By Christopher Thompson The oil and gas industry is ramping up petrochemicals — building blocks of plastics —right as the global outcry intensifies over plastic waste. The big picture: Most people associate oil companies’ products mainly with gasoline. But they also generate plastics that are interwoven into all facets of our lives. This durable material […]

By Ryan Johnson Arizona is home to a number of species that are threatened by climate change and human activity. Under legislation proposed by Rep. Raul Grijalva, Arizona fish and butterflies may get additional federal funds for conservation efforts. The Tucson Democrat, who chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources, last month introduced the Extinction […]

By Christopher Thompson Give priority to retirement savings over children’s education or marriage This Father’s Day, keep the expensive gifting ideas aside. Instead, spend time with your dad talking about money, and help him get his finances in order. The first step is to have an open and honest conversation about money. Start by talking […]

By Ryan Johnson Whether they’re clogging our oceans or causing harm to sea creatures, the use and creation of plastics has quickly become a crushing and widespread problem across the planet. Plastics have become an almost unnoticed part of our daily lives, from the food we eat, the transportation we take and the products we […]

By Christopher Thompson What do you give a dad who has it all for Father’s Day? We asked these millionaires and Advisors in The Oracles about the best gifts they’ve given or received. Their unique ideas will inspire you — and maybe even make you rethink gifting altogether. 1. Experiences “My dad died when I […]

By Ryan Johnson Opinion: Alternatives have a significantly higher total impact on the environment, while inflating costs for consumers This week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his government will seek to ban many single-use plastics starting in 2021. Although the final list of banned items is still undetermined, it will likely include plastic bags, takeaway […]

By Christopher Thompson Air and water pollution rightfully get a lot of attention. The danger is serious, and everyone can easily grasp the ramifications of toxins in something that all of us use directly every day. However, the issue of soil contamination carries equal weight, even if its effects aren’t as immediately obvious. Even if […]

By Ryan Johnson Plastic pollution is everywhere, it litters beaches, clogs up oceans, chokes marine life, is ingested by seabirds that then starve to death, and has even been discovered embedded in Arctic ice. It’s in the air we breathe, the water we drink (bottled and tap), and last year plastic was found in human […]

By Christopher Thompson If you’re planning on taking dear ol’ dad out for a special meal this Sunday for Father’s Day, here’s how you can save some money. Several area metro restaurants are offering free or discounted meals just for dads special day. Area Andiamo locations are offering free entrees. If you take dad to the movies […]

By Christopher Thompson While banning single-use plastics may seem like a “strong environmental move,” contrary to popular belief, the alternatives are seemingly worse. One of the alternatives is biodegradable plastic. It delivers convenience and returns the waste to the earth after use, but the concept isn’t as utopian as it seems. Biodegradable plastics put the […]