Latest Articles
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An eco-focused artist and educator answers questions
What work do you do? I am an artist, art teacher, art therapist, and writer, all dealing with a concern for the fate of the earth. I am a contributing member of many national environmental organizations and an active and founding member of a local land-conservation organization. I’ve retired from a 40-year career as a […]
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Umbra on glitter
Dear Umbra, What is the half-life of glitter and what is the environmental impact of said glitter on the ground? Planet DivaAustin, Texas Dearest Planet Diva, Everyone should know the truth: Write me a question about glitter and I will answer it right away. Glitter floats to the top of thousands of questions and shimmers […]
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Umbra on makeup
Dear Umbra, I haven’t been reading Grist for very long, so excuse me if you’ve already addressed this topic, but what are the environmental impacts of using cosmetics such as lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, and especially nail polish? Since becoming an environmentally conscious consumer, I have purchased cruelty-free products, but I have only recently […]
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Dispatches from a solar-power training expedition
Walt Ratterman is program director for Green Empowerment, a nonprofit that promotes community-based renewable-energy projects internationally to generate social and environmental progress. Monday, 24 May 2004 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Today was a day of training on Isabella Island in the Galapagos. It was also a holiday, so there was a celebration first thing in the morning […]
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Umbra on hair dye
Greetings, O Esteemed Umbra, I decided a while ago that I wouldn’t put toxic chemicals down the drain for the sake of vanity. However, I’m a dirty, dirty blond (um, hair color) and was wondering if there is a “safe” way to add some highlights. Besides lemon juice, are there other products or substances that […]
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Russian Coquette
Putin Commits Russia to Kyoto Protocol Well, we’ll be damned: Kyoto might just happen. After an international courtship worthy of a Harlequin romance, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday that his country “will rapidly move toward ratification of this [Kyoto] protocol,” putting an end to months of teasing and contradictory signals (such a coquette!). […]
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Carbon Neutrality: the New Black
Celebs Pay Up to Be Carbon-Neutral It’s the latest hip trend in the entertainment world: carbon neutrality. Celebs from Brad Pitt [sound of young girls screaming] to Orlando Bloom [more screaming] to Bernardo Bertolucci [confused silence] are supporting Future Forests; the U.K. company promises to calculate a star’s total emissions of carbon dioxide for a […]
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Table Talk
Environment May Play Key Role in Presidential Election While it’s true that the environment ranks low on the general public’s list of concerns (eighth, according to a recent Gallup poll), in a presidential election widely expected to be a squeaker, every lever that can move a few votes is getting pulled. John Kerry is honing […]
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