Clean energy is energy that produces very little or zero carbon emissions. Renewable energy is clean energy that comes from sources that replenish naturally; examples include solar and wind power. Clean energy sources that are considered “clean” but not “renewable” include nuclear energy and hydropower.

Bioremediation uses tiny organisms like microbes and bacteria to clean toxins and pollutants out of water and soil. It works by encouraging helpful microorganisms to use contaminants as their food source. If the right microorganisms aren’t already present, it may also involve introducing good microbes or bacteria into the environment. When human activity has left an area contaminated and unusable, bioremediation is a natural solution that restores the area and makes it usable again.

Environmental toxins can be found nearly anywhere, like farmland, ocean, air, drinking water, food and even inside the home. They are present in various consumer products such as soap, plastic tubing, paint and packaging. Common toxins in the home include pesticides, mold, lead, mercury, BPA, parabens and phthalates. Environmental toxins can collect in the body; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have measured more than 400 environmental chemicals or their metabolites in human samples. These toxins can affect the hormonal, respiratory, immune and digestive systems.

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters long. They can originate from personal care products that use microbeads, from wearing off of other materials like synthetic fibers in a washing machine, or from larger pieces of plastic that break down into smaller pieces over time. Sadly, microplastics are found across our planet’s ecosystems, from mountaintops to sea floors. In 2020, ASU researchers published a study in which they found microplastics in human organs; although this material can collect in the body, its effect on health is still unknown.