 Stories About: advice AND Ask Umbra
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Wake Up, Little Sushi
On sustainable sushi |
Umbra Fisk |
29 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My wife and I love sushi, but we're increasingly concerned about sustainable harvesting. Although we treat ourselves to sushi only once or twice a month, it adds up, and we can't help but wonder about the impact. There's no sensation in the world like letting a slab of sashimi salmon dissolve in your mouth, but can my wife and I continue to enjoy sushi without feeling guilty? What can people like us -- environmental ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, fishing, food and agriculture, oceans, toxics (all these topics) |
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Minding the Gap
On weather-stripping |
Umbra Fisk |
27 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, With rising heating costs on the horizon, we're looking to install a storm door, seal gaps, etc., around the house to prevent air leaks and increase efficiency before old man winter arrives. What are some good resources (how-to's, sustainable product suppliers, etc.) for the job? Scott Roswell, Ga. Dearest Scott, Hi-dee-ho, dee-ho, to the hardware store we go. To choose vinyl or metal, adhesive or nails, That will pro ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, green products (all these topics) |
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Eat Free or Die
On eating locally in winter |
Umbra Fisk |
20 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I live in New Hampshire, and I am getting ready for the long, cold winter. I try to eat locally, but with no year-round growing season here and such a dense population, most of the food comes from elsewhere. I was wondering what I could do to reduce my impact during the winter and how I can eat as locally as possible. Do you have any ideas? Diana Durham, N.H. Dearest Diana, Mmm, just in time for Thanksgiving. The ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture (all these topics) |
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Pest Control
On environmental busybodies |
Umbra Fisk |
15 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, A friend recently said I should "walk the talk" by replacing my synthetic clothes (purchased before I saw the environmental light, as it were) with new things made entirely of organically grown fibers. I thought about this, and it seems wasteful to get rid of clothes that still fit and look nice, just to buy new clothes that I don't really need. What to do? Arvella Georgetown, Texas Dearest Arvella, Where d ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, fashion, green living (all these topics) |
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A Mug's Life
On travel mugs |
Umbra Fisk |
13 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am putting together a fundraiser for the Environmental Law Association at the George Washington University Law School, whereby I intend to sell coffee mugs. If you saw all the paper cups that get thrown away at my school you would be in tears (at least two trips to Starbucks a day: double cups and a hand cozy ... scary). My question is, should I get plastic (I know you hate plastic), metal (almost all metal coffee mugs have some ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products (all these topics) |
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Chilly Screens of Winter
On inefficient windows |
Umbra Fisk |
08 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am lucky enough to have a home I really love and food to feed my family and my pets. However, the home has one major energy flaw: it is older and has huge, single-pane window/walls with aluminum frames, in two adjoining rooms. We currently are not able to replace them, and they lose heat rapidly. With this winter being a bit colder, is there anything that you can suggest we do, other than the window upgrades ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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A View to a Sill
On window manufacturers |
Umbra Fisk |
06 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We are looking into replacing some of our windows. Any thoughts on which companies are more environmentally friendly, not just in the energy-efficiency of their windows, but in the manufacturing process (Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, recycling materials, etc.)? Lyell Slade Concord, Mass. Dearest Lyell, Let's warm up on this topic: Windows in residential buildings are responsible for about 2 percent of th ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, green products (all these topics) |
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Waxing Philosophical
On dripless candles |
Umbra Fisk |
01 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My family is a big fan of dripless candles. They're beautiful and don't provide piles of wax that tempt fingers into creating little messes. Can you tell us how these candles work and if they are environmentally "safe"? Anna Ruth New York, N.Y. Dearest Anna, For me, playing with melted wax was a cherished childhood tradition -- right up there with daring to slice through the flame with my finger. But like s ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, toxics (all these topics) |
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Boo-ty Call
On Halloween |
Umbra Fisk |
30 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, What do you recommend handing out to the trick-or-treaters this Halloween? I would like to avoid the wasteful packaging and additives found in store-bought goodies. I'd bake my own treats, but I doubt parents would let their kids eat anything that's not individually sealed. How can I have an environmentally friendly Halloween? Robin Walla Walla, Wash. Dearest Robin, We are on the cusp of a most intriguing holiday, so I'm happy to ta ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, holiday (all these topics) |
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You Down With PVC?
On PVC substitutes |
Umbra Fisk |
25 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I know to avoid PVC, but it's difficult to know all the places it lurks. Is all vinyl PVC, or are there PVC-free vinyls? What options are there for waterproof but PVC-free materials (I have children who wet the bed and spill, and I would like to protect my mattresses and wood table)? I have tried asking merchants whether certain products contain PVC, but they are clueless. Why can't PVC be clearly marked? And are there a ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, toxics (all these topics) |
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The Roach Approach
On battling cockroaches |
Umbra Fisk |
23 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Help! I'm having a mysterious cockroach problem. I found four in my apartment in two weeks, and not in the expected places: one in a stack of papers (I know, I should pay my bills faster), one near my vitamin bottles, one nowhere near water in my bathroom, and, the worst one, crawling along the arm of my couch (while I was sitting on the couch). I don't like to spray them with chemicals, but these things freak me ou ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, wildlife (all these topics) |
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She'll Tumble For Ya
On dryer sheets |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, You mentioned toxic dryer sheets in your recent column on clothing, but without a reference to how they are toxic, etc. Lisa Milligan Fayetteville, Ark. Dearest Lisa, I appreciate the brevity and directness of your query. I'll strive to meet the same standards herein. Fresh air beats faux fragrance any day. Photo: iStockphoto As I mentioned parenthetically in my previous column, the contents of mainstream dryer sheets ca ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, toxics (all these topics) |
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The Sweet Lowdown
On chocolate |
Umbra Fisk |
16 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Although I buy most of my chocolate as fair trade or organic, I was wondering if you might enlighten me on the politics and economics of the chocolate (cocoa) industry. Where is most of it grown? What are the working conditions of those who are employed there? How effective is fair trade in getting to the growers? Just another ethical choco guy Whistler, B.C. Dearest JAECG, What with Halloween coming up, this is a frightfully ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, green living (all these topics) |
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Clothes Encounters
On synthetic fabrics and kids |
Umbra Fisk |
11 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I have just recently learned about all these plastic-awareness issues and now wonder about polyester clothing, or any human-made fabric for that matter, on my children (three girls: 3, 5, and 7 years old). If plastics can leach out into their bodies, can clothing also affect them? Julie Roberts Nevada City, Calif. Dearest Julie, The clothing we wear can affect all of us, as well as our environment. But should ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, fashion, green living, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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Which Craft?
On kayak materials |
Umbra Fisk |
04 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I'm planning on kayaking the Inside Passage next summer and am having a hard time deciding what kind of boat to get. Are there any environmental reasons to choose a kayak material? Mostly I'm torn between plastic, which is cheaper and more durable, vs. fiberglass, which is lighter and faster, or Kevlar, which is even more expensive and lighter. I've decided against wood because I don't think it is durable enough. What about a ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, sports (all these topics) |
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Consumption Unction, What's Your Function?
On reducing consumption |
Umbra Fisk |
02 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, If recycling requires energy to turn one's discarded waste into usable products, and "climate solutions take precedence over garbage-production concerns," as you wrote in June, why are we so focused on recycling and not on reducing our initial consumption? Surely this should be at the forefront of the individual consumer's attempts to help the environment, shouldn't it? Consumed wit ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, recycling, waste (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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An Affinity That Chafes Our Ends
On recycled toilet paper |
Umbra Fisk |
25 Sep 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, The few brands of recycled-content toilet paper available are nasty. Why is it so difficult to manufacture TP that's not from virgin trees but doesn't feel like bark on one's sensitive skin? What exactly is the technological barrier the nation's scientists must overcome in order to make a roll that's sensitive, both against our skin and environmentally? Jennifer Stanley Oakland, Calif. Dearest Jennif ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products (all these topics) |
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As Phosphate Would Have It
On phosphates in detergents |
Umbra Fisk |
20 Sep 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Why haven't phosphates been removed from dishwashing detergents like they have been from laundry detergents? I know they make your clothing look brighter, but what do they do for dishes? Natalie Waddell-Rutter North East, Pa. Dearest Natalie, Phosphates in dish detergent do a few nice things for dishwasher-washed dishes. Their biggest contribution is that they essentially soften the effects of "ha ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, toxics (all these topics) |
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Follow Her LED
On LEDs |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Sep 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Where are the LED replacement bulbs for normal household incandescents? They're supposed to be more efficient, cheaper, cooler, longer-lasting, and less toxic, right? So why aren't there any LED bulbs similar to CFLs? I've been looking around but haven't been able to find any yet besides flashlights, holiday lights, and the like. Still in the dark, Tim Eureka, Calif. Dearest Tim, As you suspected, LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Shaky Reasoning
On oil drilling and seismic activity |
Umbra Fisk |
13 Sep 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, How is drilling for oil affecting the stabilization of our planet? I wonder how much all the drilling is disturbing the earth's crust. Could this be part of the problem causing tsunamis, earthquakes, and tidal waves? Susan Milliner Cedar Park, Texas Dearest Susan, Oil and gas drilling can do all kinds of nasty things to the earth -- including contaminating groundwater, leaving giant waste pits behind (no ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, oil and gas drilling (all these topics) |
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Juvenile Call
On motivating teenagers |
Umbra Fisk |
11 Sep 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I'm an officer for my high school's chapter of the National Honor Society, and we stress academic importance and help our community by doing service projects. I'm trying to get a service project going in support of the environment. Greenhouse-gas emissions and alternative fuels are some things I tried to bring up at our officer meetings to motivate my friends to help out, but they don't seem too interested. What I want t ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, education, green living (all these topics) |
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Putt on a Happy Face
On greener golfing |
Umbra Fisk |
06 Sep 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am getting an early start on my Christmas shopping this year, and always try to find sustainable gifts whenever possible. My father is an avid golfer. I have been pleased to see that the golf community's efforts to be more ecologically sensitive have been making news lately. I would like to treat my dad to a round on an eco-friendly course, but have had trouble finding a list of such courses online. Also, I saw that ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, sports (all these topics) |
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Teach Your Children Well
On toxic schools |
Umbra Fisk |
30 Aug 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My four-year-old daughter is attending a brand-new preschool program in a brand-new building this fall. Nothing was missed in setting up the school for the best possible education for young minds. Unfortunately, it's filled with all those toxic "new" smells. When we toured the building, I developed a headache within five minutes. Are there any known mitigators for those already-installed toxic smells, like ... |
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| Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, education, toxics (all these topics) |
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Fight Fire With Mire
On fire-fighting chemicals |
Umbra Fisk |
28 Aug 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Nearly every day, I can hear slurry bombers (planes that dump bright pink goo at the edges of fires) zooming overhead. I think the bright pink goo is a flame retardant, which seems to recently have gotten a bad reputation as a carcinogen. Not only that, but folks who have dogs here claim their dogs get hot spots from playing in the rivers below where the goo is dropped. What's going on? What is this stuff? Coul ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, toxics, US Forest Service (all these topics) |
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