Comments river2sea72 has made

  • Umbra can't recommend an adoption program...

    ... but I can.

    The Nature Conservancy Adopt-an-Acre.

    Also check out The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign to reforest the Atlantic Forest, one of the worlds most endangered ecosystems.On Umbra on rainforest-protection gifts posted 1 year ago 6 Responses

  • Diswasher detergent recommendation

    I use Ecover dishwasher detergent.  One word of advice, though is that you have to use a rinse aid to get good results.  I searched around and found a "green" one at Whole Foods but don't have the product in front of me now to tell you which one it is.On A test of six green dish soaps posted 1 year, 5 months ago 18 Responses

  • What about the nonprofit sector?

    I am specifically interested in finding something in the nonprofit sector.  I've been working in academia since earning my M.S. and have found it extremely difficult to find a good match with a nonprofit.  They mostly seem to be hiring development specialists (fund-raisers).On An overview of environmental careers experiencing growth posted 2 years, 7 months ago 10 Responses

  • What about outdoor use?

    The largest household use of water is usually outdoor water use, even in places you would normally think of as being quite "wet", people go crazy with their lawn sprinklers every summer.  The best way to reduce water use at home is - get rid of your lawn and plant drought-resistant, native plants.On Umbra on water conservation posted 2 years, 7 months ago 15 Responses

  • What about cardboard recycling?

    So much cardboard is used in IKEA packaging.  In my city, we do not have curbside cardboard recycling, and IKEA does not take back cardboard.  Are there plans for IKEA to start accepting cardboard at its stores?

    P.S. Kudos to IKEA for recycling CFL bulbs - it is the only place right now that does.On An interview with IKEA sustainability director Thomas Bergmark posted 2 years, 9 months ago 9 Responses

  • Hot Water

    Umbra, I'm usually a fan of your well-informed responses, but your comment that, "in my opinion, microwaved water doesn't hold heat long enough to make decent tea" just doesn't hold water.  The heat capacity of water is unrelated to the method used to heat it; water of a certain temperature doesn't "care" how it got there.

    I challenge you to a blindfold taste test of tea made with water heated in the microwave vs. water heated in an electric kettle.

    The microwave is clearly the most efficient method to heat water for any purpose.  Not to mention that an electric kettle is an appliance that is only good for one purpose (heating water) while a microwave can serve many functions (heating anything) making it superior from the manufacturing and durable goods waste standpoint as well.On Umbra on boiling water for tea posted 2 years, 9 months ago 23 Responses

  • From my brother-in-law

    My brother-in-law has a 2004 Prius and he likes it okay, but says that he doesn't get nearly the reported mileage.  More like 35 in the city and 38 in the highway.  You could do better with a regular 'ol compact car (we used to have a Ford Escort that easily got 40 on the highway and cost a whole lot less than the Prius).On Gristmill to hybrid drivers, calling all hybrid drivers posted 4 years, 8 months ago 13 Responses