 Stories About: advice AND Ask Umbra AND placemaking
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Crops and Neighbors
On community-supported agriculture |
Umbra Fisk |
20 Aug 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Umbra, Please illuminate CSAs for us, how they work, and how your readers can join one. Thanks! (And by the way, that photo of a peach in your recent column is an apricot.) Bobbe Santa Fe, N.M. Dearest Bobbe, Alas for stone-fruit misidentification. Hopefully corrected by the time this question hits the screen, but still. A fruit ignorance that community-supported agriculture might solve, if one lived where apricots ... |
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| Topics: advice, agriculture, Ask Umbra, food, placemaking, sustainable ag (all these topics) |
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Tanks for Nothing
On the promise of ethanol |
Umbra Fisk |
06 Dec 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Lately I've been struggling with the idea of ethanol as a green fuel. It seems to be getting a lot of attention in the government and media, and it is being touted as the answer to this country's petroleum woes (see GM's "Live Green, Go Yellow" campaign). But from what I've read, ethanol production has and will likely continue to have a negative energy balance and its carbon dioxide emissions are comparab ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, Big Ag, ethanol, placemaking (all these topics) |
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Engine Block
On owning multiple cars |
Umbra Fisk |
27 Sep 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Your recent column suggested that the questioners sell one of their two cars, but I can't help wondering how much good that does for the environment, especially weighed against the annoyance cost of not having a second car when two people have to be going in opposite directions at the same time. I have a personal interest in this, as we have three cars: mine (a Prius, used for all errands and most weekend driving), his (f ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, electric vehicles, green living, hybrids, placemaking, Prius (all these topics) |
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Put a Plug in It
On electric cars |
Umbra Fisk |
23 Aug 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dearest Umbra, Why are electric cars considered so great? They don't pollute the air where they are driven. But certainly when they are plugged in they use energy from a power plant, which does pollute and also contributes to global warming. Doesn't this just move the pollution from one area to another? Then you have to consider that there are power losses when electric energy travels over transmission lines. Are electric cars more effi ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, placemaking (all these topics) |
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Wash and Learn
On washing your car |
Umbra Fisk |
21 Aug 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, What can I do about washing my car in a more eco-friendly way? Is phosphate-free soap enough, or should I just suck it up and go to the drive-through car wash every time? Katie North Carolina Dearest Katie, You are one of those fastidious people I see busily washing their cars on Saturdays. I always wonder why some people are driven to go to such lengths, while others consider washing their cars somewhere below replacing t ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, green living, placemaking, renewable energy (all these topics) |
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Fight or Flight
On dropping out of society |
Umbra Fisk |
16 Aug 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Although I have always been one to conserve, recycle, etc., it is only in the last year that I have realized the extent of the catastrophe coming upon us in terms of climate change. I am 40-something, live in a city, own an older home with a sizeable mortgage that requires my husband and me to work, two kids, two cars, etc. I've done all the usual stuff: changed the light bulbs, we've each started biking to work whe ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, placemaking (all these topics) |
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Carpools Rush In
On carpooling to a reunion |
Umbra Fisk |
14 Aug 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, You have told us, in no uncertain terms, that traveling by train is better ecologically than traveling by car. Several members of my family plan to carpool to an upcoming family reunion 600 miles away. I have considered trying to talk them into taking the train instead, but face the following problem: It would cost about $130 each, round-trip, and involve inconvenient hours guaranteed to annoy the elder generation. ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, placemaking, public transportation (all these topics) |
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Civic Doubty
On car trade-ins |
Umbra Fisk |
31 Jul 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I'm the not-so-proud owner of an 18-year-old Honda Civic -- great car in that it gets 39 mpg, has a decent amount of zip, and generally runs well. However, it needs some mechanical work, the paint and some of the upholstery are shot, and the AC runs on Freon. I've reached the point of analysis paralysis in deciding whether to fix this car up or trade it in. At what point do you give up the ghost on an older car? And how bad woul ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, placemaking (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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Won't You Be My Neighbor?
On co-housing |
Umbra Fisk |
12 Dec 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, How does one begin to gather a group of people to live in a modern city commune? My dream is to own in common an energy-efficient and sustainable house or apartment building inhabited by 10 or so people who are neighbors but also share the duties of the house (cooking, laundry, gardening), much like an extended family. I think this setup would be far superior to the current situation, where my spouse and I live in a la ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, placemaking (all these topics) |
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To Top It Off
On diesel vs. standard gasoline cars |
Umbra Fisk |
02 Nov 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I've always heard bad things about diesel fuel. However, I know someone who has a diesel VW that gets 50 miles to the gallon. I'm wondering if you could do a cost-benefit analysis for me. I know I can't afford a hybrid anytime soon, and was wondering if it would be better to buy a used diesel car that gets excellent gas mileage or a regular used car that gets in the 30 to 40 mpg range. Anne Nelson, N.H. Dea ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, fuel efficiency, oil, placemaking (all these topics) |
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Wheels of Fortune
On bicycle commuting, again |
Umbra Fisk |
31 Oct 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, So what about bike commuting? Is it safe? Is it good? Is it encouraged? P.K. Borzo St. Paul, Minn. Dearest P.K., Yes, yes, yes. Lungwise, biking is at least as safe as driving, if not more so. It's true, as many readers pointed out after my previous column, that we breathe more heavily when bicycling than driving. But the scientists thought of that. In general, we are not worse off biking in regular old city tra ... |
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| Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, bikes, placemaking (all these topics) |
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Civic's Lesson
On used cars |
Umbra Fisk |
03 Oct 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, With rising -- OK, skyrocketing -- gas prices, I would like to invest in a car that gets good mileage and is reliable. However, I can't afford a new Toyota Prius. Do you have any suggestions for environmentally friendly used cars that those of us on a budget might be able to invest in? Living in Wyoming, I have to travel long distances on a frequent basis, and public transportation is a joke here, so any suggestions would be appre ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, fuel efficiency, placemaking (all these topics) |
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The Wheel Deal
On bicycle commuting |
Umbra Fisk |
28 Sep 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My question regards my daily half-hour (each way) bicycle commute through fairly heavy city traffic. I've been wondering if the benefits (exercise, sunshine, free and fast transport) are outweighed by the negatives (primarily breathing in diesel and other exhaust, but I'd also throw in the risk of almost getting run over, despite the cheap thrills). I am fortunate enough that my alternative would be to take the subway, not ... |
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| Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, bikes, green living, health, placemaking, public transportation (all these topics) |
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Take It to the Limit
On speed limits |
Umbra Fisk |
19 Sep 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I was babbling about the '70s energy crisis, gas rationing, and the nationwide 55 mile-per-hour speed limit at work the other day, and found myself explaining to a group of younger people how you save gas if you drive slower. They had never heard such a thing! Could you refresh my memory about why 55 is the magic number for saving fuel? They need to hear it in scientificese. Ruth Denton, Texas Dearest Ruth, As you well r ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, fuel efficiency, placemaking, recycling (all these topics) |
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Changes of Engine
On biodiesel vs. straight veggie oil |
Umbra Fisk |
17 Aug 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I have the opportunity to convert a 1979 non-turbo Mercedes into a non-diesel. The question I have is: to which should I switch, biodiesel or vegetable oil? I can't seem to find out which one is best, just that these two are better than any petroleum-based fuels, which we already know (thanks for your earlier column on hybrids vs. veggie oil). Also, is it possible to switch from biodiesel to veggie oil, ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, placemaking, renewable energy (all these topics) |
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Su-Su-Pseudo
On true hybrids |
Umbra Fisk |
15 Aug 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I read the New York Times article that reported auto manufacturers are using hybrid technology to boost power rather than improve mileage. It specifically mentioned the Honda Accord, claiming that the mileage difference between the six-cylinder and the hybrid is minimal. What are the facts here? Is there a hybrid that really, actually, no-foolin'-around, gives really good mileage, represents a significant improvement over the reg ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, electric vehicles, fuel efficiency, hybrids, placemaking (all these topics) |
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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 ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, green living, placemaking, recycling (all these topics) |
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Parks and Ride
On whether to visit national parks |
Umbra Fisk |
18 May 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We are considering a driving vacation this summer with the intent of visiting as many of America's wonderful national parks as we can -- both to enjoy them and to add some money to their coffers, which have been depleted in recent years. But as we all know, burning up lots of gasoline is bad for the environment. My question is: would it be a better environmental choice to drive around and support the national ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, national parks, placemaking, public transportation (all these topics) |
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Veggie Tailpipes
On converting your car to straight veggie oil |
Umbra Fisk |
17 Mar 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, A few years ago, I bought a Prius because it was (and still is, unfortunately) the best car that's offered in our messed-up world. I'm now going to buy an old diesel Mercedes and convert it to run on used vegetable oil. I think this might be the best way to go. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks! Jilli Tarzana, Calif. Dearest Jilli, I answered the main part of your question in my last column ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, placemaking (all these topics) |
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SVO Speedwagon
On hybrids vs. veggie-oil cars |
Umbra Fisk |
14 Mar 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I currently drive a 2002 Toyota Prius that gets about 40 to 42 miles per gallon on the highway, which is where most of my driving takes place. However, I've recently become enamored with biodiesel vehicles, and specifically with straight vegetable oil (SVO) vehicles. I'm interested in investing in an SVO system fueled by, hopefully, recycled oil from local restaurants. I've looked into your column archives, and i ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, electric vehicles, hybrids, placemaking, Prius (all these topics) |
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Training Day
On trains vs. cars |
Umbra Fisk |
24 Feb 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My girlfriend recently made a trip by train (about 600 kilometers, I'd guess), and it made me wonder just how much more ecological it is to travel by train instead of by car. What's your take on this? Michael Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Dearest Canadian Michael, The train, it is better. The car, it is the worst. That is my take, and I found a legitimate source that agrees -- namely, my favorite book. Let's all recite together: Th ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, placemaking, public transportation (all these topics) |
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To Share, Perchance to Drive
On renting hybrids and sharing cars |
Umbra Fisk |
22 Feb 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Do you know of any car-rental companies that offer hybrids? I have heard of a bunch in environmentally friendly California, but my quick search in the Boston area has turned up nil. With high gas prices, I think I'm brewing up a new campaign! Jean Dorchester, Mass. Dearest Jean, An environmentally focused rental group, EV Rental Cars, has joined forces with a big-name rental company, Budget, t ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, electric vehicles, hybrids, placemaking, Prius (all these topics) |
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Got Time?
On effective activism |
Umbra Fisk |
07 Feb 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, If an environmentalist has about six hours per week to devote to activism, what should the person do to make the biggest, most positive impact? Some people (like myself) think that climate protection is a key leverage point -- but is it? If yes, why, and what is the best way activists can help protect the climate? (And what's a leverage point anyway?) Ann Graton, Calif. Dearest Ann, Such a good question, and so important that ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, grassroots activism, green living, NRDC, placemaking (all these topics) |
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Another Brick in the Wal-Mart
On Wal-Mart |
Umbra Fisk |
22 Nov 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Why is Wal-Mart evil? This is really a request for more information. I have often heard that the company has a weak environmental track record, treats its employees poorly, and generally is Satan incarnate. However, when challenged on this position, I have no data. My opponents argue that shopping in bulk reduces packaging. I also have to admit that a case of Pellegrino for $10 pulls me closer to the dark side. I am ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, business, globalization, placemaking, Wal-Mart (all these topics) |
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