Amber Nolan
Contributing WriterLocation: Key West, FloridaEducation: State University of New York, College at BrockportAmber Nolan is a freelance journalist and screenwriter who is passionate about sustainable living, nature, and outdoor adventure. Since 2015, she's been living on a sailboat in the Florida Keys and knows firsthand the challenges and rewards of going green and transitioning to a simpler lifestyle. Prior to joining the team at Green Matters, she served as the sustainability editor for Recurrent Ventures and as a contributing writer for Treehugger.com. Amber holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
To see more of her work, visit AmberNolan.com.
More From Amber Nolan
A Georgia City Has Spilled Millions of Gallons of Raw Sewage Into 2 Pristine Rivers
For more than a decade, raw sewage spills regularly plague the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers, and minimal efforts have been made to stop it.As Storms Get Bigger and Stronger, This Florida City Could Be a Safe Haven from Hurricanes
Florida's coastal cities have been severely damaged by strong hurricanes, making Ocala an attractive option away from the storms.Scientists Continue to Research Why Sawfish Are "Spinning" Themselves to Death
Climate change has impacted the habitat of the critically endangered sawfish. Now they are dying at rapid rates, sparking emergency recovery plans.Rainscaping: The Trending Way to Beautify Your Yard While Combating Water Pollution
Rainscaping allows you to transform your yard into a thriving, sustainable habitat that conserves water and minimizes contaminated runoff.In the Midst of a Global Climate Crisis We Must Stop and Ask: Who Owns the Earth?
As we debate property ownership, and who's responsible for the climate crisis, our most precious natural resource, the Earth, needs all of our help.Naturally-Occuring Shilajit May Have Unique Health Benefits For Women
Shilajit has been used for centuries Eastern medicine, and new studies indicate it could be beneficial for certain health conditions in women.Get Started in Container Gardening With Low-Maintenance Outdoor Potted Plants
Whether you're a busy apartment dweller without yard space or are new to gardening, these eight outdoor potted plants are extremely low maintenance.Billions of Plastic Hangers Are Produced Each Year. Are They Recyclable?
Each year, the fashion industry uses billions of plastic hangers and the majority go to landfills, because these hangers are difficult to recycle.Simulated and Lab-Grown Diamonds Aren't Always As Sustainable As They Seem
Simulated and lab-grown diamonds have been touted as a better alternative to mined diamonds, but they also have negative environmental impacts.Threatened Ecological Communities: These Habitats at Risk of Extinction in Australia
Australia's threatened ecological community list includes more than 100 biodiverse habitats, but is enough being done to protect them?Glowing Blue Waves in Southern California Stun Beachgoers: Details Here
Bioluminescent waves appeared in Southern California — here's what to know about dinoflagellate and how they make the ocean glow.Talc-Free Setting Powder: 5 Vegan, Cruelty-Free Options for the Perfect Glow
Consumers searching for talc-free setting powders have a number of options, but these vegan, cruelty-free products are our top five choices.Tourism After Natural Disasters: Is It Ethical to Travel to Hawaii in 2024?
With COVID-19 fears and the devastation of the Maui wildfires, travelers question whether it's ethical to visit the Hawaiian Islands in 2024.Vegan Caviar – a Sustainable and Delicious Alternative to a Classic Delicacy
Made from seaweed and other plant-based ingredients, vegan caviar is an excellent, eco-friendly substitute for traditional caviar.LifeWave's Controversies Raise Questions About the Company's Holistic Patches
LifeWave sells holistic patches that stimulate stem cells and healing, but lawsuits and marketing techniques raise questions about legitimacy.Cupro Fabric is Gaining Popularity as Vegan Silk — but Is It a Sustainable Material?
Cupro fabric is made from cotton, and is a vegan alternative to fabrics made from nonrenewable resources — but it also uses toxic chemicals.AI Can Help Fight Climate Change — but There Are Also Major Drawbacks
AI is rapidly advancing, and although this new technology can provide environmental benefits, it also has a large ecological footprint.Macauba and Pongamia Oils Could Be More Sustainable Alternatives to Palm Oil
Sustainable palm oil failed, but macauba and pongamia tree oil may offer viable, high-yield alternatives that can recover degraded land.Sustainable Shopping Ideas: 9 Unique and Useful Eco-Friendly Gifts for Men
Finding unique eco-friendly gifts for men can be challenging, but we've rounded up nine sustainable gifts for the home, outdoors, and more.Planting a Hedgerow Can Enhance the Biodiversity of Your Yard: A Guide
Hedge rows have a number of benefits and can enrich the biodiversity of an area. Planting a hedge row is easy with this beginner's guide.If You're Planning a Shopping Trip in Nashville, Check out These Thrift Stores
If you're traveling to Nashville or call it home, thrifting is sustainable alternative to buying new items. Here are Nashville's best thrift stores.Companion Planting for Pumpkins: 17 Friendly Plants for Your Backyard Garden
Companion planting for pumpkins is an effective type of permaculture growing. These 17 companion plants for pumpkins can help your garden flourish.The Healing Power of Animal Sanctuaries: How These Havens Help Animals (Exclusive)
Before visiting a zoo or aquarium consider spending time at an animal sanctuary instead. This article explains why they're a more ethical option.Show Support for the LGBTQ+ Community With Eco-Conscious Pride Shoes
To celebrate Pride Month, sport some eco-conscious Pride shoes made with sustainable materials. We found stylish footwear from 5 top brands.Stopping Fast Fashion: How Consumers Can Break the Addiction to Cheap Clothes
Fast fashion brands are difficult to avoid, but are detrimental to the environment. This article explores ways to stop fast fashion.Deep Well Injection Technology: Can It Cause Earthquakes?
Deep well injection has been common practice for storing liquid wastes for decades, but there are concerns about serious environmental issues.The Endangered Species Act Has Been Around for Decades — but Wildlife Still Needs Our Help
As the Endangered Species Act celebrates its 50 year anniversary, we look at how people can help with the top 10 ways to protect endangered species.Why This River is Considered One of the Most Contaminated U.S. Waterways
The most polluted rivers in the U.S. are threatened by toxic contaminates from industrial waste, agricultural runoff, forever chemicals, and more.Microplastics Have Become Omnipresent in Our Blood and Bodies
Microplastics are in not only in human blood, but they've also been detected in our lungs, placentas, and more.What Is the Hugelkultur Gardening Method – and Is It Worth It?
The hugelkulture gardening method prevents unnecessary landfill waste by naturally recycling organic matter and yard clippings.The High Stakes of the Farm Bill 2023: Will Climate-Friendly Policies Take Center Stage?
As lawmakers debate the crucial Farm Bill 2023, environmental organizations urge them to shift to climate-friendly farming practices.Are There Giant Catfish Swimming Around the Cooling Ponds of Chernobyl?
A study on the fish of Chernobyl, including the giant Wels catfish, offers another clue in understanding the long-term effects of radiation exposure.From Abandoned to Acclaimed: How Chernobyl's Dogs are Becoming Key Players in Nuclear Research
Discover how the dogs of Chernobyl are revolutionizing our understanding of radiation exposure in this shocking and informative article!Does the Chernobyl Mutant Spider Exist — or Is It Just an Urban Legend?
Is the Chernobyl mutant spider just an urban legend, or is radiation exposure at the Chernobyl nuclear plant causing mutations in insects?How Kotzebue, Alaska Became Known as the Country's "Most Toxic Town"
Kotzebue, Alaska is located 90 miles from the Red Dog Mine, the largest chemical polluter in the United States.Much of New Orleans Could Go Underwater by 2050, Due to Rising Sea Levels
The coastal city of New Orleans has been gradually sinking for years, but rising sea levels threaten to put much of New Orleans underwater.