warmer at night, an essential feature in Somalia’s hot, arid climate.

Construction is intentionally low-tech: shelters can be built by residents themselves, strengthening local craftsmanship and reducing reliance on imported humanitarian products that often fail in desert climates.

The design also incorporates passive cooling strategies—cross-ventilation, shaded openings, and breathable walls—to make life more comfortable without the need for electricity. Gender-sensitive layouts support safety and cultural expectations. Small gardens, livestock spaces, and shaded communal zones help rebuild livelihoods and social cohesion.

We’ve spent weeks in Sinai in the simple hushas there made from palm fronds and bamboo. They can be remarkably comfortable even at night when the cold winds blow.

Rather than treating displacement as a temporary emergency, this project is reframed as a human condition requiring stability, community, and dignity. By combining vernacular wisdom with adaptable modular planning, the project offers a model for refugee housing that is scalable, low-carbon, and deeply respectful of local identity.

For Somalia’s displaced families, a mud-brick home may be the most modern solution of all.

::IOM

The post Emergency housing and refugee shelters made from mud appeared first on Green Prophet.

Dogs have ways to communicate their stresses, but cats don’t. Still, you can interpret signs of anxiety or fear in your cat if you know what to look for.

The first red flag is changes in the cat’s behavior. If your usually laid-back cat has begun to avoid you, hides under the bed much of the time, acts surprisingly aggressive or tries to run away, something or possibly someone in the house is bothering it.

Another clear signal of distress for a house cat is when it pees or poos outside the litter box. Refusing food, or eating all the time, are signs of what we would call depression in a human; and so it is for cats.

A cat’s body language also gives away signs of stress. If you notice that your pet is freezing in place, panting, shaking, or sitting in a tense position a lot, it’s afraid of something, or anticipating trouble.

Observe if it often tries to make itself smaller by sitting motionless with its head low, the tail tucked under its body; or on the contrary, trying to look bigger by arching its back with all its fur standing on end. Defiant growling and yowling usually goes with that. It may be an attempt to intimidate some other cat in territory it considers its own.

Watch its face. If your cat’s eyes are wide open with dilated pupils, it’s in defense mode. It will stare ahead hard, or sometimes blink rapidly and look away instead. It flattens its ears to the head and pulls its whiskers back. It might hiss if you approach. You feel the menace in its posture and face. That’s because the cat feels menaced itself.

Passive signs of anxiety may include constantly licking its nose, rubbing its face on surfaces a lot, and constant licking of its hind legs to the point where the fur sheds off. An insecure cat may start following its human around all the time or on the contrary, become withdrawn.

Sometimes a cat’s stress relates to past events. This is common with rescue cats. A  black cat I adopted used to physically flinch at every little noise, a throwback to early trauma as a kitten abandoned in the street. It took many months of TLC and respect for his need to be left alone to gain his trust. But while he eventually enjoyed being talked to and petted, he forever remained nervous and on the watch, never sitting on my lap for more than a minute. I think it made him feel trapped, but then I’ll never know for sure. Here’s a post about how black cats are being protected in Spain until Halloween.

Chronic stress impacts a cat’s health in the long run. Feline idiopathic cystitis, where there’s inflammation of the bladder, is often ascribed to chronic stress. The bladder inflammation can become so severe as to cause a blockage of the urinary tract, a painful emergency condition. If you see your cat straining to urinate, peeing very little each time, choosing a cool surface to pee on, like a tile floor rather than the litter box, and/or meowing while urinating, take him or her to the veterinarian right away.

What might be stressing your cat? And how can you help it?

If your cat is sick and/or elderly, it will probably be living with some pain and stress. Here consistent veterinarian’s care is essential. Would you consider treating your pet with medical marijuana?

Different factors in the environment may lead to a cat’s stress, but most often it goes back to other cats. If one cat doesn’t get along with another in the house, being obliged to share can lead to fierce competition for the food and water, litter box, toys, and beds – even if each cat has its own. The solution is to separate the cats’ properties as far as possible, and have patience. With time, they may become friends. On the other hand, they may agree to live in peace only as long as their stuff stays separate, so keep observing them.

Neighborhood cats can bully a house cat. This is difficult to manage. The easiest thing is to let the cat decide when it’s safe to go outdoors: it will catch the scent of a neighborhood tough close by and stay indoors if it feels a threat in the air.

Sometimes cat stress comes from feeling trapped. A cat will let you know if you’re petting or holding it against its will. It will wriggle out of your arms or jump off your lap. If you insist on picking it up when it wants to be left alone, it may scratch or bite. Respect its feline independence.

Boredom and frustration cause stress. Cats need to scratch, and if denied a scratch pole or pad, or access to a tree, it will scratch the furniture. Some cats need lots of stimulation and roaming outdoors, or love wild gymnastics in the house. Almost every cat likes to climb and hang out in high places. Ever watched a cat watching you from the top of the fridge? If your cat must be kept indoors, arrange your home so there’s at least one place where your cat can leap from one height to another, and to a third or fourth if it’s possible.

Don’t panic if you find your pet delicately stepping along the thin ledge outside a high window. Rather than startling it with a shriek, just let it come back inside in its own good time.

Some cats are content with a safe life in a home with cozy hiding places and just a window to the world. Many need both: plenty of activity (usually at night) and a hidey-hole or two. And cats’ needs change. A pregnant cat slows down, and naturally, so does an older cat. There’s only one way to get to know your cat’s needs, and that’s by observing them.

Cats are conservative creatures. Change stresses them. A new food can upset a cat. Big upsets like moving house, the sudden absence of a beloved human, or a new person in the house (like a baby) may cause your pet to become withdrawn, or more vocal than ever. Obviously you can’t control every factor in a cat’s environment but consider that in many respects, care of a cat resembles care of another human. It’s happiest when feeling safe.

The post Cat stress symptoms – look for these signs appeared first on Green Prophet.

Battery-equipped induction stoves just took a major step toward the mainstream. Copper—maker of a 120-volt, plug-in induction range with an internal battery—raised $28 million to expand production and enter new markets. As American consumers race to replace their polluting indoor gas stoves and ovens with solutions that work, Copper is a step in the right direction.

The financing was led by climate-focused investor Prelude Ventures with participation from Building Ventures and existing backers Voyager, Collaborative Fund, Climactic, Designer Fund, Necessary Ventures, Leap Forward Ventures, and Climate Capital.

The round comprises equity and venture debt. Prelude Ventures led the Series A; the company also confirmed venture debt in the capital stack. “Copper has built a category-defining company… we were particularly impressed with the team’s relentless execution and the strength of their patent portfolio covering batteries in appliances,” said Mark Cupta, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures.

Copper CEO and co-founder Sam Calisch added, “This new capital will enable Copper to scale into additional products, helping millions upgrade their homes, ditch gas, and support the clean grid.”

Americans have been wary of gas appliances since news came out that cookstoves leaking methane gas may be causing health problems like cancer in the US.

Why is Copper a game-changer?

Most induction ranges require a 240-V circuit and an electrical panel upgrade—an expensive non-starter in older buildings. Copper’s range plugs into a standard 120-V outlet; its built-in battery supplies bursts of extra power when needed for searing or boiling. That design slashes installation cost and complexity for landlords and homeowners, accelerates gas-to-electric switching, and opens the door to using millions of small, distributed batteries as flexible grid resources.

The model is already landing fleet-scale deals. New York City’s Housing Authority (NYCHA) selected Copper for a $32 million program to install 10,000 stoves in public-housing apartments—part of a push to reduce indoor air pollution and electrify kitchens without rewiring buildings.

Beyond cooking, embedded batteries can form a virtual power plant (VPP)—so appliances help the grid ride through peaks and avoid gas peaker plants. Copper piloted a California VPP in 2024; broader analyses show VPPs can deliver substantial capacity and consumer savings if programs are funded and scaled.

The science and public-health case for switching from gas

Induction eliminates combustion indoors. Multiple studies from top universities find that gas and propane stoves raise indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) to unhealthy levels, contribute to childhood asthma, leak climate-warming methane, and can emit benzene during use. Key findings come from Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability and collaborators (NO₂ exposures, methane leakage), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (health burden estimates), and peer-reviewed studies on benzene emissions.

For renters and homeowners, a plug-in induction range removes the need for an electrician and panel upgrade, delivering fast, precise heat and cooler kitchens. Early reviews have praised performance; press reports put retail pricing around $5,999 for Copper’s least-expensive model, with potential incentives available depending on location and policy. $6 grand for a stove is a luxury item that we believe will limit buy-ins, but which will accelerate copy-cat appliance makers, especially from China, to fill the void for lower income earners who want to get rid of gas appliances.

Copper’s financing signals investor appetite for electrification that solves retrofit pain points and unlocks grid value. Expect copycats and adjacent products (battery-equipped heat-pump appliances, water heating, and laundry) to follow.

The company says it will expand its platform into additional products—with patents covering batteries in appliances providing defensive moats.

Related reading on Green Prophet

• Solar batteries 101: what homeowners need to know
• Distributed energy and the Texas grid
• Virtual power plants in Europe’s energy reset
• DIY solar: what to know before you install
• 8 ways to make your home more sustainable
• Heating systems 101 (gas, electric, heat pumps)
• Ventilation and indoor air quality at home
• How air filters cut indoor pollution
• Cookware safety: what to watch
• Cooking in clay: traditional, low-tox alternatives

The post Replacing gas with Copper’s battery-equipped $6000 induction stove appeared first on Green Prophet.

If your energy bills have been creeping up—or skyrocketing—you’re not alone. Many homeowners feel the weight of high power costs, but the root cause often goes undiagnosed. There are several common culprits that could negatively impact your energy bill, from aging HVAC systems to outdated insulation and inefficient appliances.

Understanding what’s behind your home’s high energy use is the first step toward making smarter and more cost-effective choices. And if you’re thinking solar could be part of the answer, you’re on the right track. Define Solar in NJ explains what to look out for to help you uncover real savings.

Hidden Energy Wasters in Your Home

1. Old HVAC Systems

Your heating and cooling system is likely the biggest energy draw in your home. If your HVAC unit is more than 10–15 years old, it may be working overtime just to maintain a consistent temperature. Older units lose efficiency, and even with regular maintenance, they can’t keep up with today’s energy standards. A poorly performing HVAC system can account for 40-50% of a home’s total energy use.

2. Poor Insulation

Insufficient attic or wall insulation can cause temperature fluctuations, forcing your HVAC system to work harder. Air leaks around doors, windows, or ductwork are also a common (and fixable) source of energy waste. If your home feels drafty in the winter or too hot in the summer, insulation may be to blame.

3. Outdated Appliances

Appliances that are more than a decade old can consume significantly more power than newer ENERGY STAR-rated models. Refrigerators, water heaters, washers, and dryers are often responsible for quietly draining energy, especially if they’re used regularly or operate inefficiently.

4. Phantom Load

Even when turned off, electronics like TVs, computers, and gaming systems can draw small amounts of power—known as “phantom load.” It may not seem like much, but across dozens of devices, it adds up.

Pinpoint the Problem

If you’ve noticed your energy bills climbing, it might be time for a home energy assessment. A professional can evaluate your HVAC system, appliances, insulation, and other factors to determine what’s using the most energy.

From there, you can consider whether you want to make any significant improvements or consider alternative solutions. Solar can work in tandem with any upgrades made or help close the gap of inefficiencies to ultimately reduce household energy costs.

Solar Power: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

Switching to solar power is both an environmentally friendly decision and a smart financial move as well. You can dramatically reduce or even eliminate your monthly utility bills by generating your own electricity. When paired with energy efficiency upgrades, the benefits of solar become even better. Rather than spending money on ever-rising energy costs, you can invest in your home’s long-term value.

Take the Next Step Toward Efficiency

If you’re serious about cutting energy costs, it’s essential to examine your home’s energy profile holistically. Start with an energy assessment or consultation from a reputable solar energy services provider. Once that is completed and any current inefficiencies are identified, you can consider how solar power fits into the broader solution.

About Define Solar

Define Solar, serving NJ and PA, specializes in professional solar installations with an unmatched commitment to communication, quality, and detail. With years of experience and a track record of helping numerous families, the company delivers reliable, world-class service. Every project is tailored to meet individual client needs, ensuring exceptional results.

The post Define Solar Based in NJ Explains Why Your Home Might Be Using More Energy Than It Should (And What to Do About It) appeared first on Green Prophet.

A silent chemical assault is underway. A new nationwide study has revealed that children in the United States — especially toddlers aged two to four — are regularly exposed to dozens of industrial chemicals during their most vulnerable developmental years. Many of these chemicals are not even on the radar of public health monitoring systems.

The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, tested urine samples from 201 young children as part of the NIH-supported Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. Researchers screened for 111 chemicals commonly found in household items, plastics, food packaging, cosmetics, and furniture.

Related: why glass is emitting more microplastics than plastic bottles

What they found is deeply unsettling: 96 chemicals were detected in at least five children. 48 were found in more than half. 34 were found in over 90% of the children — including 9 not tracked in national health databases like NHANES.

“These are not rare or accidental exposures,” said Deborah H. Bennett, the study’s lead author and professor of public health at UC Davis. “This is a daily, invisible flood of chemicals entering the bodies of children at a stage when their brains and immune systems are still forming.”

The Toxic Alphabet of Modern Childhood

Phthalates and phthalate alternatives – Found in toys, food wrap, vinyl flooring, and shampoo

Parabens – Used in creams, cosmetics, and even medications

Bisphenols (BPA, BPS) – Found in plastic containers, canned food linings, and receipts

Benzophenones – Common in sunscreens and cosmetics

Pesticide residues, flame retardants, and combustion byproducts – Lurking in food, furniture, and air

Children are especially vulnerable. Their smaller bodies mean higher exposures per kilogram, and behaviors like crawling, mouthing toys, and touching floors mean they are constantly in contact with contaminated surfaces. In some cases, the children’s chemical loads were higher than their mothers’ levels during pregnancy, pointing to postnatal environmental sources — the home, the daycare, the playground.

Related: the problems of Dollar Store plastic

The data also revealed disturbing patterns: Chemical exposures were highest among younger toddlers and racial/ethnic minorities, reflecting systemic environmental injustice. While some older chemicals like triclosan and certain phthalates are decreasing (likely due to public pressure and reformulations), new unregulated substitutes like DINCH and emerging pesticides are on the rise.

Swapping out banned chemicals for understudied alternatives is what scientists call “regrettable substitution.” It’s regulation on a delay — and children are paying the price.

What Can Parents Do to Reduce the Toxic Burden?

While we can’t control every exposure, there are concrete steps caregivers can take:

Avoid plastics labeled #3, #6, and #7, which may contain bisphenols and phthalates

Buy “paraben-free” and “fragrance-free” personal care products. Buy or make your own food wraps from fabric scraps and beeswax. Package lunches and food in steel, not plastic containers.

Ventilate homes, dust with a damp cloth, and consider buying air cleaners with HEPA filters

Wash hands before meals, especially after outdoor play or contact with plastic items

Limit pesticide exposure — wash produce well and consider organic options when possible

A Call for Chemical Accountability

Ultimately, this is not just a parenting issue. It’s a policy failure. Most of the 40,000+ chemicals used in consumer products in the U.S. are poorly regulated, with minimal long-term health data.

As Green Prophet has reported before, environmental chemicals are linked to declining fertility, disrupted hormones, obesity, and neurodevelopmental disorders — all of which are now rising in childhood populations.

“This study should sound the alarm,” said Jiwon Oh, postdoctoral scholar and co-author of the study. “We urgently need better biomonitoring, stronger chemical safety laws, and corporate transparency. Our children shouldn’t be the test subjects for industrial shortcuts.”

This is a pivotal moment. Conscious parents and policymakers alike have the opportunity — and the obligation — to push for a healthier future. Because these chemicals aren’t just in the air or water — they’re in our children. And that makes this not just a science story, but a moral one.

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