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| Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
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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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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In Tents
Umbra on eco-friendly tents |
Umbra Fisk |
09 Aug 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra, When I posted this question locally, I started a brouhaha about owning a car. Hopefully you can answer more succinctly -- any suggestions for a tent made out of reasonably friendly materials? Alex Bernardin San Francisco, Calif. Dearest Alex, There's plenty to say about friendly tents, and nary a brouhaha in sight. Since I'm not sure from your question what you want the tent to be friendly to, or exactly what you want to u ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics) |
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Midnight Run
On running and pollutants |
Umbra Fisk |
07 Aug 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am a runner, and in the summertime it is difficult for me to run during the day because of the heat. Unfortunately, it's a no-no for me to run in green spaces late at night because they are dark, deserted, and thus quite unsafe. So this leaves me the option of running in busy areas of the city after the sun has gone down. At these hours, the traffic is usually light, which makes for a more pleasant run -- but I'm wond ... |
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| Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, sports (all these topics) |
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To Sir, with Exasperation
On writing to reps about climate change |
Umbra Fisk |
02 Aug 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I want to send a letter to my local representatives about global warming and how our whole city and state should take part in stopping it, but I don't know what to say or how to approach this. Please help! Hillary Schwartz Birmingham, Ala. Dearest Hillary, Hmm, I can think of a few things to say. But you might get escorted out of Alabama if you put them in a letter. Post haste. Photo: iStock ... |
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| Topics: advice, Alabama, Ask Umbra, climate, politics (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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Freezer Learn
On fridge-freezer efficiency |
Umbra Fisk |
26 Jul 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Are there any environmental advantages to the refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom and the fridge on the top? Annette Indianapolis, Ind. Dearest Annette, There are three fridge/freezer configurations: side by side, bottom freezer, and top freezer. In models with comparable storage volume, the least efficient is the side by side. Top and bottom models, on the other hand, are fairly close in their efficiency ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Counter Measures
On countertops |
Umbra Fisk |
24 Jul 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| With the home remodeling boom, we keep wondering: what is the best countertop choice? We've gone through a couple homes since getting married, and are now considering building our own. Laminate, Formica, butcher block, concrete, granite, plastic, composite, tile ... they all have their own durability merits and drawbacks, but from creation to home health, which is the friendliest? Leonie Mowat and Greg Overley North Las Vegas, Nev. Dear ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, recycling (all these topics) |
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MP3's Company
On CDs and MP3s |
Umbra Fisk |
19 Jul 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, As I was carrying a stack of CDs from the car into my home, my sister laughed and showed me the size of her MP3 player, which contains well over 100 times the music at a fraction of the size. Environmentally, which causes less of an impact? I hear that all these (non-recyclable) portable devices are terrible for the environment, and I've had some of my CDs going on (gasp!) 15 years. Downloading seems like it produces less waste, ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, e-waste, green living, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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Tape of Good Hope
On recycling tapes and videos |
Umbra Fisk |
17 Jul 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, What to do? I'm a child of the late '70s, and one of the last to remember what it was like to exchange a mix tape at age 15. Now I'm hitting my 30s, and realize I still have that Color Me Badd tape. I really want to chuck it, but don't have the heart to put it in the trash. What's a girl to do? Where can I send my shamefully-bad-taste-in-music tapes? Patricia O. North Plainfield, N.J. Dearest Patricia, Hey, s ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, recycling (all these topics) |
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All Up in Your Grill
On recycling foil |
Umbra Fisk |
12 Jul 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Summertime grilling is in full swing at our house, but I am wondering what the ecological cost is of all that aluminum foil we're using in place of our regular pots and pans. Sure makes for great clean up, but it is not recyclable as aluminum cans are. Sandra Liebe Paris, Ill. Dearest Sandra, I hate to be the one to point this out, but it's a little rude to say you're barbecuing all the time and not invite me. I'm use ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, recycling (all these topics) |
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Lights, at the End of the Tunnel
On CFL recycling |
Umbra Fisk |
10 Jul 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, So what happens to compact fluorescent light bulbs in the hands of the "hazardous-waste people"? Is the mercury reclaimed and reused, or merely hidden "away" (wherever that is)? John Gear Lansing, Mich. Dearest John, Great question, because why should we add to the substantial mercury problem we already face? A few disillusioned readers have now sworn off compact fluorescents for this rea ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, mercury, toxics, waste (all these topics) |
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