Climate Culture
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Get drivers to slow down (and save fuel) by making it fun
From the people who brought you piano stairs comes an idea for getting more drivers to obey speed limits. “Fun theory award” winner Kevin Richardson suggests making it “fun” to drive the speed limit by entering lawful drivers in a lottery and awarding cash prizes to some. Money could come from fining speeders, although that […]
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Arsenic found in Utah kids’ pee traced to their pet chickens’ feed
Backyard chickens: Fun for the entire family! That is, until your kids get arsenic poisoning from them. The Utah Department of Health tracked worrisome levels of arsenic in two kids’ urine to the family’s backyard chicken coop, reports Judy Fahys in the Salt Lake Tribune (hat tip to Cookie Jill). More specifically, to the arsenic-based […]
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WTFood: McNuggets have a little too much in common with Silly Putty
Photo: fuxoft via FlickrDrooling over those food-like substances!Moms across the nation can breathe a collective sigh of relief every time their toddlers pop Silly Putty in their mouths with the news that that childhood mainstay is not completely unlike another one: McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets. As it turns out, these two amorphous items share the yummy-sounding […]
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How hot is it? Hot enough to shave your cat?
How hot is it? Hot enough to shave your cat?Photo: Jennifer PredigerWelcome to summer. We’re having a heat wave here in the Northeast that’s breaking records. Some sizzling places recorded temps of 103 degrees F yesterday! And more of the same is expected today. The Big Apple is broiling. Four of the five boroughs of […]
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Greening — and feeding — the city with a ‘garden block’
It looks like one of the main take-aways from the Congress for the New Urbanism 18 conference is something being labeled “agrarian urbanism.” Fast Company is calling it the “new new urbanism” and Treehugger has described the notion as the next phase in the evolution of this 30-year old movement. New Urbanism leader Andrés Duany, […]
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Cool digs for urban chickens [SLIDESHOW]
So you’ve consulted your city’s municipal code regarding backyard poultry — or just decided, “Cluck the neighbors, I’m getting chickens!” Next you’ll need a home for your birds that offers room to roam, warmth in winter and ventilation in summer, and protection from urban thugs like dogs and raccoons. (For details on space requirements and […]
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Ask Umbra on hair dye that won’t kill you or the planet
Send your question to Umbra! Q. Dear Umbra, I’m sure you’ve already addressed this, having bright red hair and all, but I was wondering about your advice on hair coloring. I’d like to hide my grays without damaging the environment or myself. And, if it’s possible, to do so in a cost efficient and time […]
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Urbivore’s Dilemma, Week 4: A disgusting mess
The bounty of week 4.(Jennifer Prediger photos) Welcome to week four of my CSA experience, which I’m chronicling here in this Urbivore’s Dilemma series. This week’s CSA bounty included Bibb lettuce, mustard greens, sorrel, raspberries, sugar snap peas, and lovely, blossoming yet spicy curly cress. Food like this is what makes switching from takeout to […]
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Ask Umbra’s Pearls of Wisdom on Independence Day
Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave to a greener Fourth of July?Photo courtesy of Hryck via flickr It’s 4th of July weekend! Time to “ooh” and “aah” and eat things on buns with mustard. This year, dear Readers, make the most of the red, white and blue holiday. Before and after the sparklers, […]
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Savory fruit salads are a 4th of July taste revolution
(April McGreger photos) We all know the 4th of July routine: fireworks, grilling, and all-American pies for dessert. But unlike Thanksgiving, no side dishes traditionally stand out. This year, don’t get stuck eating potato salad or tri-color pasta from plastic deli containers. Instead, give fruit salads a chance to redeem themselves. Forget that big heaping […]
