Barbara Moran
WBUR
United States
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Past articles by Barbara:
Private well owners stuck with costs to treat 'forever chemicals'
There are no state or federal regulations regarding private wells and the chemicals known as PFAS. This gap creates inequities for the 600,000 Massachusetts residents who get drinking water from private wells in mostly rural communities. → Read More
Gingerbread houses brace for climate change at Boston architecture exhibition
The Boston Society for Architecture's annual gingerbread competition has an unusual theme this year: climate ready Boston. → Read More
Thousands of Cape Cod homeowners may need to replace septic systems under new state regulations
Proposed amendments to the state's Title 5 regulations that govern septic systems could require tens of thousands of residents living in areas nitrogen pollution in the water replace or upgrade their septic systems. → Read More
Mass. has too much food waste. Increasingly, it's being used to make electricity
Massachusetts throws away almost a million tons of food each year. Farm-based anaerobic digesters are an alternative to landfills and incinerators, and they're trending up across the country. → Read More
North Atlantic right whale population continues to shrink, according to latest report
There are now about 340 critically endangered North Atlantic right whales left, down from 348 in 2020. → Read More
How a little mussel could save a Merrimack River salt marsh
The salt marsh at Joppa Flats in Newburyport is eroding. A MassAudubon pilot project is testing whether ribbed mussels could help stabilize the marsh as part of a living shoreline. → Read More
It wasn't just you. This August was the hottest on record in Mass.
The average temperature was 74.1°F in Massachusetts, more than 6 degrees higher than the average August temperature over the 20th century. → Read More
To clean up rivers, EPA will require private property owners to manage stormwater runoff
Private properties within the Charles, Mystic and Neponset River watersheds with one or more acres of roads, roofs or parking lots will have to obtain EPA permits to mitigate stormwater pollution. → Read More
Cooked: How can I throw away less food?
In Day 5 of WBUR's Cooked newsletter, we share our tips on how to reduce your food waste. → Read More
Cooked: What makes seafood sustainable?
In Day 4 of WBUR's Cooked newsletter, we take a deep dive into buying sustainable seafood and understanding whether the fish you're eating is good for the planet. → Read More
Cooked: Does eating local really reduce your impact on climate change?
In Day 3 of WBUR's Cooked newsletter, we look at why buying local food matters, and not for the reasons you might think. → Read More
Cooked: Do I have to go vegan to be a sustainable eater?
In Day 2 of WBUR's Cooked newsletter, we explore veganism, starting with the carbon footprints of so-called alt-meats and sharing our tips on gradually introducing vegan foods into your routine. → Read More
Cooked: Is there a place for meat in the search for sustainable eats?
In Day 1 of WBUR's Cooked newsletter, we take a look at the big picture of American meat consumption and emissions, and ways to eat meat more thoughtfully. → Read More
Want to help the planet? Rethink your lawn
Alternatives to the green lawn are growing in popularity in New England, motivated by homeowner's desire to lower their environmental footprint and support pollinators and other wildlife. → Read More
As water gets warmer, shrimp snap louder. Here's why that matters
As climate change warms the ocean, a tiny shrimp that snaps is snapping much louder. Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution say changing soundscape could have far-reaching impacts on underwater navigation and communication for both humans and animals. → Read More
NOAA predicts up to 18 days of high-tide flooding for Boston next year
Boston had fewer-than-predicted days of high-tide flooding last year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). But scientists say flood days will increase as sea levels continue to rise with climate change → Read More
10 ways to eat more sustainably in New England
The simplest thing you can do: Eat less beef. → Read More
This biologist eavesdropped on humpback whales for decades. What he heard helped save the species
Biologist Roger Payne, creator of the iconic album "Songs of the Humpback Whale" explains how the record came to be. → Read More
Thousands rally for abortion rights in Boston Common, show solidarity with other movements nationwide
Spurred by the recently leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court leaning in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade, thousands of protestors gathered at the Boston Common to rally and show support for abortion rights Saturday afternoon. → Read More
'There is a price, and not just a dollar amount': A North Shore beef farmer on meat and climate change
Aaron Knight, former livestock manager at Appleton Farms, talks about cows, climate change, and sustainable farming: "I think the more that we can eat local, then we are doing our part, and then the farmer works harder to be right-sized and take good care of what he is doing on his farm. It all ties together." → Read More