 Stories About: advice AND Ask Umbra
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Author |
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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 |
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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! Sara Tucson, Ar ... |
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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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New Chapters
A tired pregnant chick 'tests' six green baby books |
Katharine Wroth |
03 Jun 2008 |
The Bottom Line |
| A tired pregnant chick "tests" six green baby books By Katharine Wroth 03 Jun 2008 Which baby book covers the gamut of green issues? Back in the old days, I used to do active product testing for Grist. Things like lotions and paper towels and CFLs -- stuff that really got the heart pounding. But that was before a 30-pound orb attached itself to my front, slowing me down significantly. Yep, you heard it here first: I'm pregnant. Seven and a half months pregnant, as it ha ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, bikes, consumerism, ecological footprint, vegetarianism and veganism (all these topics) |
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Ten-Speed Demon?
On the impacts of biking |
Umbra Fisk |
02 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, A couple of your recent columns have been about this novel idea of biking as the end-all in green transportation, but how green is biking, especially when you go out to buy a new one? If you switch to biking as the main source of transportation, you will be rewarded with the fantastic extra energy only exercise can bring, but won't you need to consume more calories? And if you eat more meat as a result of all the won ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, bikes, consumerism, ecological footprint, vegetarianism and veganism (all these topics) |
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Every Pinch a Lady
On biking in a skirt |
Umbra Fisk |
28 May 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I was really energized by your column on cargo bicycles. I still own a car, but I drive it less and less, mostly to haul stuff and to travel when I want to wear a nice dress. So, a cargo bike solves the hauling problem. The other problem is that my skirt gets caught in the bicycle chain. Many decades ago, bicycles came with chain guards and even skirt guards to keep the flapping hem out of the machinery. I have seen pi ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, bikes, ecological footprint (all these topics) |
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The Drop Heard 'Round the World
On water conservation |
Umbra Fisk |
21 May 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We are doing a NW Earth Institute discussion course on sustainability here at work, and someone asked, "Is it necessary for us to conserve water here in Portland despite seeming abundance and replenishment? If so, why?" My response was not as strong or compelling as I would like. Can you help? Rick Reber Portland, Ore. Dearest Rick, What was your response? It's hard to be more compelling if I d ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, energy at home, green living, water crisis (all these topics) |
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Super Pupa
On tent caterpillars |
Umbra Fisk |
19 May 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, In beautiful Virginia, this is the time of year that the caterpillars start making their "tents" in branches of shrubbery and trees in our yards. Conventional wisdom has been to destroy them, as they will surely eat the leaves inside the tent, causing some damage to the infected tree/shrub. So I have two questions: First, are these "tent worms" (which are really caterpillars) a stage of a butterfly or a mot ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, gardening, green living, wildlife (all these topics) |
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Ounce For Ounce
On buying eco-products in bulk |
Umbra Fisk |
14 May 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Why can't I find environmentally friendly products (laundry soap, shampoo, etc.) in bulk packaging? It seems like there are many companies that make products that are not so hard on the planet, but they are only sold in little tiny containers, which of course increases packaging. I would love to find eco-friendly laundry soap in a five-gallon bucket ... after all, if I think clean clothes are important today, wh ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, consumerism, green living, green products, shopping (all these topics) |
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Flex and Effects
On plastic bottles and BPA |
Umbra Fisk |
12 May 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I've been hearing a lot in the news lately about the dangers of certain kinds of plastic bottles. What's the lowdown? Thirstily, Ginger Littleton, Colo. Dearest Ginger, Always happy to be your source for the lowest lowdown around town. Today's lowdown: Don't use plastic bottles, and avoid canned food. All the latest plastics hullabaloo is over bisphenol A, a component of many plastic products. Serious Gristoholic ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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Do Me a Fava
On soil health |
Umbra Fisk |
07 May 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I asked about fava beans about two weeks ago, and have not had a response back. I have had no luck researching it myself, and would really appreciate a response. I asked at what point in the plant's life did it produce nitro for the soil? For fullest nitro replenishment, should I let the plant seed? Die off? If I pull the plant out, will the nitro stay in the soil? I thank you for your time. KLK Aptos, Calif. Dearest KLK, You'll ... |
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| Topics: advice, agriculture, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics) |
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Soiled Again
On lead and gardens |
Umbra Fisk |
05 May 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, In your reply to the question about pollution and rooftop gardening, you talked a fair amount about lead pollution. Since gasoline is no longer leaded, and since it's container gardening that wouldn't have any lead paint in it, and surely nobody has lead water pipes any more, why is lead even a concern? Teresa Brenham, Tex. Dearest Teresa, Our ecological history hangs around our necks like a lead weight. Still heavy after al ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, gardening, green living, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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Haul's Well That Ends Well
On cargo bikes |
Umbra Fisk |
30 Apr 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra, After reading your article on the amazing Thermos, coffee, and bicycle commuting, I thought I should alert you (if you're not already alerted) to the Xtracycle (or S.U.B.) as a means for everyday, super-utilitarian biking. I replaced my car with one of these about eight months ago, and find that meeting new "can I haul that on my bike?" challenges is great fun -- not to mention the sense of accomplishment and ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, bikes, cars, green living (all these topics) |
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