Allyson Chiu
Washington Post
United States
Contact Allyson
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Allyson:
Are Tom’s of Maine and Colgate toothpaste tubes really recyclable?
“There’s a big difference between can you theoretically recycle it in a laboratory versus does it get recycled in real life,” one expert said. → Read More
Shade, fog and probiotics: The creative ways scientists are trying to protect corals
Technical strategies to protect corals from bleaching have limitations and are only one part of the overall solution to saving imperiled reefs, experts say. → Read More
Could whacking some trees cut fire risk and help Maui in other ways?
While arborists warn about excessive felling of trees, Hawaii is thick with non-native species that could be thinned to restore the land. → Read More
The ‘no mow’ movement could transform our lawns
“No mow” initiatives are becoming a popular springtime effort to help support bees, butterflies and other pollinators. → Read More
New tech could one day scrub ‘forever chemicals’ from your tap water
While there are already developed technologies to remove PFAS from water, experts say these existing approaches have several major limitations. → Read More
Some E-bike batteries can explode. Here’s how to stay safe.
Batteries from reputable manufacturers that have undergone testing and certifications are widely considered safe. But problems may start to arise when batteries are damaged, modified or shoddily made. → Read More
How California is using recent floods to prepare for future drought
California water regulators have approved a plan to divert floodwaters to replenish critical groundwater stores, a process called “managed aquifer recharge." → Read More
Worried about having a gas stove? Here’s how to limit risks.
Using other kitchen appliances, improving ventilation and experimenting with induction could help curb your exposure to pollutants. → Read More
‘Vegan,’ ‘sustainable’: How to spot misleading fashion claims
Virtuous proclamations and campaigns from clothing brands can often amount to greenwashing, or in some cases, “clearwashing,” where the information doesn’t tell consumers much. → Read More
Single-use coffee pods have surprising environmental benefits over other brewing methods
A new study of coffee consumption found that using pods can be more environmentally friendly than brewing traditional filter coffee. → Read More
How to bust idlers, bike lane blockers and water wasters
You can do your part to enforce environmental laws that target idling vehicles, illegal dumping, water waste and more. Here's what you need to know. → Read More
What really happens to your clothes after you donate them
How much of your donated clothing finds a new home or helps someone in need? Far less than you probably might think, experts say. → Read More
You’re not going to stop shopping for new clothes. Here’s what to do instead.
For an Earth-friendly closet, how you shop — finding ways to reduce unnecessary purchases of new items, thinking about how you might wear what you buy and looking for clothes that will last — matters. → Read More
Why you should almost always wash your clothes on cold
Laundry can be the most significant thing that you do when it comes to reducing your clothes' environmental impact, experts say. → Read More
Are real or artificial Christmas trees better for the environment?
Should you buy a real Christmas tree or an artificial one? Some experts say a real tree is a more sustainable choice for the environment. → Read More
Does the film around detergent pods really biodegrade? A debate is raging.
Popular laundry and dishwashing pods are often encased in a film made of polyvinyl alcohol, also known as PVA or PVOH, which critics say is "a synthetic petroleum-based plastic." → Read More
EPA to further slash emissions from climate super-pollutants
The proposal comes about a month after the Senate voted to ratify a global treaty that calls for gradually reducing the use and production of the chemicals. → Read More
How you can make more socially conscious Halloween candy choices
Chocolate, a fixture of Halloween, can have serious environmental, climate and social impacts. → Read More
Why many homes and buildings in this Florida city still stand, even after Ian
Punta Gorda rebuilt under stricter state codes after Hurricane Charley devastated the community in 2004. → Read More
He’s worked to boost U.S. climate resilience. Amid Ian, here’s how he thinks we’re doing.
For the past two years, White House climate official David Hayes's work has focused on helping the country cope with climate impacts and become more resilient. → Read More