Erica Van Buren

For some, juggling everyday life, getting kids to school, deciding what to make for dinner, while trying to go the eco-friendly route can be challenging.
But there are a number of doable tips that can help offset your carbon footprint, experts say.
Seth Wynes, assistant professor at the University of Waterloo, said, “In our everyday lives, we use all sorts of energy and tools which can produce greenhouse gasses that warm the planet.”
Wynes research is focused on climate change mitigation and ...

Tropical Storm Debby rolled into the Augusta area this week, bringing more rain and a flood watch.
Through Thursday evening, Debby could bring up to 10 inches of rain, resulting in isolated flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
Augusta EMA provided a list of storm safety tips for local residents, but said the most important thing is to stay off the roads.
Below is the latest information on Tropical Storm Debby in Augusta and east Georgia. The Augusta Chronicle staff will update...

Symptoms of climate change which include milder winters and early springs are giving mosquitoes and ticks more time to reproduce, spread diseases, and expand their habitats throughout the United States, experts say.
“Mosquitoes, ticks and in some cases fleas are vectors of disease,” said Benjamin Beard, principal deputy director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention division of vector borne diseases.
Between 2004 and 2018, the number of reported illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea...

In an effort to highlight the importance of having access to clean water, August is designated as National Water Quality Month.
Having access to safe water is vital to the health and well-being of most species, experts say.
“In Augusta we're at mile marker 200 of approximately a 400-mile long river,” said Tonya Bonitatibus, executive director of the Savannah Riverkeeper. “In each one of the towns located along the river and creeks, there is somebody who is drinking the water out of the river....

For some, juggling everyday life, making sure the kids finish their homework, preparing dinner, while trying to introduce a more eco-friendly way of living can be challenging.
But there are a number of ways to make it fun and keep the kids engaged, experts say.
“Plastic is really starting to take over our oceans and landfills,” said Donita Legoas, 4-H and youth agent with the Richmond County Extension Office. “The goal is to come up with ways to cut down on as much plastic use as possible.”
T...

Augusta Chronicle
Editor's note: The story has been updated to note the correct name of the Richmond County School System's director of transportation.
In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, Richmond County was awarded nearly $9.9 million in federal funding to purchase 25 low-emission buses.
“The initial application (was) completed in 2022,” said William Kurts, senior director of transportation for Richmond County School System. “The Environmental Protection Agency gave the initial ap...

An ongoing federally-funded project is dedicated to creating a native seed network for habitat restoration following natural disasters in Georgia.
“This is fairly new to the southeast,” said Zach Wood, grasslands coordinator, State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia. “The goal of the seed network is to collect seeds from the wild and store them. At some point down the road if we need them, we can access them.”
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Ge...

Aiken residents are speaking out against a proposal for the construction of a Class 2 landfill located in the small community of Burnettown, east of North Augusta in Aiken County.
“We want to leave a legacy of land and life in the wake of the legacy pollution that has plagued Horse Creek Valley for decades,” said Courtney Crafton, a representative from Friends of Horse Creek Valley. “Friends of Horse Creek Valley is looking to assure the environmental safety, health and well being of everybod...

Ongoing research dedicated to identifying and accessing renewable energy sources has experts looking at how biofuels fit into a more sustainable future.
Distinguished Research Professor and University of Georgia Athletic Association Professor at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center Debra Mohnen has been doing research for more than 35 years.
“I study plants, our most abundant carbon, renewable resource on the planet,” said Mohnen. "I also study how the cell walls are synthesized and their...

Unpredictable weather events like record-breaking heat waves and heavy rainfall associated with climate change can have a negative impact on mental health, experts say.
“Climate change and mental health intersect in many different ways at different levels,” said Emily Schutzenhofer, a board certified psychiatrist with Climate Psychiatry Alliance. “Any individual may experience psychological distress related to the climate crisis in a form that is unique to them.”
Schutzenhofer said the exampl...

Summer means warmer weather, a plethora of outdoor activities and likely encounters with hosts of creepy crawlies inside and outside your homes.
Identifying insect pests can be tricky. At the top of the list are cockroaches and palmetto bugs.
“In terms of a cockroach and a palmetto bug, a palmetto bug is a cockroach and a cockroach is a palmetto bug,” said Dan Suiter, Orkin professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia, about the confusion some have regarding the insects' names. ...

After setting up shop at the Aiken County Farmers Market for 15 years, Cathy and Ed Kvartek decided it was time to venture out on their own.
“It took us a while to find a property," Cathy Kvartek said. "We wanted a place that made people want to come back.”
Herb n Berries U-Pick Blueberry Farm is located in Aiken at 148 Keeper Lane, with around 1,250 blueberry bushes on site. The farm opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Blueberry pickers can stop b...

Fireflies, often referred to as lightning bugs, for many are synonymous with fond childhood memories of chasing after them with Mason jars in hand. There are more than 2,000 species of this popular beetle in the world and a few dozen species make their home in Georgia.
But if you feel like you haven't seen any fireflies in a while, these are the likely causes.
“Fireflies are up against many threats that are causing them to become absent in some areas.,” said Anna Yellin, wildlife biologist wi...

For some, juggling everyday life, getting kids to school, deciding what to make for dinner, while trying to go the eco-friendly route can be challenging.
But there are a number of doable tips that can help offset your carbon footprint, experts say.
Seth Wynes, assistant professor at the University of Waterloo, said, “In our everyday lives, we use all sorts of energy and tools which can produce greenhouse gasses that warm the planet.”
Wynes research is focused on climate change mitigation and ...

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Augusta with the possibility of flooding in some areas, experts say.
“We're expecting, for the most part, in the Augusta area to be mainly a rain event,” said Chris Liscinsky, forecaster with the National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina. “There will be some gusty winds. Can't rule that out. But the biggest threat is going to be the 6 to 8 inches of rainfall throughout the week.”
Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency...