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RESULTS		Results 276 – 300 of 520
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Headline	Author	Published	Section
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 ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, placemaking (all these topics)

Moving Light Along On LED holiday lights	Umbra Fisk	07 Dec 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, Suppose I replace all my many old, tangled, not-so-efficient holiday lights with the newer LED lights. These are supposed to be better for the environment. What is the best way to dispose of my old lights? R-M Ottawa, Canada Dearest R-M, The LED lights are indeed better for the environment, and, since I'm frankly running out of winter holiday-related questions (see my previous work on Christmas trees, gift wrap, cand ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy efficiency, green living, holiday (all these topics)

Gardener on the Roof On green roofs	Umbra Fisk	05 Dec 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, Our garage is in need of a new roof. We would like to build a "living roof" and are wondering where to start. Our long-term plan is to convert the space into an art studio, complete with insulation, electricity, and finished walls and floor. Do you have any pithy suggestions for us to consider while planning our roof, considering it will cover a finished room eventually? Lesley Victoria, B.C. Dearest Lesley, Not ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green building, green living (all these topics)

Pad Influence On composting feminine products	Umbra Fisk	30 Nov 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, OK, the kitty-litter thing pushed me over the edge. I know you are sick of writing about gross, yucky things, but I had to ask: if kitty litter is compostable, what about biodegradable maxipads and tampons? One of the leading natural feminine-care brands touts their stuff as being biodegradable and compostable. Can this actually be possible? Liz Schlegel Waterbury, Vt. Dearest Liz, I'm not sick of writing about ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, waste (all these topics)

Low With the Flow On low-flow flushing	Umbra Fisk	28 Nov 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I live in an apartment. What can I do to reduce the amount of water that is flushed in the toilet? The landlord will not fix it. Audrey Brookline, Mass. Dearest Audrey, Ooh, more toilet talk. I quote USA Landlord, which supplies landlords and tenants with water-saving devices: "This really is a landlord no-brainer!" And I append, "Especially if he is paying the water bill." But even if your landlord ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics)

You're Only Humanure On composting toilets, again	Umbra Fisk	21 Nov 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I'm attempting to "green" my home, room by room. I've heard of low-flow toilets, but someone just told me about composting toilets. Do they smell bad? Will my grandmother use it or ask for an outhouse? Thanks for your wisdom! Moira Providence, R.I. Dearest Moira, Excellent, manageable room-by-room plan. What in tarnation?! Composting toilets are basically the technology we should have adopted inst ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, solid waste treatment and disposal, waste (all these topics)

Do the Bath On heating with bathwater	Umbra Fisk	16 Nov 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, After a hot bath, I leave the water in the tub so the heat will go into the room. My husband says the heat saved is inconsequential. How would one calculate the BTUs saved this way? J. Reiman Helena, Mont. Dearest J., I do that too. I'm trying to heat the entire office building with my baths, and I've been making my editor bring me my encyclopedias in the tub. Ay, there's the tub. Roughly speaking (and cut me a little s ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics)

Ozoning Out On climate confusion	Umbra Fisk	14 Nov 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, Any chance that the most extreme of the peak-oil folks are correct, and that in spite of our thoughtlessness, we just won't have enough oil to totally destroy the ozone layer? Dan Wasson Pittsburgh, Penn. Dearest Dan, Oil has very little to do with the ozone layer, but it does have to do with global warming. Global warming and ozone depletion are, for our daily purposes, two separate issues. They both involve gaseous, human- ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, climate, climate science, ozone (all these topics)

Buzz Alterin' On coffee	Umbra Fisk	09 Nov 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I am a seriously indulgent coffee drinker. Lately, there have been a ton of "green" coffee shops popping up. I like to support local coffee shops, and I want to believe that they are "shade-grown, fair-trade, organic," but I've wondered if they are being honest. How do I know if they are legit? Claudia Gutierrez San Diego, Calif. Dearest Claudia, Shade-grown, fair-trade, and organic are certifications, not just bu ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, green living, organic food (all these topics)

Hot Hot Heat On waiting for warm water	Umbra Fisk	07 Nov 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, You know how, when you turn on the hot water in an old building, it usually takes a while for it to kick in? Well, my question is, if I turn on the tap full blast, will the hot water come sooner? Is it the amount of water you let run, or the amount of time you leave the tap running? I've talked to my landlord, but in the meantime, can I save water by letting it run slowly? Sincerely, (No) Hot (water) and bothered Deare ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, renewable energy (all these topics)

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 ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, biofuels, cars, fuel efficiency, oil, placemaking (all these topics)

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 ...
Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, bikes, placemaking (all these topics)

Just the FAQs On repetitive quest syndrome	Umbra Fisk	26 Oct 2005	Ask Umbra
Dearest, dearest readers, The environmental movement is made possible by common concerns between all people. Even you unique, special individuals (my dearest readers) share similar concerns about your impact on the natural environment. And I am here to address these concerns. I am here for you. However. As a group, you unique persons sometimes send me some pretty darn repetitive questions, and I can't keep answering them -- ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics)

Trivial Pursuits On the perfect eco-day	Umbra Fisk	24 Oct 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, But the question was paper or plastic. We are asked every time we go shopping. What if we're doing all those things you suggested, and we still want to know if we should use paper or plastic? I think your answer was haughty and irresponsible. Curt Newton, N.J. Dearest Curt, So many annoyed readers wrote to chide me on avoiding the paper-or-plastic question. Sorry. I try to entice us all toward bigger themes, with mixe ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living (all these topics)

The Meal World On getting local foods into college cafeterias	Umbra Fisk	19 Oct 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I am a student at Hartwick College running the Grassroots Environmental Club. The college's major cafeteria is run by a large food company that also serves prisons. In a meeting with the director, I was told they have the power to get any food. When I asked if we can get local, organic food, they responded that it would cost too much and be a hassle. How can I convince them that the quality of the ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, green living (all these topics)

Good Bite, and Good Luck On freezing local foods	Umbra Fisk	17 Oct 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I am lucky enough to live across the street from a farmers' market, and I shop there all summer. But when summer's done, the market closes and I am left to buy produce from California. Would it be better for me to buy a small freezer and freeze farmers' market veggies for winter, or to forgo the freezer and buy from the grocery store? Which is worse: long-distance transportation or the juice used by a freezer? ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, farmers markets, food and agriculture, green living, local food (all these topics)

Soy You Want to Be a Vegetarian? On soy vs. meat	Umbra Fisk	12 Oct 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I finally went vegetarian several months ago, and one of my main reasons was the environmental impact of meat production. The other day, however, a friend pointed out that soy foods take a great deal of energy to produce too. So is there really that big of an environmental difference between TVP [textured vegetable protein] and free-range beef? And how does dairy compare? Should I just try to stick to nuts and ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, green living, local food, vegetarianism and veganism (all these topics)

You've Got Nail On rebuilding the Gulf Coast	Umbra Fisk	10 Oct 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, There seem to be plenty of good organizations accepting dollars to help the people of the Gulf Coast. But as The Nature Conservancy has said, "While current attention is rightfully focused on the immediate human toll and suffering of this tragedy, the ecological damage has yet to be assessed." The rebuilding effort, it seems, ought to occur in an environmentally sustainable way. Where can we direct our d ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, environmental non-government organizations, environmental planning, Louisiana (all these topics)

Over the Chill On preparing for winter	Umbra Fisk	05 Oct 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, With the coming winter, our local news did a story on how to save on heating. The tips included window treatments, lowering the water heater, etc. But those of us in apartments are limited in what we can do. I can feel the cold air seeping through the cracks, and laying towels on the window sills doesn't seem to help. Any advice? Carol Lafayette, Ind. Dearest Carol, Yar. It's going to be doom and gloom this winter acro ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green building, green living (all these topics)

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 ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, cars, fuel efficiency, placemaking (all these topics)

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 ...
Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, bikes, green living, health, placemaking, public transportation (all these topics)

Litter Bugged On kitty litter	Umbra Fisk	26 Sep 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, I recently adopted a cat, and I am having a hard time deciding what to do with the kitty litter. Is there some kind of green litter that is best to use? Anything flushable and sewage-tank friendly? Or, can I compost the litter -- and what should I use to cover it up with? Kate Graves Nashville, Tenn. Dearest Kate, Just as our eco-children can be diaper-free, it appears our cats can be litter-free. Teach your cat to use the toil ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, gardening, green living, waste (all these topics)

Rake's Progress On autumn leaves	Umbra Fisk	21 Sep 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, With fall here, the leaves are changing and falling from the trees. What is the best way to handle them? Burning them makes so much smoke, but putting them in trash bags and sending them to the landfill doesn't seem like a good thing to do either. Please advise. Thanks! Molly Ratkay South Bend, Ind. Dearest Molly, Keep them. Partially decomposed deciduous leaves are an excellent source of micronutrients. In fact, they are ge ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, land stewardship (all these topics)

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 ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, fuel efficiency, placemaking, recycling (all these topics)

Knob Appeal On architectural salvage	Umbra Fisk	14 Sep 2005	Ask Umbra
Dear Umbra, We recently replaced the doorknobs in our place, so we have a fistful of old yet working doorknobs I'd hate to just toss. What to do with this and other perfectly good hardware? R.B.M. Arlington, Va. Dearest R.B.M., This answer goes out to you, but also to all your fellow home remodelers out there. One person's old doorknob is another's period-restoration item, as the adage goes. Don't knock it. You can, of course, try t ...
Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, business, green living, recycling (all these topics)

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