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| Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
The Price Is Wrong
On the cost of organics |
Umbra Fisk |
22 May 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, How come it's so expensive to go organic? I could swing it by myself by eating a bare minimum of food, but I'm charged with feeding consume-mass-quantity types who favor the traditional American diet, and they eat meat. I would be in debt buying just half the monthly food consumption. One would have to be rich to go organic. MonikkaMarie Jackson Queen Village, N.Y. Dearest MonikkaMarie, The usual answer to your qu ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, green living, organic food (all these topics) |
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Weed 'Em and Reap
On composting weeds |
Umbra Fisk |
17 May 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I've been weeding the garden and yard, and got to thinking about some of the more invasive plants. I've heard that not everything goes in the compost pile, but what weeds can I toss in? I'm fairly new to the composting game, so any advice is much appreciated. Danielle Walker Monroe, Ore. Dearest Danielle, Composting is the original and highest form of recycling. People frequently write in to ask what can go into their ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, gardening, green living (all these topics) |
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Deck Mate
On building a deck |
Umbra Fisk |
15 May 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, It's spring, my house turns 100 years old this year, and I would like to celebrate by adding a deck. But what type of building materials should I choose? Wood, plastic, or composite? In my market there is no ready supply of FSC-certified wood -- I would have to have it milled and shipped in from across the state. Besides, is that really better when you have to treat it every year? What about the new types of pressure-treated wood ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, toxics (all these topics) |
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You Can Count on You
On global warming and you |
Umbra Fisk |
10 May 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I love the scientific ins and outs, really I do, but what oh what can we do about global warming? And I mean us ordinary folks with a house and mortgage and some percentage point of kids and a few compact fluorescents and maybe even a hybrid in the driveway. We're right there with you, so please don't leave us hanging. Peter Kelley College Park, Md. Dearest Peter, Right. Sorry. I got frowny last month, and for ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, business, climate, energy, energy efficiency, green living, politics (all these topics) |
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In a Nutshell
On organic cashews |
Umbra Fisk |
08 May 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I work in a grocery store. Recently a customer refused to purchase our cashews because they weren't organic. Does it really matter if nuts are organic? Are they sprayed with chemicals during production? Did the customer have a point, or should she have sucked it up and bought our cashews? Brianna Farmington Hills, Mich. Dearest Brianna, I am shocked, shocked to find that the bland, chewy cashew is the most popular nut in th ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, green living (all these topics) |
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And I Weed You Now Tonight
On herbicides and lawns |
Umbra Fisk |
03 May 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My husband just spread some very toxic weed-killer on our lawn, and I told him there must be a safer way to get rid of weeds. Our children and pets were not allowed on the lawn for 24 hours. We have a well and septic system, and I was wondering if that stuff would seep into our water supply. I also worried about the birds and other wildlife that visit our yard. Thanks for any help you can offer. Doreen Yor ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, toxics, wildlife (all these topics) |
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The 'Cide House Rules
On herbicides |
Umbra Fisk |
01 May 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, How do herbicides (organic, if such exist, or non-organic) work? David Burch South Bend, Ind. Dearest David, Herbicides are considered a subcategory of pesticides, for all you confused by my last pesticide comments. Herbicides kill plants with a vast array of ingenious torture and maiming techniques. (Maiming a plant isn't quite like maiming an animal: plants can grow back broken limbs, and it's hard to deny a plant its ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, toxics, wildlife (all these topics) |
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The Vapor Chase
On water vapor and climate change |
Umbra Fisk |
26 Apr 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Coming from a scientific background, I was under the assumption that water vapor was the worst -- or you could say the best -- at causing global warming. Do you believe this to be false, and if not, why is no one talking about it? Erik Nash Dearest Erik, I've decided to use your letter as a continuation of B's from earlier this week. Spouting off on global warming. Photo: iStockphoto. Water vapor is a powerfu ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, climate science (all these topics) |
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This Old Greenhouse
On the greenhouse effect |
Umbra Fisk |
24 Apr 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Man-made greenhouse gases are blamed for recent global-warming trends. But man-made greenhouse gases account for only 5 percent of the greenhouse effect. Water vapor, over which civilization has virtually no control, accounts for some 95 percent of that greenhouse effect. Why has so much attention been focused on man-made gases when they comprise such a relatively small part of the problem? B. Hawley Ottawa, Ont ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, climate science, greenhouse-gas emissions (all these topics) |
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Apocalypse 101
A climate-change compendium |
Umbra Fisk |
19 Apr 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I know you don't make up questions, but in this instance I think it's acceptable. Could you suggest a collection of resources on climate change? I think it might help us all get better educated on this vital topic. Even if they don't spend an hour of their Earth Day sifting through the sites, it'll be good for readers to have for later reference -- you know, Clip-N-Save. (By the way, you've been awfully serious late ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, climate science (all these topics) |
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Pack to the Future
On climate-induced relocation |
Umbra Fisk |
17 Apr 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Given that there is a possibility/probability that sea levels will rise significantly [due to climate change], and that some parts of the world may become too hot while others could become too cold, where in the world will things be relatively "safe"? If I start thinking about moving my family to another country, in which direction should we be looking? Michael Laird Belgium (below sea level!) Dear ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate (all these topics) |
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Breaking the Cycle
On climate-change patterns |
Umbra Fisk |
12 Apr 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| While I am in no doubt about the effect of human activity on climate change, I have a friend who is convinced that even if we weren't destroying the earth, the earth's own weather patterns would be in global-warming stage anyway. How do we know the current climate change isn't just an inevitable part of millennia-long weather patterns? Will changing our behavior mean anything if we are all going to burn to a crisp anyway? Ad ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, climate science (all these topics) |
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Lyin' Tamer
On global warming |
Umbra Fisk |
10 Apr 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, The many articles on global warming conclude with something about the inherent complexity and uncertainty of the issue. So exactly what is the evidence for (and against) arguing that the current warming trend is inside the scope of normal fluctuations? What is the evidence for (and against) arguing that the trend is caused by human activities, and is not just part of a "natural cycle"? Is it true that the U.S. is just ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, climate science (all these topics) |
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Talk This Way
On talking to friends about climate change |
Umbra Fisk |
05 Apr 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I need a good stick-it-to-ya comeback to friends who, while they acknowledge global warming and hear me rattle off all that is bad about it, are liking the direct effects, which right now are sunnier and warmer days. What can I do or say to get them to snap back into reality, especially when some of these folks are addicted to tanning and the sun? Kate Semmens Perkiomenville, Pa. Dearest Kate, What a ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, green living (all these topics) |
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Comic Re-Leaf
On plants and global warming |
Umbra Fisk |
03 Apr 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My simple understanding of global warming is that we are introducing long-buried carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is shifting the balance, leading to a host of undesirable issues. CO2 is consumed by plants, so here's my thought: Could we grow crops that consume a lot of CO2 (I'm thinking bamboo here, which grows really quickly) and then bury them, effectively taking the CO2 they've consumed out of the atmosp ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, carbon sequestration, climate, deforestation (all these topics) |
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Bug Me Not
On organic pesticides |
Umbra Fisk |
29 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Recently, an article in my newspaper stated that federal and state guidelines allow the spraying of "organic pesticides" on organic crops. I thought organic crops were pesticide-free. I am very disappointed to find out that there are sanctioned "organic pesticides" which, with probably little to no independently researched information, may or may not pose a risk to my health. Tell me the paper got it wrong ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, toxics (all these topics) |
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Oceans Delve
On measuring ocean temperatures |
Umbra Fisk |
27 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I've been hearing about rising ocean temperatures more and more. My question is, what are the criteria for measuring the temperature of the ocean? Wouldn't probe location, probe depth, water depth, prevailing current, time of day, and ambient temperature all potentially affect the result? Have the criteria remained constant for the recorded history? Douglas Seattle, Wash. Dearest Douglas, I became riveted with t ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, oceans (all these topics) |
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Rambled Eggs
On free-range chickens and eggs |
Umbra Fisk |
22 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I just read your column on organic syrup, and you made a comment about the futileness of the phrase "free range." I always try to buy free-range eggs and, whenever possible, the same with chicken. Am I wasting my money? Jeff Pritts St. Louis, Mo. Dearest Jeff, Yes, basically. There is a chance that your egg purveyor uses "free range" in the way that you understand it, but the only way to tell ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture (all these topics) |
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Cradle to Cradle
On baby nurseries |
Umbra Fisk |
20 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am pregnant and wondering if you know of any websites or resources for setting up a nursery -- for green furniture, bedding, and mattresses. We're painting the nursery with low-VOC paint and looking for low-VOC carpeting, and we gratefully accept used toys and clothes from friends and family. Janine Olsen Pine Brook, N.J. Dearest Janine, Happy to advise, based on a bit of research I've done for you in particular, but als ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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Politicked Off
On politicians and the environment |
Umbra Fisk |
15 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I got into a long debate with a conservative friend recently about how President Bush has shown that he does not have environmental interests at heart. But I did not have any facts on hand about detrimental policies or budget cuts. On the other hand, my friend was able to go to the EPA website and show me a list of initiatives and results. There must be some reason environmentalists feel that Bush is not Moth ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, politics (all these topics) |
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The Sweets Hereafter
On dorm snacks |
Umbra Fisk |
13 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, As a hall adviser at a college where social activism is valued, I find myself stuck when it comes to entertaining en masse. Sure, I buy from local farms when buying snacks for myself, but when leaving goodies for my hall, putting the ever-enticing winter squash outside a resident's door does not say "midnight snack." Basically, I want to have my candy and eat it too. How can I appeal to the green in me while appe ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, education, food and agriculture, local food, organic food (all these topics) |
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Better Freight Than Never
On alternatives to flying |
Umbra Fisk |
08 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I just read about Brits swearing off flying and feel such a sense of elation that I'm not the only one! Difference is, I'm in the U.S. I can't take the train to Thailand. Any ideas on transoceanic travel? What will it take to get from Boston to Europe by boat? Anna Churchill Watertown, Mass. Dearest Anna, Not much -- just planning ahead, a hardy stomach or a good supply of Dramamine, and a few weeks of ad ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, placemaking (all these topics) |
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Quad Squad
On college Earth Day fests |
Umbra Fisk |
06 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, With Earth Day coming up, our environmental group at Purdue, Campus Greens, is trying to plan some events. Last year we had 15 groups handing out information and we provided free veggie burgers plus other food. This year we were hoping to expand on that success and include some activities like having people manually power a TV, washing machine, or some electronic device. Other than that, we're really struggling for ideas ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, education, Indiana (all these topics) |
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Shall I Compare Thee to an Activist?
On love |
Umbra Fisk |
01 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I long to have a partner join in (or be excited and supportive) when I participate in an environmental event, or write a well-researched and poignant letter about a pressing environmental issue. I have broken off three serious relationships in the past few years because I decided the men were not environmentally sensitive enough. Where does a nice, smart chick like me meet a nice, smart, environmentally sensitive ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics) |
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Give a Little Bit
On wedding registries |
Umbra Fisk |
27 Feb 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am getting married and would like to register for some socially and environmentally responsible household and kitchen items: pots, pans, etc. I found plenty of resources on organic cotton and hemp, but other than that I have come up with nothing! Paige Doughty Cambridge, Mass. Dearest Paige, This is a potential stumper. First we would have to figure out every possible thing that might be wrong with the pots and pan ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products (all these topics) |
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