Grist | Topics | 324 Results

RESULTS		Results 176 – 200 of 324
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Headline	Author	Published	Section
Sill and Grace On windows	Umbra Fisk	12 Sep 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I just bought an old house and need to replace some of the windows. Are there alternatives to vinyl windows that will still cut down on heat loss? Noah Winer Philadelphia, Pa. Dearest Noah, I hope I've caught you before you've placed your window order, because you are at a moment of opportunity. Window replacement will make a huge difference in your house's energy efficiency. You could be losing up to a third of your heat through t ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green building, green living (all these topics)

The Ol' Razzle-Nozzle On garden hoses	Umbra Fisk	29 Aug 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I'm diligently avoiding PVC plastics, but cannot find a good quality non-PVC garden hose. We have particularly high water pressure, so we need a hose that can withstand the pressure. I only need to water the veggie garden a couple of times a week in summer, but it's not quite feasible to do it with a watering can. To further complicate matters for you, we live in New Zealand, though we are willing to try importing a non- ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, gardening, green living, New Zealand (all these topics)

Change for a Ten On taking the next step	Umbra Fisk	24 Aug 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I've noticed that often you tell people "don't sweat the small stuff" and suggest they focus on the major issues (transportation, housing, etc.). What about those of us who already do that, and want to do even more? I can almost guarantee you we are the ones sending you questions about widgets and all the other seemingly minuscule choices one faces. So what, then, would you recommend for us hard-core, been-t ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, grassroots activism, green living (all these topics)

Paper or Drastic On personal actions that make a real difference	Umbra Fisk	22 Aug 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, What are some everyday things I could do to protect the environment? Like choosing plastic or paper, that kind of thing. Dominick Spokane, Wash. Dearest Dominick, Your good question has a surprising answer, and it's one I'm happy to repeat as often as necessary: None of the important things has to do with paper or plastic, or any of the daily choices most of us spend lots of time pondering. W ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, innovation (all these topics)

Harmin' Hammer? On baking soda	Umbra Fisk	10 Aug 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I liked your column about homemade cleaning products. I have a question, though: What's up with baking soda? It's frequently bandied about as an eco-friendly cleaner, but I have no idea what it is, where it comes from, or how it's made. Amanda Charlottesville, Va. Dearest Amanda, Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a naturally occurring crystalline compound. I can be unusually precise about where it comes from: Green River, Wyo ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green cleaning, green living, mining, Wyoming (all these topics)

IBM Me Up, Scotty On computer recycling	Umbra Fisk	08 Aug 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, Do you have any suggestions for locating a computer-recycling service in the Piedmont area of North Carolina? Janet Fortune Dearest Janet, Frankly, I couldn't even have located the Piedmont area of North Carolina before you wrote. With today's technology, however, such ignorance is no barrier to giving advice. The rest of you, listen up, because Janet's question will be your question some day. Electronic waste is a big ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, e-waste, green living, North Carolina, recycling, toxics (all these topics)

Des Cartes On utility carts	Umbra Fisk	01 Aug 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I live less than a half-mile from a supermarket, and prefer to do my errands by foot. Any thoughts on where I could buy a top-of-the-line utility cart? I'm willing to pay a premium for something lightweight, smooth-rolling, stable, foldable, and durable (or if not durable, then easy to recycle when it breaks!). Something stylish would be a bonus: it might just convince my neighbors to follow suit. Liz Alexandria, Va. Dearest Liz, ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, New York (all these topics)

LeSabre Rattling On car disposal	Umbra Fisk	27 Jul 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, My wife and I are making plans to purchase our first hybrid vehicle and need to properly dispose of our current car -- a 1989 Buick LeSabre. My question is, what is the best way to get rid of it? It is old and has a lot of miles on it. I suppose the dealer may take it off our hands for a very small trade-in amount -- at which point, they will probably just send it to the scrap yard. What are the odds of it getting properly re ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, green living, placemaking, recycling (all these topics)

Just Maui'd On green weddings	Umbra Fisk	25 Jul 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, We are having a wedding in Kauai in September and are expecting about 40 guests. I would like to make it as "carbon-neutral" as possible. We've already instituted some greening aspects -- recycled invitations, recycling at the reception, etc. -- but would like to take it a step further. Obviously, air travel is the most significant contributor. Are there any organizations offering carbon offsets for weddings? I researc ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, carbon offsets, green living, Hawaii (all these topics)

Your Ask Is Grass On lawn mowers	Umbra Fisk	13 Jul 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, OK, I hate lawns. But for a number of reasons, I have to move into a town where lawns are the law, and mowing a necessity. Can you give me the scoop on the most eco-friendly lawnmower that will still cut decently? (No, I can't have goats.) My old reel lawnmower never did a decent job, and I doubt I could talk the rest of the family into it. That leaves, as far as I know: electric (corded and cordless), solar, and (gasp) gas. ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics)

Get a Load of This On washing machines	Umbra Fisk	11 Jul 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I have a top-loading washing machine that's nine years old. I've heard that front-loading machines are a lot more efficient and use less detergent, so I'm thinking about taking the plunge, even though my old machine works fine. How much less water do the front-loading machines use, and why? And is it true that they use less detergent? (I just switched to an environmentally friendly detergent, but boy, is it expensive -- ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics)

Hirsute Yourself On shaving, part two	Umbra Fisk	22 Jun 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I just read your response about men's shaving, but what about women? I don't see many women shaving with straight razors, plus we have the depilatory cream and waxing options too. What's our best option, especially for those of us who just hate dealing with it, but must? Catherine Appleton, Wis. Dearest Catherine, Although I pledged to avoid the widget this year, I am failing -- for the widget's size belies its magnetic ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics)

The Fashion of the Grist On eco-conscious fashion	Umbra Fisk	20 Jun 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I need some new clothes! But besides shopping consignment and used clothing shops and hunting through labels looking for "Made in USA" tags, are there online sources of organic- or sustainable-fabric clothes that are guaranteed sweatshop-free? I would not mind investing in some decent duds that look nice and last. Lorna Vogt Salt Lake City, Utah Dearest Lorna, Yes! I'm going to mention a few, and I ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, fashion, green living (all these topics)

What, a Way to Make a Living? On finding the right green job	Umbra Fisk	13 Jun 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I am in the midst of getting my master's in environmental science and policy. I am so sick of reading and researching -- I just want to get out and do something. My thesis is on composting (of industrial and municipal wastes), but my true love is water. While I have a pretty good background in everything from chemistry to physics, I see myself as the "master of none." Essentially, what I ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics)

String Theory On clotheslines	Umbra Fisk	08 Jun 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, We would like to install a clothesline this summer to take advantage of the few months of sun that we get here in Oregon. Any advice on the best kind, and how to keep air-dried clothes from feeling like cardboard? German Whitley Philomath, Ore. Dearest German, Excellent. If your power supplier is, as I suspect, Consumers Power Inc. in Philomath, you are paying about 7 cents per kilowatt-hour; their handy electricity calculator ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, fashion, green living (all these topics)

Stubble Trouble On shaving	Umbra Fisk	06 Jun 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, Every morning when I shave, I stare in the mirror and wonder if my razor is the best choice for the environment. I realize the easy answer is to let the beard grow. Except the problem is, lots of today's environmentalists are quietly waging their struggles in modern offices, where beards do not sit well with the management. And besides the risk of my boss telling me I look unprofessional, a beard is a surefire way to guarantee that ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics)

We Won't Emit Defeat On reducing emissions, one person at a time	Umbra Fisk	01 Jun 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I want to adopt the Kyoto treaty myself and adjust my lifestyle accordingly. No waiting, and to hell with George Bush! If my nation had adopted it, I'd have to be doing it anyway. So what is my per-capita fossil-fuel ration for the next 10 years, how do I measure it, how do I account for indirect consumption, etc.? Please advise. Thanks! Hans Noeldner Oregon, Wis. Dearest Hans, Good for you. T ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, green living, greenhouse-gas emissions (all these topics)

The Drain Brain On unclogging without chemicals	Umbra Fisk	25 May 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, How does one unclog a clogged bathtub drain without pouring toxic chemicals directly into the waste stream? Allie Cat Boiling Springs, Penn. Dearest Allie Cat, I don't believe that's your real name. But yours is a noble question. Let's get motivated by reviewing a Drano material safety data sheet [PDF], where we find that the product has a hazard rating of "high," that "mixing with other cleanin ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green cleaning, green living, toxics (all these topics)

Jug or Not On the perennial packaging dilemma	Umbra Fisk	23 May 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I was recently elected the social chairperson of my subdivision's swim/tennis/social club. Now I'm in charge of party planning for a group of about 150 families. While shopping at Costco, I wondered which is better for the environment: several 128-ounce jugs of apple juice plus many plastic cups, or lots of 6.75-ounce juice boxes that would equal the same juice volume, or the equivalent in 10-ounce plastic bottle ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, green living, local food, organic food, waste (all these topics)

Epistled Off On letter-writing campaigns	Umbra Fisk	16 May 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I just switched to all-natural cleaning products (Seventh Generation, it's great!) and I wanted my switch to have the most impact possible. I was thinking about sending emails to the companies whose cleaning products I had previously used, telling them why I switched, describing the nasty effects of their products, and encouraging them to change their products to be earth-friendly. I also thought I would send this ema ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, business, grassroots activism, green living, green products, toxics (all these topics)

Gray Water's Anatomy On channeling gray water to the garden	Umbra Fisk	04 May 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, As part of my water-conservation strategy, I'd like to reuse the rinse water from my laundry machine to water the native plants, many of them edible, in my yard. I've heard concerns about the soap (biodegradable) damaging the plants. There are also potentially some regulatory hurdles involved. Can you shed some light on this? Thanks, Wendy Gray All the Way Seattle, Wash. Dearest Gray All the Way, ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, gardening, green living (all these topics)

Fisk Tested, Mother Approved On conserving water	Umbra Fisk	31 Mar 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, Twenty years ago, I lived off the grid and learned how to conserve water. That lesson stayed with me, and it's agonizing for me to witness the cavalier, wasteful treatment of precious freshwater. My elderly mother moved in with me two years ago, and all is lovely and fine, except that she wastes more water with basic household activities than any single individual I've ever seen. Do you have any suggestions on ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, waste (all these topics)

Got Money? On spending wisely to help the environment	Umbra Fisk	10 Mar 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I read your column on how best to spend six hours of time a week on environmental issues, but how about the best way to spend limited financial resources on environmental issues? Obviously, giving a gift to Grist would help, but what can I do with my limited pocketbook to make the most difference on a daily basis? Chris Kent, Wash. Dearest Chris, Save up your money and use it to replace an inefficient bu ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics)

Mold School On bathroom mold	Umbra Fisk	28 Feb 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, Do you have any tips on dealing with the nasty black mold that appears in bathrooms without dousing it in highly toxic chemicals? Kirsten Dearest Kirsten, I read that hydrogen peroxide would work, so I tried it for you in the Grist Test Bathroom. The recommendation was to dilute the solution in a spray bottle, spritz the mold, then return a few hours later to wipe it away. It didn't work. But my control mold is deeply embedded wi ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green cleaning, green living, toxics (all these topics)

E-Crush Into Me On Umbra's romantic availability	Umbra Fisk	14 Feb 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I love all your research and cool little notes on Grist. Lots of learning! You must really love your job. I know this sounds weird, but I wish I could see a picture of you. I am intuitive by nature, and I respect what you are doing. I wish you all the best. Keep it up! Peace, Christopher P.S. Are you single? Dearest Christopher and the many, many others who have written similar notes, Thank you very, very muc ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics)

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