 Stories About: Ask Umbra
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Assault and Battery
On hybrid myths |
Umbra Fisk |
27 Aug 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Could you help me clear up a rumor about cars? I've heard that although hybrids reduce your carbon footprint because they use less gas, the process for mining the nickel in the hybrid batteries produces far more pollution than the process for regular car batteries. So are we really making a difference by buying hybrids? I personally decided to get a more fuel-efficient car and bought a used Honda Fit, which I love. Did I m ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, fuel efficiency, green living, hybrids, Prius (all these topics) |
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Van Hailin'
On buying big cars |
Umbra Fisk |
25 Aug 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I'm in need of a new car. I'd love to get a Prius, but I often need more passenger seats than the Prius has. What is the most environmentally friendly and responsible choice for a driver who needs a larger car? It seems like the bigger hybrids (i.e., the Toyota Highlander) are expensive and don't get very impressive gas mileage compared to the Prius. Are there any industry plans to make SUVs that get more miles per gallon? What ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, Big Auto, fuel efficiency, green living, hybrids, Prius (all these topics) |
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Dope on a Soap
On Method cleansers |
Umbra Fisk |
20 Aug 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I've noticed lately that Method cleaning products are now being sold in a number of different retail outlets, whereas before they were only sold in Target. This shouldn't seem too weird in our every-store-sells-the-same-thing world, but seeing these products on the shelves in Whole Foods got me wondering more about them. You see, I went looking for some trusty Bon Ami cleaner the other day and found it gone from the shelves ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, consumerism, green cleaning, green products, health, shopping, toxics (all these topics) |
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Podiatribe
On toxins in your body |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Aug 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I saw an infomercial late at night about these foot pads that you wear to sleep and they will "remove toxins from your body." I didn't know who else to ask, so you win that lottery. Do we actually have that many toxins in our body? And does wearing silly pads on our feet really pull them out so we can easily throw these toxins in the trash? I think you should do an experiment and let me know if I'm missing the boat ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, Environmental Working Group, health, mercury, shopping, toxics (all these topics) |
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Seal the Deal
On eco-conversions |
Umbra Fisk |
13 Aug 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, In all sorts of corporate environmental reports, you see claims that compare apples to oranges -- "By reducing our emissions by X pounds this year, we've saved the equivalent of 17 gazillion trees." Or "If every person in the U.S. bought our eco-friendly product, we could save all the baby harp seals." OK, perhaps I exaggerate a little bit. But where do people come up with these eco-unit conversions? I'm ... |
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| Topics: advice, Arctic, Ask Umbra, business, carbon offsets, endangered species, greenhouse-gas emissions, wildlife (all these topics) |
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Last Swill and Testament
On diet soda |
Umbra Fisk |
11 Aug 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My name's Jon and I'm a diet pop addict. My diet right now is 70-80 percent local, organic, or both, but I just can't help myself when it comes to getting my fix. I drink several 20-ouncers a day of diet and just can't seem to stop. Is my habit hurting the earth? Common sense says that water from my stainless steel canteen is a whole lot better than chemicals from a plastic bottle, but my addict brain is grasping at stra ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, ecological footprint, food, health, water conflicts (all these topics) |
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The Ton Also Rises
On calculating CO2 weight |
Umbra Fisk |
06 Aug 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I know CO2 is a gas as other greenhouse gases are, and gases are sometimes lighter than air. So I'm wondering: how can gases be weighed in tons? That's a hell of a lot of gas to weigh even one ton, let alone the millions of tons that are reported to be causing climate change. (No, I'm not Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe in disguise.) James N. Oklahoma City, Okla. Dearest James, Science. It is confusing. Oh, for the Da ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, climate science, green living, greenhouse-gas emissions (all these topics) |
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Route of All Evil
On driving versus flying, again |
Umbra Fisk |
04 Aug 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Your recent answer to the plane/train question prompts me to ask something that has always bothered me but that my little old brain can't figure out on my own. I know that planes are worse than other forms of transportation, but the plane is going to fly whether I'm on it or not. So I always wonder if it's really better for me to drive to Chicago in my car than it would be to grab an empty seat on a plane tha ... |
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| Topics: advice, air travel, Ask Umbra, cars, climate, greenhouse-gas emissions (all these topics) |
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Help Me, Honda
On diesel hybrids |
Umbra Fisk |
30 Jul 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I have been wondering for years now -- with the hot trend toward hybrids and the new "clean" diesels hitting the market, why doesn't anyone talk about a diesel hybrid? Sounds like the best of both worlds to me. Just think: a hybrid running on biodiesel! Is this in the works? Mike H. Saranac Lake, N.Y. Dearest Mike, It does sound like the best of both worlds, if the only two worlds are diesels and hybrids. There ma ... |
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| Topics: Ask Umbra, biodiesel, diesel, green living, hybrid, public transit (all these topics) |
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Three Wheels Good
On adult tricycles |
Umbra Fisk |
28 Jul 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I want to reduce my carbon footprint. I already take a commuter train to work, but the station is down a steep hill from my house, so I drive the first mile or so in the morning and back up the hill at night. The train station has lock-ups for cycles and I'm interested in that -- but I have a disability that affects my whole right side, arm, foot, leg. I'm not able to stay balanced on a conventional two-wheeled bike but h ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, bikes, green living, green products (all these topics) |
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If By Clean You Mean Filthy
On clean coal |
Umbra Fisk |
23 Jul 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I noticed that several of the presidential primary debates were sponsored by clean coal. This was announced during breaks and several commercials aired. I have since seen several more commercials and online advertisements. Is clean coal an oxymoron? Is this a PR stunt or are there any real environmental benefits to clean coal that rival solar and wind? See www.americaspower.org. Andrew S. Brookline, Mass. Dearest An ... |
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| Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, climate, green living, greenwashing, mercury, shenanigans, toxics (all these topics) |
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Rot and Sold
On storing produce |
Umbra Fisk |
21 Jul 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra, Quick question: What is the best way to store vegetables in the refrigerator? I have a small crisper drawer and lots of vegetables from the CSA box. I don't want to use plastic bags but unfortunately they work well. Any suggestions? Thanks! Kati N. Washington, D.C. Dearest Kati, Did you say CSA box? You mean, you subscribed to a Community Supported Agriculture farm and are receiving weekly boxes of delicious, fresh, local vege ... |
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| Topics: advice, agriculture, Ask Umbra, food, green living (all these topics) |
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Tide to be Fit
On sea-level rise |
Umbra Fisk |
16 Jul 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I'm a bit confused about the possible rise in sea level that may be caused by global warming. I know that in general water expands when warmed, and that is one cause of sea level elevation with respect to global warming. The larger cause for alarm seems to be the melting or collapse of the polar ice caps. I recently read an article that warned that Antarctica, which stores 70 percent of the world's fresh water, could lose the ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, climate change impacts, oceans, scientific research (all these topics) |
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Deflater House
On air mattresses |
Umbra Fisk |
14 Jul 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We live in a small house, and when we have guests, the bed situation is limiting. Convenience tells me that an inflatable bed would be ideal. However, the "no vinyl, that's final" rule reigns supreme in our household. What sort of options can you suggest for a sleeping surface that is easy to store, environmentally responsible, and comfy? Sleepily, Angie Huntington Beach, Calif. Dearest Angie, The night I spent on ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, health, shopping, toxics (all these topics) |
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Question of the Century
On driving versus flying |
Umbra Fisk |
09 Jul 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My husband asked me this one the other day and I didn't know the answer, so I thought I'd ask an expert. Which is the more environmentally friendly method of travel: 100 people driving their own cars (let's assume non-hybrid vehicles) to a city three hours away, or 100 people flying in a plane to the same city? Natalie W. North East, Pa. Dearest Natalie, Carpooling is one way to be efficient; here on Floor 2B ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, climate, ecological footprint, green living, greenhouse-gas emissions, travel (all these topics) |
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Be Cool
On fans versus AC |
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07 Jul 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I'm a girl trying to make it in a big, hot, airless city -- New York, that is. We're in the middle of a heat wave that will soon end, but the longer heat wave we call summer will continue, so I wonder: when the interior of my apartment is up to 93 degrees and I have no less than three fans oscillating, am I using more energy than I would if I purchased and used one energy-efficient air conditioner? What's the best choice here? Elizabeth Q. New Y ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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The Saga of Fume
On exerting yourself in traffic |
Umbra Fisk |
02 Jul 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I bus, bike, or walk to work 98 percent of the time. I was wondering, when I'm biking (or walking, for that matter), am I inhaling more pollutants than those around me who are emitting them from their gas-guzzlers? Your answer won't change my habits, since I'm not going to drive to work anytime soon -- I'm just wondering if I'm the one paying the price for my enviro-friendly commuting? Thanks for your help! Sa ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, bikes, cars, green living, health, public transportation (all these topics) |
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A Tip of the Cap
On carbon trading |
Umbra Fisk |
30 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I don't understand carbon credits and how people can buy/sell/trade them. How is this good for our environment? Elizabeth Columbus, Ohio Dearest Elizabeth, I believe you speak of the carbon credit, rather than the carbon offset? The carbon offset is a consumer product that you or I could buy, enabling us to mildly compensate for our greenhouse-gas emissions by supporting renewable-energy projects. You know, "I'm sorry ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, carbon trading, climate (all these topics) |
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Unnecessary Evil
On short-haul flights |
Umbra Fisk |
25 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I work in the touring music business, based in the U.K. but touring worldwide. I have noticed recently that the record companies are booking cheap flights for short distances, e.g., London-Manchester, about 200 miles. Over such short distances, there is no saving in time, due to travel to and from airport, checking in, etc. Trains would be quicker, but unfortunately in the U.K., trains are more expensive. I would like t ... |
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| Topics: advice, air pollution, air travel, Ask Umbra, climate, ecological footprint, green living (all these topics) |
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Belt Experience
On car seat recycling |
Umbra Fisk |
23 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, What do you recommend for child car seat disposal or, better yet, recycling? Near as I can tell, options include giving them away to someone who needs them (a pretty discouraged practice) or sending them to Oregon or Colorado where a couple of renegade recycling programs are working to resolve this huge issue. I am about to become a parent, and we just bought a new car seat (bad, I know). I'd love to know if you have any ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, parenting, recycling (all these topics) |
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Wee, Wee, Wee All the Way Home
On the never-ending diaper ado |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| My Sweet Umbra, The diaper debate continues! I've read Grist's position, and I even saw the same answer posted in your FAQs, which means I'm not supposed to be asking you about it again (all change has been effected by those of us who challenge the system!). The thing is, I disagree vehemently with your assertion that cloth diapers are as evil as disposables, and here's why: We use organic cotton diapers on o ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, parenting (all these topics) |
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Till Stuff Do Us Part
On wedding registries again |
Umbra Fisk |
16 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra, I'm getting married in August, and I've registered on Heifer International, but am looking for other ways to offer gift-givers a way to buy socially conscious and green gifts. Since "green," fair-trade, and organic are all the rage, could you recommend any good online places to find eco-friendly products other than the obvious (Whole Foods, REI, etc.)? I want to be sure I support the right places inst ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, shopping (all these topics) |
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Built for Two
On biking with kids |
Umbra Fisk |
11 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Umbra, Your columns have opened up a whole new world on transport by bike. I don't have a question but am considering purchasing our second Xtracycle for our family. I can carry our toddler and all our groceries, or another adult, or a cooler full of beer on one side and camping gear on the other -- all by bike. Not to say I don't "have to" drive from time to time, but it keeps me out of the car about four to five days a week. ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, bikes, green living, parenting (all these topics) |
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Splash Animation
On kiddie pools |
Umbra Fisk |
09 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Regarding your obsession with vinyl, as pertains to summer parenting: Greenpeace's thorough Vinyl Alternatives list indicates that no good alternatives to vinyl kiddie pools exist. Do you think it is worth it to put a huge effort into manufacturing or finding a vinyl-free backyard wading experience? I can't stop thinking about this, and think it merits faking a question. Yours as always, Umbra Dearest Me, What a great questi ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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Take a Number
On carbon calculators |
Umbra Fisk |
04 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dearest Umbra, I recently heard an interesting interview on NPR, and the speaker was talking about how, to stop global warming, all humans would have to limit their carbon emissions to just one ton of carbon per person, per year. I've never weighed my carbon emissions, but I'm going to guess that I throw a lot more weight around than one ton. What would I have to do to slim my ton to one? I'm approaching my carbon tonnage like a diet ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, climate change mitigation, ecological footprint, green living, greenhouse-gas emissions (all these topics) |
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