Comments topsymax13 has made

  • Ouch.  As a social scientist (oh, yes, I am a scientist, regardless of the EPA's or Grist's narrow definition), I am disappointed in the characterization of an economist as a non-scientist.  His scientific expertise is clearly not climate change science, but economists follow the scientific method when conducting research, just like biologists and hydrologists.  Poorly conducted science can happen in any field, from chemistry to anthropology, as can scientists expressing opinions on topics they know little about.  As a side note, it continually surprises and frustrates me to watch social science be ignored regarding climate change, even though climate change is caused by human culture and behavior.

    On Scant evidence for charge that EPA 'suppressed' dissent [Updated] posted 5 months, 1 week ago 8 Responses

  • Find a gift card amnesty program

    One of our local bookstores takes any and all gift cards, no matter where they came from.  Ask around at your local businesses to see if any of them have the same policy.On Umbra on gift cards posted 10 months, 2 weeks ago 10 Responses

  • Burt's Bees best for dry climates

    I noticed none of your testers live in the Rocky Mountain West or in the Southwest, areas which are quite a bit drier than the rest of the country.  Some lip balms may feel waxy or heavy, but they are a godsend when the relative humidity bottoms out.  I have to say, I've tried several of the products on your list and the only one I've found which actually stays put and doesn't require reapplication every 5 minutes is Burt's Bees original.On A review of natural and organic lip balms posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago 17 Responses

  • Fresh greens

    Another great way to keep greens fresh and non-slimy is to use a salad spinner (typically easy to find used at your local thrift store).  Greens will stay fresh for at least 10 days in one of these, even after being washed.  If you can't find a spinner, place a colander full of greens inside a bowl and cover. On Umbra on storing produce posted 1 year, 4 months ago 15 Responses

  • n:vision bulbs

    I have to say that I have been seriously disappointed with the n:vision bulbs I've bought.  Three of them blew out within a few weeks (out of the dozen or so I bought).  I do live in an 80-year-old house with some admittedly sketchy electrical wiring, but I find a 25% failure rate to be far too high.On A review of compact fluorescent bulbs posted 1 year, 11 months ago 28 Responses

  • Chalk rocks!

    My mom gives out non-toxic sidewalk chalk, which the kids love.  You can even make your own out of eggshells and flour, if you want.  Bottles of bubbles also are a big hit, but I'm not sure they're particularly enviro friendly.On Umbra on Halloween posted 2 years, 1 month ago 15 Responses

  • What's so bad about beer?

    The fact that the New Belgium brewery produces beer should in no way detract from its sustainable business practices.  I believe that the majority of the "deleterious social side effects" of alcohol occur because of the way alcohol use is simultaneously demonized and glorified in American society.  I live in Fort Collins, the home of New Belgium, and jobs at the brewery are highly sought after, primarily because they treat their owner-employees very well and are focused on being an environmentally friendly company.  On 15 Green Business Founders posted 2 years, 2 months ago 33 Responses