Comments Janis Mara has made

  • A sip of water on a hot day

    Yes, yes, I am so totally on the same page about the seemingly relentless onslaught of negative conservation news, and I appreciate your sharing this upbeat story. Keep 'em coming!On An ecotourism success story posted 2 years, 8 months ago 6 Responses

  • You breakin' my heart!


    Well first of all, soy sauce is my friend, big time! I realize it may be unrealistic to try to sell you on it, but actually, it's not as salty as salt, if you know what I mean. Less concentrated, that is.

    Here is a thought: consider the humble potato. In fact, don't just consider it. Cut it into three pieces and then put thin slices of garlic against the skin, wrap up in aluminum foil and bake.

    When it's done, glop some sour cream and a splash of soy sauce on top. Ohhhhhhh it's so good! Cheap and easy, too!On Seriously, isn't it just gross? posted 2 years, 8 months ago 44 Responses

  • XEBRA: Ornamental, not too useful


    Hey there, <acampbell>! I agree that it's a dream not to have to buy gas and just plug that cute little car in overnight. But as I understand it, the car goes only about 25 miles before it has to be charged up. What about the person who has a longer commute to work than you apparently have? Don't get me wrong, I support the idea of such cars, but as the original poster mentioned, there are a number of problems here that need to be addressed before the vehicles will be practical for most people.On Electric motocycles may be bridge to electric cars posted 2 years, 9 months ago 18 Responses

  • I'm a vegetarian, but interested....


    I think it's fascinating that the folks at Field & Stream seem to be on board with this, and I agree that they have a vast constituency who would be far more likely to listen to F&S than some wild-eyed tree-hugging vegetarian like myself. (Well, not so wild-eyed, but you get the idea.) Glad to hear it!On Conservative conservationists posted 2 years, 9 months ago 1 Response

  • Thanks, David, you're right....

    ...I should have read the article linked to the post.On Money: not everything posted 2 years, 9 months ago 5 Responses

  • Hold greens to the same standard - but...


    I think it's cool that you brought this up, because green people should be held to the same standard as, er, non-green people. But it does seem significant that what Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was saying is consistent with beliefs we already know he holds - as it says in the story you referenced, "the [Virginia Tech] crowd ... probably had an idea about what he thought of the Bush administration before he took the podium."

    It's my understanding that the scientists were offered $10,000 to criticize certain parts of the IPCC report. So the payment would have been in return for expressing a specific opinion. I believe Kennedy was just paid to speak.On Money: not everything posted 2 years, 9 months ago 5 Responses

  • What's wrong with kudzu?


    Wow, Adam, I had no idea about the toxic effects of cashews, or the fact that cassava, which I know millions of people have lived on for centuries, must be boiled to remove toxic substances. Anyway, I think this plant sounds tres cool - I actually was going to suggest uberpest kudzu as a possible biofuel, since people feel that biofuels threaten the food supply. Jatropha sounds far more viable.On No, it's not a disease posted 2 years, 9 months ago 18 Responses

  • How green is my 'puter


    The little green computer that could - I love it! I'm interested to know: you explained that the server when "always on" runs at 45 watts and on 1 watt when idle, and that this uses way less energy than a toaster, no less. How much energy does it save compared to other servers?On British-built server up for big award posted 2 years, 9 months ago 6 Responses

  • Push for industry standards


    That's a good thing, and I'm glad to hear about it. I think the "organic" analogy is quite apt - I'm in California and the state finally arrived at very strictly worded definitions, I believe.

    The first poster mentioned that the major criticisms focus on the lack of reliable monitoring and the dubious benefits of tree planting. I apologize if this comment has already been made seven thousand times, but to me the whole thing seems like papal indulgences and highly dubious. It just all seems so abstract and impossible that you could pay some money and wipe your sins away.On The debate that has all the kids talking! posted 2 years, 9 months ago 18 Responses

  • Hybrid's a hype!


    Well, that's really overstating it, but I am struck by the wisdom of many who commented on this post. Example:

    "Late model Hondas and Toyotas are cheap, reliable, and fuel-efficient. Throw some snow tires on there and you'll be good in all but the worst of weather."

    Others made similar comments, I noticed. My feeling is - it is so typically American to spend a huge amount of money on a brand-new hybrid to supposedly help solve the problem of emissions and wasted energy, when you could buy a used Honda or Toyota that gets great mileage and conserve fuel that way. Buying used means all the energy that's expended in creating a new car is saved, too. On On eco-friendly transport for the not-so-rich posted 2 years, 9 months ago 23 Responses